Cafe Lush
700 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102
Cafe Lush Menu
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Address :
700 Tijeras Ave NW
Albuquerque, NM, 87102 - Phone (505) 508-0164
- Website https://cafelushabq.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Emily C.
Two words: Breakfast Pizza. If you're like me, you would skip over this menu item the first 10 times you ate here. Big mistake! The breakfast pizza is not a pizza at all. First of all, it's gluten free. Next, it's actually more like a thick potato pancake smothered in red and/or green chile and topped with two eggs and two slices of Lush's own, cinnamon-and-spices bacon. Lush has become my go-to Saturday breakfast place because I can't get enough of their breakfast pizza! I have also had the chop salad for lunch, and it is very good. The stand-out in that salad is, again, Lush's delicious, savory, homemade bacon. Lush is one of the most gluten-free friendly restaurants I've found in Albuquerque. Unlike some other gluten-free places (not naming any names here), everything at Lush is fresh and delicious. The interior is small but cozy, and during nice weather you can sit out on the sidewalk. This is a great hidden gem of a lunch spot for people who work downtown. My only complaint is that Lush is closed on Sundays. I've wanted to go there for Sunday brunch many times, and been crushed when I looked up their hours. I know that small business owners definitely deserve a day off, but, but, but, BREAKFAST PIZZA. It's the best.
(5)Dave A.
Great little place in the heart of the City. I had the breakfast burrito and a great tasting cup of coffee. Wonderful waitress and superior food for the money. I am planning on returning here when I am in Albq next month.
(4)Misha L.
With a warm and welcoming staff, as well as an an ambiance fit for breakfast by the beach, Cafe Lush provides a completely delightful dining experience. As a Vegan Celiac I am accustomed to hoping for mere tolerance when going out to eat. Today I decided to be that obnoxiously picky patron whom attempts to change the menu and then hangs out and reads comics and people watches for two hours after they finish eating. Despite my eccentric dining tactics, the servers kindly remained patient, accepting, and happy to have my business. Plus I ended up parting ways with free pastries to go! The food was flavoured to perfection and delivered promptly and with accuracy. The produce was fresh and delicious, while my dirty chai was comparable in pleasure to a beverage I might recieve at a cafe neighboring the Louvre. So... whether dining solo, having brunch with a friend, or just wanting to have a great cup of coffee in a comfortable environment (for carnivores, herbivores, and gluten-frees a like)... Cafe Lush is well deserving of my recommendation. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my experience there. To everyone who was working today, thank you for the lovely morning.
(5)Colin S.
Yeah, I will be back to Cafe Lush! Small place, small menu but big on flavor. I commend the owners for bringing some thoughtful and creative choices to the table. How about Grilled Pizza, Sweet Potato Beet Salad, or the delectable Southwest Slaw served with my Herb Flatbread Smoked Ham Wrap called The Dewey. It's cool to have a limited menu that still has the ability to pull you in different directions. Makes me want to head over for another visit. My service experience was really good and genuine. My only dislike was the Espresso- big watery volume and a typical disappointment not unlike most Espresso served in Albuquerque. Apparently other Yelpers seem to like the drip coffee so maybe that is the direction to go here. I haven't tasted the breakfast but that's just a matter of time. Anyway, I'm feeling positive for Cafe Lush.
(4)Annie J.
Cafe Lush is worth the trip to the Sawmill neighborhood. I've been here only for breakfast. Their Lushaladas is fun, decadent and delicious. Their Tofu Scramble is tasty and generous on the vegetables. My most recent visit was to check out their Fruit & Yogurt Parfait for my Granola Fruit Yogurt List here on Yelp. They describe their Parfait as having fresh fruit and seasonal berries with yogurt and crunchy granola. $5.95. Much to my relief, instead of arriving in a parfait glass, it came in a generous bowl. The Parfait was generously loaded with low-fat vanilla yogurt, Kashi GoLean Crunch granola and all fresh fruit. For not being homemade granola, they made a great choice with Kashi's. I had melon, strawberries, oranges and pineapple. The chef quickly grills the pineapple, so it has the appearance of being grilled, yet it still tastes fresh, a fun detail. If you're seeking out a granola fruit yogurt bowl away from home, check out theirs here.
(4)Cristina M.
