Fine Dining Restaurants in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico
Corrales - Food Truck
Fresh, A Mobile Bistro
Sun 9am-2pm, Wed-Fri 10 am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm; Make reservations (hours can change without notice)
 | | |  | | rating (5 votes) |
Magically nestled inside a 1955 Fageol Twin Coach bus is a French fine dining restaurant with gold cutlery, burgundy cloth napkins, handpainted wood paneling and soft European cafe music. The price and menu are fixed for the month, but the $50 per person price tag seems like nothing after six courses of delectable food made with fresh, local ingredients. There’s even a waiter, and you can see Chef John Young cooking in the back third of the bus. Reservations required. (Alibi Staff, July 13, 2016)
Albuquerque - Downtown
Artichoke Café
Lunch:
Mon-Fri: 11am-2:30pm
Dinner:
Sun-Thu: 5pm-9pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Happy Hour:
Mon-Fri: 3pm-6pm
Closed Sun (hours can change without notice)
| | | | | rating (86 votes) |
It only makes sense to order the steamed artichoke at the Artichoke Café. Slathered in lemon-caper oil and a raspberry vinaigrette, it makes a great starter before trying a more hefty order of grilled curried chicken or sliced steak. Once your lunch or dinner at the upscale Artichoke Café has concluded, you’ve got to adjourn to the sexy wine bar next door. The wine list is actually a leather-bound tome with a massive assortment of wines. Prices start at a decent $28 or $30 a bottle and zoom up into the upper stratospheres of frivolity, but you can also order select vintages by the half-bottle or glass. You'll love the front-facing "big city" windows, curvy wooden bar and comfortable seats. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Farina Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Mon: 11am-9pm
Tues-Fri: 11am-10pm
Sat: Noon-10pm
Sun: 5-9pm (hours can change without notice)
Full review: Seriously sexy food (12/25/2008)
Read more: Food News: Green Jeans Farmery delayed, and more (11/5/2015)
| | | | | rating (118 votes) |
Across Edith from the Artichoke Café, Farina’s proximity to some of the most established fine dining in Albuquerque isn't an accident. Farina is the punked-up younger sibling of jazzy Artichoke Café, and it brings a tantalizingly direct message to the neighborhood: pizza, beer and wine, and all of it damn good. Sharp, concise and to the point with 20 superb choices offered by the glass or bottle, Farina’s wine list is straightforward and focused. The bar is comfortable and every wine is perfectly matched to the kitchen’s chic pizzeria offerings. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Slate Street Café
Mon: 7:30am-3pm
Tue-Thurs: 7:30am-3pm, 5-9pm
Fri: 7:30am-3pm, 5-10pm
Sat: 9am-2pm, 5-10pm
Sun: 9am-2pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Lounge
Full review: The Slate Street Café (9/3/2015)
Full review: This ain’t your mama’s meatloaf (1/3/2008)
Read more: Patio and Happy Hour Guide (6/8/2017)
Read more: Mina's Dish: Two museum cafés offer more than eye candy (10/20/2011)
| | | | | rating (106 votes) |
Slate is on a quiet, blink-and-you-miss-it avenue between Fifth and Sixth Street, nestled right in the heart of the legal district. Like the space itself, the menu is polished and unintimidating. Don’t miss the ahi tuna sandwich (with gluten-free bread available!). It's all very affordable for its level of quality. There’s also a fabulous wine loft with the wines listed by style—“just a little sweet,” “ABC: Anything But Chardonnay” or “sexy, elegant, austere”—not varietal or region. Demystifying the label like this makes it easy for patrons to pair wine and food. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - Fairgrounds
Located at the end of a long corridor in the Downs Casino, the Crown Room’s very existence is something of a surprise. Even more surprising is just how elegant the cozy dining room is. The chaos of the casino outside the door quickly fades away as you dive into cuts of steak that rival the finest in town. Sure, it’ll set you back a few bucks, but the experience is not to be missed. (Alibi Staff, July 22, 2015)
Albuquerque - Far Northeast Heights
Savoy Wine Bar & Grill
Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11:30am-2pm
Dinner: Sun-Sat 5-10pm
Happy Hour: Sun-Sat 3-6pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet
Full review: Grape harmony (9/6/2007)
Read more: Patio and Happy Hour Guide (6/8/2017)
| | | | | rating (82 votes) |
Wine flights are the best way to try different selections without going broke, and Savoy has some interesting choices. They pair perfectly with the restaurant’s stunning interiors and lovely New American dishes—stovetop clam bake, grilled peach salad and the house charcuterie plate. For dessert, there’s praline-chocolate torte, house-made blackberry-Chambord ice cream, cheese plates and, of course, a glass of La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - Nob Hill
