3 Best Restaurants in UNM/Nob Hill, Albuquerque

A staple in the city, each outpost of this locally owned order-at-the-counter-first café suits its neighborhood (some have patios and allow pets). At the original spot here in Nob Hill, the university crowd digs into a creative mix of American and New Mexican dishes (plus several types of wine and beer). Options include rosemary chicken with couscous risotto, a tossed Cobb salad with tangy tomatillo dressing, a green-chile loaded turkey-and-Jack cheese on toasted sourdough, and an egg- and chile-packed "graburrito." Count on a tempting array of desserts, from a bite-size salted caramel blondie to a Nike-sized coffee-cream-filled éclair.

Innovative, flavorful, fun, and, indeed, French-ish, the renowned culinary team of Nelle Bauer and James Beard Award-semifinalist Jennifer James shines at this modern spot with a seasonally specific bistro menu (with vins and bubblies to match). Plats principaux might include their perfectly turned New Mexico beef steak frites, an elevated salade niçoise, or "day boat" halibut; perennial faves like their Frenchie burger, famous devilish egg, and a very popular carrot dog balance the menu. Finish with a classic chocolate pot de crème and a French-press coffee, or perhaps one more glass of cava.

This definitive student hangout—it's directly across from UNM and has been since 1971—is open seven days from 5 am until late, and hits the spot for inexpensive diner-style American and New Mexican chow. A notch up from a fast-food joint, the chile's good (vegetarian and non), the breakfast burritos are fine (the burgers are, too), and who can resist a hot, melty oversize Frontier cinnamon sweet roll? The sprawling space features some oddly eye-catching John Wayne and Elvis artwork that has been there since the start.