Don't try to come at 1:00 on a Friday (or at least not on 1/31/2014) as St. Mary's school was letting out and it was a nightmare getting here. Anyway... I met a colleague here and it was a good choice. I still must have the mentality of living in the DC area as I always expect places to be packed and they just RARELY are. Cafe Lush is a small cafe with maybe 12 tables, mostly for 2 some for 4. There were a few other patrons, but not many. Nice environment--not quite as hip as I was expecting, but not a hole in the wall. I had the Callan pizza which is a thin-crust grilled pizza with house-made green chile turkey sausage, mushrooms, mozzarella and basil. It was really good. I ate 4 of the 6 slices and had lunch for another day. My colleague had the Mo, which is a vegan sandwich, complete with rice cheese, eggplant, roasted red peppers, spinach, and sauteed onions on focaccia. It looked good. Service was attentive and pleasant. No complaints (other than the traffic, obviously not the cafe's fault). I look forward to trying other items on their menu. Actually, I'd like to come in the late spring for breakfast on their patio. That sounds awesome.
(4)Kristie A.
Second visit for us... Was just okay today, nothing special about the food. Service and coffee were great which is much appreciated! And we love the neighborhood feel.
(3)Molly H.
What a great find! I was looking for a good gluten free restaurant and this one popped up. It was fabulous! I had the French toast and it was nothing like I had ever had before. My husband had the burrito and it was great too. Very nice people and a super menu. I'll be back! Plenty of outside seating as well.
(5)Angélica T.
Wow- what an unexpected find! This cafe is a must for fans of local ingredients. The service matched the delicious food. My favorite was their "lushaladas!". I will be back to explore more of their menu.
(5)Allison M.
So disappointed in my Lush experience yesterday. I've always been a fan of Lush and go there once a week. While the food is AMAZING their portion sizes are small. I've always overlooked the quantity by focusing on the quality, and bring myself back weekly to get the half salad/wrap and pay the excruciating $9.50 when it doesn't fill me up and I leave hungry. Yesterday I decided to order a full salad and asked if I could tack on another half salad too (paying nearly $14 bucks for it!). When I got my salad the avocado laying on top was completely brown and the meat bits tasted old and stale. It completely discouraged me from going back because finally when I pay extra to get the quantity I've always longed for, the quality is compromised!!
(2)Ashley M.
It's in a great spot, quiet neighborhood right in the edge of downtown, sitting out on the street corner we ended up being attacked by flies. I got the breakfast pizza. Looks nothing like a pizza, tastes nothing like a pizza but it was delicious. Green chile on a potato pancake made it pretty soggy in the middle but that didn't deter from the taste being awesome. House-made turkey sausage is a real winner on that dish.
(3)James L.
So far have tried the Benedict's, breakfast pizza and French toast. Would recommend them all. Coffee is a bit bitter but that's jus personal preference! Definitely try it out!!
(4)Chris L.
Grabbed a breakfast burrito with green chili. It was *great*. I went for eggs, bacon & sausage on the burrito - just the right amount of spice with taste as well. Cordial waitstaff and fast food service makes this a good spot to stop for breakfast if you need something relatively quick.
(4)Tom D.
I have eaten here before and was very pleased then. Limited seating makes for intimate surroundings. The red head in the kitchen is very attractive.
(5)Art M.
Had a fantastic breakfast this morning! The Breakfast Pizza and Lushaladas are not to be missed. Met the owner as well. She and the staff very friendly and accommodating. Definitely coming back!
(5)Adrian M.
A great simple menu that won't fail to deliver a high caliber meal, rounded out be great service to match. The bene was light and packed with flavor, on top of a perfectly crunchy bread. Breakfast pizza was a great take on New Mexican flare. The food is spot on and puts all of the better known "trendy" brunch spots to shame.
(4)Mulcher S.
Everything was very good. Service friendly fast and efficient. My only suggestion would be to get the swamp cooler/ AC fixed. It was a little stuffy. But, the food and people make up for it.
(4)Kris P.
Very tasty! Yummy salads! Tasty sandwiches! Quick service, decent prices and friendly service.
(5)Dan J.
Thoroughly enjoyed the breakfast pizza. Green and red chile on it. If you like, get the bacon on top. They must do something with cinnamon to it. Fantastic flavor! Service was excellent and eat outside on a beautiful morning. Parents walking kids to school down the street. Perfect area and food.
(5)Katharine E.
Ate here on my bfs lunch break yesterday. We sat outside because the weather was nice. I like the way the tables are set up right on the street, it feels very European. We had quick service, I ordered the 1/2 Kathy (b/c it's kindof my name) and soup wich was a southwestern Gaspacho and he ordered the Dewey because that's his dogs name, ha. Both meals were good, I felt mine filled me up just right; not too much not to little. My boyfriend was still a bit hungry but we decided to forgo dessert. I'd like to try it again for breakfast.
(4)Barbara C.
CafeLush is the most wonderful , high quality food with a delightful staff and overall atmosphere!
