Nestled at the juncture of the Camino Real and Route 66, the Barelas neighborhood is the oldest neighborhood in Albuquerque, established as a ranching settlement in the late 1600s, long before Old Town Albuquerque was settled. It is also home to the best old school coffee shop in Albuquerque, Barelas Coffee House. Barela’s has been serving up caffeine and cuisine since 1978, specializing in traditional New Mexican comfort food.
The owner, Mike Gonzales, started Barelas Coffee House in 1978 with his brother. A student at UNM at the time, Mike assumed the restaurant would be a 2 or 3-year venture to bring in some cash while getting his degree. Almost 50 years later, Barelas has become a south valley classic, with a savory slate of New Mexican standards, as well as a few signature dishes, like their menudo.
The space has expanded over the decades, gradually engulfing three adjacent adobe buildings. This allowed Barela’s to open a central patio, providing an unexpected oasis of privacy and shade in the middle of the restaurant. Though they are usually busy, the space is big and most of the staff has been working there for a long time. From kitchen to front of the house, they know how to quickly sate the hunger of a lot of people.
Open for breakfast and lunch, every dish is created based on family recipes, made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From delicious breakfast burritos to soul-warming adovada slathered in piquant red chile sauce, Barela’s Coffee House will satisfy your hunger with some of the best southwestern soul food in Albuquerque.
Barela’s Coffee House
1502 4th St SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 843-7577
Hours
Monday – Friday | 7:30AM – 3 PM
Saturday | 8:30AM – 2:30PM
Sunday | Closed
