Guava Tree Cafe

This place lives up to the hype. I’m not a sandwich girl, but this place makes me a sandwich girl. However, I’ve noticed their food varies depends on who is in the kitchen, and sometimes not for the better.

Had this for lunch today and it was so delicious! The interior is a nice, little place with limited indoor and outdoor seating, but seemed cozy. I ordered the Pernil with Yucca Fries and the special housemade lemonade made with clove and raw sugar. The lemonade was made to order and assembled and shaken right away. It had just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. Definitely a must-​try. The Pernil which had roasted pork, grilled onions, and a garlic sauce on it was so bomb. The bread was nice and toasted. The meat was moist and had a little sweetness from the onions. The garlic sauce really brought it all together and it put it over the top. The Yucca fries were good but a little tougher than I would like, but they had a great dipping sauce which I think was the garlic sauce and a little chimichurri on top. Overall, a place I will visit again and highly recommend.

Delicious cuban cuisine! Food portions are generous. The fried yucca is delicious, especially the creamy garlic sauce that is served with it! Their mango milkshake is just amazing… I ask them to make mine with milk. I wish they opened up another restaurant in Los Lunas or Bosque Farms area.

This is my favorite restaurant in town. Everything I’ve ever had here is good and they’re very accommodating when we bring in a whole mess of kids, even though the restaurant makes large groups a tight fit. I’ve had the Pollito and the Carribe, and I enjoy them both, but the Pernil is still my favorite (with extra garlic sauce!!) the yucca fries are the perfect crispy-​ness. The plantains are sweet and delicious. We usually get an arepa for the table.
I recommend the café con leche (made to order) if you have a bit of a sweet tooth. The bowl size really is bowl-​sized.
Come early or have a late lunch to avoid the rush. This is the place where my group of friends gets upset if anyone goes without them. It’s that good.

Visit on 4÷29÷16:
I was torn between the arepa del perro (avocado, beef, beans, and sweet plantains), and the plato del día (daily special), but seeing as arepas are available everyday, I decided to go with the special: beans, yucca fries, ropa vieja (shredded beef), rice, salad, sweet plantains, and their signature lemonade drink with cinnamon. All for $ 13.50, tax included.
The flavors were delicious! My friends enjoyed their pernil and vegetarian Luciano sandwiches, bean and rice dishes, café con leche, malta drinks, sweet plantains with cheese, and tostones (fried platains). My friend who is half Puerto Rican wanted to have some of my ropa vieja and loved it– he said it takes him back to his childhood days. I have no idea why he didn’t order it himself.
With that said, although the food is fresh and delicious, my friends and I agree that the yucca fries at Pollito Con Papas are better. However, that place specializes in fries. I also wish Guava Tree had better hours because I would’ve checked it out sooner and more frequently (okay, maybe that’s better for my waistline and wallet).
Service is excellent. Diego is a friendly host. I really liked this place and intend to come back. Although I am generally unimpressed with the Mexican and New Mexican restaurants here, I can honestly say that I’ve enjoyed all the other Latin American-​genre restaurants that I’ve been to, and Guava Tree is no exception!

I have no idea why we waited so long to try this restaurant! My husband grew up in a Cuban and Puerto Rican household and has missed all of those flavors since moving away. This restaurant is right on point!
The Cuban sandwich was great, but the Pernil sandwich was to die for. The roasted pork was just amazing. The yucca fries and tostones were wonderful. The fries came with the right wonderful garlicky sauce. The tostones came with the same sauce, which wasn’t what my husband felt it should have been served with, but tasted great none the less. We ended the meal with a Pastelillo de Guayaba y Queso. It was so flaky and delicious.
It was a bit strange when we ordered. We were ordering all of the food to go. A member of the kitchen staff was manning the counter and didn’t know how to use the computer system to allow us to pay even if we wanted to pay cash. We had to wait until the food was ready and the owner (?) came back so we could pay. That did not cause too much of an inconvenience, and the taste of the food definitely made up for it.
We would come back over and over for the wonderful taste of home.

