  | Albuquerque Restaurants with Vegetarian Available Albuquerque - Downtown Farina Pizzeria and Wine BarMon: 11am-9pm
Tues-Fri: 11am-10pm
Sat: 5-10pm
Sun: 5-9pm (subject to change) Full review: Seriously sexy food (12/25/2008)
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) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ] Winner of Best Casual Dining, Best Veggie Burger, Best Toast, Best Healthy Breakfast and Best Desserts in our 2008 restaurant poll. Sure, you go in thinking you’ll be good and get a skinny latte, scrambled egg whites and a side of turkey and green chile sausage, but five minutes later somebody’s saying “eclair” and the voice is coming from your mouth. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 8 ] Gold Street CaffèMon 7 am-4 pm.
Tue-Sat 7 am-9 pm
Sun 7 am-4 pm (subject to change)
Gold Street was cool before Downtown was cool, but now that Downtown is cool, Gold Street is even cooler. Open for breakfast and lunch (and now dinner service on the weekends!), this charming café has pet-friendly sidewalk seating and serves up a menu of homey breakfast favorites like waffles and sophisticated lunches. It shouldn’t surprise you that the place with the Best Bacon in our restaurant poll also makes a memorable BLT. If you’re really lucky, they’ll have freshly baked cupcakes or a slice of flourless chocolate cake waiting for dessert. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 5 ]  The Grove Café and MarketTues-Sat: 7am-4pm
Sun: 8am-3pm
Closed Monday (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Catering • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Dog-Friendly Full review: Twenty more years (9/21/2006)
This ray of sunshine in Huning Highland serves gourmet breakfast and lunch, sells house-made English muffins, and has a mini-shop filled with goodies like honey, jams, mustards and vinegars, not to mention non-edibles like cook books, serving vessels and cards. A tiny wine list is just as chic—five reds and five whites are marked on a chalkboard, and all are constantly changing. This list is extremely well thought-out and offers a sampling of some of the most esoteric varietals and brands available in Albuquerque. There’s also a large, shaded patio, incredible house-made cupcakes and too-cute French
macarons. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 5 ]
The defunct Bob’s Fish and Chips on Central has been reborn as the newest burger joint in town. The N.M. grass-fed Holy Cow burger comes on a brioche bun. An ahi tuna sandwich, veggie club, no-cow eggplant burger and dinner salads offer plenty of choices for bovine-averse diners. Beer and wine, plus shakes, malts and floats, are available with your Holy burger. (Alibi Staff, September 1, 2011) Add a Review 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) Add a Review JC’s New York Pizza DepartmentSun-Thu: 11am-midnight
Fri-Sat: 11am-2:30am (subject to change) 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) View/Add Reviews [ 4 ] La Quiche is an authentic French bakery from husband-and-wife team Sabine Pasco and Bruno Barachin. (Bruno is from Bordeaux, where he achieved Master Baker status years ago.) In addition to a large menu of sandwiches, pâtés, soups and stews (the
bourguignonne
is served in a house-made pastry shell), La Quiche sells loaves of country bread, fantastically complicated bread showpieces and
viennoiseries—
flaky, buttery pastries like
brioche
,
croissants
and
pain au chocolate
that traditionally came from Vienna. They use imported French butter, and it shows. The fruit tarts are the best in town. You'll also find a catering menu and a variety of quiches, ready to go for Downtown’s abundant supply of workers with little time for a proper lunch. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 8 ] 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) Add a Review A good bet for Greek/American in the heart of Downtown’s bustling Fourth Street business area. Take a break from your hectic work schedule with a nice, hot cup of lentil soup, a burger and a big smile from the friendly staff. Low carb options are abundant. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review P'tit Louis BistroLunch:
Mon-Sat 11 am -5:30pm
Available for private parties evenings and weekends.
