Veggie-friendly
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.
India Palace
Indian food can seem rare in Albuquerque, but lovers of saag paneer and tikka masala need not fear. It’s family-owned, with an excellent lunch buffet, a reasonably-priced dinner menu, and as in most Indian restaurants, vegetarians are treated like normal people.
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.
Java Joe's
Spend any time downtown and a meal at Java Joe’s is compulsory. It feels like the crossroads of the downtown scene, particularly among artists and musicians. The coffee’s still strong, well-brewed and bottomless, and the food’s fresh.
Jinja Bar & Bistro
Upon a first glance, the high-priced drinks, South Pacific/WWII-era Chinese decor and all-over-the-place Asian menu may make you think Jinja isn’t worth a second look. But then, you’d be wrong.
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).
Los Cuates
Home-style New Mexican with local native art on the walls, this block-long restaurant can accommodate all parties, but damn, it gets noisy. Try the spicy, chocolatey salsa and chips, green chile stew, any of the combination plates, and of course the fresh sopas.
Model Pharmacy
Where else can you find an old-fashioned drug counter, eclectic perfumes and toiletries, a retro soda fountain and sandwich shop all under one roof? We mean Phosphates and Rickeys, c’mon!
Monica's El Portal
Run, do not walk, from Old Town Plaza across Rio Grande. Real home-cookin’, generous portions, fresh and FAST. The patio’s almost as unpretentious as the staff.
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.
Pars Cuisine
Started in 1984, Pars Cuisine was originally Pars Diner, and served Mediterranean food in little red baskets to folks in a strip mall the Heights. While still in a strip mall, Pars Cuisine is officially a classy, sit-down, authentic Persian kind of joint, additionally offering wine, beer or even a little something from the samovar bar. Hold your horses, though, amigo — a samovar is used to serve tea, so don’t get too excited. Although their tea is something to get excited about if you’re into that sort of brew.