Vegetarian/Health Foods Restaurants in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico
Albuquerque - Downtown
Café Lush
Mon-Fri 7am-2:30pm
Sat 8am-1pm
Closed Sun (hours can change without notice)
Café Lush is 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, well-crafted dishes and a pledge to use local, seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. But unlike cuisine from across the pond, the red and green chile here do not disappoint.
Read more: Locovore: Café Lush for life (11/10/2011)
 | | |  | | 3.41 rating (27 votes) |
Conchita’s Cafe
Mon-Fri 8am-2pm (hours can change without notice)
$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet
If you’re looking for something light and fresh, try Conchita’s weekly five-dollar salad special or a six-dollar daily special such as the meatball sub. Other fantastic fresh dishes include a strawberry salad, a quinoa wrap and a taco plate. Sandwiches are a great choice here, too.
| | | | | 5 rating (1 vote) |
Modern General
Mon-Sun - Kitchen 7:30am-3pm, juice/coffee bar 7:30am-5pm (hours can change without notice)
$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Wine • Wireless Internet
At this breakfast-all-day joint, Vinaigrette mastermind Erin Wade serves wholesome takes on classic diner food. Think pancakes made with teff flour and full of kale, cabbage and flax seeds, smothered with spicy-sweet mayo and Japanese okonomi sauce. Or a fried egg sandwich on house-made sourdough bread and spread with yogurt. The drink menu is extensive, and includes coffee and tea drinks, beer and wine, smoothies, juices, health shots and warming elixirs. The stylish space is as lovely as the food, and there’s a small shop stocked with books and lifestyle goods that fit the Modern General ethos.
Alibi recommends: Sunshine bowl, London defogger, sourdough bread
Vibe: Warm and homey, in a kind of minimalist way.
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Rad[ish]
Monday- Thursday 9:45am- 5:45pm
Friday 9:45am- 1:45pm
Saturday 9:45 am- 1pm
Closed Sunday (hours can change without notice)
This bright, fresh restaurant truly serves organic food. They use real, whole foods like grass-fed dairy, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef and organic chicken and produce. The meals are fast, convenient and delicious and naturally gluten-free. Now that’s rad.
| | | | | 5 rating (2 votes) |
Albuquerque - Far Northeast Heights
Squeezed Juice Bar
Mon-Fri: 7:30am-7pm
Sat: 8am-6pm
Sun: 9am-5pm (hours can change without notice)
Meals Served: Breakfast
$ • Vegetarian Available • Delivery • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Lounge
This tasty juice bar is a favorite amongst locals. They not only provide premixed smoothies and juices like Tropical Vacation (which has pineapple, banana, mango, orange, shredded coconut and lemon) and Rejuvenator (fennel, apple, kale, lemon, cayenne) but also açai bowls and “create your own blend juices.”
| | | | | 3.39 rating (18 votes) |
Albuquerque - Food Truck
Blended Açai
Blended açai has been a trendy food in big cities for a while, and now Albuquerque finally has our own spot to try the highly Instagramable superfood. The Blended Açai food truck visits not only breweries—the typical fare of food trucks—but also yoga studios, pop-up shops and farmers’ markets. If eating big purple bowls of berries and granola isn’t your thing, they also serve poké bowls. Check out where they’ll be parked next by following them on Instagram @blendedacai505.
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Conchita's Creations
$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet
The mobile version of Conchita’s Cafe offers catering for up to 800 people.
| | | | | 5 rating (2 votes) |
Pura Vida Comida
Cuisine: Vegetarian/Health Foods
The husband-and-wife duo Erin and Tito Valdez opened the Pura Vida Comida food truck after they saw a need for more good vegan food in Albuquerque. The eye-catching turquoise truck can now be found parked in front of breweries and bars throughout the city, serving tasty salads, bowls and signature dishes like their General Tso’s Not Chicken. Check them out on Instagram at @puravida.comida to see where they’ll be next.
