Attention locals: Old Town isn’t just for tourists anymore. Newer cafés and restaurants are breathing some much-needed fresh air into the tried-and-true lineup in this historic Albuquerque neighborhood. And those places you’ve passed a hundred times and never thought to visit are still as rich in lore and classic staples as ever. What better time than now to take a stroll in your own backyard? When The Bite asked me to round up some new favorites and old reliables, I took it as an occasion to indulge in a leisurely sampling of coffee, bites, and drinks in the most picturesque and, yes, walkable part of Albuquerque. It’s time for a mini-staycation.

Santa Cecilia

Tucked away on narrow Romero Street is a relative newcomer and understated gem, Santa Cecilia. Opened by Anthony Hernandez Montalvo just two years ago, the queer- and Latinx-owned coffee spot isn’t just an inclusive respite—it also serves beautiful coffees and exceptional baked treats, with unexpected touches like flower petals, sweet corn cold foam, and dustings of orange-smoked sugar.

On a cloudy Saturday, I paid Santa Cecilia’s sheltered patio a visit for an horchata latte and a pie bar made with house-made quince jam and a nutty, oaty streusel. The narrow hacienda-style patio, nearly hidden from view and filled with seating and plants, is so irresistible that I insisted on an outdoor spot despite dead-of-winter temperatures (New Mexico winter, but still!). The pie bar was perfectly flaky, and disappeared off my plate in about fifty seconds. The horchata latte is my go-to, and it’s just as good iced. The café also serves up generous breakfast burritos. Check out the cheery knickknacks, colorful art, and irreverent seasonal menu items (my favorite so far: a Lana Del Rey “Summertime Sadness” menu featuring the “White Mustang” house-made horchata with anise, Mexican vanilla, and espresso slush and the “& Baby, Heaven’s in Your Eyes” cold brew with house-made salted honey and chamomile syrup).

📍111 Romero NW

Ramona’s Mexican Cafe

If you’re looking for comfort food or a cozy break from all the walking, look no further than Ramona’s, a Mexican / New Mexican joint opened less than a year ago, in summer 2025. Just off Rio Grande, the new occupants replace longtime favorite Monica’s El Portal, which served Burqueños for nearly fifty years. Judging by the lunchtime crowd, the transition has been a success.

This Old Town breakfast and lunch spot is, technically, Ramona’s Mexican Café #2; the Valles brothers opened the first one about two years ago on Jefferson near Paseo Del Norte, naming it for their mother, who is both a resident cook and the inspiration for a number of the restaurant’s recipes. Don’t be fooled by the dark entryway—turn a corner and enter an airy, expansive dining room brightened by Talavera-tile doorways, deep-salmon accent walls, and colorful posters and ornaments. Service is fast and friendly too, and the front patio is shady and cool.

Stopping in on my lunch break, I ordered a small posole to go, and it came in a container almost as big as my head. Fresh cabbage and lime came on the side, along with a yummy grilled bolillo, and the posole itself was just the right balance of fiery and rich, chock-full of hominy and pork. The soft, warm tortilla (an extra, but totally worth it) was massive too. They also serve New Mexican–leaning huevos rancheros and a highly praised menudo, and their birria ramen, nacho plate, and smash burger taco with green chile queso are the next items on my list.

📍321 Rio Grande NW

Gobble This

Another relatively new addition to the old town scene is Gobble This, a cavernous eatery specializing in pupusas and Salvadoran spins on other familiar dishes. Opened in 2017 by Nestor Lopez, the interior is a delightful mash-up of textures and patterns, complete with hammocks hung from the ceiling. According to Alix Gilmore, an employee who was running the show when I stopped by, Lopez brings back surprises from trips to El Salvador, where he was that week, like the brightly colored embroidered pillows on a bench in the entry. There’s a beautiful, narrow side patio strung with lights, accessible from the back entrance. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the resident roof cat hopping across the passageway. 

I’m willing to bet you haven’t had a pupusa like theirs before. The roasted garlic, spinach, and cheese option—add chicken or beef for a little extra—is comforting and melty, the masa browned in all the right places, with laced edges of frico-like crispy cheese. A single comes with curtido, a bright salsa de tomate, crema, and some fresh veggies; the plate is served with a side of perfectly cooked rice and beans and the crispiest seasoned yuca fries I’ve ever tried. The agua fresca on offer was strawberry, which arrived in a tall glass with a salted rim and a giant ice cube (strawberry flavored too), tasting as fresh as could be. Hours can be unpredictable with the restaurant’s ongoing lineup of private events, so it’s a good idea to call ahead—especially if you’re planning to stop in for dinner—but the warm and attentive service here easily makes up for it. I’m also told there’s a drag brunch once every few weeks, complete with buffet. 

📍308 San Felipe NW

High Noon Restaurant & Saloon

This storied and classy sit-down spot is more salon than saloon, with its three dining rooms, upholstered carved wood furniture, backlit nichos, and glowing wraparound bar. But High Noon Restaurant & Saloon is worth it for the ambience and history alone. Built in 1785, the historic landmark has even been featured in a 2015 episode of a show called The Dead Files, where ghost hunters confront “violent paranormal activity” at the one-time gambling parlor and brothel. Pull up a chair at the bar and try their Down the Hatch Margarita, with red chile simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and piñon salt. You might even spot a lady in white around a corner.

📍425 San Felipe NW