(5)Skyler G.
This is an excellent restaurant that both my wife (who has celiac) and I (who doesn't) can eat. They offer pretty much everything Gluten Free or vegetarian. I always get the Lushaladas, and they are fantastic.
(5)Paul G.
I am passionate about supporting Downtown restaurants as I live in the area. I've not had a chance to eat here since it is closed on Sundays and that is usually my one day for brunch. So, I stopped today, a Saturday and was overall pleased. I hadn't planned on enough time so ended up taking the food to go as I was told the one chef would take upwards of 30 minutes. My bad. The service was outstanding and was brought everything (including coffee) to go in around 15 minutes. My breakfast plate was yummy, esp the green chile turkey sausage. This is not greasy diner food folks. I could have eaten more food but the taste was great. At $10.25 for each meal at first seemed expensive but that DOES include your drink. I will definitely go back when I have more leisurely time.
(4)J B.
We flew down from Seattle to enjoy NM and the balloon fiesta. Heard wonderful reviews about Cafe Lush and we were NOT disappointed. In fact, everything, decor, menu, staff, weather (Seattleite, weather counts) and location (parking was easy), were all 5 star. I LOVED the French Toast and the Breakfast Pizza. Loved everything so much we went back a second time. Congrats on originality!!!
(5)Laura V.
I have been here a few times and like this place. I was reminded why yesterday when I went there for lunch. I was meeting two colleagues and when I arrived there were only 2 top tables available. I told the server I was fine to wait since my party hadn't arrived, but she said to go ahead and sit at one of the two tops and they would figure something else out. She brought me water and a menu and then my party arrived. We said we were fine to sit at a two top with a chair on the end and she seemed very relieved. Then she said that the credit card machine was down, and they would take cash or a check but if we didn't have it we could come back and pay or they would figure something out. Um, that's super trusting! But one of my colleagues was a regular so that was probably it. I had a chop salad (half size) and my two friends had the soup of the day. The whole bill was like 15 bucks. Seriously, for fresh local food what is better? Definitely check this place out if you are downtown.
(5)Kevin E.
Try the lushalada's. This is a great little find and another example of the fine Diners located in and around Albuquerque. Service was spot on, food was very good and unique (at least the lushaladas). Very clean little place that the owners very obviously take pride in. We were there on a week day, so can't really speak to seating availability on weekends. We were seated immediately and well cared for during our meal. Good coffee as well (not that Starbucks burnt roast - if you're a fan of that) Go there - you'll like it.
(4)Erin H.
A few blocks from my downtown hotel and a much better (and tastier) value than eating breakfast there. Went one morning to try the breakfast burrito. DELICIOUS! It comes with cheese, red or green chili, and your choice of 3 fillings. You can also get it smothered, or hand-held. I went with eggs and their green chili sausage in the hand-held variety. (I know that's only 2 fillings, but that's all I wanted. It was nice not to have to get rice, potatoes, or other extra carbs.) I liked it so much the first morning that I went back the next day. It's also a good value - very large burrito for only $6. Hopefully one day I can also try the lunch menu. But, I have a feeling I'll be waking up a bit earlier on my ABQ visits to work in time to walk down the street and pick up another breakfast burrito. YUM!
(5)Jennifer I.
OMG. Red chili eggs benedict? Foodgasm in my mouth. This cafe is adorable and the service is very friendly. I wish they offered fresh squeezed juices to go with breakfast, but I can't complain, because their hot chocolate and coffee is amazing.
(5)S K.
I went for lunch. Coffee was good, service was good, and dessert was awesome (I had the chocolate ice cream). However, the food is just ok. I had the mango chicken salad and was still starving when I had finished it (and I am a petite 120 lb woman). The overall salad was too small, and there was not enough chicken either. It should really be a whole breast for the price.
(3)Lu L.
I don't think I will be back. Service was alright, although I am veggie and could definitely taste the bacon in the grease pooled around my eggs. Also, we were served water that tasted as though it had been sitting in a rusty pot overnight. We asked for New waters, and they were very nice about it, but I wasn't that pleased. Otherwise, they were accommodating. It was just a little off.
(2)Vahe N.
Best breakfast I've ever had! We are from California, we were driving through Albuquerque and wanted to stop somewhere for breakfast. The food was very impressive; even the coffee was amazing. The service was also top notch!
(5)Kat M.
For a cute cafe with AWESOME food - this is the spot! It's a gem...the food is super fresh and they have lots of gluten free options. I opted for the cole slaw instead of potato chips - EXCELLENT decision, it's minty citrusy and a total treat. Great service and I will definitely be back next time I'm in town.
