Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. The Most Fun Restaurants
  3. The Most Fun Restaurants in Albuquerque
editorial list heading

The Most Fun Restaurants in Albuquerque

A photo of Red logo
by The OpenTable Team
Updated November 14, 2019

In the heart of the Southwest desert, Albuquerque has grown into one of America's coolest cities mixing a remarkable history with vibrant cultural attractions and astonishing vistas. The most fun restaurants in Albuquerque deliver a fascinating and creative mix of styles, from traditional Native American to Contemporary American flavors. But where are the city's savviest, most hard-to-please diners heading out to dine when they're looking for a meal out in Albuquerque? Welcome to the Tastemaker 20. Here, we've gathered information from the city's most-in-the-know diners to put together this list of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. The list includes options for all tastes - from local neighborhood Mexican and Southwest places to upscale downtown fusion restaurants. Grab a table tonight and enjoy dinner in Albuquerque!

A photo of Ten 3 restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1826)
$50 and over
American
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
Ten 3 is an "elevated" dining experience. That means both literally and figuratively. Ten 3 is at the top of Albuquerque's Sandia Peak. To get to the Ten 3 spot, diners will need to take the Sandia Peak Tramway to visit. It's worth the trip. The restaurant features jaw-dropping views of the city and its surroundings alongside dinner. Try favorites like Wild King salmon, mole-braised short rib, and Yukon gold potato tomato tart. For drinks, try the refreshing "Jigback" with mint, cucumber, and Lillet Blanc. Beer selections include local La Cumbre "Elevated" IPA and the La Cumbre "Malpais" stout.
Top review
Jerry
Dined 2 days ago
Fantastic sunset and city lights views. Unbeatable atmosphere. The best in the Southwest.
A photo of Blades' Bistro restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1837)
$30 and under
International
Placitas
About the restaurant
Blades' Bistro is one of the most stylish restaurants in Albuquerque. This fun spot is a colorful and lively place with a creative menu and plenty of excellent drink options. The appetizer menu includes favorites like deep-fried calamari with sriracha aioli and smoked Asian-style baby back ribs. The Blades' "Bistro Favorites" range from beef tenderloin with sauteed mushroom to boeuf Bourguignon in red wine, garlic, and onions. Dessert is another highlight at Blades. Don't miss the chocolate decadence trio. This features chili lime chocolate pot's du creme with a hand-crafted truffle.
Top review
ToddVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Great classic Continental European Cuisine. Family owned and operated. Pride shines through in food and service.
A photo of Prairie Star Restaurant & Winebar restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2291)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Santa Ana Pueblo
About the restaurant
This classic New Mexico restaurant offers fine dining on the grounds of the Santa Ana Golf Club. Stop in to experience one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. The wine bar and patio features 32 different wines by the glass and half glass along with a bar and dinner menu. Try one of the small plates like New Mexico green chile cast iron cornbread or steamed Mediterranean black mussels with julienned vegetables. For entrees, try the bacon-wrapped pheasant with a marsala-apple pan sauce or three-cheese Chile Relleno.
Top review
John
Dined 3 days ago
Outstanding meal with great atmosphere and service
A photo of Vernon's Speakeasy restaurant
4.8
4.8 (5269)
$50 and over
Steak
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
This underground favorite at the Village Shops at Los Ranchos is one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. It's an engaging speakeasy-style spot with a New Mexico-driven menu and creative cocktails. Start with the baked brie, duck confit tacos, or blue crab cakes. Entrees include hatch red chile pork tenderloin, stuffed quail with dried cranberry stuffing, or tequila lime chicken with bell pepper Israeli couscous. The "Vernon's Classic" menu includes favorites like a black and blue New York strip and a dry-aged ribeye. On the seafood menu, highlights are shrimp scampi with Argentinian pink shrimp and salmon bruschetta.
Top review
FrankVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Excellent spot to sit back enjoy a drink and outstanding food and music.