First off, you might want to dress up a little so you don’t feel like a total boob in Elaine’s intimate, hip/luxe dining room. Secondly, make sure you’ve got a full wallet before going in—we’re talking $55 a person minimum. And finally, ready your palate for some spectacular food. We recommend the filet mignon or the Scottish salmon, but really, it’s hard to go wrong at a place like this. Be sure to check out the extensive wine list as well. (Alibi Staff, January 28, 2014)
Nob Hill Bar & Grill
Sun-Mon: 11am-9pm
Tues: 11am-9:30pm
Wed-Thurs: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-2am (hours can change without notice)
$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • DJ • Dancing • Outdoor Patio
Full review: Nob Hill Bar & Grill has grown into a local favorite (8/13/2015)
Full review: Gastrobar is best after dinner (6/26/2008)
| | | | | rating (92 votes) |
If you like your comfort food with a gourmet twist, it’s here. Nob Hill Bar & Grill boasts meatloaf (crowned with smoked bacon) and burgers (American kobe). The appetizers and classic cocktails alone are worth the visit. Cheese sticks encrusted in nuts and miso-seared ahi tuna on wontons go down swimmingly (Did we mention the saltwater aquarium?) with a signature cocktail or an organic ale. A few vegetarian entrées, decent hours, a full bar, and a comfy but chic atmosphere make Nob Hill Bar & Grill a mainstay in the neighborhood. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
P’tit Louis Bistro
Tues-Sat: 11am-2:30 pm
Tues-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm
Closed Sun-Mon (hours can change without notice)
| | | | | rating (36 votes) |
P’tit Louis’ digs is a collaboration between Christopher Descarpentries, John Phinizy and Tom White of Il Vicino and Two Fools Tavern. With classy lunch, dinner and wine menus, this lovely bistro will truly transport you to France. The delicousness doesn’t stop with hors d’oeuvres and entrées; the dessert choices are absolutely to die for, so make sure to save room. (Alibi Staff, September 29, 2011)
Scalo Northern Italian Grill
Sun: 11am–2:30pm & 5pm–9pm
Mon–Tues: 11:30am–2:30pm & 5pm–9pm
Wed–Fri: 11:30am–2:30pm & 5pm–10pm
Sat: 11am-2:30pm & 5pm-10pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Wine • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Lounge
Full review: Scalo Northern Italian Grill (6/6/2013)
Read more: Patio and Happy Hour Guide: Oxygen-Rich Music (6/16/2016)
| | | | | rating (102 votes) |
The surprising thing about Scalo is that it’s simultaneously more fancy and less expensive than you’d think. It’s just as breezy and classy as ever in its high-ceilinged dining room. All of the bottles on the wine list are half-price on Monday nights, and there’s free, live music in the bar. Try their Bloody Mary bar on the weekends or their Sunday brunch. There’s plenty of fresh-pressed espresso to sip with it. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Yanni's and Lemoni Bar and Grill
Tues-Thurs: 11am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-10:30pm
Sun-Mon: 11:30am-8:30pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Live Music
Full review: Yanni’s Mediterranean Grill (12/3/2015)
| | | | | rating (103 votes) |
You love Yanni's. So do we. Their adjoined Lemoni Bar seats about 85 people and is open for lunch, dinner or just cocktails. Painted natural tones and accented with elegant lighting, the lounge provides a subtle contrast to the bright, light and airy dining rooms at Yanni's. It’s an ideal place for pre- or post-movie cocktails and snacks, or more substantial cuisine. Their green chile Bloody Mary will certainly boost your brunch. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
Brunch:
Sat-Sun: 11am-2:30pm
Dinner:
Sun: 5pm-9pm
Mon-Thurs: 5pm-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-11pm
Cellar Bar:
Tues-Sat: 5pm-1am
Sun-Mon: 5pm-11pm
Cellar Bar Summer Hours:
Tues-Thu 5pm-12am (hours can change without notice)
$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Live Music • Wireless Internet
Read more: Patio and Happy Hour Guide (6/8/2017)
Read more: On the Hunt for Chicken and Waffles (2/20/2014)
Full review: A tale of two restaurants (12/20/2007)
| | | | | rating (81 votes) |
Zinc is a delightfully renovated historic space in Nob Hill, reborn as an upscale restaurant serving elegant American food with noticeable French inspiration. Downstairs, the cellar bar attracts a younger crowd for drinks, music and daily specials including the $9 beer, brat and pretzel every Thursday. The happy hour menu, wines by the glass and prices are the best around. Give the brunch a try, and while you’re at it, try a Taos Mule from the bar. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - North Valley
Farm & Table
Dinner hours:
Wed-Thu 5pm-9pm
Fri-Sat 5pm-9pm
