Shortlist: 11 Brunch & Breakfast Spots In Albuquerque Worth Waking Up For!

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Last updated on December 1, 2022 by Wandering our World

A breakfast in Albuquerque will always start your day off right! Whether you’re a local with a Southwestern palette or a tourist traveling through the ‘Duke City’, there’s a selection ofAlbuquerque breakfast establishments, large and small, hip and family-oriented, with traditional and New Mexican cuisine.

That’s why we want to share with youour list of the best places for breakfast in Albuquerque. Enjoy!

Homemade Chicken and Waffles
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Bhofack2

1.Slate Street Cafe

Slate Street Cafe is an amazing place in Albuquerque’s old neighborhood, just one block north of the frenetic big city skyscrapers in downtown.

Maya Ghattas, an Albuquerque native decided to bring her passion for food and wine to the public and opened the classy Slate Street Cafe in 2003. It’s been a hit ever since, thanks to the great food, conversation, weekly wine tastings they host and much more.

A distinctive curving bar where you can eat makes this a fun cafe to dine at, where conversation is also allowed to flow. There’s many other tables in the front too, and private intimate rooms with wooden floors, so this cafe has its cozy spots as well. Or choose their shady outside tables on the lovely terrace, which is perfect place to sit on a sunny day.

The Saturday and Sunday brunch, as well as the daily breakfast selections offered from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m, are superb. The Green Eggs and Ham Omelet, Salmon Frittata, and the Mexican-Style Oatmeal are some favoritesofours. Their gourmet cupcakes are prepared in-house every day too, so why not treat yourself to something sweet.

Our tip: There is usually a wait at the weekends to be seated, so it’s best to arrive early!

Omelet with parsley, cherry tomatoes
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2. Hannah and Nate’s

Hannah and Nate’s is a true locals’ favorite which can be found inside the Riverside Plaza on Albuquerque’s West Side. There’s also a second location in the neighborhood of Corrales. As a bitof interesting information, Hannah and Nate’s was actually named after the children of owners Phil and Beth!

Phil runs the cafe’s culinary service, while Beth operates the home décor shop next door. As you’d expect from a family run business, the cafe’s ambiance is charming, cozy, and family friendly. The majority of the menu items are New Mexican, such as the Breakfast Tacos, Carne con Huevos, and New Mexico “Heavenly Hash“. So if you desire a wonderful Albuquerque breakfast, here’s the spot for you!

As forour recommendation, the Benedict de Nuevo Mexico, which has poached eggs topped with homemade Carne Adovada and melted cheese, is a real hit.

Our tip: For the ‘Quiche of the Day’ they usually offer three different choices, which are always very good.

3. The Grove Cafe and Market

Chef Jason and his business partner Lauren have really hit it out of the park with Grove Cafe and Market, which was created in 2006. Jason’s goal after graduating from the New England Culinary School was to create artisan cuisine using the freshest local ingredients. And we think he’s definitely achieved that!

They specialise in breakfast and brunch, and use ingredients that come from the best local and organic sources. Expect a broad menu that spans classics like Breakfast Burritos to English Muffins! If you want something filling to start your day right, then the ‘Fancy Breakfast Sandwich’ is our go to!

Our tip: You can buy seasonal gifts and organic food items at Grove Market.

Breakfast burrito cut in half
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4.Java Joe’s

Java Joe’s has a great location near Robinson Park at 8th and Central, just west of downtown. That location makes this colorful, little café a real hub of activity, and on Saturday morning you can find the Growers Market here. If you visit then, you can buy local vegetables, art, and listen to live music.

Not only does this place have a laid-back friendly vibe, but the food is good too! You can get traditional breakfast items, Southwestern classics like Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Burritos, and even Belgium waffles. Java Joe’s also roast their own coffee every day and have over 30 different kinds of loose leaf tea.

If that’s not enough, every month they feature a different artist who exhibits their work. Considering all of that, it’s no surprise this is one of our favoriteAlbuquerque breakfast and brunch spots.

Our tip: It may sound kid-like, but the whipped cream in their mug drinks is out of this world. Ask for an extra serving!

coffee pressed
Photo for illustrative purposes only: Unsplash+

5. Weck’s

The inside of Weck’s has a friendly small-town feel about it. The wait staff are friendly and some have even been working there since the establishment’s inception.

A small-town feel is great, but what about the food? Well not only is it good and very affordable, you also won’t go hungry! That’s because many of their breakfast options really are “full belly” meals, such as the Omelettes and Burritos, and favorites like the Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas, and Breakfast Quesadilla.

What do the locals’ like to order? Well their famous “Papas” – which is a mountain of hash browns with red or green chile, cheese, and your choice of meat and veggies – is a popular choice.

