17 Best Places to Shop in Albuquerque, New Mexico

This North Valley stalwart has been reviving readers' spirits for many a year in a cozy neighborhood setting. A committed independent seller, Bookworks fairly prides itself on service, and booklovers from all corners flock here for its fine stock of regional coffee-table books, a well-culled selection of modern fiction and nonfiction, architecture and design titles, well-chosen calendars and cards, and a (small) playground's worth of kids' books. Regular signings and readings draw some big guns to this compact treasure.

Ramble north on this rural stretch of Edith Boulevard and your reward is not only a bit of Albuquerque history en route (the old Camino Real ran along Edith), but the unexpected wonder that is Eldora Chocolate. The actual chocolate making happens here, too, and the many shop's many awards attest to owner Steve Prickett’s attention to quality and the nuances of the chocolate bean. This is true artisanal chocolate—any aficionado is sure to learn something special about their 70% Tanzanian, say, and tastings are offered freely.

A destination on its own, the wonderful Farm Shop at the renowned Los Poblanos Inn carries a distinctive selection of books, culinary gadgets, fine crafts from local makers (jewelry, textiles, ceramics), the same soothing and perfectly scented lavender lotions and soaps found in the inn's guestrooms, and a considerable variety of artisan jams, vinegars, and sauces. For takeaway sustenance, the inn's Campo kitchen whips up crisply crusted breads, sandwiches, coffee, tea, and cakes.

This shop carries a very special selection of fetishes, along with kachina dolls, baskets, and a small grouping of vintage and contemporary Native American jewelry and pottery, for the beginning and seasoned collector. The shop's owner, Yvonne Stokes, is well respected in this field, and presents work from all 19 pueblos as well as Hopi and Navajo pieces. Changing exhibits focus on one tradition—stone carvers, for example—and hone in on the work of one artist and perhaps that of the artist's family as well. Gorgeous hand-carved Ye’i figures by contemporary Navajo artist Sheldon Harvey are here, as are his wonderful abstraction paintings. Enter the Zuni Fetish Museum from within the gallery; an unusually fine range of historic Zuni-crafted fetishes awaits, along with those by other Native artisans. Transitions in style and theme are well-documented here, as are trends in materials and form. Visits to both the store and the museum are by advance appointment only.

With joyful designs composed in the spirit of traditional woodblock prints, whimsical pure cotton flour-sack dish towels—and yardage, napkins, potholders, and more—roll off the silk-screen presses here (don't miss their special misprint sales). While the perfectly soft and absorbent towel fabric is imported from Pakistan, the themes and attitude are purely local and New Mexico-inspired. View the printing process from their retail shop, where you will also find an irresistible selection of finely made hand-hewn products from other sustainably focused makers with keen eyes for design. The colorfully felted Flying Dragon children's mobiles (Nepal) are delightful, and the pewter animal magnets from Roofoos in Oregon are pretty cool too.

An Albuquerque mainstay since 1946, and here on Central since 1964, the Man's Hat Shop is where anyone, man or woman, who needs just the right hat, with just the right fit, will find what they're looking for—whether that's fedora, porkpie, Cossack-style, coonskin, or, of course, top-of-the-line Western felt or straw. Owner Stuart Dunlap clearly loves his business—as do costume designers from the state's expanding film industry—and will help guide you among some 5,000 styles to a new chapeau that suits, or modify one you already have.

The Sandia Pueblo-run Bien Mur Indian Market Center showcases regional Native American rugs, jewelry, and crafts of all kinds. It is a good place to get familiar with the distinct styles found at each of the 19 pueblos here (as well as that by Diné, or Navajo, artists), and you can be certain about the authenticity of purchases made here as well.

Peruse a wide selection of hand-painted Mexican Talavera tiles at this Old Town stalwart that's been in business since 1977. Prices are reasonable, making the colorful geometrics, florals, mural patterns, and solids close to irresistible. Tin lighting fixtures as well as ceramic sink and cabinet knobs fill in the rest of the space in this DIY-inspiring shop (yes, they ship).

Cowboys & Indians carries a serious selection of fine Native American and Western art and artifacts culled from the collections of sharp-eyed antiques dealers from across the country. Set on the eastern fringe of Nob Hill, the door may be kept locked, but ring the bell—it's worth a browse when you are out this way.

Just across from the BioPark, shaded outdoor seating on El Vado Motel’s plaza is surrounded by a cluster of locally committed shopkeepers and food purveyors. A good meal option is Buen Provecho, inspired by Costa Rican traditional cooking, or enjoy a cerveza (beer) from the El Vado Taproom. Stroll just beyond the plaza to a cluster of local vendors on the complex's outer periphery (Southwest Cactus Shop has not only the expected succulents, but a well-selected range of southwest-themed hand-stamped cards, earrings, clever metal birds, and more), or a little further east on Central Avenue to Kaufman's Coffee & Bagels (freshly made on site) or Swan Song, a retro-ware recycler.

A sliver of a shop that feels like an art gallery, IMEC (International Metalsmith Exhibition Center) carries an unusual range of jewelry and craftwork by a nationally renowned group of metal and glass artisans. Many are New Mexico based, like Luis Mojica, who does stunning work in sterling, resin, and mother-of-pearl, and Mary Kanda, whose intricate glass-bead pieces are richly colored.

Exploring the farther reaches of the rural North Valley takes you past small adobe antique shops and mom-and-pop-type finds, but then there is the unexpected two-story stack of 1800s-vintage terrone block that forms the colorfully inviting La Parada. Inside, its longtime owner shows a keen eye for crafts from across the Americas (fantastic Haitian tin work made from recycled oil drums, charming blue-and-white painted D’Casa pottery from Guadalajara) and around the globe. All show the artists’ hands, as does the outstanding selection of vintage ties, handkerchiefs, and linens for sale.

Contemporary fine crafts, including jewelry, sculptural glass, ceramics, and fiber arts can be found at this longtime Albuquerque gallery. In town since 1974, a smart and changing selection of high-quality wares by local artisans has been a constant. Special exhibits focus on established artists (such as extraordinary mixed-media metalwork by Cynthia Cook and provocative pieces by collagist Suzanne Sbarge) and worthy newcomers.

One of the city's best independent bookstores, Page 1 is a singular find for its mix of rare and used books shelved to entice the serious browser, while also offering a deep selection of literature, fiction and nonfiction, print ephemera, books for kids, and gifts for the book lover. Count on astute staff recommendations, as well as a regular roster of book signings, poetry readings, and children's events.

Meeting Johnny Salas, Santisima’s spirited owner, is part of the fun of visiting this Old Town shop. It sells mostly artwork and objects that celebrate New Mexican santos traditions and Día de los Muertos across the globe.

Out by the Sandia foothills, Theobroma Chocolatier carries beautiful, handcrafted, high-quality chocolates, truffles, and candies (most of them made on the premises).

Another inspired endeavor from the design-forward folks at Los Poblanos Inn, Town & Ranch smartly offers a side-by-side tasting Lounge (for its on-site distillery’s “new Western” dry gins) and a supplies shop, where you can stock up a picnic basket, refill your lotion bottles, or buy a local vintage and have it poured for you next door.