El Pinto - A Taste of Authentic New Mexican Cuisine in Albuquerque

This place is a must visit! The red chili ribs were delicious, and I loved that the drinks came in chilled mugs. The service was amazing, but the real standout is the vibe. The restaurant is stunningly beautiful to walk through—the atmosphere alone is worth the trip. Total 5-star experience!

Had a great experience at El Pinto! The staff was genuinely friendly and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. Our food came out quickly, which was awesome, and everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The environment is vibrant and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal with family or friends. Definitely a spot we’ll be coming back to again soon!

El Toro Pinto in Albuquerque, NM is an absolute must-visit! The food, atmosphere, and service were all excellent. Every dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. From the appetizers to the main courses, everything tasted fresh and authentic. The staff was warm, attentive, and made us feel right at home. The restaurant itself has a charming vibe — perfect for a relaxing meal or special night out. El Toro Pinto is a true gem that delivers an unforgettable dining experience.

Our server Samantha was everything you want in a server as she made the experience so much more enjoyable. Food was out to the table within 5 minutes of ordering i kid you not (full disclosure the restaurant was very slow.) Only downfall i would say is it can be pricy depending on when you go but there is a Monday-Friday lunch menu.

The restaurant is as beautiful as it is historic. It opened in 1972 and you can tell it’s a landmark. There’s a huge wall of fame as you enter the door with pictures of everyone from Mick Jagger to Lil Wayne. It was a great day so we sat outside and it was fantastic, even with the honey bees circling for a shot at some of that delicious honey. The food was great and the beans were well flavored. I mean the beans have to be great at a restaurant called El Pinto right? I had the combo plate #1 and my girl had the ribs. Both were delicious. Even the chips and salsa at the beginning was on point and the salsa had a nice kick. The staff was super friendly and explained what I didn’t understand which was what’s the difference between mild and hot

Sooooo good. We sat outside. It was a little chilly, but they turned the heater on. This place was beautiful. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was, let's put it this way, you want to take someone on a first date? Take them here. It was big, open and very well maintained. There is a kitty that stopped by and said hi to me. Pop tart was the kitties name. And Pop Tart was sooooooo sweet. Our waiter was a little "distracted" but I'm not one to know what the duties of a waiter are and I do not hold that against them. He was attentive enough. The food was very tasty and a great choice for our trip back from Santa Fe. This was a bit farther from our Airbnb but sooooo worth the drive. You could hear what I think was a wedding party in another section of the restaurant (this place was big!) there was nothing disturbing about it. You could hear it but it wasn't "loud". I really liked this place and would highly recommend it.

The food here is amazing! The staff is amazing! The atmosphere is amazing! The food is so fresh and bright. It is cooked perfectly. The margaritas are top tier. All of the food is organic. This was my first time here and when I'm in Albuquerque, this will be my first stop always. This is authentic New Mexican cuisine.

Our group of 35 ate dinner here with a 7:00 reservation. Because it was booked by the travel agent, it was a big buffet. It had 2 kinds of chicken enchiladas, rice, beans, southwestern corn, salad. Also chips and yummy salsa on tables. Everything was very good! The restaurant itself was beautiful. Although huge, it was divided into numerous dining rooms for a comfortable dining experience. Servers were attentive and friendly.