(4)Corina S.
Everything has a gluten free option, but on both sides of the wheatissue the taste is excellent! Adorned in a modern pallate sets the appetite up for their twists on the American, and New Mexican classics. They offer a friendly cuppa joe to sit n sip or on the go, with the owners often the ones you are enjoying an exchange with.
(4)Andrew L.
Though I appreciate that Cafe Lush has an extensive menu of gluten free options, I am somewhat vexed by this restaurant. I want to like their faire; however, I find myself wanting more from Cafe Lush's entrees. The sandwiches are okay, with solid ingredients, but I think I could probably recreate the entrees with similar flair if I just went to Trader Joe's and I would not have to pay $9 for it. Finally, I usually do not comment on service, but eye rolls from the waitress for asking for water make eating at Lush quixotic. Save your quests for better restaurants.
(2)Natalie O.
I have wanted to visit Cafe Lush since it opened. Being only a couple of blocks from my home, it would be an ideal alternative to Flying Star. So, when Urban Swipe had a voucher available, I jumped at it. The voucher was only valid for breakfast and we did not realize that breakfast was not served all day until we arrived. That was my error but they were willing to accept the Urban Swipe for lunch. We were really hoping for breakfast but the husband was willing to make lunch work for my sake since I had been looking forward to our visit. Unfortunately, the temperature inside the restaurant was so incredibly warm that it was not conducive to a pleasant dining experience. That, in conjunction with the limited and pretentious menu, led to our decision to leave. The husband went up to the counter to inform them that we would be leaving and there was no need to serve the coffee and water we had just ordered. In a stroke of unbelievably bad customer service, he was told that the coffee he requested had already been poured and he would, therefore, need to pay for it. So, he paid for the coffee and took it to go. It was horrible - watery and cheap tasting. This was the final straw for me. Rather than discard 5 or 10 cents worth of coffee in the hopes of having us return for breakfast on another day, we were charged $2 and will never return. Yes, it was my mistake that we missed breakfast and it was our choice to not order from the lunch menu. However, in this economy, I am always amazed that small businesses do take a little more care of potential customers. As I said, Cafe Lush is very close to my house and we eat out at least 4 days a week. It was more likely than not that we would be visiting again but that is no longer an option. It would have been nice to taste the food but there is no excuse for poor customer service. And, if you were wondering, we ate at Flying Star and had a wonderful meal.
(1)Sara C.
Love Cafe Lush. A great place for a late morning afternoon brunch. The menu has enough variety without being overwhelming. The Breakfast pizza is yummy and the red and green here are spicy.
(4)Laura M.
Just found this place (via yelp!) and thought i'd try it out! I walked here from my work which was very convenient- and ordered the Mango Chicken Salad. The portion was smaller than what I would say I expected, but It was the perfect (and more appropriate) portion size. The chicken was juicy and nicely flavored and the mango ripe and delicious! or (deLUSHious as I heard another customer say). The bacon was amazing as well. The only thing I would ask for next time is more bacon and mango to compliment the chicken as it was such a nice combination! I highly reccommend it and I will definitely be back. *Everything they offer is local and sustainable and seasonal. They even offer gluten free varieties of just about everything!*
(4)Ruth M.
Excellent food, atmosphere, service. We will certainly return on our next visit to Albuquerque . We loved the gluten free options. The French toast was fantastic.
(5)Asia S.
This place is awesome. Being completely Gluten-Free for years its hard to find sandwich options that are good, or the bread doesn't fall apart. But this place has amazing Gluten-Free sandwiches (I love the Adam!), pizza, and you can even get a (extremely delicious) burger with caramelized onions on top. I eat here as often as possible and the best part is how quick the service is either take-out or eat in. I'm one of those "sensitive to cross contamination" gluten free people and I've never had trouble here. Whether you love gluten or can't eat it, I recommend you try this place! They are super lovely people and I haven't disliked anything on the menu yet!
(5)Jeremy B.
Incredibly accommodating for people with celiacs or just simply want to eat gluten-free. DELICIOUS food and very good coffee.
(5)Shannon C.
Awesome downtown joint! I will be coming back frequently. They have a small breakfast and lunch menu, and I just found out they are open for brunch on Saturday. All menu items are priced right, from $6-9. I had the lushaladas and they were good, filling, and just the right portion. The coffee is delicious, and you can get refills to go. The owners are fabulous and live downtown as well. They came and checked up on us and were friendly and provided excellent service. They have created a cute and intimate cafe with lots of outdoor seating. Wi-Fi? Yes! I will be coming to set up office and drink that wonderful coffee!
