Restaurants in Albuquerque.

Locals praise the Artichoke for its service and its French, new American, and Italian dishes that are prepared, whenever possible, with organically grown ingredients. Specialties include grilled duck, pumpkin ravioli with fresh spinach and butternut squash, and grilled chicken with five onion risotto. Appetizers are delicious. The building is about a century old, but the decor is modern. The two-tier dining room extends into a small courtyard. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

Avalon
515 Central Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/924-1537
$20 to $30
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Contemporary

This white-linen, new American restaurant showcases the cuisine of chef-owner Cord McQueen. Go for the pork tenderloin in chipotle demi-glace, the sunflower seed-crusted Atlantic salmon with red-pepper mashed potatoes, or the garlic-molasses-cured roast chicken with sweet potato gratin. Special desserts are chocolate souffle served with ice cream, and the apple-walnut crème brûlée. Local produce is used in season. The drink menu includes local and California wines and local microbrews. Reservations are recommended. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.-Mon.

Barelas Coffee House
1502 4th St. SW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/843-7577
Under $10
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

Barelas may look like a set in search of a script, but it's the real deal: Diners come from all over the city to sup in this old-fashioned chile parlor in the Hispanic Historic Route 66 neighborhood south of downtown. You may notice looks of quiet contentment on the faces of the many dedicated chile eaters as they dive into their bowls of Barelas's potent red. Reservations not accepted. D, MC, V. Closed Sun. No dinner.

Casa de Benavidez
8032 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/898-3311
$10 to $20
North of I-40
Mexican, Southwestern

The fajitas at this local favorite are among the best in town, and the chile is faultless. This perhaps explains why many patrons return despite the fact that prices are higher than at similar establishments. The romantic patio doesn't hurt, either. Reservations are not accepted on weekends. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No dinner Sun.

Duran's Central Pharmacy
1815 Central Ave. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/247-4141
Under $10
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

This expanded Old Town lunch counter with a dozen tables and a tiny patio just might serve the best tortillas in town. A favorite of old-timers who know their way around a blue-corn enchilada, Duran's is an informal place whose patrons give their food the total attention it deserves. Dinner is served only until 6 PM on weekdays and not at all on weekends. No credit cards. No dinner weekends.

El Patio
142 Harvard St. NE, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/268-4245
Under $10
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

A university-area hangout, this sentimental favorite has consistently great food served on a funky patio. Go for the green-chile chicken enchiladas, the best in town, or any of the heart-healthy and vegetarian selections. But watch out for the fiery green chiles served at harvest time. Reservations not accepted. MC, V.

El Pinto
10500 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/898-1771
$10 to $20
North of I-40
Mexican, Southwestern

Expect a wait on weekends at this large indoor-outdoor restaurant in the shadow of the Sandia Mountains. The food is authentic New Mexican - some of the recipes at family-owned El Pinto have been passed down through three generations - as is the ambience: Mariachi bands stroll through the Spanish-style setting. Homemade tortillas accompany sopaipillas, chiles rellenos, tamales, enchiladas, and other dishes; the chiles, all of which are roasted on the premises, have a sometimes undeserved reputation for mildness. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Fajitaville
6313 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/341-9683
Under $10
North of I-40
Mexican, Southwestern

This restaurant in a converted drive-in serves healthful, greaseless, cooked-to-order fajitas with fabulous fresh salsas. Try the chicken fajita with the roasted tomato-chipotle salsa. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Garcia's Kitchen
1736 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/842-0273
Under $10
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

Authentic Mexican cooking makes the Old Town location of this local chain a good stop for smooth red chile and daily lunch specials like flautas or chicken enchiladas. Breakfast is served all day at Garcia's. The decor is best described as festive. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Garduño's of Mexico
8806 4th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/898-2772
$10 to $20
North of I-40
Mexican, Southwestern

Tangy margaritas, elaborate Mexican decor, and generally fine cooking are the hallmarks of Garduño's, part of a successful local chain. Some diners find the food lightweight and inconsistent, but the middle-of-the-road formula appeals to many. When the place gets crowded, which is often, it has a real party atmosphere. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

High Noon Restaurant and Saloon
425 San Felipe St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/765-1455
$10 to $30
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Contemporary

Fine dining is staged in a former woodworking shop in one of Old Town's 200-year-old adobe buildings. Decor includes viga ceilings, brick floors, handmade Southwestern furniture, and New Mexican art. A skylight provides diffused light and glimpses of the stars. Popular dishes include bison rib eye, rack of lamb crusted in roasted pine nuts, and flame-broiled fresh salmon. From Thursday to Sunday you'll dine to the music of a flamenco guitarist. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Il Vicino
3403 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/266-7855
Under $10
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Italian

The gourmet pizzas at Il Vicino are baked in a European-style wood-fired oven. If a suitable combination of the 25 possible toppings eludes you, try the Pizza Rustica, a buttery cornmeal crust topped with roasted garlic, artichokes, calamata olives, and capers. Good salads, pastas, and microbrewery beers are also served here. Reservations not accepted. MC, V.