Brunch hours:
Sat- Sun 9am-2 pm (hours can change without notice)
Full review: A celebration, steeped in the agrarian history of the North Valley (8/3/2017)
Read more: Summer Guide: Make Me Melt (5/5/2016)
| | | | | rating (27 votes) |
The Far North Valley setting is gorgeous, inside and out. (The spacious courtyard overlooks 10 acres of farm field.) The local and organic ingredients are meticulously sourced, and the food is reasonably priced for the level of quality you get. Several salad options and vegetarian entrées make it a perfect place to graze. For brunch, try their carne adovada with eggs. Don’t forget a refreshing dessert of house-made ice cream or a sorbet trio. (Alibi Staff, May 3, 2012)
Vernon’s Speakeasy
Mon-Sun: 4:30pm-9:30pm
Fri-Sat Happy Hour: 9pm-11pm
Sunday Brunch: 10:30am-3pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Smoking Permitted • Lounge
Full review: Dine well and speakeasy (1/24/2008)
| | | | | rating (119 votes) |
Vernon’s is a swanky underground spot for good eats and high times, delivered speakeasy-style. The dining room is walled with lustrous, ebony adobe, and the tables are clothed in crisp, black and white linens. By the glass or bottle, there’s plenty of quality hooch. The menu is classic steakhouse stuff with beef tournedos in a silky demi-glace, fresh fish and a damn fine veal Oscar. Check out the Black Diamond Lounge to take in the fancy cocktails and live music. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - Old Town
Antiquity Restaurant
Sun-Thurs: 5-9pm
Fri-Sat: 5-10pm (hours can change without notice)
| | | | | rating (61 votes) |
This creeking wooden-floored and quaint restaurant is located in Old Town and is one of the few places in the city unafraid of serving a very rare steak. The all around energy is charming and old timy, and their menu is thoughtful and satisfying. Save your money and treat yo self. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Seasons Rotisserie & Grill
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm
Dinner: Daily 5-9pm
Rooftop Cantina:
Daily 4-10pm
Happy Hour:
Mon-Fri 4-6:30pm, 9-10pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Live Music • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet
Full review: Fine dining is always in season (3/11/2010)
| | | | | rating (55 votes) |
Seasons’ rooftop patio is one of our favorite wine-drinking destinations, especially when it’s nice out. There are heaters up there for chilly nights, the courtyard fountain provides a calming gurgle, the view of the mountains is great, and the happy hour menu has outstanding dishes at more-than-reasonable prices. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - Sandia Pueblo
The nickel slots are bright, noisy: Bien Shur is subdued, quiet, tasteful. The dining room is classy and beautiful but still comfortable, leaving diners to contemplate the wonderful contemporary cuisine and stunning views of the city and Sandia mountains. After your meal, you can head back downstairs into the casino scuffle for some live jazz in the Tlur P’a Lounge and a hand of video poker. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - South Valley
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Head up to the third floor of Isleta Resort and Casino for some fancy and delicious rooftop dining with a view to die for. Take in the fiery red sunset over the green fields of the South Valley while sipping a bold Shiraz that is perfectly paired with your juicy top sirloin steak. Or dream of ocean breezes while dining on seared scallops in Chardonnay butter sauce. Mmmmmm. (Alibi Staff, May 10, 2017)
Albuquerque - University
Ranchers Club is arguably the city’s fanciest restaurant, where fine steaks and seafood are king. Certainly, it has the dining room with the most formal service—tuxedos and golden-domed plates and all—but with live music and expertly crafted cocktails, the resplendent bar is also worth your time. This is the place we like to go for really special occasions—like when someone else is paying or when we want to break a hunger strike. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
Albuquerque - Uptown
Marcello’s Chophouse
Mon-Thu: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-3pm, 5pm-11pm
Closed Sunday (hours can change without notice)
$$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Full Bar • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Delivery • Live Music • Wireless Internet
| | | | | rating (37 votes) |
Get ready to drop some serious dough on this place. This joint is cool, smooth and classy, the foie gras and Kobe beef are tender and delicious, and even the mac and cheese is fancy-schmantzy with a sprinkling of shaved black truffles. Have an excellent glass of wine and an order of oysters Marcello. Open late—10pm weekdays, 11pm Fridays and Saturdays—of course. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
