A Guide to Albuquerque Coffee Shops

Little Bear Coffee Co.

Little Bear’s recently opened, cute little abode nestled within Green Jeans – an artsy shopping mall made of repurposed shipping containers – is truly sensational. It showcases a bright bohemian atmosphere with earthy tones, soft pink accents, and vibrant plants set against minimalistic white walls. Rest assured, the folks here take their java roasting and brewing methods as seriously as they do their picturesque aesthetic, whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or coffee date arranger, any of Little Bear’s several Albuquerque coffee shops have got what you’re looking for.

Humble Coffee Company

Nestled in the Nob Hill neighborhood, Humble specializes in single-origin espresso and brews as well as supports surrounding small businesses by serving locally-made breakfast burritos, a variety of fresh pastries, and other drink options. The cafe features a vibrant, bustling atmosphere, potted plants, speedy WiFi, and plenty of seating arrangements.

Cutbow Coffee

If you truly love and appreciate the art of java, there may be no better destination than Cutbow, the team here is passionate about roasting the world’s finest gourmet coffees, and to boot, the founder personally batch roasted over 70 million pounds for Peet’s Coffee, the pre-eminent craft coffee roaster in the United States.

Located just north of Historic Old Town, this quaint yet accommodating cafe was named after the cutbow trout, is adorned with fun fishing decor, donates proceeds from every bag sold to the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance, and offers fresh baked goods that serve as the perfect accomplice to daringly innovative, rewardingly delicious artisan coffee.

Zendo Coffee

Zendo is one of the most popular coffee shops in Albuquerque, for good reason too, its interior design flourishes at the intersection of boho and indie, a visually pleasing observation supported by earthy tones set against minimalistic white walls that also exhibit rotating artworks, an abundance of cute potted plant life, a ginormous mural overlooking the lengthy workbenches speckled throughout the shaded outdoor patio area, and an exceptional environment that devoted java critics and digital, wifi-enabled nomads alike can appreciate.

If compelled to deviate from their locally roasted coffee, it may be due to another form of stimulating delight found among the thoughtfully-curated selection of teas, or the scrumptious baked goods (vegan and gluten-free options available).

The Brew Coffee Bar

The Brew imports, roasts, and distributes coffee straight from the founder’s Grandfather’s plantation in Piendamo, Colombia; their espresso is balanced and complex with caramel notes and a smooth finish. Adorned with countless works of local art, ample comfy seating, natural lighting, and the occasional touch of greenery, this spacious abode serves as a community-driven living room and true testament to the social connotation of java culture.

While a superior atmosphere for productivity would be difficult to imagine, aside from optimum functionality, the attention to detail that has gone into designing this cafe with a perfect balance of opulence, charm, and utility makes it an easy go-to for daytime meetings with colleagues, long overdue coffee dates, or solo work sessions.

Michael Thomas Coffee Roasters

Opened in 2004, Michael Thomas applies a method of profile roasting that adds consistency to each coffee, and along with cupping it, is their way of ensuring the premium aroma and taste of each coffee. The Bryn Mawr Drive location is perhaps most accentuated by warm tones, a crackling fireplace, wooden tabletops, friendly service, and a very nice outdoor patio setting – on the latter note, feel free to bring your furry four-legged friends too!

Castle Coffee

Near and dear to the heart of downtown, this cozy little gem among Albuquerque coffee shops showcases soothing soft green accents, a vintage record collection, and adorable furnishings that only compliment an ambiance already bursting with welcoming vibes. Aside from delicious takes on all your usual caffeinated favorites, their menu also includes flavorful seasonal creations like the Pumpkin Pie Brown Sugar Latte and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

Remedy Coffee

Careful, you may need a prescription, Remedy brews the highest octane coffee around. The cafe opens every day at 7:00 am sharp for those in need of a jolt on the way to the office, and we suppose breakfast may be optional, unless that is, you’re looking for fancy toasts, handheld burritos, rich chocolate bars, or house-baked pastries.

Java Joe’s

If you’re a fan of the hit television series Breaking Bad, you may know this spot as Tuco’s office (the one that blew up), but if you’re an ABQ local, you’ve been frequenting this independently owned establishment for over three decades now.

Sunny days guarantee Java Joe’s patio will be full of guests enjoying a drink or treat, venturing inside reveals colorful tones, ample seating, and rotating art pieces touting new local artists just about every month. On the weekends, sit back and enjoy a cup of morning joe roasted and brewed in-house; consider pairing it with a delicious locally-sourced meal, potentially even a musician performing live.

Slow Burn Coffee

A recently opened addition to the rank and file of Albuquerque coffee shops, Slow Burn roasts its own beans on-site in Wells Park, sells fresh java by the bag, and maintains a sizeable space complete with couches, armchairs, and trendy murals.

Blackbird Coffee House

Housed within an adobe-style building situated alongside one gorgeous Historic Old Town courtyard featuring beautiful plants, a water well, and crafty furnishings dappled throughout, there may not be a more picturesque outdoor setting for indulging in great coffee. That being said, Blackbird itself is fairly intimately sized, though it does have comfy seating as well as some incredible art displays. The menu of handcrafted signature beverages includes an espresso-infused Honey Bear concoction made with locally sourced honey, among other delectable creations.

If you enjoyed this guide to the best Albuquerque coffee shops, be sure to check out our list of the Top 10 Coffee Shops in Santa Fe!