  | $ Restaurants in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico Albuquerque - Downtown Barelas Coffee HouseMon-Fri 7:30am-3pm
Sat 7:30am-2:30pm
Closed Sunday (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: New Mexican
You’d better get to Barelas early on Saturday morning if you don’t want to wait in line for a table. This homey New Mexican joint is popular, and though it’s much bigger inside than you can tell from the street, regulars pack the place tighter than a tamale. Barelas is known for huevos rancheros, and they are tasty here, slathered in particularly good red chile and served on a fresh flour tortilla. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Looking to step out of New Mexico for a night? Try stepping into the Bubble Lounge, where you can smoke sheesha (no, that's not some hip drug, it’s flavored tobacco), mingle with other "hook-ees," flirt with a belly dancer (on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 to 11 p.m.) and jam to the hip Indian beats that are guaranteed to be pumpin’. Best of all, it’s a great alternative to the bar scene for Downtown’s 18-and-over crowd. Fall onto a big, cushy couch, take off your shoes and let time pass with a nice cup of tea.bubb (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) No indoor seating. Take-out or outdoor seating only. (Alibi Staff, June 16, 2011) This cute, Italian-styled café is tucked
between Gold Street Caffé and P’tit Louis Bistro in one of Downtown’s most desirable dining districts
. The rest of the place follows suit with
bello
hand-pressed espresso (tea, too), panini and other Euro-centric treats. (Alibi Staff, July 12, 2011)  Café LushMon-Fri 7am-3pm
Sat 8am-1pm
Closed Sunday (hours can change without notice) Read more: Locovore: Café Lush for life (11/10/2011)
Café Lush is like a daydream of the way things might be in some future hybrid of Europe and Albuquerque. It’s an urban café on a quiet street corner, with a small menu of simple yet well-crafted dishes and a pledge to use local, seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. But unlike in Europe, the red and green chile won’t disappoint. (Alibi Staff, November 17, 2011) This little restaurant clings close to the heart of Downtown on Sixth Street and Silver, and the food is actually made by Cecilia herself in the kitchen. The tacos, burritos and enchiladas are traditional, tasty and pretty friggin’ cheap, too. The red chile packs a wallop, and Cecilia’s is even open on Sundays. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)  Crêpe CentralWed- Sun10:30am-5:30 pm
Closed Monday & Tuesday (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: French Read more: Dish Jockey: Crêpe Central (5/24/2012)
If you take a left at the cashier at The Market @ 610, you’ll see a man standing behind a waist-high counter looking a bit like a casino blackjack dealer. That’s Christopher Raven, the chef and owner of Crêpe Central. Before him are two crepe griddles. Crepes, for their simplicity, offer nearly limitless possibilities. Raven has two batters, and dozens of sweet and savory sauces and fillings. There are several recommended formulations on the menu, or go freestyle—a wheat batter crepe with spinach, bacon, olives, red peppers and harissa, say. When the batter is set and golden, he folds the crepe’s four sides into a square, cuts it in half, and voilà: an elegant but unfussy presentation. (Alibi Staff, June 21, 2012) Sometimes we're so anxious for a double green chile cheeseburger, we dig in without even washing our hands. That's how tantalizing this food is! The flashing sign beckons us to hot dog mecca, where we indulge in not only dogs but the essential tater tots and Frito pie. Get your dogs to go and race home so you can enjoy them with a few brews. Or go inside the Dog House and find a seat at the tiny counter, then nurse that sweaty tongue of yours with a milkshake. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) If it’s salt-of-the-earth, tried-and-true New Mexican favorites you’re after, hit up a Garcia’s in your area. It has daily specials, breakfast anytime and even a "gringo menu" that’ll fill you up without depleting your wallet. The huevos rancheros with green chile will leave you licking the plate and contemplating seconds. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Gold Rush CupcakesMonday-Friday 10 am - 3 pm (hours can change without notice)
Moist cake, exceptional cream cheese frosting, and inspired flavors and decorations (the adorable “breakfast” cupcake is topped with a diminutive stack of “pancakes,” strips of “bacon” and a sunny-side-up “egg”) are a treasure on their own. Wholesome and affordable sandwiches, a staggering menu of “create your own cupcake” options, and daily specials are just the icing on the cake. (Alibi Staff, June 16, 2011) According to one of our readers, Java Joe’s is “the last of a dying breed.” There are indeed “few choices left to get that cool Haight-Ashbury ’60s feeling.” Don’t get the wrong idea, though, this neighborhood coffee shop isn’t overflowing with hippies. It attracts a diverse crowd of cyclists, artists, musicians, hipsters and grownups just looking for a cuppa joe (albeit one with in-house roasted beans). The food is simple and satisfying, from freshly baked scones to waffles, burritos, sandwiches and salads, and the sidewalk seating is definitely for the dogs. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) JC’s New York Pizza DepartmentSun-Thu: 11am-midnight
