Albuquerque is New Mexico’s most thriving city, and you might be surprised to find out that many scenes from famous shows have been shot here, including The Avengers and Stranger Things! And while there’s plenty to explore here, we’re here to talk about Albuquerque’s diverse food scene.
Offering cuisines from all around the globe, this city has endless restaurants and cafes. That means lots of options for the vegetarian or vegan.
So we’ve rounded up the best vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque. Experience truly divine food, creative takes on the usual vegetarian grub, and aesthetic settings at these local eateries. Bon appetit!
Our Top Eight Picks For The Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants In Albuquerque
1. The Acre
Scratch-made breakfast and lunch served in a chic setting with outdoor seating.
The Acre made quite a splash when owner Shawn first opened its doors back in 2017. Blame the creative, scratch-made menu or the unbeatable ambiance, but it has remained one of the to-go vegan & vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque for the locals since then.
The farmhouse chic aesthetic, communal wooden tables, and lots of natural light makes dining here a refreshing and comfortable experience, despite the slightly upscale vibe that surrounds the room. Or you could just soak in the sun at their tables on the sidewalk, sipping a drink in their mason jar glasses (which are very cute, by the way!)
The menu here is fully vegetarian and mostly vegan, and the food is scratch-made every day, with ingredients sourced from only the best farms in the region.
A favorite from their all-day breakfast is the decadent French toast bread pudding with a hint of cinnamon and a load of berries and candied pecans.
Lunch includes handhelds like burgers, which are made with house-made patties (no Impossible Burger patties to be found here!). They also do surprisingly delicious hot dogs made with braised carrots.
Choose a light and summery pick like the Strawberry Field salad, or go all out with their meatless loaf or the spicy enchiladas – you won’t regret either of the paths. No matter what you get, expect everything to be house-made – sauces, patties, and all.
You can also request almost everything to be vegan. So drop by any day from 10 am to 3 pm, and we bet you’ll leave satisfied and full. Even Guy Fieri couldn’t resist their amazing food, when The Acre recently got featured on his show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives!
Address: 4410 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque
2. Cafe Lush
Cozy, small cafe serving vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch picks with lots of outdoor seating.
Have you ever heard of the saying ‘good things come in small packages? Well, you’ll know it’s true if you stumble across Cafe Lush – a hidden Albuquerque gem.
This cozy cafe is nestled at the corner of Tijeras Ave, as tiny and tight a squeeze as it may be, it’s one of the best places for breakfast and an early lunch. The handful of tables in the low-key interior and the sidewalk are almost always full here, which just proves how undeniably tasty their food is.
Luckily, they open as early as 7 am when you can walk in peacefully, snag a table under the umbrellas, and devour mouth-watering food (and some great coffee).
Owner/Chef Thomas has ensured that the menus have enough vegetarian/vegan options that aren’t just plentiful but taste divinely delicious too.
Breakfast features a wonderfully crispy vegetable hash topped with poached eggs along with a chile-drenched tortilla or toast and a decadent all-day breakfast pizza made with a sour cream scallion potato crust.
Lunch here is all about handhelds, such as the vegan grilled eggplant sandwich called the ‘The Mo’, but you can certainly get vibrant bowls of salads and a heartily healthy gluten-free pasta in a vodka lemon cream sauce. Speaking of gluten-free, all items on the menus can be served as gluten-free, so it’s a win-win for all sorts of diets at Cafe Lush.
Oh and, on Saturdays, they host a short but tantalizing brunch menu from 8 am to 1 pm, which includes their Lush Benedict that has a unique red chile hollandaise. Otherwise, you’ll find them open from Monday to Friday between 7 am to 1.30 pm.
Address: 700 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque
3. Chello Grill
Persian cuisine served in a vibrant, informal space with a small patio and occasional live music.
Combining subtly-spiced Persian dishes with the hot flavors of New Mexican cuisine, Chello Grill is one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque.
Whether you’re dining in with the family or want a quick meal before you head off exploring, this place will ensure your tummy stays full and palette well pleased.
Sit inside this festive, bright little space, where the decor is vibrant and the tables spotlessly clean, or settle outside on their small but cozy patio. Either way, you’ll love their hospitality and the very laid-back, informal atmosphere, especially with the occasional live ethnic music in the background.