For someone who eats out WAY more than his budget would like, it’s rare that I find a «new to me» restaurant in the Nob Hill area that blows my mind.
Today, that restaurant was Guava Tree Café.
My wife and I needed a quick lunch and couldn’t agree on a place until she said:
«wanna try Guava Tree?»
«sure. IF they’re open»
See, the only other times we’d tried eating here, it had been closed. It’s not that they keep strange hours, it’s just that this is a lunch spot. And what a lunch.
We both got Arepas: shreaded beef (Pabellón) for my wife and veggie (Machilla) for me, each with yuca fries. Any place that has fried plantains will get an order from us. What came out were messy, delicious sandwich-​like things with corn masa «bread» and exploding with flavor.
The layout is a bit funky (it’s an old house) but seating was not an issue. The staff was super-​friendly. This will be a new go-​to for us.

I gotta echo my man Howie K. with his sentiments on panini sandwiches. They ARE kinda cheap…
Guava Tree Café is simple, kinda hole-​in-​the-​wall establishment. Great posters with some fun memorabilia associated with Latin music.
The food is tasty — but it’s tasty because it’s comfort food ;) The sandwiches probably run close to 1000 calories. Not exactly for those looking to keep their waist line in check. My main gripe with this place is that it’s pricey and I wasn’t thrilled with the value — seemed expensive IMO.
If you’re in the mood for panini, Guava Tree Café is a good option. I probably won’t be running back anytime soon.

What’s not to love about this cute little café on Richmond?
Even the building, which is adobe-​style has an interesting interior. A long, single hallway with a cashier on the far right-​hand side. She was bubbly and sweet, just the way customer service should be. I sat by at a small table and waited for my food.
I ordered an arepa pabellon with a side of yucca fries. The pabellon comes with shredded beef, black beans, plantains, and cheese. It was SO good. The combination of beef, along with something sweet like plantains, made my taste buds jump in joy! The yucca fries were perfect… lightly salted and some of the best yucca I’ve ever had.
I wish I was a little bit more hungry when I went… I would’ve tried so much more! Next to the Indian Tacos I had on the side of the road, this was my favorite meal in Albuquerque.

This place is number one for a reason! It’s an eclectic small place with food that’s full of flavor! After vacationing in Puerto Rico, I had a craving for authentic Latin food. I came here and the craving was cured! Fried sweet plantains, perfectly seasoned meat, arepas, and the daily special! Go try it!

Cool ambience, staff was really nice and inviting, sandwich was good and lots of flavor. The plantains were cooked perfect however, I didn’t like the side of cheese it came with (chugged it)…overall the food was good.

Holy smokes and fried sweet plantains!!! This place will knock your taste buds to the floor. Located a hop and skip off central, guava tree is a must not miss. They serve a compilation of Cuban and Colombian food and they do so with such savory grace. Our party of four ordered the ajiaco, cubano, fried plantains and the arepa pabellón and split the goods family-​style. I honestly cannot say which dish was better. They were all fantastic in their own right. The shredded pork in the cubano was tender and juicy. The ajiaco, warm and comforting. And oh, the fried plantains had just a kiss of sweetness that still is making my mouth water.
The staff is very friendly. Since it was valentine’s day, she brought us out some Argentinian pastries for us to try. It was icing on an already delicious cake. Both thumbs up for Guava Tree!

Pernil sandwich was delicious. We showed up a little bit before closing but service was still friendly and prompt. Fried plantains were a good side but a little pricey for only 3 pieces.

ALL THE YUM. Consistently amazing.
Free wifi, great music, best food in nob hill.

Loved my experience here! Food tasted amazing and great service! Plus I was impressed at the speed everyone was working at. And the portions were perfect.

Very good place. It is small and cozy, and the menu has some really great options to choose from.

This place is great! Came here based on the Unilocal reviews and it didn’t disappoint. I recently was in Florida and made a point to track down a good authentic Cuban sandwhich… The cubano here was on par with the one I got in Florida and the tostones were better here! Top it off with a café con leche and youll leave full and happy. It’s a little cramped inside so I’m glad I left the kids at home.

