This is not your typical restaurant experience! This is an escape for great food, lively conversations with new people and fun music! Thank you Ben for sharing some history and stories, fabulous food and drinks and the blues serenade (that was much needed as we had just dropped off a son at college). I would call this a hangout. The best kind.

I hadn’t been back in over 10 years, but sought out Ben Michael’s for dinner tonight. This quirky spot serves great food that depends on what the chef has on hand that day; tonight no filet mignon, but a great organic red soup from his garden (the beets colored everything else in the mix, lol). He greeted each guest personally before taking their orders, cooking everything, then sitting at the piano for a couple Beatles tunes and some wise words on eating healthy. I’ll definitely be back sooner next time.

Listen man. The food was outstanding, but the company was even better. The guy who owns the place was the only one running the show, while he entertained and played PIANO?! We walked in here because it was one of the only places open after 9 and now we have to go back. We met some locals that treated us like family and the conversations with Ben Michael will be highlights of our trip. LC

Excellent homemade, individually prepared food; small daily menu of what is fresh. Private venue, casual. Interesting and welcoming owner/chef who played incredible Blues in the piano. Near Old Town. We will return. One-of-a-kind. Cash only.

I went here to meet up with one of my good friends that I don’t get to see very often. There were no signs on the door or in the restaurant that say it is a CASH ONLY establishment. I give them that it is in small print on the top of the menu. The owner did not remind us of this, as most cash-only businesses do. If he had, we would have come back another time with cash in hand. But he did not, and I was forced to drive home and get cash. (I did not have a debit card for the ATM.) It took 30 min out of my night with my friend and forced me to use gas at a time when gas is over $4.50 a gallon. If we had been given the courtesy of being warned of their policy they would have repeat customers. On another note, the chips and salsa are not free. They ask you if you want them before they give you a menu. This item is like bread at an Italian restaurant. It is almost always free in New Mexico. Their chips and salsa are almost certainly store bought. The pork enchilada was a mix. The pork was good, and the squash was excellent. The red chile was very mild (Not a compliment in NM.) As a whole it was very greasy. Remember to bring cash and you might have a good time. There is better New Mexican food to be had in Albuquerque though.

If you are looking for an Applebees experience, disregard Ben Michael’s. IF on the other hand you love home cooking New Mexican food with an eccentric atmosphere and service, this place rocks. Great pork blue corn enchiladas, good selection of beer and tequila, owner chef is also the piano player! Nothing fancy. But if you like real experiences, This place is fun!

Geeze is that good! 😋 Beautiful salad w homegrown peaches, plums, cucumbers, red red tomatoes and pork enchiladas that makes one salivate. Very cool and talented owner/ chef! Even though we were stuffed we tried the flan w plum jam, soooo delectable. We finished everything and we weren't even that hungry when we came in.

What a find! We happened upon this amazing place after getting up and leaving another restaurant. We were walking around the front of the building when the owner came outside and snagged us! This is a small venue with about 15 tables and a piano. The menu is small, and every dish is made fresh. I can't say enough about the food quality, as it was exceptional yet fairly priced. The owner/chef/operator provided amazing service, as did the woman (presumably his other half) who was by his side. Between cooking and serving, there was piano playing. On the night we were there, two older couples were there celebrating the (young) ladies birthday. An impromptu piano song was made up on the spot in their honor, which they enjoyed immensely. Payment is cash/check only, but if you forget there is an atm directly across the street. I can't speak highly enough about this restaurant and will be back every time I am in town.

Having lunch here has been one of the most unique experiences I've had. The owner, cook, waiter, entertainer, Ben served my group lunch by giving us the days menu which depends on what he makes that day. He then cooks every dish by himself and then played the piano for us while we ate. There was only 1 flan left by that time, but we split it and it was great. He also told us that he made all the Adobe bricks himself which made up the restaurant. Truly an unusual but great find.

Very kind service from the Ben - it was our first time there and only after we left did we realize we were there outside of typical hours, but he cooked for us anyway, and man was it good! Everything from scratch and soul satisfying. Thank you!

This is the spot! Amazing food and amazing people. We felt immediately welcomed and enjoyed talking with and listening to the owner and the other patrons. Plus Ben exhibited his skill with piano while we were there! I hear that there are jam sessions on Tuesday nights. 10/10 recommend!

I was left speechless. The owner came over to greet us, and his shirt could have been a little cleaner and nicer. First impressions always matter. We saw a beautiful salad on the menu but not when we got there only Enchiladas. I had to make a quick trip to pick up my daughter. The dude stated "what you da shot caller!" I would go back but not with that attitude! The salsa had beer in it and I'm allergic! Sucked

Absolutely fabulous food. Ben served and cooked, chatted with us, and played some jazz piano! Jazz is Tuesday night, not Wednesday night as of November 2023. Also, the opening times in Apple maps are incorrect... this place is open for dinner!

I have been here a couple times. The food is great if you don’t mind a smaller menu. Anything that’s on the menu is good and pay attention to the specials. They are tasty and fresh. Lots of the ingredients come from the owners garden and other local producers. The service is great if you don’t mind some conversation with the Ben, the owner. The atmosphere is perfect if you like a little funk, some good music and friendly vibe. Stay away if you are super demanding and require a more structured place.

Dessert first--the homemade key lime pie is the best I've ever had, anywhere. All the food was wonderful, from the traditional New Mexican enchiladas to the shrimp special I had. Even better than the food is meeting Ben, the owner and host. His total engagement with every element of your eating experience is unique, from his having hand-made the adobes and built the restaurant to his cooking and piano playing. It's really like going to a very talented friend's house; one who happens to be a spectacular cook!

Ben Michaels is very personable, a great cook and delicious margaritas! We enjoyed sitting at the bar and talking to him while he was cooking. We had vegetarian enchiladas with sweet squash in blue corn tortillas and red chili.

Ben Michael is an extremely kind and exuberant person! The food he makes is fresh, amazing, and a majority of it is organic, without the expected organic prices.

So cool. We just arrived in town looking for good food. Found B.M. on Google. Not what we expected at all…Hung out with a drink listening to the AMAZING jazz band and decided to give the food a-go. GOOD CHOICE. Cash only, patio only, order and pay on the spot, might of been because we were newcomers but no problem. Super!

Outstanding. Live at Ben Michaels. Special very delicious. Drinks strong!! Jazz jam nice. Owners very friendly and personable. Had a fun time.

This is not just a restaurant—it is an experience! The owner is friendly and passionate about the food and the dining experience. He also plays the piano along with the band. Ben has great stories and funny jokes. The food is excellent. The service is great. The menu items are all made in-house. I will eat here every time I am in town!

Our family’s favorite restaurant. We love Ben Michael - the owner/host/chef/server. He treats everyone like familia. Be prepared to stay awhile. This is not fast food if you get talking or the music starts! Always fresh, delicious, and entertaining. The new shrimp dish is out of this world!

I’m a lifelong NM resident and son of Albuquerque and I regret not eating at Ben Michael’s earlier. The restaurant was nearly as open and welcoming as our hosts. The menu was simple and delicious. The service was on spot and genuine. My visiting family were treated to blues piano by Ben and given a night to remember. Thank you and please give Ben Michael’s a try and be prepared for a warm atmosphere and hot chile.