I've been in a new phase of exploration lately. Trying new dishes that are foreign to me. This has been quite a delicious quest as Ive yet to be disappointed. I had never tried Cuban food, but I was quick to jump on the opportunity to go when a co-worker invited me. Guava Tree is a quaint little place located at the start of Nob Hill. Upon entering, you are definitely feeling the Cuban vibe, as they typically have on a selection of Cuban music to accompany the decor inside. On to the food. I had the Cubano sandwich with a side of Yucca fries. The food was quick to arrive, and it was delicious. After trying Cuban food for the first time, I am hooked. A lot of customers were also ordering fresh juice concoctions that looked delicious. I will definitely have to give these a try next time. I'll add this to the list of my favorite lunch spots. Highly recommend. read more

What a lovely, hidden gem! I was really excited to try this place and was greeted with open arms when we walked inside. The staff was extremely nice, gave you a sense of home. I had the pork sandwich and the fresh mango juice - so, so good! My mom had an arepa and was able to build her own based on the various ingredients - she said it was very fresh and really good. My dad had a special for the day - beef, rice and beans, plantains, etc. Both parents had the hibiscus tea and really enjoyed the taste. I would definitely go back! read more

One of my favorite spots in town! Great South American food selection. El pelotero is my favorite dish because you get a little of everything. Also their arepas are amazing! We love ordering it for our work retreat yearly because they cater your events too! Absolutely love this place! read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Pelotero, arepa and a coffee! - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Love the sandwiches here. Can't go wrong with any of them, really. My wife likes the arepas and the juice is great as well. Yucca and plantains are are also a great substitute for those who are tired of boring potatoes. And now with 2 locations it's easier to get some good foods. read more

Having moved here from South Florida and my husband being Puerto Rican we have been dying to try this hidden gem. We finally had the opportunity and were ecstatic that we did. My husband ordered the Cubano with a side of tostones and I ordered the Pernil with the yucca Frita. Both sandwiches were equally delicious. The pernil was so flavorful and delicious served in pressed crunchy bread, which tasted great even the following day. This is a family owned business that puts its heart and soul into their food. If you love Latin American flavor then this place is a MUST!! read more

Absolutely AMAZING place! Truly phenomenal!! One of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten!!! read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Nice little place tucked off the main drag in Nob Hill. It's small. But the sandwiches are big and delicious. I had the Cubano. The bread was crusty just like it should be with plenty of meat , cheese and pickles. All you get is the sandwich, no chips. But , no worry, the sandwich is very filling! I had a tangy hibiscus tea with my sandwich. It's a bit pricey. My sandwich and drink were $14.50. You could probably make two meals out of that sandwich! read more

OMG! This place is authentic and delicious! The Cubano is prepared on French bread, perfectly toasted and flavorful. Ropa Vieja is tender and delicious. The platanos are fried just right and packed with flavor. The yucca fries are great and that little dipping sauce they give you is perfectly matched. The pastellito with cream cheese and guava is so flaky and full of flavor. It just melts in your mouth but has that slightly crunchy texture. So so good! The Tres Leches cake is decadent and rich. I think it's perfect. The cake is fluffy and very moist with a good helping of whipped cream on top. It's not a mush at all. It's just right. Almost like the made it right before they brought it to the table. read more

See all

This is, literally, the most amazing Cuban food I have ever had. We came as a group so we tried a lot of food on the menu. The Arepa Pabellón, the Cuban, Pernil, and Yuca basket are a must eats! Like orgasmic level delicious. The Passionfruit milk shake was perfect. Eat here if you don't know where to go to eat in Albuquerque. read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

What an a amazing addition to the scene! Absolutely was mesmerized by their dishes! Flavor that dances in my mouth and satisfies my pallet! I will absolutely be back. I went during lunch hour and the order counter and kitchen was overwhelmed... I'm withholding a star for poor service. It took very long to get our smoothie and even longer for the meal. In fact, we ran out of lunch break time and felt rushed to finish. I would avoid ordering take out and even dining in for for lunch until they can establish a stronger serving base. read more

Must get the cubano! I found this place on yelp, and it did not disappoint. As recommended by the masses, you must try the cubano! The bread was delicious, thin and loved the way they cut it. The inside was your traditional cubano, but the flavors were seriously on point and the sandwich itself was perfect! Plenty of parking available either on the street or private side lot. There is a lot of seating inside of the cafe and some seating outside. If you are a cubano sandwich fan... come here! read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Cubano - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

