At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, Sandia Peak has a way of taking your breath away—both from the thin mountain air and the sweeping panoramic mountainous desert views. And now there’s dining at the top of the peak, too.
Ten 3 is a new restaurant that’s accessible by two ways: driving up to a parking stop then hiking about 1.5 miles, or—the more leisurely, scenic route—riding the Sandia Peak Tramway. Purchase your tram tickets ahead of time and step inside the glass car for a 15-minute ascent gliding over deep canyons and jagged rock faces, with the city shrinking farther away until the summit appears.
By day, Ten 3’s menu is relaxed with approachable plates like green chile pork stew, burgers and fresh salads. As the sun sets, the restaurant shifts into fine dining with a formal dress code, candles lighting the room and a regionally flavored menu, from mesquite-grilled ribeye served with chimichurri to pan-seared trout with citrus beurre blanc. Linger over dinner with mindfully paired wines and cocktails and watch Albuquerque’s city lights flicker far below. A reservation secures your table, but it’s the mountain that makes the memory.
To learn more about Ten 3 and purchasing tram tickets, head to ten3tram.com. To plan your trip to Albuquerque, head to visitalbuquerque.org.