Read more: Food Interview: Pura Vida Comida Rolls Into ABQ (6/14/2018)
| | | | | 5 rating (1 vote) |
Albuquerque - I-25 Corridor
Hello Poké
Sun noon-6pm, Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat noon-8pm (hours can change without notice)
Enter Hello Poké, riding a giant wave of foodie enthusiasm for poke, one of Hawaii’s proudest dishes. Traditionally it’s cubed and marinated fish, though fusion cuisine and innovation have certainly expanded the otherwise workman-like dish as it has traveled. Build your bowl from a base of either rice or organic greens, followed by scoops of protein in your choice of sauce, then top it to your heart’s content from a varied list of Asian Pacific possibilities.
| | | | | 1 rating (1 vote) |
Pars Cuisine
Mon-Thurs: 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm
Sun: 5pm-9pm (hours can change without notice)
$$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Wine Bar • Craft Beer • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet
For something a little more out of the ordinary, pay a visit to Pars Cuisine, the Persian restaurant near the Century Rio 24 theater. Vegetarians will appreciate the nonmeat options and meat lovers are sure to love the spicy kabobs. Linger on your floor cushions while belly dancers roam through the dining room.
Full review: Pars balances the exotic and the comfortable ()
| | | | | 3.31 rating (50 votes) |
Albuquerque - Midtown
Richard’s Mexican Restaurant
Ever had vegetarian posole? The menu at Richard’s features traditional plates like green chile chicken enchiladas and tostadas compuestas, but also offers healthier, low-fat and vegetarian fare. And, believe it or not, the light plates are scrumptious. Be sure to order some fideo (tasty marinated noodles) on the side.
| | | | | 4.5 rating (23 votes) |
Whole Foods Market
7AM-10PM everyday (hours can change without notice)
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| | | | | 3.33 rating (3 votes) |
Albuquerque - Nob Hill
Fan Tang
Mon-Thu:11am-9pm
Fri-Sat:11am-10pm
Sun: noon-9pm (hours can change without notice)
$$ • Vegetarian Available • Booze Served • Craft Beer • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Wireless Internet • Dog-Friendly
The historic building at the corner of Central and Carlisle yields a spacious dining room with booths, tables, free Wi-Fi and dog-friendly patios. Inside, the Zeng family (Chow’s) have retained their focus on quality ingredients and many traditional family recipes, but with a twist: The menu is aimed at folks who want a fast meal in a comfortable atmosphere. Prices are moderate. Meals are ordered at the cashier, then delivered to the table within minutes. Dishes are generously portioned for individuals rather than family-style. The menu draws freely from many Asian cultures with emphasis on Chinese. Try the Mongolian noodles or coffee chicken.
Read more: Mina's Dish: Chow’s dynasty takes root in Nob Hill (8/18/2011)
| | | | | 3.72 rating (45 votes) |
The Last Call
Tues: 5:05pm-2:34am
Wed-Thurs: 5:05pm- midnight
Fri-Sat: 5:05pm- 2:34am
Closed Sunday and Monday (hours can change without notice)
Cuisine: American, Greek/Mediterranean, Deli/Sandwiches, Caribbean/Cuban, Asian Fusion, Italian, French, Seafood, Pizza, Vegetarian/Health Foods
The Last Call is one of the best late-night eateries in town. They consistently have excellent food with plenty of vegetarian options. Beat the midnight crowd and go early for dinner, or even earlier now that they’re open for lunch. In other words, nothing is standing between you and a taste of heaven. The Cali burrito with veggies is perfection, but we highly recommend the fish tacos and truffle grilled cheese, too.