(5)Shari T.
Well prepared and fresh food was served by a friendly and helpful staff. I had the Adam with a slaw side, both of which left me feeling good. Price was fine considering the quality.
(5)Layla M.
Great local restaurant, I'll definitely go back!
(5)Scarlett S.
The salad was good. Not small but not large. Filled me up and tasted great! The presentation of the entree could have been better and the seats were uncomfortable; but honestly those are small things vs the awesome customer service and great flavor. Will be back to to try more of the menu (which includes vegan options).
(3)Gaye R.
I love this little place and its marvelous unique take on eggs benedict and breakfast pizza. I always lick the platter clean here. Coffee is great too and so is the service.
(5)Marissa R.
Amazing food! I had a coconut curry chile soup to start with these delicious pita slices. Also the lushaladas- a gluten free take on enchiladas. They're better than the real thing! High quality ingredients, comfortable space, mist fan if you like to sit outside, and friendly staff. I highly recommend it!
(5)Shahnaz K.
Satisfying, relatively inexpensive lunch in the downtown area. Vegetarian and vegan options. Indoor and outdoor seating. The Jeremy (an open faced focaccia sandwich with brie, grilled pears, spinach and balsamic) was delicious. Breakfast menu looks interesting.
(3)Joe C.
I've been stuck here in ABQ for a few days. It's been difficult finding a healthy meal being in hotels and traveling as much as we do for work, but this hit the spot. Perfect lunch portions. Did the Curry Veg soup with the chopped salad! Delicious, local ingredients, healthy and filling. Great bread too. I'll be back tmrw and any other time I make it to ABQ.
(5)Jennifer T.
If you are gluten free and vegetarian like me, this place is a total gem! Food is spectacular and service is attentive. The gluten free toast really blew me away. You cant beat the price either! I went back multiple times for breakfast while staying at a nearby hotel for a convention!
(5)Natalie K.
I just used Cafe Lush to cater a lunch meeting at my office. They did a wonderful job! Sandy was quite flexible with my ever changing order, the food was ready on time, presented beautifully and most of all delicious! Everyone loved the food which made for a happy meeting. I will definitely be ordering from Cafe Lush again! Thank you!
(5)P C.
Love this place. The owners are hospitable. The food is generally delicious as is the coffee. I love the lushaladas. I pretty much grew up eating a version of this dish. They make it particularly appetizing. Highly recommend. I only wish they were open on Sundays. *sigh*
(4)Randy R.
Stopped in for breakfast. Great customer service, food and a cozy location!
(4)Glenn F.
Had breakfast here this past weekend for the first time on recommendations from a couple friends. Lush did not disappoint. The atmosphere is very cozy, and the food was really good. The owners are very personable and engaged in creating a great experience. We need more places like this in this city.
(4)Ellen H.
We went on a lazy Friday afternoon and I had the Mango Chicken Salad and it was...ok. It was a pretty small salad for the price, but the chicken was good and the greens were fresh. I enjoyed the avocado vinaigrette but thought the mango cubes tasted canned (it was October) I enjoyed the coffee and the people watching was fun. The inside seats were a little uncomfortable and the service was ok. I will be going back to see if my rating changes, but as of now, everything was OK.
(3)Mary C.
Delish (the bacon is fantastic!) and good menu choices. Can't wait to go back and try Saturday breakfast. So glad this location continues to offer good, locally grown food and products to the neighborhood.
(4)Patrick W.
My brother and I stopped here for an early breakfast on our way to Dallas and let me tell you, if you're looking for awesome New Mexican food then this is your place. The breakfast burritos and breakfast enchildas were to die for. If you're near downtown Albuquerque and looking for a bit of spice for a great price don't miss cafe lush!
(5)RealWater W.
I only have been here once, so I can't say that I am a fan yet. I would definitely go back and see if it's consistent. Found this place while doing a Google search of "best brunch" in ABQ. The place is tiny, and has maybe 10 tables at most. We went around 1:30 and the place was packed. No places to sit. We waited about 10 minutes to order at the counter. Apparently there are waitstaff but they had all been sent home because it was slow. Not the case now... Menu was interesting with many choices, moderately priced, and fun sandwich names. The "Lushaladas" (enchiladas) seemed to be very popular. I decided on the Mo, which was grilled eggpland, onions, mushrooms, peppers served open-faced on a focaccia bread. Very delish and also came with a slaw that was delightful. Not your normal cabbage and carrots. It was oranges, celery, jicima and a great dressing. The fresh pastries on the counter seemed to be a fan favorite as well. Not sure if they are made in house but looked very good. Place was clean, and food was good. I will most certainly make another trip.