Fri-Sat: 11am-2:30am (hours can change without notice) Cuisine: Pizza
Get your late-night pizza fix and a pint on Downtown’s favorite patio. It makes a perfect vantage point for people-watching until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) The Library Bar and GrillMon-Sat: 11am-2am
Sun: noon-midnight (hours can change without notice)
The Library began as a concept bar a few years ago in Tempe, Ariz., catering to the lunch and dinner crowd, transforming in the later hours of the evening into a nightclub. The food is pretty standard bar fare with burgers and the like—but at least in this case you’ll be served by Catholic schoolgirl-attired waitresses, who, at prescribed times during the night, will dance on the bar mere inches from your taco plate. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010)
We like Lindy’s for their retro-ish décor, Downtown convenience and $5 pitchers of beer. The food here is pretty typical diner fare with a good amount of New Mexican and Greek specialties thrown into the mix, served in hefty portions. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Plaza EateryMon-Fri: 7am-4pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday (hours can change without notice)
Plaza Eatery, steps away from Civic Plaza, is an ideal location to eat lunch and spot your local elected government officials, whether it be city councilors or the mayor himself. With some of the lowest prices Downtown and a large menu of tasty American, Greek and New Mexican lunch specials, and lots of fresh baked goods, Plaza Eatery is one of Downtown’s best-kept secrets. Try a chicken walnut sandwich, served on a croissant with grapes, and get an iced sugar cookie for dessert. Or try the Spanakopita—delicious homemade spinach pie served with pita bread, tsatsiki sauce and a green leaf salad on the side. Plaza Eatery also offers a sizeable breakfast menu. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Roma Bakery and DeliMon-Fri: 7am-3pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday (hours can change without notice)
Downtown chowhounds can enjoy a light, simple and delicious breakfast or lunch at the Roma Bakery and Deli. Choose three salads from the deli case (the spicy tuna is a must-try) or get the Magnífica deli-style sandwich filled with salami, pepperoni and turkey topped with balsamic vinaigrette for a filling meal at a great price. As a bonus, Oscar tucks away a homemade cookie for dessert, or you can eyeball other fresh bakery treats behind the glass to take for later. Delish. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) This brightly colored taco shop is always busy. Despite the constant stream of hard hats, auto mechanics and high-heeled office workers, Taquería Mexico somehow stays spotlessly clean. And the food is great! Their tortas come on big, hot rolls, stuffed with your choice of meats (try the
asada
or
desebrada
), lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and avocado. The big, juicy burgers are fantastic, as are the burritos, the
caldo de res
and the soft corn tortilla tacos (of course). (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Mom runs the cash register and Pop hustles in the kitchen, making this place seem friendlier and more authentic than its competitor, Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. They also offer brown rice and let you pay a little more for extra broccoli instead of forcing you to give up your rice. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) This bright and colorful café caters primarily to Downtown office workers (Weekdays—get it?). We like that it has substantial salads and New Mexican fare to choose from that hit the spot. The selection of housemade baked goods is huge and very tempting. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Albuquerque - FairgroundsThis old-school sandwich emporium won 2007’s categories for Best Sandwich and Best Soup. It prepares satisfying hot and cold hoagies at a decent price, with a chocolate chip cookie thrown in at no extra charge. The "sundown" is a staple for chronic dine-’n’-drivers; basically a turkey dinner in sandwich form, complete with stuffing and cranberry sauce. Try it on toasted whole wheat or sourdough instead of the standard roll, which quickly becomes too soggy to eat while steering, talking on your cell phone and jotting down the appointment you just made in your BlackBerry. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) | 
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