The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM
The eateries listed below each have a good selection of vegetarian-friendly entrees. by Jim Phillips & Caren Calvin
Vegetarians know that it can be tough to find a satisfying meal that lives up to your expectations. The eateries listed below each have a good selection of vegetarian-friendly entrees to choose from that will please your palate without breaking the bank. They range from cozy lunch sites to exciting night spots. Though only one is strictly vegetarian, the quality and variety of the dishes available at these restaurants are sure to excite your taste buds.
CLOUD CLIFF BAKERY AND CAFE 1805 2nd Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 983-6245
If you take a look at the bakery section of any health food store in New Mexico, you will surely find Cloud Cliff’s wonderful baked goods on the shelves. However, there is no substitute for a visit to the Cloud Cliff headquarters in Santa Fe for a healthy, hand-made meal. Their sandwiches are served on their famous home baked bread and are often accompanied by local New Mexico produce. The roasted vegetable and goat cheese sandwich, for example, is served on ciabatta panini bread and topped with organic pesto from locally grown basil. A favorite Santa Fe hangout for breakfast, lunch or an early dinner, Cloud Cliff Bakery and Café offers one of the widest vegetarian menus in New Mexico.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
YASMINE’S CAFE 1600 E. Central, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 242-1980
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:00 am-9:00 pm
Yasmine’s combination plates allow you to sample a wide variety of the delicious Middle Eastern cuisine on their menu. Complimented by a Jerusalem, an Arabic and a cucumber and yogurt salad, the combos offer beautifully prepared hummus, tahini and baba ghanouj. But by far the best menu item offered at Yasmine’s is the falafel. Crispy and delicious, it is an ideal meat substitute when you are feeling particularly hungry. Topped off with their sticky-sweet baklava, every meal is a healthy delight.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
ANNAPURNA AYURVEDIC CUISINE & CHAI HOUSE 2201 Silver St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 262-2424
Hours: Mon-Sat: 7:00 am-9:00 pm
Dining at Annapurna is a completely holistic experience as their goal is to create each dish with the diner’s health and spicy, exotic flavors in mind. In addition to their expansive vegetarian and vegan menu, they offer the only authentic chai in Albuquerque. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beautiful, richly decorated environment, Annapurna is the perfect place to get your body back into balance and savor the vegetarian goodness of the Far East.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
EL PATIO DE ALBUQUERQUE 143 Harvard Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (505) 268-4245
New Mexican cuisine is notoriously meat based, but at El Patio De Albuquerque in the university district, you can choose from a variety of vegetarian and vegan menu selections such as the hearty spinach enchiladas. Even the green and red chile sauces are vegetarian. And on a cool Albuquerque summer night, El Patio is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a cold beer and a guilt-free night of traditional New Mexican comfort food.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10 - $15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
INDIA PALACE - Vegetarian & Vegan 4410-Q Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111 (505) 271-5009 227 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 986-5859
Their Albuquerque location is in the Montgomery Crossing plaza where the decor, scents and music of India are authentic. Highly recommended by Fodor's Travel Guide and the New York Times, vegetarians and vegans will find a refreshingly wide selection of entrees, appetizers and breads to savor. Baingan Bhartha, a Tandoor baked eggplant dish, with Garlic Nan (bread) on the side might be followed by Khir, a saffron-flavored rice pudding, just to give you an idea of the cuisine that awaits the diner at the India Palace. Before you leave, take a moment to check out the Indian grocery and gift shop co-located with the restaurant.
Located on bustling Central Ave. near San Mateo, the Bangkok Cafe has the benefit of being close to either where you've been or where you're going. Recognized as the best Thai food in Albuquerque every year since 1994 by the Alibi, this chow rates a visit by anyone hungry for tasty Asian dishes, and I don't mean the watered down American version. Dine inside or out on the patio, and don't worry about the neighbors, this is a non-smoking restaurant. Try an entree with tofu and green curry for a new taste sensation.
Estimated Cost Per Person: $10- $15
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
MARTINI GRILLE- Vegetarian & Vegan 4200 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 (505) 255-4111
The Martini Grille, as the name indicates, is both a first class pub and a first rate restaurant. Grilled dishes featuring succulent Portobello mushrooms, eggplant and other veggie specialties are an integral part of the menu here. Dressings, sauces and marinades are all made in-house. Entertainment is also a house specialty, so make a night of it with live music from the piano bar, and dancing on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Estimated Cost Per Person: $15 - $20
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
CHEF DU JOUR- Vegetarian & Vegan 119 San Pasquales SW, Albuquerque, NM 87104 (505) 247-8998
Have you been looking for something different? Well, you've found it! At Chef du Jour the menu changes weekly, but is guaranteed to be a taste treat. Located near Rio Grande and Central Ave., just across from Old Town, this is the perfect place to lunch after touring or shopping. A sample of menu offerings is in order for this unique dining experience: Southwestern Potato and Leek Soup followed by a Portobello Mushroom Sandwich with caramelized onions, tomatoes, lettuce and red pepper aioli on farmer's bread, and Yellow Pudding Cake to finish. Hungry yet? Also, the Chef tells me that the menu selections are adaptable for vegans.
Estimated Cost Per Person: $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: Closed Easter, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving weekend (Thurs-Sun) and from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.
PARS CUISINE- Vegetarian & Vegan 4320 The 25 Way NE, Suite 100, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 345-5156
Hours:Mon-Thur: 11:00 am-9:00 pm,Fri-Sat: 11:00 am-10:00 pm,Sunday: 5:00 pm-9:00 pm Live Entertainment Tue-Sun: 6:00-9:00 pm
Specializing in Persian and Mediterranean food, the new incarnation of Pars Cuisine will be open in The 25 Way complex off Jefferson & I-25 in late October 2001. Pars has been in business since 1984, with owners Shanaz and Mohammed Tafti to ensure the authenticity of the Persian dining experience. A taste of Pars Cuisine may also be had at area special events, such as the State Fair and Balloon Fiesta. Try Dolmathes, grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, then treat yourself to Halva, a blend of sesame seed, vanilla and pistachios, for dessert. Variety is indeed the spice of life, so dig in.
Estimated Cost Per Person: $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: Open year round.
FOUR WINDS- Vegetarian & Vegan Intersection of SRs 76 & 106, 20 min. North of Santa Fe, NM (505) 747-2700
Hours:Sun-Thur - Lunch & Dinner: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm Fri-Sat - Lunch & Dinner: 11:30 am - 9:30 pm
The Four Winds is a restaurant and art gallery, a not uncommon combination in the Santa Fe/Taos area. Dining is available inside or out, where waterfalls add to the beauty of garden dining. International and Southwestern cuisine is served, with vegetarian selections making up half of their menu. Located on the high road to Taos, the Four Winds is the perfect place for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Estimated Cost Per Person: $15 - 20
Holiday Schedule: Closed New Year's Day and Christmas Day.
The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - Albuquerque/Santa Fe, NM