(3)mark g.
Great cup of coffee... much better than Starbucks
(4)Julie B.
I have walked by this place so many times and finally stopped in and now I have to contain my excitement about how wonderful it is and not go every night! I had the lushiladas, which are stacked enchiladas with an egg on top. They were AMAZING. They have vegetarian options and will even do vegan with such things like rice milk cheese! The atmosphere is relaxed, the setting cozy,and they have outdoor tables where you are welcome to sit when you stop by on a walk with your dog!
(5)Sue R.
I visited Cafe Lush for the 1st time this morning and can't wait to go back! The greeting when I walked in the door was warm and friendly. I ordered the Lush Benedict and could not have been happier with my choice. The eggs were perfectly poached, the red chili bernaise was delicious! The sautéed spinach and focaccia bread they rested on so flavorful and fresh tasting. Good job, I love eating local!
(4)Evander E.
I went to Cafe Lush with my boyfriend yesterday, and we really liked it. The server was really nice. The food was very well presented, and it tasted really delicious. It was a very nice Saturday morning brunch spot. I would have given it five stars, but they give you a little muffin as part of the presentation, and the muffin was kind of dry. I think I would have lost control completely over this place if that little cinnamon chocolate muffin was good too. We are going to go there again next week. Yum!
(4)Margo G.
Yum! I've been here twice--once for brunch and once for lunch, and this sweet little place is one of my new favorites. First off, the coffee is fantastic, and they keep it coming. For brunch I had the Lush Benedict, which was great--I love that they came with spinach instead of ham, but they still felt indulgent. My boyfriend had the Lushaladas, which I got to try, and man were they tasty! My next trip was with my boss for lunch. I was tempted to get the Lushaladas, but my boyfriend had mentioned that the Chop Salad was really good, and I was in the mood for something lighter, so I ordered a half salad, half soup combo. The soup was Butternut Squash Coconut, and was good, if not the best I've ever had. The salad was the perfect balance--light, but still enough of a meal to be satisfied. My boss got an open-face pear sandwich with coleslaw, both of which she really enjoyed. Can't wait to come back for more!
(5)Douglas L.
Coming from LA and Vegas, I appreciate good, non-corporate food prepared by people who have a passion for what they do. Cafe Lush is amazing and meets all of my criteria. We ordered the french toast and breakfast pizza. The french toast was made with bread pudding, which was interesting and very tasty (I like bread pudding). It was a tad on the sweet side so if you don't have a sweet tooth, consider sharing a plate with your friends - but you should try it. The breakfast pizza surprised me, as it was almost like a reimagined breakfast burrito on a plate. I love Albuquerque green chile so this meal hit the spot for me. Service was good and the restaurant was clean. As I was eating, I was already thinking about what I would order on my next visit, which says it all. I actually spotted Cafe Lush in the background in an episode of Better Call Saul but their website is what convinced me to go. I suggest you give it a quick visit - or you can view it after you've ordered your meal. If you're in Albuquerque, stop reading about Cafe Lush and just go. Tables are available inside and outside. Parking is on the street.
(5)Amy O.
I will definitely return to Cafe Lush for lunch and now I want to try their breakfast. We sat inside because it was a bit hot but they also have a nice patio area if you want to sit outside. Even though it is a little small inside we were still able to have a private conversation without feeling like everyone around us could hear what we were discussing. The staff were very attentive and really on top of our experience. I had the lunch special, mixing a sandwich with a salad. It was the perfect size and allowed me to try 2 very good meals! The Dewey was good but I was thinking the peach mustard would have more flavor and I was a bit disappointed. The Caesar Salad was excellent! The lemon shavings and balsamic syrup added to the Caesar Salad made this not your "normal" Caesar. If you near downtown Albuquerque for breakfast or lunch I would recommend stopping into Cafe Lush!
(4)Danielle S.
I wasn't that hungry this particular luncheon, and my companion had enjoyed a large breakfast, so we simply split a wrap. Hashtag dieting haha. Anyways, you can combine two half sandwiches, a half sandwich and a salad, half sandwich and a half wrap, two half wraps, and whatever other crazy combos you can come up with. Oh yeah, and soup. Add that to the mix. We opted for The Papa Doc, which had a nice firm crispy (the way I like it) bacon with a superb red chile aioli spread which TOTALLY made it, topped with freshly grated soft local cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. The wrap itself was not actually a wrap, or rolled up in any way, as you may think, but instead two pieces of herb flat bread with the toppings inside. One may call that a sandwich, realistically, but I don't give a crud about the technicality if it's yummy. And it was! The other "wrapich" was "The Dewey" which was comprised of tasty ham, asiago cheese, tomato and lettuce with a hint of, what's that you taste? ...fruity mustard! Peach mustard! Most definitely interesting in a good way. Took a typical ham sammy (pardonnez-moi!, "wrap") and gave it something unique. Kudos, Cafe Lush! Clearly only having these little morsels, does not a Cash Lush expert make, but I'll be back! Tiny little place and gets so packed. I was on lunch break so we didn't wait for inside seating. We took a little table outside (maybe like five tables out there) and we had a friendly server and cashier! Keep doing you, CL!