How has it taken me so long to write a review?! I am in love with this place.
The owners are always friendly and really seem to love what they do. The bright colors, wood ceiling, and beautiful sunlight in the back section makes for a very peaceful atmosphere.
And the FOOD! The Luciano is the best sandwich I’ve ever had. Delicious whole grain bread, amazing garlic sauce, sauteed mushrooms, red peppers and avocado. Who needs meat? The sandwich is huge, but if you can, split a yucca basket (again, the garlic sauce!) Or some sweet plantains. The fresh arepas can’t be beat, either. And for coffee fiends, the café con leche is perfect. I haven’t even tried the tropical juices, but I hear they are fantastic.
Everything about this gem is as it should be. Go there. Today. You can’t walk out of Guava Tree without a smile on your face.

One of our Abq favorites! Love love love their Luciano’s vegetarian sandwich. I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t miss the meat with this flavor packed sandwich. Their mango batida is delicious and the coffee is great too. They give us free beans/​rice for our little one which is perfect! To top it off, the staff is great.

Smiles all around! That describes the mood and food at Guava Tree. My day always seems better after dining here.
Enter into this funky layout restaurant and you will be immediately enticed by the aromas and latin beats. The warmth of the people puts you at ease especially if you aren’t familiar with some of the menu choices. I’d choose an Arepa and one of the handmade drinks if it’s your first time. I’m also a huge fan of the Beans/​Rice here. This place makes me think about working on my Spanish, traveling more, dancing more… in just one bite.
The Guava Tree is one of the small treasures we have in Albuquerque. I love bringing friends here to enjoy the sensory experience. If you are late to the party now you know!

Guava Tree is a solid place for some Cuban-​style lovin’. Every time I’ve been here, I’ve ordered the almuerzo del dia, which typically consists of pork, rice, beans, plaintains, and a small salad. The flavor medley is on-​point and satisfies one’s Latin American cravings (yes, all of us have these cravings).
Service is prompt, making it perfect for a quick lunch during the week.
This place is best for meeting a friend or small group — the seating is made up of many small tables, inside and out, making seating for groups larger than 4 tricky.
Of the Latin American fare available in Burque, Guava Tree ranks with the best!

Man this little joint is a hidden gem. Thanks to awesome Unilocalers who rated it so high I had to check it out. First, the building is a super sweet adobe kind of thing with twisty hallways, nooks and crannies to eat in, and a large patio. Parking is tight in this area of Nob Hill. There are a ‘few’ dedicated free spots for this address, but mostly it’s pay lots or metered street parking.
The staff here were all super friendly and provided lots of information on the Cuban dishes and let us try the cider lemonade. The lemonade by the way was something incredibly awesome. Lemon and apple flavors created a sweet and sour and even a slightly fermented tickle on the tongue. My friend and I both chose the plate of the day which included fried plantains, a roasted pork, beans, rice, yuca fries, and a small side salad. I cleaned my plate… every last bite. It was awesome the pork especially was slow roasted in spices and was fall apart tender. I can’t wait to go back and try the sandwiches and other offerings.
In a sea of green chili and New Mexican food, this Cuban restaurant stands out. The flavors are different: complex and welcoming. Friendly staff and a unique setting take the entire experience to the next level. I can see myself returning again and again.

I’m not a big fan of panini sandwiches. Are you? I just consider ‘em kinda cheap. Like, I could press a panini in my house and I suppose I’d be impressed by my George Foreman grill skillz, but I don’t want to buy a panini at a restaurant. I don’t. Paninis are easy (here’s looking at you, Canteen Brewhouse and Boxing Bear), but they’re sorta stoner food. Grilled cheese with a smattering of weird stuffings, usually.
I fell in love with Guava Tree Café back when the place rented a house on Yale avenue, in the student ghetto of UNM. I suppose I was somewhat smitten by the whole setup, dining on somewhat adventurous, totally comforting gooey sammies and legit arepas on a sofa, sipping on espresso. The experience honestly made the food more unique than it probably was; ultimately, no matter how you slice it, I’m not amazed with a Cubano. Naturally, the place got great word of mouth, they had all of about three parking spaces, it was time to move on, and they found a new spot in Nob Hill.
In many respects, that move only removed the mystique behind this incredible business. Yes, the sandwiches are basically paninis and they’re anything but. The bread is hearty and somehow still bright, meats are obviously carefully cured, it takes a little time to get the food because you’re getting quality stuff. I simply haven’t had an average sip or bite in this restaurant, it’s quite possibly my favorite in this demanding neighborhood, and I wish they had a beer & wine license and would stay open for dinner more often. When people ask me where to grab lunch in Nob Hill, this is the first place that comes to my mind. Every. Single. Time.