I was a fan of Guava Tree Cafe at their old location on Yale, but time and circumstance prevented me from visiting their current Nob Hill location until just recently. I was put at ease right away when I saw the owner smiling and taking orders from behind the counter; glad to see he's still running things. The coffee here is terrific, but the cubano sandwich is to die for. I've never had one prepared this well anywhere else. If you like sandwiches, give it a try. There are plenty of other wonderful options on the menu as well, ranging from budget college student fare to pricier delights. If you enjoy supporting local businesses and also have a soft spot for enormous mugs of coffee and traditional Latin American cuisine, this is the place for you. read more

Holy heavenly place. Wow!!! I can't even begin to explain what my taste buds experienced. I had the arrepa with sweet plantings, black beans and shredded beef. Which at first I thought was weird and just different. But good gracious.... that first bite was like being transferred to some type of heaven where life is just you and this Arrepa. You'll enjoy and regret every bite because it'll be over just as soon as it began. I also had the guava and milk shake. Not to sweet and just perfect for a hot day in New Mexico. My partner had the Pernil sandwich and was just as pleased with the food as I was. Overall. What a great experience. The waiter/cook was the nicest lady ever. I seriously almost hugged her. When she asked how everything was. The atmosphere of the place was very inviting. Would definitely recommend!!! read more

In town for work. Looking for a great lunch place on a Sunday. Seems like Albuquerque closes on Sunday? Anyway, found this place and thought we'd give it a try as it has great reviews on Yelp. I did not care for my lunch at all. Actually after taking 2 or 3 bites I could not even stomach finishing it. I had the masa 'sandwich' with sweet plantains, black beans, peppers, mushrooms, etc. The onions and mushrooms had a very peculiar taste and the masa was a bit raw inside. They also did not have one thing to drink (outside of water) that did not contain sugar. ?? Would not eat here again. Actually felt a bit sick after this meal. My husband got a sandwich which he said was fine. read more

Great family owned Latin-American cafe. Great lunch spot. The cafe is small and a little cramped which I don't mind since the food is bomb. Got the Arepa Pabellon and Bombon. I'll be back. read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Arepa Pabellon - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I never leave reviews but I had to this one time. We ordered takeout from Guava Tree for dinner and I was blown away by how delicious it is. I had the Pernil sandwich with yuca fries. I will definitely go back and I highly recommend. read more

Yum, yum and YUM!! I ordered the Pernil for delivery using Door Dash and the sandwich arrived warm and tasty! I thought it may get soggy due to transport, but it was as crisp as it would have been if I dined in. I will definitely order this sandwich again and highly recommend read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

This is a great place to hang out and grab a quick bite if you're a UNM student or local. I got their guava pollito and it is absolutely delicious, the mushrooms were caramelized well and their meat was fresh and tasty. I also got their guava juice which is perfect as a summer drink, you can also try it anytime of the year as it tastes very fresh. The staff are friendly and got my order in pretty quickly. One thing to keep in mind is that there's not a lot of parking and since it is Central/UNM/Nob Hill area, you might have to look around or just park at a meter parking spot if the designated spots are filled up during peak hours. read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Guava Pollito - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

It's been about 6 months since I visited. The food is still good, but in that time the owners have done two things: Increased the price on sandwiches and arepas by ~$1.50 and no longer include a side (like yuca fries; now $1.75 - for three fries). So that comes out to about a 40% increase, or $25 for two sandwiches, 1 side of fries, and a 15% tip. In my opinion, this is a bad business move when everything else about the business (limited menu, hole-in-the-wall ambience) appears to be the same. And still crummy hours. And slow as molasses service if the place is about half full. It's been a good run guava tree but, if you're going to price me out of an affordable experience, we're done. read more

In 2015 I had my first cuban sandwich in Miami, in some mom&pop restaurant. It blew me away and I have yet to find a place that sells sandwiches that good..... until today. This place, in my opinion, has amazing Cubanos. The restaurant looks like it's family owned and the concentration on the taste outweighs the need for a fancy restaurant. The staff is friendly and attentive. Even if you don't agree with me on the real cuban sandwich taste you'll still leave here having an amazing meal. Enjoy. read more

You can go wrong here, if your tastebuds love life and enjoy flavor sensations you will likely love this place. From the Stuffed Arepas, to the sandwiches, to the smoothies, and the awesome sweet cream coffee, this place exudes flavor and happiness! Been going here since they moved into the small place on Yale, and while the food is never super speedy, its so worth it! read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Great Latinoamerican Cafe with a creative menu. Delicious hard to find Marac uxha/Parcha juice. Cozy ambience friendly and youthful staff. The diversity of its staff Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia is a great addition to the ever growing Southwest cuisine. read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

