Dining and Drinking

The rich cultural diversity of New Mexico has created a culinary melting pot. Finding something to eat is easy, but choosing from all of the options may take awhile. There are a variety of ethnic restaurants, and for every one of these, there are at least three restaurants offering New Mexican cuisine.

Old Town

Offering the finest New Mexico beef, wild game and poultry, the High Noon Restaurant and Saloon serves gourmet meals in a casual atmosphere. No trip to this area of town would be complete without a stop at one of the restaurants on the plaza. Casa de Fiesta Mexican Grill offers fine New Mexican dining with a full view of the plaza. Old Town's bars and pubs reflect the quiet atmosphere of this historical district and rowdier nightlife needs to be sought in another part of town.

Downtown

After the sun goes down in Old Town, the lights go on Downtown. Loosen your collar and lose the tie at Burt's Tiki Lounge, where tropical drinks are the specialty of the house and the kitchen remains open until 2a. For something a little more upscale, the Downtown Distillery offers live music, billiards and a restaurant that serves a wide variety of sandwiches. A popular hangout for the downtown lunch crowd is the Artichoke Café, a French bistro located on historic Route 66, which offers gourmet meals in a casual atmosphere.

Midtown

There is a bustling energy to this fast-paced region of the city. On-the-go business people, salesmen and executives in search of a quality meal have inspired a wide variety of coffee houses, fine restaurants and nightclubs.

A recent addition to this part of town and an instant favorite is Vic's Daily Café. Owned by the son of a long-time coffee house operator, the Greek heritage of the family is apparent in the three-page menu that offers huge hamburgers, meatloaf with mushroom gravy and Greek-style roasted chicken on a bed of rice pilaf.

For local food in Midtown, try Los Cuates, which specializes in New Mexican cuisine. The portions are large and the prices small, but that is not the only reason to stop in. It is the best authentic New Mexican food in the neighborhood.

Northeast Heights and Foothills

Family-owned restaurants, local taverns and hole-in-the-wall eateries are sprinkled across this section of town that slopes upward toward the Sandia Mountains. Garduno's of Mexico is a local favorite. For a four-course gourmet meal with a twist, try the Mystery Café, a murder mystery dinner theater. If this doesn't provide enough entertainment, head up the street to Laff's Comedy Caffe where locals go to find themselves or their friends taking the brunt of a good joke.

Nob Hill and University

In this part of town, the dining experience ranges from great, cheap fast food to the most expensive in town. In the University area, the coffee shops, cafes and diners may cater to the student's budget but everyone in town enjoys the fare. For some of the best Italian food in town, sample some of the offerings at Scalo.

Southeast

The area around the airport is alive twenty-four hours a day. A taste of New Mexico awaits you even before you have to worry about finding a rental car or a shuttle to get away from the Sunport. Garduno's of Mexico, a local favorite with several locations throughout the city, has staked out a spot in the airport itself. This restaurant will definitely acclimate visitors to chili, New-Mexico-style. Down the street near the motels, you will find Quarters Barbecue. You will also find the Rio Grande Yacht Club, one of Albuquerque's most respected seafood establishments.

North Valley and South Valley

Along the Rio Grande, old haciendas hint of the history at the heart of Albuquerque. A number of these distinguished old homes have been converted into restaurants. El Pinto, located in the far North Valley, is such a place. Dinner on the patio while watching the setting sun illuminate the Sandia Mountains can only be topped by the accompanying mariachi music.

For a close encounter with recent celebrities, visit one of the most revered Mexican restaurants in the city, Sadie's. Johnny Carson and other visiting celebrities make this a must on their to-do list in Albuquerque and it could be because of the margaritas. Another option is a combination plate and an imported beer on the patio at Geezamboni's BBQ, the North Valley's most popular barbecue spot.

Corrales

This quaint village wedged between Rio Rancho and north Albuquerque has maintained its atmosphere despite the burgeoning metropolis on its fringes. For true four-star dining, try Jim White's Casa Vieja, where there is no established menu, just an inventive chef with open-minded customers. Enjoy dinner and cocktails in this 300-year-old Spanish land grant home.

West Mesa

Exponential growth is the hallmark of this part of the metro area. And no fast-growing town worth its salt would go up without Texas barbecue. Rudy's Country Store and Barbecue offers pit-roasted meat cut and served right before your eyes. For authentic Italian food washed down with micro brew, the Turtle Mountain Brewing Company has just the thing. Famous among the locals for its impressive breakfast spread is Weck's. If you're really hungry, try Twister's for a burrito so big it is sold as whole, 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8 size.

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