If you eat at Guava Tree Café, order Pernil, it is filling and so good. Of course don’t forget your yucca fries and guava smoothie. Although guava smoothie is not for everyone, my daughter thinks it’s blah, but I like it. Location is not too bad but outside area needed some sprucing like bushes to ease the sight of chain links and parking lot.

Thanks Unilocalers. I travel through Albuquerque several times a year and am looking for local places to eat. The Guava Tree Café is another winner. I had the Pernil based on the recommendations on Unilocal and it was a winner. Maybe I will be able to make it again and try the Cubano.
Parking is on the street with meters. Enjoy.

I hate to deduct stars for their location, but I’m going to, that and no beer & wine license yet. Other than those deductions, Awesome with a capital A!
The prob is the ambiance just isn’t there. We dined outside on one of the tables in front, and unfortunately the only view is a chain-​link fence and a parking lot. In my humble opinion, they could spruce the front up a bit with a higher wood fence & then decorate a bit with something Cubanesque. You wouldn’t think it would cost too much for this, but I’m sure they have plans of their own. In addition, a beer would have gone really well with my food, but se la vie.
The wife & I both ordered the Pernil & wow! Awesome roasted pork with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese! What more could you want? It was REALLY Good! Naturally when eating Cuban one must order some sweet fried plantain as well, that’s kind of a prerequisite. Oh, lets not forget the Yucca fries, paired with their dipping sauce and, once again, awesome! I love Yucca, something about the texture & flavor combined does it for me. I think it’s safe to assume fried yucca is Latin America’s potato, though it’s also pretty popular in the Philippines as well.
Anyway, I loved it! My wife liked it and my daughter, well… who cares what she thought, she’s seven. Go there, you’ll love it too!

I’m back!
I had to add that the Guava Pollito is THE BEST sandwich I have EVER eaten!!!
Be advised you should love mushrooms with this sandwich :-)
After I finish my non-​veggie bing, I’ll be back to try ALL of their vegetative menu items!!!
My God! The mango smoothies are amazing!!!

Guava Tree Café is a must visit for anyone visiting and of course for any locals who frequent the Nob Hill area. There are many delicious options for both food and drink here and it’s all in a cool atmosphere whether you’re inside or outside.
The sandwiches are a link to the Cuban culture with the dynamite Cubano and Pernil sandwiches. I got the Pernil and my wife got the Cubano and the gooey melted deliciousness that will get your mouth watering are expertly put together. I would give the sandwiches here 10 stars if I could. The slow roasted caribbean-​rubbed pork is something you must experience.
They don’t stop with sandwiches though, they also have shakes available that are as fresh as money can buy. They’re thicker than what you’re probably used to, but I really enjoyed the change of pace with the mango shake I got.
We’ll be back for sure! Visit Guava Tree!

The staff was very helpful and pleasant. They helped us decided on what to order and a beverage to try. My friend and I both had the Arepa Pabellon, which was delish!!! My friend had the mango smoothie and I had the special kind of lemonade that they sell. Both were really good. Highly recommended this place! They also have a limited amount of parking which is a nice plus.

I can’t believe I haven’t written a review about this glorious testament to restaurants that are small and family owned.
Guava Tree Café is a go to spot for a great experience… and by that I mean lunch. Arrive right when they open or later in the afternoon to avoid the line, because during the lunch hour they are busy. Reasonably so because their food is beyond fantastic.
I’ve always been impressed with my meals here and the service. Always a smile and always professional.
You can tell they love what they do. Dancing to the sweet Latin music in the background as they craft the greatest Café con Leche you could have in the ABQ.
It’s taken me a few too many Check Ins to write this and do the Guava Tree Café Justice, but it’s happened. They’re one of the places that everyone who lives in the ABQ should put on there list. It’s the best, and if you don’t you’re just not doing yourself any favors.