10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Albuquerque

Although unassuming from the outside, Tia B’s La Waffleria is dedicated to one of America’s favourite breakfast dishes. Start the day at this legendary place by choosing from a grand assemblage of sweet and savoury options.

The creativity of their waffle recipes is remarkable – tempting highlights of its long menu include the tostada with beans, chilis and cheddar cheese, as well as the goat cheese and cherry waffle. At the onsite coffee bar, you can pair your breakfast waffle with different types of coffees, teas, and juices.

The Eatery is a typical Southern American diner in Albuquerque, offering a wide range of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This casual restaurant presents an extensive breakfast menu with praised items such as breakfast burritos, New Mexican hashbrowns, and bagels. For the rest of the day, you can pick from a selection of sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and Greek and Mexican food.

The Eatery is on the southern edge of town, around 9 miles from Downtown Albuquerque. It’s definitely worth the drive as it’s one of the most affordable restaurants in town.

Standard Diner is a favoured American and Mexican establishment that opens for lunch and dinner. Its snuggly counter seating and classic brick walls make for a welcoming atmosphere, matched with an excellent menu of grilled burgers, soups, and tacos.

If you’re eating out with a group, it’s fun to enjoy the shared dishes from the family meals menu. Enchiladas, mac and cheese, and meatloaf dishes are available in portions that serve up to 4 people. Standard Diner is equipped with a modest outdoor seating area for warmer days.

Eating at Little Anita’s New Mexican Food might feel as if you’re dining in your grandmother’s home. In a setting resembling a large living room, the servers dish up Mexican staples like burritos and tacos for breakfast and lunch. There are several branches spread throughout the city.

The restaurant also has daily specials, such as the adobo and refried bean soup on Tuesdays as well as the Mexican Combination Plate on Wednesdays. Non-Mexican dishes are also available – you can find pancake sandwiches and steak and eggs skillet on its breakfast menu. Little Anita’s is a chain restaurant with 10 outlets within the Albuquerque area, which enables you to pick your preferred spot.

Farina Pizzeria is an attractive place to chat over a comforting meal in Albuquerque. The menu is clear-cut, with antipasto platters and homemade meatballs to start with. On the mains menu, you’ll find an assortment of pizzas and a couple of Italian dishes. It also serves delectable desserts, such as gelato and ricotta cake.

Meatless options on Farina’s menu include the sautéed mushrooms, oven-roasted Italian olives, various salads, and vegetarian pizzas. For a refreshing drink, you can pick from its extensive wine list or enjoy a local craft beer.

Locals often rave about Mary & Tito’s Café, a Mexican bistro conveniently located in the centre of Albuquerque. It occupies a historic building that has a small dining room but offers a very extensive menu. Enjoy Southern comfort food at an economical price point, such as mixed plates with beans, rice, tamales, and tacos, or stuffed sopapillas (deep-fried pastries).

Mary & Tito's Cafe also specialises in carne adovada (New Mexico red chile pork stew) and chicharron (crispy fried pork belly). Don’t forget to try the red salsa on the side, as it’s very well-known in the city.

Golden Crown Panaderia is a must-visit if you’re craving for doughy goodness in Albuquerque. Locals often come here to stock up on freshly baked loaves, empanadas, French baguettes, and green chilli bread. You can also find smaller nibbles like chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal and raisin biscuits, and molasses biscuits.

Golden Crown Panaderia also serves sandwiches and pizza, which you can enjoy at its mural-covered dining area. Its drinks menu includes milkshakes and smoothies.

Poki Poki Cevicheria takes you on a culinary journey to the tropical islands of Hawaii. Its low-key environment is excellent for enjoying poke and ceviche bowls, both of which are Poki Poki’s specialities. The fun part is constructing your own bowl, with customisable bases, toppings, sauces, and dressings. Besides the adjustable poke and ceviche bowls, you can order special bowls, tacos, and various side dishes.

You can pick from a wide range of bubble teas to pair with your meal. Poki Poki Cevicheria has 2 outlets in Albuquerque, one being in the centre and the other one in the northeast of the city.

Magokoro Japanese Restaurant has been the locals’ go-to for authentic Japanese food since 2006. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of ramen or to spice things up with Japanese curry, this family-owned eatery plates some classic dishes from the East. If you have a smaller appetite, consider ordering the gyoza dumplings, squid salad, or a portion of fried chicken. For dessert, try the purin, a remarkable sesame seed custard pudding.

Magokoro Japanese Restaurant is less than 1 mile west of Coronado Center, so it’s easy to sit down for a Japanese meal after a shopping spree.

Restaurant Antiquity offers an extravagant dining experience in Albuquerque. With exquisite appetisers such as beef carpaccio and pan-seared crab cakes, along with mains like Australian lobster, the restaurant aims to provide a fine-dining affair in the very heart of Albuquerque.

You can find a formidable wine list as well, mainly consisting of Californian reds, which go well with the restaurant’s steaks and pork dishes. Leave some room for dessert, because the pudding menu is irresistible. Choosing between the chocolate mousse and the 3-cream crepe might be the toughest decision of the night.