A photo of M'tucci's Italian - Albuquerque restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1211)
$30 and under
Italian
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
This longtime favorite is one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. M'tucci's is full of classic Italian dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, five pork bolognese, and braised wild boar ragu. For dinner, try the chicken Milanese with spicy house marinara or the chicken piccata with caper-white wine sauce and creamy garlic mashed potatoes. For pizzas, go for the meatball and spicy bacon with fresh mozzarella and house-roasted red pepper. The "Genovese" pie features basil pesto and Italian sun-dried tomato.
Top review
Jono
Dined 2 days ago
This was a really nice experience. The food was as good as some much more expensive fine dining restaurants in town, and the service was polite, knowledgeable and efficient. Nice variety of bourbon; my Manhattan came with Sazerac Rye. The atmosphere was nice, perhaps a bit loud and a few too many tables, but still intimate enough to have a conversation over dinner, and upscale enough to feel a bit special.
A photo of Indigo Crow restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2593)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
This multi-level hot spot is one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. It's a colorful and lively place with an extensive Mezcal collection and micro-brewed beer. Appetizers include Mexican street corn, duck fat truffle fries, and avocado CBD toast. For local entrees, try the ancho-glazed shrimp with fresh corn grits or the Molcajete Verde seafood stew. Indigo Crow also boasts a selection of beers from Cave Creek Beer Company. Try the BSM Blonde Ale, New England-style Creeker IPA, or the Local Honey Wheat.
Top review
Clinton
Dined 2 days ago
Excellent food. Excellent service! Will definity retune!
A photo of Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1172)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
This upscale but welcoming spot is one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. Trek out to the Nob Hill District to find some of the city's best wine and some excellent modern specialties. Start with the grilled wild game sausage and rosemary polenta fries or crispy duck confit eggrolls. Seasonal entrees include blue corn crusted winter squash Relleno and Atlantic sea scallops with tuxedo fettuccine. Along with the fine wines, try some of Zinc's excellent beers. Go for the Bosque Brewing lager or the La Cumbre "Elevated" IPA.
Top review
Randall
Dined 4 days ago
Always a fantastic experience! Last night's Valentines Day dinner was fantastic, and we had Baillee as our server!
A photo of M'tucci's Moderno Italian - Rio Rancho restaurant
4.7
4.7 (1014)
$30 and under
Italian
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
M'Tucci's Moderno is a sister restaurant of the Albuquerque favorite. This is one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. Head in for the weekday happy hour for specials on cocktails, draft beer, and house wines. It's also an excellent spot for lunchtime favorites. Try the crispy green chile fried pork tenderloin sandwich or the Italian grilled pastrami sandwich. Pizzas come artisan-style or as a flatbread. Go for the "Affumicato," with roasted grape tomato, smoked buffalo mozzarella, and local basil.
Top review
Duane
Dined 3 days ago
Great service staff and great food. They were busy on Valentine’s Day, but made the experience very enjoyable. We will be coming back.
A photo of The Melting Pot - Albuquerque restaurant
4.1
4.1 (2339)
$31 to $50
Fondue
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
Fondue is on the menu at The Melting Pot, one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. Head into the local outpost of this national chain for the unbeatable cheese and bread combination. There's also an excellent happy hour with deals on margaritas, draft beers, and cheese and chocolate fondues. Go for the "Best of Albuquerque" fondue option, with hatch green chile, aged, cheddar, and lager beer fondue. That comes alongside chocolate bourbon pecan fondue with caramel. Pair dinner with the Melting Pot Mule, with fresh mint, lime, and Absolut vodka.
Top review
Cesar
Dined 4 days ago
Excellent food and service, attentive to our needs and accommodating to our family here, would go again
A photo of High Noon restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1003)
$30 and under
Steakhouse
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
High Noon is a classic Old West-style saloon with one of the most creative menus in town. It's the perfect New Mexico stop after a trip to the nearby Museum of Natural History and Science. The "Original Old Town Steak House" features tenderloins, strips, chicken, and seafood. For a New Mexico meal, try the blue corn enchiladas with spicy chicken or beef barbacoa. High Noon also features a buffalo burger with low-cholesterol ground American bison. Try the double chocolate torte with raspberry sauce and dark chocolate cake for dessert.