La Crêpe Michel
Old Town Patio del Norte, 400 C-2 San Felipe St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/242-1251
$10 to $20
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
French

The highlights at this intimate country-French café are its innovative chicken, beef, seafood, vegetarian, and dessert crepes. Also prepared are classic French onion soup, escargots, and freshly-baked French bread. You may notice that there is (mon Dieu!) no wine list, which has to do with the restaurant's proximity to San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church (liquor laws prohibit alcoholic beverages from being served near a church). MC, V. Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.

La Placita
208 San Felipe St. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/247-2204
$10 to $30
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

It's touristy and not particularly authentic, but this restaurant housed in a historic hacienda on Old Town Plaza is awfully convenient. On the menu are chiles rellenos, enchiladas, tacos, and sopaipillas, and American entrées. The building dates from 1706; for years it housed Ambrosio Armijo's mercantile store, where ladies' lace gloves sold for 10¢ a pair and gents' linen underdrawers could be purchased for $1. The six dining rooms showcase Native American and Southwestern painting, most of which are for sale. AE, D, MC, V.

Los Cuates
5016B Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/268-0974
Under $10
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

Frequently voted the best Mexican restaurant in local polls, Los Cuates is a classic. The soft chicken taco smothered with green chile and the chile relleno are excellent, and the roast beef burrito may be the best burrito in town. Fresh chips and spicy salsa are brought immediately to your table or red-vinyl booth. Portions are gargantuan. Expect a wait on weekend nights. A second location across the street at 4901 Lomas Boulevard NE serves fine margaritas as well. Reservations not accepted. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

M&J's Sanitary Tortilla Factory
403 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/242-4890
Under $10
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Mexican, Southwestern

Ravenous travelers rub elbows with downtown lawyers in this large, bright lunchroom. The hospitable Bea Montoya, who knows her regulars by name, serves the best carne adovada (red chile-marinated slow-baked pork) in town. No credit cards. Closed Sun. No dinner.

Manhattan on the Rio Grande
901 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/248-1514
Under $10
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Contemporary

This deli serves sandwiches big enough to pass muster with a doting Jewish or Italian mother. Get a Reuben, a Siciliano, or a Stormin' Norman (nothing to do with General Schwarzkopf, it's named after a famous basketball coach at the University of New Mexico). It's open until 11 PM. AE, MC, V. No dinner Sun.-Tues.

Maria Teresa Restaurant & 1840 Bar
618 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/242-3900
$10 to $30
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Continental

The 32-inch-thick walls of this restored 1840s adobe have stood - like the Continental and New Mexican fare - the test of time. The rack of Colorado lamb is a good choice. Early Spanish American chests, carvings, and tables and Southwestern paintings decorate the swank room, but in summer everyone wants to eat in the courtyard. AE, DC, MC, V.

Portobello: A Taste of Tuscany
Fashion Square, 1100 San Mateo Blvd., Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/232-9119
$10 to $30
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Italian

At this spin-off from the highly respected Artichoke Cafe, chef Fabrizio Ventricini prepares simple, fresh, traditional Tuscan fare, much of it with glorious mushroom-infused sauces. The steak Portobello, a tenderloin topped with fried leeks and Portobello mushroom, is one of many exquisitely prepared dishes; other good choices are the veal marsala and the chicken with rosemary and olives. Fresh fish is also on the menu. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Quarters BBQ
801 Yale Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/843-7505
$10 to $20
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Barbecue

All you've ever dreamed of finding in a barbecue joint awaits you when you walk into this dark den. The three-decades-old Albuquerque institution serves tender, smoky, falling-off-the-bone ribs and chicken, brisket, and sausage - it's hard to know where to dive in first. You'll need a fistful of napkins, that's for sure. The sauce is more tangy than sweet, and the meat is slow smoked according to a secret recipe. Top steaks and Alaskan king crab legs are also served without barbecue sauce. AE, MC, V.

Scalo Northern Italian Grill
Nob Hill Shopping Center, 3500 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/255-8781
$10 to $20
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Italian

Nob Hill trendsetters gather at this informal eatery to experience fine Italian wines and first-rate pasta, seafood, and meat entrées. Most of the multilevel dining area looks onto the lively bar and an open kitchen, where wonders like ravioli with spinach and ricotta cheese and fried baby calamari with a spicy marinara and lemon aioli are created. The homemade desserts are mighty fine. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch Sun.

Seasons Rotisserie-Grill
2031 Mountain Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/766-5100
Over $30
Downtown, Old Town, and Vicinity
Contemporary

Upbeat yet elegant, this Old Town eatery near the museums and shops is convenient for a business lunch or dinner date. The restaurant serves reliable grilled specialties, like the popular spit-roasted half-chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, and light northern Italian pastas. There's also a double-cut pork rib chop with caramelized shallot-sage sauce and grilled Atlantic salmon with lemon beurre blanc. At the rooftop patio and bar you can have evening cocktails and lighter meals. Reservations are recommended. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Yanni's Mediterranean Bar & Grill
3109 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505/268-9250
Under $20
University, Nob Hill, and Vicinity
Greek

Something of a see-and-be-seen Nob Hill spot, Yanni's is a casual, airy place serving souvlaki and gyros dinners, marinated grilled lamb chops, grilled fresh halibut, and rotisserie Greek chicken seasoned with garlic and oregano. The popular vegetarian plate includes a surprisingly good meatless moussaka, tabouli, spanakopita, and stuffed grape leaves. AE, D, MC, V.