Favorite Restaurant in Albuquerque

What is your favorite restaurant in Albuquerque?  The Guardian has a list of what they believe are the top ten restaurants in the city.  They have something for everyone from coffee to salads to chocolate.  Diners, Cafes, and Restaurants are plentiful in Albuquerque ,and they have a favorite dish for everyone.  Keep reading to learn about some of the best!

Chillz Frozen Custard's waffle sundae

Coffee and dessert duo: Michael Thomas Coffee and Chillz Frozen Custard

To bookend your day or whole trip might require caffeine and sweets. Excellent coffee can be found just south of Nob Hill at Michael Thomas Coffee, who roasts beans on the premises from all over the world. Have a cup and take some beans to go, then venture back toward the University of New Mexico's (UNM) campus for frozen custard straight out of the Midwest. Lighter than ice-cream, eggier than gelato, frozen custard is just right for the summer heat. The daily flavour could be anything from caramel espresso to tiramisu but is always backed up by chocolate and vanilla, served as scoops or turned into waffle sundaes.
• Michael Thomas Coffee, 1111 Carlisle Boulevard SE, +1 505 255 3330, michaelthomascoffee.com. Chillz Frozen Custard, 2720 Central Avenue SE, +1 505 265 5648, chillzcustard.com

Jennifer James 101

Jennifer and partner Nelle are the pair that made gourmet farm-to-table possible in Albuquerque, by serving simple food prepared expertly using as many local ingredients as possible. She put a farmer's name on the salad's arugula when that was only done in California, served foie gras off-menu to anyone who asked, converted countless beet haters with a divine pureed soup, then closed meals with cardamom ice-cream. 
• 4615 Menaul Boulevard NE, +1 505 884 3860, jenniferjames101.com

Sophia's Place

Dennis Apodaca started as a very good cook at a doomed burrito joint on 4th Street in the North Valley. When it was gone, he took over the tiny building and opening a little breakfast-lunch spot named for his daughter. Customers flood the cosy space for lemon ricotta pancakes, duck confit tacos, Asian-style noodle bowls and breakfast egg platters smothered in red chilli. After tasting his creations, few diners can believe that the kitchen that served them the best breakfast they've had all year is barely larger than a camper van.
• 6313 Fourth Street NW, +1 505 345 3935, no website

Mary & Tito's Cafe

Photograph: Hm Vanderbeek

New Mexican food near the UNM campus is an energetic local experience, but just a few miles away one can take in a complementary dining venue – that of working folks and families – while consuming amazing carne adovada. The recipe starts with a simple red chilli sauce containing barely more than dried red chilli pods, water, salt, and garlic. Served as-is like an earthen soup it can warm anyone's heart, but used to marinate then roast cubed pork results in edible ecstasy. If you see her, thank 90-year-old Mary for five decades of love, sweat and tears.
• 2711 Fourth Street NW, +1 505 344 6266, maryandtitoscafe.com

66 Pit Stop

New arrivals to the state will soon learn of the green chilli cheeseburger: it's simply the American favourite gussied up with fiery green chilli. Manyrestaurants have a "GCCB" on their menu; few are as memorable as the Laguna Burger. The 66 Pit Stop is a convenience store at the western edge of town where one can order a half-pound burger for under $5 then watch it cooked from one of a handful of seats. Once delivered, it will occupy both hands until gone, when reaching for the napkins is advised.
• 14311 Central Avenue NW, +1 505 352 7848, no website

Farina Pizzeria

At the Farina Pizzeria, east of downtown, a scorching oven cranks out thin crust pies to rival the best (in this country, anyway). The founding owners consulted with Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix before turning out their own charred creations such as the Pepe Caldo with broccolini, hot pepper and ricotta. Balsamic meatballs are a beloved starter along with a shareable chopped salad; to close, salted butterscotch budino may induce visible swooning.
• 510 Central Avenue SE, +1 505 243 0130, farinapizzeria.com

Torino's @ Home

Several years ago Maxime and Daniela Bouneou brought their vision of homestyle Italian greatness to town. Maxime is French, Daniela is Italian; together they make beautiful plates of delicious food. Daniela seems to radiate delight at greeting and then feeding everyone who walks through the doors. Diners are plied with salt cod, marinated figs, beef brisket ravioli, stuffed calamari and, if you trust the chatter, the best tiramisu anyone has ever eaten in the history of tiramisu.
• 7600 Jefferson Street NE, +1 505 797 4491, torinosfoods.com

The Frontier Restaurant

Directly across Central Avenue from the UNM campus sprawls nearly a half-block of legend: the five dining rooms of The Frontier Restaurant, home to late-night study sessions and Sunday morning families alike for over four decades. Locals appreciate fast service and burgers with chilli hot enough to scare the tourists, who appreciate the gooey-sweet cinnamon rolls. Everyone flocks to the breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, cheese, crispy potatoes and green chilli. Until it closes down (perish the thought), no other place will ever win "best breakfast burrito" in town, for very good reason.
• 2400 Central Avenue SE, +1 505 266 0550, frontierrestaurant.com

The Grove Cafe & Market

Just as the local food movement was gaining traction in Albuquerque, a quirky market appeared between campus and downtown where stylish staff serve coffee and cafe nosh for discerning eaters. If that sounds twee, rest assured the experience at The Grove Cafe & Market is a serious endeavour serving food that are made just right. The swirl of honey butter on the oatmeal, the from-scratch English muffins, the side dishes of cut fruit or bean salad so good they are eaten before the shaved roast beef and pepper sandwich – that's the kind of place Lauren and Jason Greene wanted to launch over five years ago, and waiting for a seat is still a good idea.
• 600 Central Avenue SE, +1 505 248 9800, thegrovecafemarket.com

Monte Carlo Steakhouse

Sometimes only a steak will do. That steak should be broiled to order, served to exacting done-ness after an appetizer of chilled shrimp and an iceberg lettuce salad with blue cheese dressing, followed by … baklava? Only at the Monte Carlo Steakhouse, perched near the Rio Grande on Central. As with many other landmarks, it was opened by a local Greek family, proving that imported feta cheese works perfectly well on a steakhouse menu. On weekend nights the regulars plan a trip for the 12 ounce prime rib, but everyone saves room for that homemade baklava.
• 3916 Central Avenue SW, +1 505 831 2444, Facebook page