Top review
Deb
Dined 4 days ago
Service was very good & food was delicious. My husband is not usually brave with his food choices, but loved the shrimp enchiladas which he had never had before. I had the sirloin & enchiladas. Very good. Finished with the chocolate torte. Yummy!
A photo of Savoy Bar and Grill Albuquerque restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1389)
$30 and under
Californian
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
This fun restaurant in Albuquerque offers a taste of California wine country in New Mexico. Grab a glass of some of the excellent wine at Savoy and pair it with appetizers like crab cakes, antipasto, and baked local goat cheese. For dinner, try favorites like braised elk Osso Bucco, filet mignon, and pan-seared scallops "Oscar." For cocktails, try the Autumn mule with fresh lime juice and Gosling's ginger beer.
Top review
Jim
Dined 2 days ago
Our waiter (Cameron) took our dining experience to another level. Great evening!
A photo of Vintage 423 restaurant
4.5
4.5 (1202)
$31 to $50
American
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
An atmospheric, intimate local favorite, Vintage 423 is a stylish spot for drinks or dinner. It's an excellent spot for lunch in the heart of Albuquerque. Go for some of the selections off the sandwiches menu. Favorites include the Santa Fe prime rib with roasted green chile and pepper jack cheese. The bacon pork shoulder sandwich features jalapeno aioli, lettuce, and tomato. For dinner, try the pan-roasted duck breast with sweet potato puree and haricot verts or the double bone-in pork chop. A six-hour braised short rib includes chive mashed potatoes and whole-roasted hatch green chile.
Top review
JimVIP
Dined today
Server did not tell us out being out of several items until we placed our order. Then he seemed to forget about us for at least 20 minutes. The food was very good despite the poor service.
A photo of Seasons Rotisserie & Grill restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1875)
$31 to $50
American
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
This laid-back Albuquerque restaurant is a spot for a relaxing meal and some live music. Stop in for some dinner or a drink after a day exploring the Old Town section of Albuquerque. Shareables like fried duck confit stuffed ravioli and sweet potato stuffed poblano pepper are perfect for appetizers. Entrees include parmesan-crusted organic chicken breast, braised lamb shank, and prime rotisserie prime rib. Pair the meal with the Sierra Nevada "Celebration Ale" or one of the local La Cumbre "Elevated IPAs." There's also the signature "A Lo Cubano" cocktail with rum and spiced syrup.
Top review
Jake
Dined 1 day ago
Had another great experience at Seasons last night. My girlfriend and I went for dinner, and everything from the service to the food was spot on. The atmosphere is always warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed night out. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, just the right balance. We never felt rushed, but we also never had to wait too long for anything. Seasons has been a favorite for a while, and last night just confirmed why. If you’re looking for a consistently great meal in a cozy, welcoming space, this is the spot.
A photo of El Pinto restaurant
4.6
4.6 (7397)
$30 and under
Mexican / Regional American (Southwestern)
Albuquerque
About the restaurant
El Pinto is one of the most fun restaurants in Albuquerque. It's also one of the most beautiful. Head out to this 4th Street hot spot for an excellent meal in a classic Southwest location surrounded by gardens. Start with the restaurant's most famous dish, the red chile ribs. These fall-off-the-bone favorites come marinated in red chile and with an optional side of slaw. Another favorite is the "Best Nachos in America" with green chile and fresh jalapenos. Grab a selection off the "New Mexico Grill" like the tomahawk pork chip or ground chile queso burger.
Top review
TiffanyVIP
Dined 2 days ago
It was luxurious to dine next to a cozy, warm fireplace on such a cold night. El Pinto's green chili sauce is an incredible side to add to any of their carefully prepared dishes. Marisol, our server spent time to give us a wonderful dining experience. Everything was five stars :-).
Explore other cities and regions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo