Restaurants in Albuquerque Nob Hill

Albuquerque Restaurants

By Aileen O'Catherine

Updated 03/14/18

Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
••• Aileen O'Catherine

Albuquerque's Nob Hill restaurants run from casual to upscale, and local to continental. Here are a few from which to choose.

  • B2B Bistronomy
    • 3118 Central SE
    • 262-2222
    • B2B stands for beers to burgers, and they serve both in a fresh, direct manner that keeps patrons coming back for more. Burgers are house made and grilled over an open flame. Beer is on tap, with most local craft brews. Wine and cocktails are also available, along with meatless burgers.
    • Find Nob Hill bars.
      • Elaine's
      • 3503 Central NE
      • 433-4782
      • Elaine's uses locally sourced ingredients to bring a fresh approach to food. The upscale restaurant has a different slant on duck confit, lamb chops, salmon, tenderloin and bass. White linen tablecloths set the stage for a beautiful evening.
    • Fan Tang
      • 3523 Central NE
      • 266-3566
      • Fan Tang features Sichuan Chinese food in a relaxed atmosphere. The owner also runs Chow's Asian Bistro on the westside. 
    • Flying Star
      • 3416 Central SE
      • 255-6633
      • Flying Star has grown to eight locations from this original spot. The family-run restaurant has the best soups in town, good sandwiches and enough baked goods to make deciding a conundrum. My son swears by their eclairs.
    • Gecko's Bar and Tacos
      • 3500 Central SE
      • 262-1848
      • Gecko's is a neighborhood gastro pub and is a favorite with Lobo and Isotope fans before and after the game. The patio is a great place to hang out and relax. The pub grub includes sandwiches, soups and salads. Try the Gecko.
    • Guava Tree Cafe
      • 118 Richmond NE
      • The Guava Tree Cafe features sandwiches, soups, stews and freshly baked pastries and breads that star Central American cooking.
    • Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
      • 3403 Central NE
      • 266-7855
      • Il Vicino pizzas have that crisp crust and even texture that can only be found in a wood oven pizza. The salads come large and fresh, and there are calzones, pastas, soups or sandwiches for those who aren't in the mood for pizza. But Il Vicino is also known for its delicious in house brews, which not surprisingly complement the fare. The service is always excellent and the pace is brisk even if there's a wait.
    • Monte Vista Fire Station
      • 3201 Central NE
      • 255-2424
      • Long before Nob Hill became a dining destination, the Monte Vista Fire Station opened for Nob Hill visitors. Find sandwiches and entrees that include baby back ribs, fish and chips and fajitas. Its rooftop bar is a huge draw.
    • Model Pharmacy
      • 3636 Monte Vista NE
      • 255-8686
      • Model Pharmacy is a bit off Central, but well worth finding. They're open for breakfast and lunch and have a wonderful old time pharmacy counter where you can order a banana split or lime rickey. 
    • Nob Hill Bar and Grill
      • 3128 Central SE
      • 266-4455
      • The restaurant's owner spent years impressing locals with his other restaurant, Ambrosia. Sadly, Ambrosia is gone, but that's only because it morphed into Nob Hill Bar and Grill. Try their reinvented comfort food.
  • Orchid Thai
    • 4300 Central SE
    • 265-4047
    • Orchid Thai is open for lunch and dinner, featuring combination plates, curries, fish, and more.
  • Ragin Shrimp
    • 3624 Central SE
    • 254-1544
    • Ragin' Shrimp is famous for its jumbo shrimp and spicy sauces. Dishes have Cajun flavor as well as Jamaican and Indian sauces. 
  • Scalo’s Northern Italian Grill
    • 3500 Central SE
    • 255-8781
    • Over twenty years ago, Scalo's moved into the neighborhood and Albuquerque has been a little happier ever since. An award-winning restaurant with organic specialties and an extensive array of wines, its northern Italian dishes are a treat for the eye as well as the tongue.
  • Slice Parlor
    • 3410 Central SE
    • 232-2808
    • Slice Parlor offers pizza by the pie or by the slice. There is beer on tap, some of which is locally brewed. Good for lunch or dinner.
  • Street Food Asia
    • 3422 Central SE
    • 260-0088
    • Street Food Asia gathers together the many flavors of Asia in a variety of dishes. Small plates are a specialty, letting you taste the flavors of Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and China in small bites.
  • Thai Vegan
    • 3804 Central SE
    • 200-2290
    • Thai Vegan specializes in creating Thai dishes with vegan "meats." You'll find the usual Thai curries, stir fries and noodle soups, only healthier.
  • Yanni's
    • 3109 Central NE
    • 266-4455
    • The bright white walls splashed with cobalt blue take you right to Greece, but the food makes you want to stay. My husband swears the seafood dishes at Yanni's are better than any other Albuquerque restaurant. There are the usual Greek dishes, from lentil soup to Spanokapita, but all of it is delicious. For lunch and dinner.
  • Zacateca's Tacos + Tequila
    • 3423 Central NE
    • 255-8226
    • It might be easy to brush off a "taco bar" as just an ordinary place. Zacateca's is anything but. It was a semi-finalist for best new restaurant by the James Beard Foundation in 2013. Chef Mark Kiffin mixes a cultural blend of foods and recipes. Soft tacos have fresh, organic ingredients and a Margarita bar with tequilas and beer from Mexico.
  • Zinc Wine Bar and Bistro
    • 3009 Central NE
    • 245-9462
    • Zinc has won raves for its food since opening, and has a loyal clientele. The bistro is upstairs and has comfortable, posh furnishings that invite you to linger. The wine cellar downstairs has an extensive list of wines. Try the cheese plate and the seared scallops. For lunch or dinner. Live music Sundays through Thursdays.