Zendo

Parking is the only drawback to this place. The coffee is good and the bright atmosphere is conducive to creating which explains the fact that a lot of local artists hang out here.

Cool space on a great downtown location. However the coffee is always disappointing. The don’t have proper cup sizes, yet. They have demitasse (espresso) and a soup bowl. So if you want a latte, expect lots of milk, sometimes scalded.

I had wanted to try this place for down time now. It is a hip cool local coffee place. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have some great choices for something to eat as well as drinks. One thing to keep in mind is that they only had one person taking orders so it can be a little slow. With that being said they are good at making sure they get everything correct.
Most of the seating is large tables you share with others. I found it a great way to meet new people and enjoy community.

Great coffee, decent price. Love the atmosphere. New artwork on the brick walls often keeps things fresh and fun! Cheers!

Walked in and wasn’t greeted. Stood in front of the bar for a couple minutes– still no help. There is no clear start of the line, and the baristas were talking to each other and ignoring guests.
Sadly I can’t comment on the coffee. I hear it’s decent. Although maybe not, seeing as this place is a hub for the trendy and they’ll drink anything as long as there are antlers on the wall and mason jars as cups.
Maybe I’ll try again. Maybe not.

The owner was super nice and the atmosphere was friendly. I’d call the crowd industrial, chic, hipster, with a modern twist. The food was good, the coffee was great, and the atmosphere makes the whole place. I had the Aztec and the Red burrito.

I love this café! It’s so cozy and quiet! Can’t wait for the winter I will definitely be in frequently! Absolutely love the Art displayed!

This is probably the first time my wife and I disagree on a place. My Red Eye had a strange and unwelcome bitterness, not to mention it was really not hot enough. But my wife’s latte was actually pretty good.
The setting was fun. Kind of hipster but that’s not uncommon in the coffee shop world. I really liked how they took over a street parking spot with their patio.
So, I would give them another shot, mostly because my wife liked it, and they are walking distance to the rail-​yards market. Maybe I just got the bottom of the carafe of the coffee. We’ll see…

I went here on Sunday morning with my husband. It was bustling, but not completely crowded. I ordered the café con leche and was very impressed. It could have been hotter, but the flavor was incredible. My husband got a standard drip, which unfortunately he did not think was very good. The atmosphere is a sort of rustic modern with interesting art on the walls. Hipster but approachable. The staff was certainly friendly enough. I also really liked the outdoor seating. I will definitely come back, but I’ll probably check out some other local shops first.

They are using Kalita Wave for their pour-​overs. I opted for a medium roast Kenyan for the Wave because the barista said their house roasts were all on the darker side. I would say it was a solid pot-​over; balanced, good ratio of grounds to water, very enjoyable. It didn’t blow me away, but I would get another… although it seemed a little over priced at $ 4.
What really stood out to me in this experience was the Aztec Latté. The combo of cayenne and dark chocolate was really enjoyable… probably the best specialty latté I’ve had. This was a five star drink. But you also pay for it at $ 4.50…though the portion was enough for two.
The customer service from Pilar was exceptional! She was really friendly and laid back, working out a drink for me that wasn’t even on their menu.
The atmosphere created a good place to spend an hour with a couple friends.

Stopped here briefly while driving through Albuquerque after searching through several coffee shops in the area. Walking in, I was a bit confused on where to go to order. There is not a register; the barista takes your order on an iPad just laying on the counter.
The atmosphere was probably my favorite part about this shop. Several eclectic art pieces made for a unique place. I loved the white painted brick walls, fruit that was displayed on the counter, newspaper articles, the shelves that displaced bulk coffee beans for sale. There was a small couch in the back for those looking for a more comfortable seat, a few large tables for a larger group or meeting, window bar seats and also an outdoor section in front of the building.
I had a simple iced latte with honey, which was just okay, not the best. I was a bit overwhelmed by the size of it. I would definitely come back but maybe after visiting another shop or two. They did offer several original drinks that I would like to try.

I believe Zendo takes coffee up another level with how they make their coffee. Like a chemistry experiment you want to be accurate and concise with the outcome. I was very curious about this place & finally had the time to stop by to get coffee. Very tasty, flavorful, and no burnt taste at all. (Ahem Starbucks) Haha I had the iced café con leche iced and my taste buds went onto another level and felt very blissful. :)
Interior of the Zendo is very cute, modern, and oh my god doesn’t even feel like your in Albuquerque. Reminded me of Venice, California. Your in another world with art, modern, unique music, chalked menu, and yes it has a hipster vibe. People are on their laptops working very focused with their mason jar coffee and it’s interesting to watch how your drink is made right in front of you. I highly recommend this place for coffee downtown… Oh forget it! This is the number place for coffee in all of Albuquerque!

Fantastic local coffee shop in downtown Albuquerque. They make some really good unique coffees. Try the Aztec latte, its very good cold or hot and had a nice kick of spice. They also display local artists work on the walls, and have a unique outdoor seating area.