(4)Kelli S.
A friend of mine recommended this place to me when she knew I would be in Albuquerque for a concert. It's a cute little place. My fiancé and I decided to sit outside since it was such a nice morning. We went for breakfast. I personally for the tofu scramble. It was great! Great vegan option as well! It was tofu scrambled with tomatoes, black beans, and spinach. It also came with hash browns and toast. I ate every last bite! Couldn't help myself. The coffee was nice as well. My fiancé got the smothered breakfast burrito. What I think is cool about getting the burrito is you can choose from a list what you want in it. It was definitely a massive burrito! Looked like an extra fat enchilada. Lol!
(5)Danielle D.
I finally had the pleasure to experience brunch and dinner at Cafe Lush, after months of wanting to go. On the first occasion, I went for lunch and tried the gluten free pasta with shrimp. In a word: Delicious! Delicate flavors of tomato and fresh basil mingle together over al dente pasta, topped with exquisite parmesan and perfectly cooked shrimp. On the second occasion, I stopped by for brunch with my sister. I ordered the omelet, and she had the yogurt and granola. My omelet was perfectly moist and delicious, and came with a side of gluten free toast and fruit salad with balsamic vinaigrette. My sister's dish featured a yummy yogurt topped with crunchy, house-made granola, and a heavy topping of fruit, with a mini chocolate chip muffin on the side. The flavors were nothing short of divine, and we left fully satisfied. Since the wait staff is prompt and attentive, and your meal is cooked right away, Cafe Lush is a great option for a quick, tasty, satisfying bite to eat. Tip: try to sit outside if you can. The inside of the restaurant can be rather loud.
(5)S M.
First time in Albuquerque! Stopped in to enjoy a healthy vegan lunch before my conference presentation at the nearby Hyatt. I ordered the Quinoa Salad, vegan-style (substituted a different dressing and nix'd the feta), which is a bed of baby spinach, cooked tricolor quinoa, yummy cherry tomatoes, and grilled artichoke hearts. It also come with little herbed flatbread triangles. First off, the service was wonderful! They are bright and friendly, easily accommodating my vegan request. My salad was out in UNDER FIVE MINUTES. Took off one star for price (8.95 felt like a lot for a simple quinoa salad) and the ratio of quinoa-to-spinach, which was grain-heavy. I highly recommend the salad, though, and with the (substituted) balsamic dressing, it was delicious! And the service couldn't have been better.
(4)Mel C.
Cafe Lush... -Small cafe that serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch. -Cafe Lush is clean and the service is excellent. -Limited space inside, but there's additional seating outside. -Lunch menu has a decent selection with a handful of sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, soups, salads, and deserts. -Price: Can't beat Cafe Lush here. I didn't see anything over $10 I got their St. Gregory Burger with potato chips. Yes, I said potato chips. Anyway, the burger was pretty good. It's 1/3 lbs but seemed a lot bigger since it was also fused with their spices & chile. Overall, I had a pretty good, very tasty burger for less than $9. The food is good, their prices are great, and the service is "as good as it gets". I'm not in the area much, but if I am, I'm sure I will be back for a quick bite. PS: Majority of the items on their menu is gluten free.
(4)Robin C.
Friendly laid back servers, incredible FRESH local food and gluten free! I was traveling through from Portland, OR. This place would be slammed from open to close in Portland. Amazing. I had the mango chicken salad with fresh spinach, edamame, bacon and blueberry vinaigrette. Had a cup of southwest gazpacho (cold) too which made me incredibly happy. This place rocks.
(5)Jett P.
Little hole in the wall with friendly staff. I had the breakfast burrito with green chiles - nice flavor and heat. Great tiny cubed ice, my favorite. Not expensive but a tad proud. Outside and inside seating.
(3)Tony M.
I was introduced to Cafe Lush recently. I have to say that the food has been great. I have tried the Adam with pesto and it was great. They have some gluten free items one of which was a dessert. Had I not been told he was gluten free I would not have guess. Plan on going back again.
(5)Anya L.
