Welcome to our list of some of the best Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We have broken this list down by specialty categories to make it easier to find what you are looking for.
Please note: no restaurant was intentionally left off this list. There were so many to choose from, it was impossible to list all of them.
Within the category of Mexican food, there are several sub-categories. Each of them represents a different style of Mexican cuisine with its own unique flavors.
We attempted to include at least one representative restaurant within each of these styles.
Traditional Mexican Restaurants
For this list, or the entries in any of our sub-categories, do not let the inexpensive prices fool you. Each restaurant in this first sub-category is incredible, as are all representatives on this list.
Padilla’s Mexican Kitchen
$ | (505) 262-0115 | WEBSITE
This place is not fancy by any means. However, the traditional-styles foods are delicious. You can find enchiladas, burritos, and other wonderful Mexican dishes here.
The atmosphere is warm and friendly. You can make new acquaintances while you dine.
Cocina Azul
$$ | (505) 831-2500 | WEBSITE
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A bright and airy atmosphere awaits you in this delightful New Mexican restaurant. The traditional style food has a marvelous Southwestern flare to it.
In addition to breakfast and burgers (for those who don’t fancy Mexican food), you can choose from taco salads, burritos, enchiladas, and much more.
Garcia’s Kitchen – the Original
$ | (505) 842-0273 | WEBSITE
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This is the original location of the Garcia’s Kitchen chain that is locally famous. They are best known for serving breakfast all day in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Order expertly-prepared eggs and sides, breakfast tacos and burritos, or anything else on the fabulous extensive menu.
Casa de Benavidez
$$ | (505) 897-7493 | WEBSITE
Family-owned restaurant serving the best in traditional and New Mexican-styled food. The spacious patio offers a chance to breathe the open air as you dine.
Try the Benavidez Steak or the Chorizo New Mexico Plate for starters. Lunch and dinner options are excellent as well.
Garduno’s of Mexico
$$ | (505) 222-8766 | WEBSITE
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This treasure of Albuquerque, New Mexico is located in the Hotel Albuquerque within Old Town. Regional meals are plentiful here and the ambience will delight everyone in your party.
They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner regularly, and you can relax in the lounge with your buddies before the meal.
Breakfast for the Kids
The following entries on our list of Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque are especially great if you have kids of any age with you. Modest prices mean you won’t break the bank by taking the whole family.
Richard’s Mexican Restaurant
$$ | (505) 881-1039 | WEBSITE
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Set in a colorful atmosphere reminiscent of an old school, this warm and cozy restaurant is a favorite amongst the kids.
In addition to traditionally-prepared Mexican-style breakfasts, this place also serves lunch. Please note: they are NOT ever open for dinner.
Grandma’s K & I Diner
$ | (505) 243-1881 | WEBSITE
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Your kids will love this food. Examples of terrific dishes like Pancho Mixed Plate, Enchilada Plate, and Grandma’s Carne Adovada Plate will leave them clamoring for more. Burgers and sides also available.
Taqueria Mexico
$ | (505) 242-3445 | WEBSITE
Kids and adults can enjoy perennial favorites such as burritos, quesadillas, chile rellenos, and tacos in addition to breakfast-oriented cuisine.
This restaurant also has a to-go window especially for takeout orders. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming.
Upscale Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico
These are the perfect choices when you want to go Mexican for that special date night. Dine in a fine Mexican ambience with incredible food to match at any of these places.
Flora Restaurant
$$ | (505) 563-4470 | WEBSITE
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Taste meals like the grilled skirt steak, carne asada, and grilled baja fish as you sip cocktails in an elegant Mexican restaurant.
Each item on the menu is created from scratch using locally-grown ingredients. This restaurant is ONLY open for dinner and is worth the wait.
Mariscos La Playa
$$ | (505) 884-1147 | WEBSITE
Feast yourself on marvelous Mexican fare in a fine setting. Included on the menu are the Camarones Santa Fe, the tostada, or freshly-prepared tacos. Book a table for two or for a group of your business clients for the evening.
El Modelo Mexican Foods
$ | (505) 375-1072 | WEBSITE
Do you want a treat? Enjoy never-frozen, handmade and incredibly fresh tamales, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, or stuffed sopapillas.
You can do all this from the spacious patio for a taste of fresh air while you dine in style. Don’t let the modest prices or outer décor fool you, this place is fine dining.
