Christmas Eve
Consider going to eat prior to walking through Old Town on Christmas Eve, where the luminarias are on display. There are several restaurants in walking distance of the seasonal delight. Be sure to make reservations since this is a busy night.
Artichoke Cafe
424 Central SE
(505) 243-0200
The Artichoke gets voted a top city restaurant so often, it's almost a given.
Bien Shur at Sandia Resort
30 Rainbow Road NE
(505) 798-3700
Bien Shur offers elegant rooftop dining with amazing views. Reservations are essential.
Blades Bistro
221 Highway 165 Suite L
Placitas, NM 87043
(505) 771-0695
Blades has established a fine reputation in the few years it has been open. Specialties and weekly favorites will be available.
Church Street Cafe
2111 Church St NW (in Old Town)
(505) 247-8522
A favorite with tourists and locals alike, find New Mexican food and house specialties. Reserve early, as they book up quickly.
When: Open until 9 p.m.
Coolwater
2010 Wyoming NE
(505) 332-2665
The fusion restaurant offers a variety of plates, from comfort food to specialties. Coolwater's Blue Corn Chicken made the top ten list for best dishes for Albuquerque 2011 in Local Flavor magazine. Call ahead for reservations.
Elephant Bar
2240 Louisiana NE
(505) 884-2355
The restaurant offers fusion foods from Europe, Asia and America. Find it in the Uptown Center.
Flying Star Cafes
The Flying Star cafes are located across town. They will be open Christmas eve, but only until 6 p.m.
Hard Rock Casino and Resort
11000 Broadway SE
1-877-475-3827
The Hard Rock casino has Tiwa restaurant, with buffet options.
High Noon Saloon Restaurant
425 San Felipe Rd NW, in Old Town
(505) 765-1455
The High Noon has a loyal following, and specializes in hand cut steaks, wild game and New Mexican foods.
La Crêpe Michel
400 San Felipe NW in Old Town
(505) 242-1251
French bistro food, beer and wine and a warm atmosphere make this a local favorite. Open 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; reservations a must.
La Placita
206 San Felipe Street NW
(505) 247-2204
Have a taste of New Mexico and warm up before or after walking through Old Town, taking in the farolitos. The restaurant is located off Old Town Plaza.
La Provence Nob Hill
3001 Central NE
(505) 254-7644
La Provence offers a choice of pan seared Atlantic salmon, Christmas duck, New York strip or leg of lamb for your Christmas eve dinner. Enjoy buche de noel for dessert. $36 per person.
When: Seating begins at 5 p.m., last seating at 10 p.m.
Little Anita's
2105 Mountain NW
(505) 242-3102
Lucia at Hotel Andaluz
125 2nd Street NW
(505) 923-9080
Deck the halls with dinner on Christmas Eve at Lucia. The four course meal gives you a choice of prime rib, pork tenderloin, grilled salmon or vegetarian stuffed poblano.
When: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Marcello's Chophouse
2201 Q St. Suite B, Uptown Center
(505) 837-CHOP (2467)
Two words sum up this local restaurant: great food. The Chophouse gets high marks from anyone who has ever eaten there. Shrimp, steaks, chops, with the emphasis on chops and steaks.
Quesadilla Grill
328 San Felipe St. NW, Poco a Poco Patio
(505) 242-2291
Tucked away in the Poco a Poco patio, the grill specializes in quesadillas.
Santa Ana Cafe at Tamaya Resort
1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo
(505) 867-1234
The cafe's regular dinner will be accented with seasonal specialties.
Savoy
10601 Montgomery Blvd. NE
(505) 294-9463
Savoy features classic American fare, and an extensive wine list. Savoy will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas eve.
Seasons
2031 Mountain Road NW
(505) 766-5100
With its close location to Old Town, Seasons is a convenient place to dine before or after a luminaria tour. On Christmas Eve, the restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe menu. Seatings are at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. Reservations are essential.
Christmas Day
Find restaurants open in Albuquerque on Christmas Day, from hotels and casinos to larger chains. Some offer early afternoon buffets, others dinner, and some offer both.
Bien Shur at Sandia Resort
30 Rainbow Road NE
(505) 798-3700
Bien Shur will feature roasted chestnut soup, entree choices of quail, sea scallops or beef tenderloin, as well as salad and dessert. Bien Shur offers elegant rooftop dining with amazing views. Reservations are essential.
When: 2 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Buca di Beppo
6520 Americas Parkway NE
(505) 872-2822
Buca di Beppo will be open on Christmas Day, with its usual menu of Italian specialties. They also offer Buca to go. Reservations can be made online.
When: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Council Room at Sandia Resort
30 Rainbow Road NE
(505) 798-3700
The regular a la carte menu will be available, along with Christmas specials such as roasted turkey or ham or prime rib.
When: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Crowne Plaza
1901 University NE, in the Ballroom
(505) 998-6410
Enjoy a champagne brunch in the ballroom, with a big spread and plenty of buffets. Call ahead for seating reservations.
When: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Forque at Hyatt
330 Tijeras NW
(505) 843-2684
Forque is offering a special Christmas buffet as well as a special seasonal dinner.
When: Breakfast from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.; dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Hard Rock Casino and Resort
11000 Broadway SE
1-877-475-3827
The Hard Rock casino has Tiwa restaurant, with buffet options, or Embers, with entrees.
Lucia at Hotel Andaluz
125 2nd Street NW
(505) 923-9080
Deck the halls with brunch or dinner on Christmas day at the Lucia Restaurant. There will be roasted turkey breast, prime rib, pork tenderloin, smoked salmon, oysters on the half shell, eggs and omelettes made to order and more. Brunch is from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Christmas dinner at Lucia is a four course dinner with your choice of prime rib, pork tenderloin, cedar plank grilled salmon or vegetarian stuffed poblano chile. Dinner is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
MCM Elegante
2020 Menaul NE
(505) 884-2511
The Christmas Day brunch buffet features traditional foods as well as southwestern favorites. With a salad bar, smoked salmon, carved beef, glazed ham, sides, traditional potatoes, and a wide array of desserts, there's something for everyone.
Rancher's Club of New Mexico
1901 University NE at the Crowne Plaza Hotel
(505) 998-6410
The Rancher's Club has earned its reputation as a fine dining experience. Call ahead for reservations for Christmas dinner, which includes the regular menu and some Christmas specials.
When: Seatings from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Route 66 Casino
West of Albuquerque on I-40 at Laguna Pueblo
(505)352-7866
Celebrate Christmas Day in Buffet 66 with brunch or dinner.
When: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Santa Ana Café at Tamaya Resort
1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo
(505) 867-1234
The café offers brunch and dinner for Christmas. The buffet brunch includes an omelette station, a carving station with herb rubbed turkey and gravy, bone in ham, shrimp, salmon, cheeses, salads, tamales, soup, a vegetable medley and Santa's desserts. Dinner will also be offered. Brunch is $49 per person with children under twelve half price; dinner is by menu and prices vary.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch; 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner.
Thur Shan at Sandia Resort
30 Rainbow Road NE
(505) 798-3700
The special Christmas buffet features a carving station with ham, prime rib, chicken; chef's specialties and sides that include pork loin, turkey and gravy, blackened salmon, smoked pork ribs, yams, green bean casserole and more. There is also an Asian station, a Mexican station and dessert station, and special food for the kids.
When: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
