Gourmet
Artichoke Café
Any joint with the balls to call itself something so brazenly New York better pony up where the food is concerned. An impressive and regularly updated menu. Gourmet clientèle; classy, complex grub; and the artichoke apps are to-die-for. The cheese platter, while pricey, is scrumptious. Terrific wait service, as you’d expect. Albuquerque at its fine-dining-est.
Casa de Benavidez
Where other high-end New Mexican restaurants might look modeled on a house, here you’re waiting to be seated in Paul and Rita’s old foyer–and eating on their porch. It’s gourmet New Mexican made with love–ain’t a lot of places can boast that combination, and no other in Burque that we’re aware of.
Farina Pizzeria
This is what pizza is like when real foodies get in the kitchen. Opened in 2008 by one of Albuquerque’s most established fine-dining restaurants, the Artichoke Café, Farina has been packed to the walls since day one.
Flying Star Café / Satellite Coffee
A local business owner’s wet dream, the Star began as a far-flung satellite of California ice cream chain The Double Rainbow. Took a few years for the new name to catch on and old-time locals will still refer to them as “the Double Yuppy”, apropos of their growth model. It used to be the place you recommended everyone new in town go. Now, the Star’s the kind of place you take wealthy relatives ready to foot the bill.
Gold St Caffé
The epicurean center of Gold Avenue (it’s a mystery why it’s called Gold St), and a standard meeting place for countless downtown professionals. It’s frankly hard to imagine a meal there gone wrong.
Holy Cow
After his first lonely year in a crappy two bedroom apartment on Montgomery, Don moved to Walter, in Huning Highlands, about two blocks from Central and two blocks from Bob’s Fish & Chips (which was abandoned, and remained that way for the better part of 19 years). So when Holy Cow took over the spot on High Street and Central this year, Don knew he’d try it.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Your one-stop portal to the 20 pueblos of New Mexico. Gas station (with tobacco and papers), history, traveling exhibits, work by local artists, a high-end gift shop and wine-your-future-boss-here restaurant all in a huge, recently remodeled (and gorgeous) site.
Jennifer James 101
One of the closest experiences to New York fine dining Albuquerque offers, Jennifer James makes an impressive first date. While everything’s on the upper end of “pricey,” the quality and portions are worth every penny.
Jo's Place
Will this madness end? Local genius Dennis Apodaca opened this place (named after Mom, who works there sometimes) as the third in his dynasty of quirky family-run dives, all within a quarter-mile strip. (The others being the nationally-recognized Sophia’s Place and hidden-away Ezra’s Place.) Late breakfast, late lunch, espresso.
Johndhi's BBQ
One of the North Valley’s hidden tesoros. They’re known for their sauce, and any of their slow-cooked meats is the perfect complement. In the warmer months, chill on the back patio with a pretty dang good request-taking guitar picker (he knows precisely two Willie Nelson songs).
Mr. Powdrell's
A legendary hometown business in El Duque. Though known for their catfish, the pork ribs are the best – and really, the whole menu is quality. The atmosphere… well, you’re eating in a living room.
Nob Hill Bar & Grill
Attention single guys with a martini preference and couples pondering an anniversary date.
Both sidestepping snobbery and filling ambitiously large shoes, they make some great gourmet American favorites.