I’ve been spending a lot of time downtown lately and heard good things about this lovely spot. Solid recommendation by my friends. They make a London Fog that would make the queen proud (wonder if London Fog is a real thing in England or is it like pizza being Italian? Anyway…).
The vibe is a good one for artistic pursuits without being too exclusive. I also love the giant espresso pulls, much cooler than the computerized machines being used so many other places.
Only downsides? I wish they were open a little later for when I’m there in the evening (not gonna fault someone for closing before sundown in that part of town) and parking is quite the commodity.

I have been to Zendo’s a few times this past year and while I do give credit for the artistic/​hip vibe of the shop, there is something about this place that is a bit uncomfortable for me. Without even saying a word to other friends and family members that I have taken here, they too end up expressing the same unwelcoming vibe I feel whenever I drop by for a latte. In a way, I almost enjoy purchasing a cup more with them when they are posted at the Railyards Market on Sundays. The atmosphere is more chill.
Would I go back? Yes, probably– there are other drinks I would like to try off their menu. Also, I do appreciate how the drinks are not over-​the-​top sweet compared to the more drive-​to-​work convenient options in this town… or country, for that matter. I do hope that these past experiences have a possibility of being more positive in the future. And that the weird vibe I get, or semi-​prententious as it was once described to me by a friend, is just a mere coincidence of different visits with different folks in the past.

Seriously people, say no to the Starbucks sugar factory, and go to Zendo and get yourself a real cup of coffee. Love this new local spot near downtown ABQ. The vibe is rustic and artsy, with a shot of hipster, along with genuine notes of hospitality. You can sit up at the bar, sit inside or under our famous expansive skies, and spread out on a table with books, a newspaper, or sketch pad and sip on your coffee and enjoy the experience of being alive. Seriously, this place evokes a sense of gratitude and a desire to slow down and just be present.
This place delivers in every way. Two fist bumps, followed by make it rain fingers and sprinkles of awesomeness.

I live sitting at the bar and catching up with a friend here, especially after or before a bike ride. My favorite drink here is an americano followed by a macchiato (spelled right?), cold brew, or drip coffee, it’s all quality.
This places has THE BEST natural lighting and is also my favorite places to study or get work done because it’s on the quiet side. They also have a patio/​parklet outside now!
Friends don’t let friends drink Charbucks. Tell em Nate08 sent ya.

There are coffee shops, so-​called study spots, and then there is Zendo which is an anomaly unless you’re in Albuquerque. It’s bittersweet, because if I lived nearby, chances are I would be a regular.
I found myself here, quenching for some local brews. Equal parts cute-​sy, equal parts intellectual, equal parts industrial, Zendo is the place for a quick cup of coffee or for romanticizing the «aesthetic». It’s not just for looks though, it’s for quality.
Take the Turkish Latte or what I would like to infer is the liquid version of Prince’s ‘Around the World in a Day’. It’s got funk, it’s got boldness, it’s got culture, and humbling power. The forces of Good quaintly bound in the nutmeg, honey, and cardamon. You know what I’m sayin’? It’s nothing like I’ve ever had.
Accompanied with this coffee is service I wanna get to know! Such friendly staff and chill music playing. This is my thing, if you haven’t figured out so. Believe me when I say there are lots of gems downtown and this is up there on the list. Around the 505 in a day: «I think I, I think I, I think I love her!»

Came in with a friend late afternoon on a Wednesday to catch up and figure out our lives after college. As soon as I went in, I really liked the place. it had a clean, yet cozy atmosphere. The art around the space also add for a very hip atmosphere. I ordered a peppermint tea and it was only $ 3.00. It came in a cute kettle and mug. The tea tasted perfect (I am not a tea connoisseur, but that was some good tea!). Overall, I really liked this place and the ambiance as well as the tea. It isn’t packed liked Starbucks or satellite, so I really enjoy that too. Will definitely come back to do homework or read some time
soon.

The only problem with this place is that they are not open more. Of course when you see that cute kid walking around checking you out, you pretty much know you can’t compete with that!
As it happened, I was sorta staring at the counter not really wanting to commit to anything because I didn’t feel like staying up all night when Trevor, father unit of the charming child, practically dared me to try something. I was thinking of a latte but now I had to go with raw espresso because I can’t really judge your talent if it’s drowning in milk. (no offense if you’re an Olympic milk diver.) «Ok Trevor. IF that is your real name give me a single shot, neat.»
I am not necessarily a bonafide connoisseur, but I did work as a barista for a short time. The aspects I appreciated about the shot that was given were 1 the acidity (not too sour allowing nutty, berry flavors to emerge), 2, the draw was just the right length to produce crema with a thick marbled brown layer floating on top with none of the black visible, 3, the roast (there is about 3.5 seconds between burnt and perfect, dark roast has high tannin but it balances with the acid layer, whereas if it’s burnt there is a bad-​type Starbucksy bitterness that just doesn’t balance — like an orchestra with a over zealous tuba player).
This is certainly the current bar setter for me in Albuquerque.