What a fun little place downtown! I discovered Cafe Lush after searching for gluten free restaurants in the Albuquerque area. My father was recently diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, so I wanted to find places that offered a variety of options that he could enjoy. All items can be made 'with gluten' or gluten free. We enjoyed two pizzas--the Jeremy and Callan--as well as a burger with a gluten free bun. All the food was fresh and very tasty, and serving sizes are generous but not overwhelming. In addition to great dishes, the service at Cafe Lush was top notch. I'm happy to report that my folks plan to return and try more of the gluten free offerings, including the brunch items. Lastly, the raspberry tea is very good. Try Cafe Lush--it will not disappoint.
(4)Diane T.
So glad I finally got around to trying Cafe Lush! Caught them on a relatively quiet Saturday morning; too hot to sit outside, so my friend and I opted for a table inside. A few photos on the wall, very cozy. Had the Chop Salad--pretty yummy, even if I did have to pick out the red peppers. My companion's French Toast was heavenly---part crepe, part stuffed pancake, such a terrific texture. And who doesn't love swirls of gooey cinnamon?! We were tended to by several servers, most of whom were mellow enough for late morning. My companion loved the coffee, but thinks their cups could be bigger; refills were a bit slow. We will definitely go again, as they are gluten-free friendly!
(4)Vishal S.
Wow!!! Great, great food and service! Breakfast burrito/ and croissant are delicious. A must try in this area, don't let this pass you by.
(5)Cindie V.
I ordered the beet and sweet potato salad, my husband ordered the beef sandwich. Both were gross, we didn't finish eating. Still paid our VERY high bill and left hungry and unhappy.
(1)Stephanie P.
Surprising little gem in ABQ! I would highly recommend for the varied/creative menu, higher than normal veggie options, gf options, friendly service, and great prices. The coffee was just okay. The bathroom is outdoors/around the corner like at a gas station and kinda icky. This place as a result feels like a dive that's trying to go high-brow. I had a flavorful pasta lunch--also filling--and my sweetie had a breakfast burrito that he adored. i did too from my bites. We would return.
(4)Rachel P.
I'm here once a week. Thoroughly addicted to the uber fresh Chop Salad at lunch and Breakfast Pizza at, well, breakfast. They know me, my order by the time of day, and are super friendly. I love Lush and bring all my out of town guests here.
(5)Matt D.
Go eat here! I'm visiting Albuquerque for three weeks and got the opportunity to try cafe lush, this past Thursday for lunch. The lushaladas are to die for. There is a great energy within this small establishment and it's clear the customers love coming back. The wait staff was super perky and helpful. The older woman walking around seemed to be in charge, she knew practically everyone. I think this says a lot. My friends food was superb and from what it seems everyone finishes their plate here. Only downside, no booze! I was looking forward to a mimosa. This place reminds me of living in San Francisco and brunching non stop. Try it out. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Coco L.
I stopped here this afternoon for some take out for lunch. I got the, "Mo" with a side of fresh fruit. Upon getting home and opening the to go box, my first impression was, "Aw man...it's going to be a soggy mess.." I divulged into my pepper, eggplant, grilled onion, and rice cheese layered sandwich, and was instantly impressed. Although the bread was slightly moistened, it wasn't grody. I hate soggy bread. ..loathe it. The flavor popped with every bite. Even though it got a little messy, it was indicative to how filling it was. I scarfed the sandwich, and enjoyed my fresh fruit side (strawberries, grilled pineapple! cantaloupe, and blueberries, yummy!) I will definitely be going back for sit down or take out (it was a very short wait, like...two radiohead songs long lol) Go Lush, it's your birthday!
(4)Eric S.
Lush is about 4-star good in general, which is pretty good, but stellar 5-star GREAT for the gluten free crowd. The breakfast "pizza" is a winner (it's the only menu item I've tried so far). Make sure you specify gluten free when you order - the "GF" tag on the menu means that gluten free is available, and not that the item is gluten free. This mostly affects the additions that accompany the entree, like muffins, tortillas, toast, etc. The Lush folks are very nice and generous. I failed to specify gluten free and got a glutinous muffin and tortilla instead of GF toast. To make up for *my* mistake they gave my wife and me two complimentary GF brownies, which didn't look like much but were AMAZING, as in better than most conventional brownies amazing: chewy, richly flavored, multi-textured, not overly sweet, etc! Can't wait to go back! A small gripe: the sound control/management inside is poor when it is busy. This is easy to fix by simply filling the walls with small framed art, which is why you never find bare walls in corporate restaurants. I couldn't hear what my wife was saying even though she sat directly across from me at a small table.
(5)