universityMon-Sat 10:00-21:00; Sun 11:00-19:00
Yasmine's Cafe on Central Avenue near UNM in Albuquerque is the Middle Eastern halal counter with shawarma plates.
Why locals love it: Tiny Central Avenue Middle Eastern counter near UNM with a long student regulars line that tourists never join.
Tip: Order the shawarma plate with extra garlic sauce, sit at the counter, watch the chef wrap the wraps in real time.
downtownTue-Sun 09:00-16:00; closed Mon
Pueblo Harvest Cafe at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on 12th Street in Albuquerque is the only modern Pueblo Indian restaurant, missed by museum skippers.
Why locals love it: Inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center museum, missed by most visitors but the only modern Pueblo Indian restaurant in the city.
Tip: Visit at lunch when the Pueblo dancing performances run on the courtyard, then order the buffalo posole and Indian taco.
downtownWed-Sat 07:00-20:00; Sun 10:00-20:00; closed Mon-Tue
Golden Crown Panaderia on Mountain Road in Albuquerque is the heritage panaderia since 1972, baking green chile bread and biscochitos in a wood fired oven.
Why locals love it: Mountain Road heritage panaderia bakes biscochitos and green chile bread in a wood fired oven, with a back patio few find.
Tip: Buy a green chile bread loaf to go, then take the biscochitos to the back garden patio for coffee under the cottonwoods.
north-valleyDaily 12:00-19:00
Casa Rondena Winery on Chavez Road in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is the Spanish style estate winery since 1995.
Why locals love it: Spanish style estate winery on a North Valley road few tourists drive, with a courtyard tasting room and Rio Grande Valley vines.
Tip: Visit during summer concert season for the courtyard music, taste the Cabernet Sauvignon and stay for the sunset over the cottonwoods.
northeast-heights
Tacos Los Piolines truck on Central Avenue east of San Pedro in Albuquerque is the late night Mexican taco truck with al pastor on a spit and a salsa bar.
Why locals love it: Late night taco truck on Central Avenue east of San Pedro, with tacos al pastor on a spit that tourists never find.
Tip: Arrive after 21:00 for the dinner spit pastor cut, order the lengua taco for the heritage Mexican counter experience.
northeast-heightsDaily 07:00-15:00
Bristol Doughnut Co on Comanche Road NE in Albuquerque's Northeast Heights is the brioche doughnut bakery with maple bacon.
Why locals love it: Comanche Road NE bakery in the Heights with brioche doughnuts and a maple bacon glaze, often sold out by 11:00.
Tip: Arrive by 09:00 on Saturday, the brown butter glaze sells out first, then ask for the rotating weekly special at the counter.