It's rare that a restaurant will completely take my breath away, but Guava Tree Cafe has me 50 shades of in love. This is definitely my new favorite restaurant in ABQ. The atmosphere is so cozy and hip. I love the feel in the inside of the restaurant with the yellow and green painted walls and the cute couches! The staff was very friendly, kind, patient, and hospitable. I ordered the Guava Pollito with tostones and my roommate ordered the Cubano with yucca fries. We split the sandwiches in half and shared the sides. It was the PERFECT way to try new things! Each sandwich had the perfect flavor combinations. The Cubano had a perfect tart taste while the guava Pollito had a creamy and savory vibe. The yucca fries had the most delicate crisp to their bite which made them so delectable and addicting! The tostones were much more sense and salty, but they were so comforting to snack on! I contemplated ordering another sandwich to go for dinner! I absolutely LOVED everything about this visit and can't wait to go back for another roomie foodie date! If I could give Guava Tree 20 billion stars, I totally would. It's AMAZING! read more

See all

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 Cafe 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. read more

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! read more

See all

Guava Tree Cafe 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! read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Pernil sandwich with slow roasted carribean-rubbed pork. - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

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! read more

Wanted to this place. It's a fun off the beat path. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu had some nice options. I decided on the Cuban and was not disappointed. It has the right balance ingredients with a nice crunchy bread. I had a salad on the side a little more dressing than I like but it was full of flavor. I would come back again. read more

Hide the Yucca fries!!! Omg, so delicious. Excellent fusion of Colombian and Cuban food. They brought the best of both together. They are only open through lunch, but after the generous portions they serve, you may not want to think about dinner, lol. read more

See all

Another great restaurant that has positioned itself closer to my Nob Hill reach. Parking was an issue at the last location, and it was a bit far too walk most days. Amazing sandwiches. Cubano is legit, and I have eaten them in Miami. They have tasty non alcoholic beverages too. On the menu there is a 12$ lunch special which changes daily. We came just after they stopped serving it. We will have to go back to try it. It includes a drink. Punch card for sandwiches. Buy 10 get 1 free, and they are delicious! Yucca fries were cold, but still good. I do prefer them hot though! They are figuring out their hours, right now. I told them the what nights were busy in the Nob. in the hope of late night availability. They used to be just open for lunch, that was another issue with us getting our sandwich on more regularly. Get the cubano, you won't be disappointed! read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Cubano - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

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, cafe 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! read more

I cannot say enough how much I love this restaurant. Their yucca fries are amazing and their gf arepas are phenomenal. Have never been disappointed. read more

I can't believe I haven't written a review about this glorious testament to restaurants that are small and family owned. Guava Tree Cafe 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 Cafe 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 Cafe 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. read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Poletero...! - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

See all

If you've never eaten a sandwich in an arepa (a sweet corn pupusa like bun) I feel sorry for you. If you're gluten free that goes double. You should feel ashamed for this gross oversight. The food here is delicious. Our arepa sandwiches (both meat and vegetarian) were flavorful and moist and the turkey sandwich was promptly devoured by our next of kin. The atmosphere is simple and non pretentious. I just wish we lived in Albuquerque or we'd be here weekly at least. read more

I gotta echo my man Howie K. with his sentiments on panini sandwiches. They ARE kinda cheap........... Guava Tree Cafe 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 Cafe is a good option. I probably won't be running back anytime soon. read more

We're visiting from out of town and for our first meal in Albuquerque we wanted something fun. The food we got was delicious, we especially loved the sandwiches and the roasted plantains on the plate. Definitely would recommend, the only part to be desired was the cleanliness. When we arrived there were a few messy tables but other than that, great spot read more

See all

These people and this food! Now in their new Tin Can Alley location. Friendly and helpful staff, tasty and unique menu and efficient with wait time. Let's support local. They are our Albuquerque! read more

excellent arepas! would definitely come again. very happy to have stumbled upon this place. no frills, very casual.

Awesome Cuban sandwiches! Minus a star for slow and non-attentive service. read more

Guava Tree Cafe - Latin American Near Me - Albuquerque, New Mexico

I had been seeing this place constantly being recommend on Yelp. On a Saturday mid morning my boyfriend and I decided to make a day date and come here. I was almost moved to tears because their food reminded me of Puerto Rico I was given the great opportunity to help out after Hurricane Maria, the people of PR were so welcoming and thankful that majority of the time they would feed us w/what very minimal they had. I loved getting to relive the experience and beautiful memories through the flavors of the food! The arepas were mouthwatering and burst w/every spice and seasoning. This area is tucked away in Nob Hill but a treasure once you find it! read more