Email for information: info@ptitlouisbistro.com (subject to change) Cuisine: French
A bright blue, turn-of-the-century Parisian bistro that’s in the heart of Downtown. With only 10 tables, the hand-carved art nouveau bar, tile floors and tin ceiling have been lovingly crafted by the chef/owners. The menu reflects traditional bistro selections including three variations on mussels, salads, cheese plates, savory crepes and charcuterie (pâté with cold cuts). Dishes are served full of flavor and without embellishment, and there’s plenty of good wine and bread,
bien sûr
. (Alibi Staff, September 16, 2010) Add a Review  Pasion Latin FusionMon-Fri: 11am-2:30pm
Sat: 9am-2pm
Closed Sunday (subject to change) Cuisine: Latin American, Cuban, Fusion, Caribbean/Cuban, Marsicos/Mexican Seafood, Mexican, South American, Spanish Salsa night/ Live Music: - Read more: Locovore: Pasión is a green-chile-infused tour of Latin America (2/16/2012)
Elvis is in the house—Chef Elvis Bencomo, that is. With co-owners Monica (Elvis’ wife) and Orlando (his brother), Pasión Latin Fusion serves up dishes found throughout Latin America with Elvis’ own creative flair. Monica runs the front of the house and her gracious, lively style makes you feel right at home. To eat, there are fish tacos crusted in banana, garnished with pickled onions, avocado and sauce. The succulent carnitas tacos and George’s pescado à la Veracruzana are spectacular. The “croque señorita” is Elvis’ version of a croque-madame—a seared pork chop, fried egg and Swiss cheese served over tacu tacu (Peruvian rice and beans, similar to Cuba's moros y cristianos) with a huacatay (Peruvian mint) cream sauce. (Alibi Staff, September 1, 2011) Add a Review 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) Add a Review The Red Ball CaféTues-Fri: 7:30am-2pm
Sat: 7:30am-1:30pm
Closed Sunday & Monday (subject to change)
J. Wellington Wimpy said, "I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." Now, we don’t condone cattle rustling, but Red Ball Café’s famous "Wimpy" burger is only 99 cents, so give yourself a full stomach and a full wallet at the same time. This Barelas landmark has been around for 80 years, but old timers and newbies alike can dine like it’s 1939. Try the tacos, eat the enchiladas and bite into the Brutus burger for posterity. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) Add a Review  Slate Street CaféMon-Fri 7:30am-10pm
Sat-Sun 9am-10pm
Closed Sunday (subject to change) $$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Catering • Outdoor Patio • Lounge Read more: Mina's Dish: Two museum cafés offer more than eye candy (10/20/2011) Full review: This ain’t your mama’s meatloaf (1/3/2008)
Modeled after a New York loft, Slate Street’s wine bar has an ultra-hip, modern, minimalist feel. This wine list is rhythmic, flowing and poetic, and it’s the most pleasurable to read and easiest to comprehend in Albuquerque. The wines are 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. The listings are simple, but not simplistic. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ]  Sushi HanaMon-Fri: 11:30am-2:30pm, 4-9pm
Sat: noon-9:30pm
Closed Sunday (subject to change) Full review: Another fish in the pond? (8/21/2008)
Downtown’s circle of Asian restaurants widens with Sushi Hana, a straight-shooting sushi joint with some Korean influences (it’s from the former owner of Yen Ching). Small and boldly decked in red and black, you’ll find affordable, familiar rolls in a contemporary atmosphere. Great for a quick lunch or a half-price sushi happy-hour trip (served from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. weekdays). (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 2 ] 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) Add a Review 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) Add a Review  Thai CrystalMon-Thurs: 11:30am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 10:30am-11pm
Sun: 5-9:30pm (subject to change) Read more: The Dish: Two restaurants reach the decade mark (1/26/2012)
Located on the back side of the Century 14 Downtown theater complex, Thai Crystal is an obvious choice for a dinner-and-a-movie date. Our favorite dishes include big noodles with soy sauce (which sounds less exciting than it is) and the wide array of soups that arrive in a tall, steaming pot. Then cool yourself down with a Thai iced tea. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 3 ] Meat, meat, meat. All-you-can-eat meat. And then there's the salad bar. This joint’s got more dead meat than you can shake a chunk of meat on a stick at. From the kill to the grill, Tucanos makes all your dreams come true. That is, if you dream about meaty hunks of marinated flesh, sliced right at your table. This lively, busy and fun Brazilian-themed restaurant next to the Century 14 movie theater is open late. (Alibi Staff, August 11, 2010) View/Add Reviews [ 6 ] | 
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