The Best Restaurants In Old Town Albuquerque

With a long and diverse cultural history, Albuquerque, New Mexico‘s largest city, sits in the scorching desert. It is brimming with historic buildings, welcoming locals and charming, Native American traditions. Founded in 1706, Albuquerque boasts an old town with stunning Spanish architecture and majestic monuments as well as some of the best Mexican food in the area. Here’s our guide to the best restaurants in Old Town, Albuquerque.

Monroe’s Restaurant

Restaurant, Mexican, American, Vegetarian

Offering some of the best New Mexican cuisine, Monroe’s is one of the most popular restaurants in the region. Today, you’ll find scrumptious dishes like the Monroe’s Famous Skillet, or chorizo and eggs on offer every morning. Later in the day customers can sample a Tortilla Cheeseburger, or try out a New Mexican platter such as the Carne Adovada option. Monroe’s also offer a fine selection of wines and Margaritas which add to the late-evening charm of this destination.

Old Town Pizza Parlor

Restaurant, Italian, Vegetarian

For a flavorsome and freshly baked oven pizza, you’ll want to venture to Old Town Pizza Parlor on Rio Grande Boulevard. This restaurant boasts a gratifying range of wines to accompany all main dishes. Old Town Pizza Parlor makes an ideal afternoon spot in which to enjoy hand-stretched pizzas made to perfection. Customers can choose from a selection of toppings like Kalamata olives, anchovies and fresh local basil, a wide and varied choice of ingredients to suit every taste. For a special dish try the tasty pizza blanca, or the hot and spicy ring of fire, if you can handle the heat.

Antiquity Restaurant

Restaurant, Steakhouse, American, Vegetarian, $$

Antiquity Restaurant is located in an 100-year-old Adobe building in the historic Old Town. The venue delights regulars and new visitors alike with its intimate and quaint setting, perfect for a romantic dinner. It also boasts a stunning selection of dishes with ingredients freshly sourced from both the surrounding region and the Pacific North West. Customers can enjoy some fresh seafood here, sumptuous shrimp or a sizzling steak. For dessert, don’t miss the rich and delicious chocolate mousse.

Church Street Cafe

Cafe, Restaurant, American, Mexican, $

Church Street Cafe is located in an historic Casa, a charming house named the “Casa de Ruiz” near the center of the Old Town, and one of the oldest original Adobe buildings in New Mexico. The restaurant occupies a gorgeous space and features creative artwork on the walls. Inside customers will be greeted with live music as they enjoy some of the spot’s popular and delicious dishes. Top menu picks include the cheese enchiladas with red sauce, Old Town turkey and the Spanish hot chili dip.

High Noon Restaurant and Saloon

Restaurant, Steakhouse, Mexican, American, $

High Noon Restaurant and Saloon is housed in a tastefully decorated, 250-year-old Adobe house in Old Town, with the building itself enjoying a colorful history and looking like a saloon transplanted straight out of the Old West. Renowned for fine steaks, High Noon Restaurant makes a great spot for dinner when the city slows down and the festivities move inside. The venue exudes an amiable and dynamic atmosphere, and offers a diverse selection of steaks, wild game and homemade New Mexican treats, with plenty of fine tequila to go with them.

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill

Bistro, Restaurant, American, Beer, $$

Seasons Rotisserie & Grill is located in a newer building overlooking Old Town. One of the best places to eat in New Mexico, this rotisserie and grill boasts fine seasonal foods in an upscale setting. The restaurant has delicious dishes that include braised Colorado lamb shank, wood grilled gold canyon flank steak and Seasons’ signature rotisserie half chicken. For dessert you can enjoy selections like layered carrot cake and other seasonal foods.

St Clair Winery & Bistro

Bistro, Restaurant, French, American, Wine, Vegetarian, $

A truly elegant spot perfect for a memorable dinner or a group party, St. Clair Winery offers wine-tasting and fine dining seven days a week. The vintages served here are sourced from the St. Clair Vineyard located 47 miles North of Deming, New Mexico, with the grapes grown at an elevation of 4500 feet. The resulting crop produces unique selections of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, fruity moscato and zinfandel varieties, allowing this restaurant to give customers top tipples to accompany choice dishes such as country pot roast, the bistro burger and Chicken Picado.

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About the author

Tomahawk Tindo

Tomahawk enjoys digital marketing and brand building. Prior to writing for The Culture Trip, he worked as a mentor for startups in Africa. Before that he gained valuable experience in the software development industry in the U.S. He's written for his college paper, the Colby College Echo, and other blogs before, and writes a column on digital marketing which he publishes on his blog, 'Tomahawk the SEO Ninja'. With his work for The Culture Trip, he's looking to share his writing for the travel and tourism sector in keeping with his international travel experiences. He also has an active interest in music and is constantly looking to improve his mastery of the guitar and play gigs when the time allows.