Albuquerque is full of delicious restaurants, ice cream shops, and coffee spots perfect for enjoying with kids (or without)!
We lived in Albuquerque for two years and ate our way through the city. From breakfast burritos with green chile to flaky pastries to pizza with a side of board games, these are our favorite Albuquerque restaurants for kids (and adults).
Favorite Albuquerque restaurants for kids
Tin Can Alley
My favorite Albuquerque restaurant to visit with kids is actually a food hall!
Tin Can Alley is in Northeast Albuquerque and has great patios, gorgeous views of the mountains, an arcade, and multiple restaurants for you to choose from. That way, everyone gets something they like!
I love the arepa machilla from Guava House. The kids love the pizza from Amore and chicken tenders from KūKri. Plus, Santa Fe Brewing’s Social Hour is my favorite New Mexican beer.
Bring quarters or dollar bills to play in the arcade upstairs!
Church Street Cafe
In the heart of Old Town, Church Street Cafe is a quintessential New Mexican restaurant with all the charm and good food. It’s my favorite spot to take visiting family. If your waiter asks if you want green, red or Christmas, they want to know if you want green chile, red chile, or both! It’s a popular place during Balloon Fiesta, Día de Los Muertos, and other holidays, so get on the waitlist then wander Old Town while you wait.
Indian Pueblo Kitchen
The restaurant at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which showcases New Mexico’s 19 Pueblos, serves up delicious New Mexican and indigenous fare. I love the blue corn enchiladas. If you’re visiting the IPCC, which I highly recommend, plan to eat here!
La Reforma Brewery
My favorite tacos in Albuquerque are at La Reforma. They have a super casual atmosphere and great beer too!
Los Poblanos
Los Poblanos is a local farm, fancy hotel, event venue, and dinner locale (aka a great date night spot). That said, it’s also a delicious, welcoming place to brunch with kids if you go first thing in the morning.
Their smashed potatoes are delicious. Be on the lookout for the peacocks that roam the property too!
We took our three kids to Los Poblanos for Easter brunch and had the best time.
Favorite Albuquerque pizza places
Dion’s
Dion’s is a New Mexico staple and excellent pizza to take away or eat in. If you dine in, kids will love watching the crew stretch and prep the pizza dough through the window into the kitchen.
Golden Crown Panadería
I dream of Golden Crown’s green chile pizza crust. Their charming patio near Old Town and Downtown is great for kids. They have delicious biscochitos (shortbread cookies) and breads too!
Slice & Dice
For pizza with a side of games, head to Slice & Dice! They have a great board game selection for all ages, and their pizza is great too!
Restoration Pizza
For a truly welcoming, inclusive environment, check out Restoration Pizza! Restoration employs people of all abilities. Plus, they serve delicious pizza too!
Favorite coffee shops in Albuquerque
Meraki
Meraki has an in-house pastry chef and my favorite pastries in town. They’re delectable! Their lattes and food are so good too! I get the Summer Betty Bowl (a smoothie bowl) in warmer months and the Winter Betty Bowl (oatmeal and grains) in colder months. My husband loves their breakfast sandwich and huevos rancheros burrito too.
Cutbow
Near Old Town Albuquerque and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is Cutbow Coffee. It’s my favorite coffee in town, though the space is small and busy, so trickier with kids. It’s a great stop on the way to the Botanic Garden or Aquarium.
Favorite breakfast burritos in Albuquerque
I could write a whole post on breakfast burritos in Albuquerque alone. They’re so good!
New Mexico Beef Jerky Company
If you’re headed anywhere downtown or near Old Town (like the zoo, aquarium, botanic garden, Explora or Natural History Museum), stop at New Mexico Beef Jerky Company for a giant breakfast burrito first! It’s a popular place, but so worth the wait. Nothing beats a warm tortilla stuffed to the brim with crispy bacon, eggs, cheese, and potatoes.
Stripes
Stripes is my favorite drive-thru breakfast burritos. They’re located all around town and are consistently delicious! Plus, they’re veteran owned and operated, and they donate 10 percent of proceeds to the VA hospital.
Blake’s Lotaburger
Blake’s is a New Mexico staple known for their green chile cheeseburgers, breakfast burritos, and milkshakes. They’re my kids’ favorite breakfast burritos by far.
Favorite ice cream shops in Albuquerque
Heidi’s Ice Cream Shop
Heidi’s yuzu caramel black sesame ice cream is my favorite ice cream in Albuquerque. So good. They have an adorable patio too.
Pink Pony Soft Serve
For delicious soft serve or homemade marshmallows, check out Pink Pony. I love adding crushed pistachios to mine!
Mrs. Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor
If joy had a store, it would be Mrs. Sprinkles. You can get a simple two scoops of ice cream, but where’s the fun in that? I recommend the cookie ice cream sandwich, but there are also elaborate milkshakes and even ice cream tacos! The decor inside is amazing, with a small kids play area. And the front patio has activities too!
Favorite Albuquerque vegan restaurants
We have several vegan family members and love these vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Albuquerque.
Annapurna
Annapurna serves delicious Ayurvedic cuisine at two locations in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe. They’re my favorite vegetarian restaurant in town by far. (I especially love their masala-roasted Brussels sprouts, sampler plate, and stir fry.) The lean spicier, so proceed with caution with spice-adverse kids.
Lucky Goose
For vegan comfort food, head to Lucky Goose. Their fries are great, and I love the barbecue chick’n sandwich.
Vegos
If you’re looking for vegan New Mexican food, Vegos is a must. Their burritos are *so* good!
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