6 Best Restaurants in Albuquerque, New Mexico

A visit to Villa Myriam is always satisfying, not just for the uber-fresh coffee drinks on offer and its crisply contemporary design, but for the sense of discovery—tucked away as it is in this emerging early 20th-century warehouse area not far from the train tracks. Tasty teas and sandwiches are also served. The view from its north-facing patio often includes an expanse of salvaged neon signage: Albuquerque history in lights, these are ultimately destined for placement in a neon park just a block away, across from the old Glorieta Brewery, the distinctive red-brick edifice that towers to the west.

Beautiful loaves—Old World Rye, South Valley Sourdough, Sunflower Seed Multigrain, and Rustic Baguettes—beckon at the open-kitchen storefront location of Bosque Baking. Tucked away in an historic neighborhood on the western edge of Downtown, it’s helmed by Jim Mecca, the best bread baker in town. While he also keeps a stand at the Corrales Market (on Sunday), visitors come here for great bread, empanadas (both savory and sweet), apricot scones, and perhaps a Ginger Molasses or Red Chile Chocolate Pecan cookie; in winter he’s been known to whip up batches of sublime soups as well.

A smart little walk-up with a few outdoor counter-style stools to perch on (and enough parking to tailgate, as many do), Burque Bakehouse made its name at the local growers’ markets and now focuses on this standalone shop just a few blocks south of Central Avenue in the heart of EDo. The changing menu of freshly baked breads and pastries is scooped up fast—they might shut early when the day’s goods are gone.

A staple in the city, each outpost of this locally owned order-at-the-counter-first café suits its neighborhood (some have patios and allow pets). At the original spot here in Nob Hill, the university crowd digs into a creative mix of American and New Mexican dishes (plus several types of wine and beer). Options include rosemary chicken with couscous risotto, a tossed Cobb salad with tangy tomatillo dressing, a green-chile loaded turkey-and-Jack cheese on toasted sourdough, and an egg- and chile-packed "graburrito." Count on a tempting array of desserts, from a bite-size salted caramel blondie to a Nike-sized coffee-cream-filled éclair.

This definitive student hangout—it's directly across from UNM and has been since 1971—is open seven days from 5 am until late, and hits the spot for inexpensive diner-style American and New Mexican chow. A notch up from a fast-food joint, the chile's good (vegetarian and non), the breakfast burritos are fine (the burgers are, too), and who can resist a hot, melty oversize Frontier cinnamon sweet roll? The sprawling space features some oddly eye-catching John Wayne and Elvis artwork that has been there since the start.

A stack-up of mural-painted shipping containers houses a Santa Fe Brewing Co. taproom, an arcade, and a changing set of Albuquerque-based food vendors (Guava Tree Cafe's warm-pressed Caribbean sandwiches, Cake Fetish, and Amore pizza are some highlights). But it's really about the views and indoor-outdoor hangout nooks here. The outdoor spaces are especially refreshing; the view over the desert west oddly enough trumps the mountain view to the east.