Our tip: This restaurant is popular with families so during peak times you may have to wait to be seated. So getting there early is recommended if you want to avoid any wait.

Diner-style Breakfast
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Diana Van Der Sluys

6. Flying Star Cafe

Long-time Albuquerque residents will remember the Flying Star Cafe as Double Rainbow, but now with a new name, the Flying Star Cafe is casual, yet hip and stylish. Come here to read the paper, eat a delicious Albuquerque breakfast, and people watch.

Customers are greeted by a wall of magazines and whimsically painted walls and ceilings (including clouds) at Flying Star, which serves pastries and breakfast all day. Sit at the bar, or on the terrace enjoying the great weather, and enjoy.

Eggs Florentine, Spanish Frittata, Breakfast Hash, and the Rise & Shine Sandwich are all signature dishes. New Mexican breakfasts are available too, as well as more classic egg dishes.

Flying Star is pet friendly too, and even has a “petio” where you and your furry family member can enjoy breakfast together!

Our tip: The Fabulous French Toast is just that, fabulous! With its hints of vanilla and caramelized brown sugar syrup, you can’t come here and not try it.

dog and food
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Finlay Buchanan

7. The Range Cafe

The Range Cafe first opened its doors in the little hamlet of Bernalillo, just up the road from Albuquerque, in 1992. In fact when it first opened, it was so busy that the kitchen ran out of food and couldn’t serve that evening!

They remain popular, even with celebrities who have autographed memorabilia that now hangs on the walls. Local bands perform here at the weekends too, so drop in on the evening as well if you can.

As for breakfast, it’s especially popular at The Range. Expect tasty American and Southwestern breakfast menu items that are available until 3 p.m every day. In fact the food’s so tasty there are now several locations inAlbuquerque.

Our tip: The coffee is so good here you’ll want more than one cup! There are several locations in Albuquerque but for some reason we think the coffee tastes the best in the original location in Bernalillo.

group drinking coffee
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8. Frontier Restaurant

The Frontier Restaurant, which is located on the University of New Mexico’s campus corner, is a long-standing Albuquerque breakfast spot. It’s open from 5am until 1am and you can get breakfast at any time of day or night – perfect! Their Cinnamon Buns in particular are a popular choice. They’re recognized for being huge, extra gooey, and very affordable if you’re searching for something sweet!

To accommodate the students that make up the majority of this restaurant’s customers, the Frontier has kept its food very affordable. However, you will find people from all walks of life here.

So what food should you expect at this laid-back breakfast spot? Lots of classic Southwestern meals, such as Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Burritos. Any dish that uses their handmade tortillas is worth grabbing too.

Our tip: We may have already mentioned it, but you’ve gotta veer from that diet and have one of their cinnamon rolls! There’s nothing else quite like it.

Delicious breakfast on a light table
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9. Bottger Mansion of Old Town

Breakfast at the Bottger Mansion of Old Town is a must-do, thanks to their excellent cuisine served in a relaxing environment and gorgeous setting. It may be the best breakfast in Albuquerque, but unfortunately only guests at this mansion can enjoy it.

If you are staying, expect fresh fruit topped with house-made sorbet, a special blend coffee from a local roaster, and a selection of juices. French breakfast, Blue Cornmeal Pancakes, and Green Chile Quiche are just a few of the mouthwatering delicacies on the menu to tempt your taste buds and fill you up!

Our tip: The best place to have breakfast is in the courtyard in late spring or early fall, as you will be able to enjoy breakfast while watching the flowers and hummingbirds!

Pancakes with banana, walnut and caramel.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Lilechka75

10. Farm & Table

As the name suggests, Farm & Table is a restaurant but also a farm, split between 9 acres of grazing land and 2 acres of produce. This means that whilst you eat at the restaurant you can gaze out at where much of the food on your plate has come from. So not only do you get a great view, but it’s also hard to find food any fresher!

In operation since 1996, Farm & Table is one of the most popular breakfasts locations in Albuquerque, and it’s not hard to see why. The food is fantastic (you have to try the trio of pastries), beautifully presented, and made with the freshest ingredients.

Our tip: Take a table on the terrace if you want to enjoy your meal while having lovely farm views.

Selection of breakfast items
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Los_Angela

11. Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre

When it comes to Native American culture, a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Centre in Albuquerque is a must. And what better way to learn about a culture than to try out its cuisine?

That’s exactly what you can do at the on-site restaurant, the Pueblo Harvest Cafe, which serves Native fusion cuisine that incorporates traditional Native flavors and ingredients but in modern dishes.

Our tip: When you visit the restaurant, we recommend the Blue Corn Pancakes. Trust us, they’re delicious!

Berry pancakes display
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Mehriban Aliyeva

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  • Wandering our World

    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.