Tex-Mex Restaurants in New Mexico
What is that? It differs from traditional Mexican cuisine in that it is spicier and, perhaps to some people, more flavorful. It was introduced in Texas quite a while back.
This section tells about some of the best known Tex-Mex restaurants in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Monroe’s Restaurant
$ | (505) 242-1111 | WEBSITE
Some unique Tex-Mex dishes are available here. Choose from taco fingers, fajita meat or tacos in beef or chicken as well as terrific burritos. Local patrons and visitors alike flock to this restaurant.
Chili’s Grill & Bar
$$ | (505) 247-1543 | WEBSITE
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This is one of a chain of family-oriented restaurants specializing in Tex-Mex food. The southwestern décor is cozy and friendly to all guests.
Don’t forget to try the fajitas or quesadillas while there. Please note, the food is delicious but quite spicy. You must have a passion for flavor when you dine here.
Rusty Taco
$ | (505) 966-4915 | WEBSITE
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Located in the Coronado Center, this restaurant will not disappoint you. Its signature dish right now is its buffalo chicken nachos.
They also feature special kids’ meals, desserts, and they offer catering services. Enjoy quality time with the family in the southwestern ambience of this place.
Mexican Restaurants in Old Town Albuquerque
The following Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque can be found in the city’s Old Town area. We must again remind you that this is only a sample. Many more places are fantastic and are just as deserving of your patronage.
Little Anita’s New Mexican Food
$$ | (505) 242-3102 | WEBSITE
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Delicious Mexican food with a touch of the uniqueness of New Mexican flavor. Try some of their tacos, enchiladas, and super sopapillas.
Little Anita’s offers lunch specials during the week with just the right-sized portions. The kids will love this place too and the prices will not break the bank.
Los Compadres Restaurant
$ | (505) 452-8091 | WEBSITE
This restaurant has been a fixture in Old Town for many years. Guests have their choice of traditional Mexican or New Mexican cuisine when they come here.
This treasure offers takeout and delivery services in addition to dining within the laid-back and friendly atmosphere.
La Guelaguetza
$$ | (505) 916-0095 | WEBSITE
Taste scrumptious Mexican-style seafood and other expertly-prepared foods. Enjoy uniquely-made tacos and salads in an upscale atmosphere.
Come for a romantic dinner for two or an evening out with the whole family. Nobody will ever be disappointed.
Unique Mexican Restaurants
Some of the following entries on our list are a combination of restaurant and bar with a touch of Mexican hospitality and cuisine to go along with it.
Others are iconic establishments in New Mexico. These are all perfect for a night out with your pals or your family.
Cervantes Restaurant and Lounge
$$ | (505) 262-2253 | WEBSITE
First enjoy some time bonding with your guests in the spacious lounge. Then settle down to taste some fabulous traditional Mexican cuisine.
They have all the favorites from enchilada plates to seafood tacos. Cervantes has accommodations available for large groups as well as catering services.
El Pinto
$$$ | (505) 898-1771 | WEBSITE
There are many reasons this restaurant is called the most iconic one in the state. Whether local residents are entertaining guests or the tourists flock here on their own accord, this spot needs every inch of its sprawling floor plan.
The food is sensational, and the ambience is to die for.
Sadie’s
$$ | (505) 296-6940 | WEBSITE
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Choices abound on the vast menu at any of the Sadie’s locations. Everyone in your party will love the taste of the food as well as the atmosphere in this legendary local chain.
Lunch specials are available as well as the option to hold a banquet there or have your private event catered. You will simply adore this place!
Charlie Hammond has worked as a food and recipe blog writer for years. At Birch Restaurant, he works on finding and writing the best side dishes you can try! When he’s not working, he loves going to the beach, trying seafood dishes, and finding good places to eat.
You left out EL SAVOR DE JUREZ wich is by far the very best of all the others
Do you mean El Sabor de Juarez on Gibson? I have eaten there and they have quite good Mexico Mexican food with a bit of Albuquerque stirred in. El Sabor belongs in its own category. The list we are looking at is focused on New Mexican food. Birch is possibly not aware of the nuances. Additionally, I strongly disagree with their inclusion of Little Anita’s.
With today’s prices for a good meal it’s almost impossible to eat more than twice a month, but this list is packed with restaurants I’ve never heard of before so I’m anxious to see for myself if this critic is on point.