Read more: Dish Jockey: A Nob Hill snack shack stays up late with asada fries (7/5/2012)
Read more: Food News: Green Jeans Farmery delayed, and more (11/5/2015)
Read more: Dining Out: A Beginner’s Guide to Veg-Life (1/21/2016)
| | | | | 3.69 rating (32 votes) |
Thai Vegan Nob Hill
The Thai Vegan menu includes fake shrimp, chicken, fish and pepper steak. That said, it isn’t the vegetarian faux meats that makes the place so good, but rather the fact that the cooks really know what they’re doing as they whip up their vegan delights. The Thai iced tea (yup, that’s vegan too) is like sipping Bangkok through a straw.
Full review: Thai Vegan dishes in a new location ()
| | | | | 4.33 rating (4 votes) |
Albuquerque - Northeast Heights
The Acre
Mon-Fri 11am-9pm
Sat-Sun 10am-9pm (hours can change without notice)
Don’t let the word “vegetarian” scare you off of this place if you’re an omnivore—The Acre serves tasty American grub like mac n’ cheese and cauliflower “buffalo wings” that will ensure you don’t miss the meat anyway. This casual dining restaurant is a great place to bring the family (kids will love their custom coloring pages) or to just come by for a beer with friends. Be sure to check out their daily specials and their homemade ice cream.
Full review: Buffalo wings and mac n’ cheese for the conscious eater ()
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Alquds Mediterranean Grill & Grocery
Grocery: M-S - 7am to 10pm
Restaurant: M - S 11am to 9 pm, sunday 11am-8pm (hours can change without notice)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Organic/Locally Grown, Vegetarian/Health Foods, Greek/Mediterranean, Specialty Food Store
The tiny restaurant in this grocery store may not look like much, but don’t be fooled: The menu boasts some of the best falafel and shawarma sandwiches around, as well as hummus that would be worth crossing a desert for. Not only that, but the grocery has an excellent selection of halal meats, and the in-house bakery produces fresh bread daily.
Read more: Mina's Dish: A guide to halal meats in Albuquerque (7/7/2011)
Full review: San Pedro Mart and Alquds Middle Eastern Restaurant ()
| | | | | 4.72 rating (18 votes) |
Huong Thao Vietnamese Cuisine
Tue-Thu 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-9:30pm
Sun 11am-8:30pm
Closed Monday (hours can change without notice)
A quiet restaurant in a strip mall just north of Lomas on Juan Tabo, Huong Thao has been serving up Vietnamese food for almost two decades. The place is unassuming and the service friendly. Try the fresh spring rolls and a big bowl o’ pho. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a creamy coconut shake.
Full review: The quirky charms of Huong Thao ()
| | | | | 2.72 rating (59 votes) |
Sushiya Asian Fusion Cuisine
Mon-Thrs: 11:30am- 9pm
Fri-Sat: 11:30am- 9:30pm
Sun: noon- 9pm (hours can change without notice)
The menu is a polished combination of Chinese and Japanese classics with twists—and some entire dishes—you probably haven’t seen before. The sushi is unique, with many of the rolls forsaking seaweed in favor of thin-sliced cucumber or soy paper wrappings. They are drizzled with sauces, piled high with colored flying fish roe and artfully arranged with extra touches. The hot and sour soup is one of the best in Albuquerque—clear and light with a complexity of texture and flavor. Elsewhere on the menu, a lineup of cooked vegetable dishes are dressed in several excellent housemade sauces. Vegetarians can add tofu to any of the vegetable dishes for $1—it comes crispy, kung pao style or as a buttered tofu steak with teriyaki sauce.
Full review: East meets East ()
| | | | | 4.38 rating (13 votes) |
Thai Vegan
Lunch Monday-Saturday: 11 am-2:30 pm
Dinner Monday-Sunday: 5-9 pm (hours can change without notice)
The Thai Vegan menu includes fake shrimp, chicken, fish and pepper steak. That said, it isn’t the sophistication of vegetarian faux meats that makes the place so good. It’s amazing because the cooks really know what they’re doing, and they use quality ingredients. The Thai iced tea (yup, that’s vegan too) is like sipping Bangkok through a straw.
Full review: Enlightened dining ()
| | | | | 4.74 rating (15 votes) |