While their menu has lots of meat options, there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options as well, so you won’t feel restricted in any way. Everything is made from scratch in-house, including their thick, creamy hummus.
Start with their salad that’s topped with feta and a greek vinaigrette, and add some falafel to it to kick it up a notch. Speaking of falafels, these delightful bites can be enjoyed inside their pita bread sandwiches, with one of their rice or lettuce bowls, or on their own with a side Mast O’Khiar dip.
Their grilled veggie kabobs with green chile are also a favorite among the meat-averse crowd, as is the Fesenjan – a sweet and tangy pomegranate and walnut stew. Try the yogurt and green chile dip too – a creatively delicious fusion!
Chello Grill is open every day from 11 am onwards, so do drop by and give this local favorite a try!
Address: 5010 Cutler Ave NE Suite A, Albuquerque
4. Vinaigrette
Eco-conscious restaurant serving farm-to-table fare in a vibrant dining room and a charming patio.
What began as a small farming project turned out to be a thriving business in the form of Vinaigrette for owner Erin Wade.
Sourcing seasonal veggies, fruits, and eggs from her 10-acre farm in Nambe, Vinaigrette celebrates salads unlike other vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque. It’s truly a farm-to-table place, where you can sit back and indulge in some of the most vibrant and insanely good salads you’ve ever had.
The colorful, sunlit, and spacious dining room doesn’t hurt either, and feels especially nice if you choose to sit on their comfy upholstered benches. Outdoor seating is beside lush greenery on aesthetic wooden tables, which look even more beautiful under the warm glow of string lights at night.
Their menu focuses heavily on sweet and savory salads, made from only the freshest of ingredients – guaranteed!
Try the Asian chopped salad that’s mixed with cabbage and noodles, and topped with crispy noodles and a miso ginger vinaigrette, or the Cherry Tart salad which combines sun-dried cherries and feta with a tangy champagne vinaigrette.
A sweeter option would be ‘The Beet Goes on,’ which has – you guessed it – balsamic roasted beets, baby greens, arugula, and goat’s cheese tossed in a honey-balsamic vinaigrette.
Not everything is leafy salads here, though. A hearty vegan mushroom stew and a roasted veggie sandwich also grace their menu, along with some irresistible mac n cheese and unbelievably good black bean and kale nachos.
So whether you’re on a date or simply want a well-made salad that will keep you full, Vinaigrette has got your back with its meticulously made meals with carefully picked ingredients. They’re open from Monday – Saturday, between 11 am to 9 pm.
Address: 1828 Central Ave SW, Albuquerque
5. La Finca Bowls
Gluten-free and health-centric bowls of organic ingredients served in a chic atmosphere with a spacious patio.
We realize that not everyone is crazy about bowls, but one meal at La Finca Bowls can change your mind and make you a fan!
Cooked from organic ingredients that are locally sourced, La Finca is a gluten-free and vegan-friendly kitchen serving steaming bowls of fresh goodness. In fact, it’s quite the talk of the town, where people line up during rush hours to get their hands on these healthy yet unbelievably delish bowls.
But if you come early, you can grab a seat in their trendy and minimalist dining room that has real potted plants everywhere. Better yet, chill out on their covered and spacious outdoor patio!
Build your bowl or order something from the preformatted ones – either way, you’ll be delighted once you taste their food. Their Vegan Poke bowl has ponzu marinated beets, veggies, and spicy mayo over coconut rice that somehow works wonders on the taste buds.
Another vegetarian-friendly pick is the Gardener bowl which has veggies and sauteed mushrooms over some quinoa with a citrus vinaigrette. Tip: add the house-made edamame falafels to kick it up a notch.
Or, you could just build your bowls from the numerous options they offer and try being creative with the combinations. Bonus: all of their sauces are vegan!
Stay on the lookout for their specials too – they put some unique seasonal stuff in these bowls, like kohlrabi and pickled scapes.
Open every day except Tuesday, from 11 am onwards, La Finca Bowls is undoubtedly one of the top-rated vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque.
Address: 300 Broadway Blvd NE G, Albuquerque
6. Curry Leaf
North and south Indian cuisine served in a classy ambiance with a patio.
A haven for the meat-averse crowd, Curry Leaf is an understated Albuquerque gem, where you can indulge in countless meat-free dishes inspired by the raging flavors of Indian cuisine.
