Caribbean/Cuban Restaurants in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico
Albuquerque - Midtown
Havana Restaurant
Cuisine: Caribbean/Cuban
Salsa music greets you at the door and doesn't miss a beat as you cross the threshold. The moros y cristianos (beans and rice) are spectacular and richly flavored. Sides of maduros, or fried ripe plantains, are sweet and crispy. Pork cutlets (masas de puerco) are excellent and large, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and served with a wonderful mojo sauce. There’s a large selection of shakes. The mango shake is excellent, and the watermelon agua, made with fresh fruit, is like swimming in the iced heart of a perfectly ripe melon. The desserts are homemade, including pastelito de guayaba, a puff-pastry with guava paste inside, and a firm-bodied flan.
 | | | |  | 4.29 rating (7 votes) |
Albuquerque - Nob Hill
Guava Tree Cafe
Mon-Thu: 11am-4pm
Fri: 11am-8pm
Sat: 11am-7pm
Sun: 11am-3pm (hours can change without notice)
$ • Vegetarian Available • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Outdoor Patio • Smoking Permitted • Wireless Internet
A lively pan-South American café featuring cubano sandwiches, arepa, ajiaco and other Latin delights. The cubano is a can’t-miss. Make sure you down it with a glass of muracayá, and try the mouth-watering flan do coco before you leave this relaxed eatery.
Full review: Quality, not quantity defines the menu at Guava Tree Café ()
| | | | | 4.17 rating (42 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) |
Albuquerque - Northeast Heights
Jambo Cafe
Owner and chef Ahmed Obo was born on the island of Lamu off the coast of Kenya, among the culinary traditions of Africa, Arabia and India. His food reflects the Lamu style of culinary fusion. The ingredients he uses are primarily locally sourced meats and veggies, and are priced low for a restaurant dealing in clean, local food. We like the marinated tilapia, served with red chile-and-coconut-infused basmati rice, sautéed spinach, and a dried fruit and ginger chutney and—naturally—jerk chicken wings served in a pineapple curry dipping sauce.
Full review: Jambo Café is a delicious new culinary opportunity ()
| | | | | 4.75 rating (3 votes) |
Albuquerque - University
Talking Drums Restaurant
$$ • Vegetarian Available • Gluten-free available • Booze Served • Catering • Take Out / To-Go • Wireless Internet
The location still bears traces of its former life as a Chinese restaurant, but Talking Drums is devoted to the varied cuisine of Africa. One co-owner, Alex, mans the front and is always eager to explain the many exotic choices on the menu, from fufu to moin moin. The other, Toyin, works the kitchen to produce the authentic and tasty entrées themselves. Visit the in-house market for all of your West African and Carribbean shopping needs.
Full review: Talking Drums has got your goat ()
Read more: Dish Jockey: Korean soon tofu and African goat meat pepper stew (3/29/2012)
| | | | | 4 rating (13 votes) |
A Taste of the Caribbean
Mon: 4:30am-9pm
Tues-Thurs: 11:30am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 11:30am-10pm
Sun: noon-5pm (hours can change without notice)
Cuisine: Caribbean/Cuban
This place has awesome staff and a delicious menu featuring some of the most amazing island food this side of the Atlantic. Make up for never taking that Caribbean cruise by dropping in.
Full review: A Taste of the Caribbean brings the ocean to ABQ ()
| | | | | 4.63 rating (9 votes) |