Buffet or ala carte, every item on the menu is a crowd-pleaser here, and that’s saying a lot because they’ve got a huge menu!
Settle in this classy dining room with muted pink walls and linen tablecloths, where the atmosphere is quiet and not too relaxed, but still feels comfortable. Their patio is equally roomy with plenty of seats under umbrellas and string lights.
Whether you’re going for the buffet or selecting individual items, you’ll find yourself among dozens of enticing options, a lot of which are spicy for heat lovers.
Appetizers include staples such as vegetable Samosas and Idly Sambar, served with coconut chutney, or the rich and creamy Madras tomato soup made with coconut milk.
Vegetarian entrees are plentiful, with Baingan Bharta (baked eggplant) and Saag Paneer (spinach and cottage cheese sauteed in spices) being fan favorites! They also do Indo-Chinese fusion dishes, such as vegetable noodles and vegetable schezwan fried rice, along with some crispy and savory Dosas to accompany the entrees.
Pair your meal with some sweet Lassi, and finish it off with their decadent and sweet Carrot Halwa. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant will leave you impressed with the hospitable service and satisfied with a full belly!
Curry Leaf does lunch from 11.30 to 2.30 pm and dinner service from 5 to 10 pm, every day.
Address: 6910 Montgomery Blvd NE C, Albuquerque
7. Asian Pear
A small, informal restaurant serving healthy and flavorful Korean cuisine.
Being a vegan/vegetarian often means having very limited options when it comes to cuisines, but thanks to Asian Pear, you can indulge in flavorful Korean food without feeling restricted.
Owner Kim has been operating this unassuming restaurant since 2015, where she herself welcomes you into her cozy and bright restaurant. The place is more geared towards takeouts, but there are a handful of tables inside the counter-ordering restaurant to accommodate hungry patrons.
While every dish is made with authentic family recipes, they’ve also sneaked in hints of New Mexican flavors for that extra kick. So vegetarians can enjoy spicy tofu bowls, which are marinated and seasoned through and through, or go for the vegetable Bi Bim Bob, which is rice topped with seasoned greens, tofu, and a spicy Korean chili paste.
They also do vegetarian kimbap and salads, along with a Korean style vegetarian pancake that has gathered a small cult following among the locals! New specials pop up every other day on the menu, where you’ll find creative Korean-Mexican fusions, so be sure to check them out.
Drop by any day from 11 am onwards, and we bet you’ll want to keep coming back for more of their flavorful food!
Address: 8101 San Pedro Dr NE ste d, Albuquerque
8. El Patio De Albuquerque
Homestyle NM cuisine served in a cozy dining room and a vibrant patio with occasional live music.
Not many places do vegetarian-friendly New Mexican food, but not only does El Patio offer a plethora of vegetarian options, but also manages to execute them expertly!
All of their food’s bold flavors are only enhanced by their undeniably fantastic ambiance. Sit inside the cozy, homestyle dining room where paintings dot almost every wall or go alfresco on their stunning patio. It’s got a bright blue fence, an enormous tree for shade, and vibrant scenery painted all over one of the walls – a perfect backdrop for an Instagram photo!
And with the occasional live music they’ve got, El Patio easily becomes one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque in our books.
Their menu is short but has all the favorites cooked homestyle. Try the vegetarian burrito that comes stuffed with avocado, beans, and other veggies, or go for the bean taco which you can also get lettuce-wrapped. Everything comes with a side of some of the best sopapillas you’ll ever taste. And their vegetarian enchiladas? Lip-smacking good! No matter what you get, expect it to be drenched in some spicy and well-seasoned chile.
Oh and, you can also skip on the cheese and get these items to be vegan, and they’ll taste just as good – locals swear by it too! Celiacs can also rejoice with gluten-free green chile.
And in case you want a flavorful breakfast, check out their late breakfast menu till 3 pm, with breakfast burritos, Huevoeris Mexicanos, and other mouth-watering vegetarian-friendly picks on offer.
Drop by any day from 11 am onwards, and don’t forget to try their Mexican beers!
Address: 142 Harvard Dr SE, Albuquerque
Best Vegan & Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants In Albuquerque – Final Thoughts
Although vegan restaurants in the Southwest aren’t particularly plentiful, there are quite a handful of vegan & vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Albuquerque. So save yourself the hassle of looking up places and give our favorite picks a visit – you won’t be disappointed!