The votes are in, and we’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 ABQ Moms’ Choice Awards! Our readers have spoken, celebrating their favorite local businesses, services, and spots that make life in the Albuquerque area so great. From beloved restaurants and family-friendly attractions to trusted professionals and hidden gems, this year’s winners represent the best our community has to offer. Thank you to everyone who nominated, voted, and supported this effort to highlight the businesses that make Albuquerque such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Now, without further ado, here are your winners!
Food & Dining
Best Allergy-Friendly Restaurant
Winner: Flying Star Café
Top 5:
Hannah & Nate’s
Grassburger
Sunnyside Up Breakfast & Lunch Cafe
La Finca Bowls
Bike In Coffee
Best Meal Deal
Winner: Golden Pride
Top 5:
Christy Mae’s
Tomasita’s
The Sandwich Company
NO COMPETITION: supercharged bistro
Best Bakery
Winner: ABC Cake Shop & Bakery
Top 5:
Flying Star Cafe
Burque Bakehouse
Coda Bakery
Sergio’s Bakery & Cafe
Los Ranchos Bakery
Best Boba Tea Shop
Winner: Boba Tea Company
Top 5:
Starry Moon
Ma’s Tea House
Hi Boba
The Boba Lounge
The Sweet Cup
Best Breakfast Burrito
Winner: Golden Pride
Top 5:
Stripes Burrito Co.
New Mexico Beef Jerky Company
Blake’s Lotaburger
Frontier Restaurant
Weck’s
Best Brunch
Winner: Brekki Brekki
Top 5:
Hannah & Nate’s
The Grove Cafe & Market
Campo at Los Poblanos
Sunnyside Up Breakfast & Lunch Cafe
Flying Star Cafe
Best Cup of Coffee
Winner: Piñon Coffee House
Top 5:
Little Bear Coffee
Napoli Coffee
Cutbow Coffee
Whispering Bean Coffee Roasters
Castle Coffee
Best Foodtruck
Winner: Sanchez Tacos
Top 5:
With Love Waffles Food Truck & Catering
Umami Moto Food Truck
NM BBQ
Tantrum BBQ
Best Green Chile Cheeseburger
Winner: Laguna Burger
Top 5:
Sadie’s of New Mexico
5 Star Burger
Burger Boy
Smash Burger Joint
Monroe’s Restaurant
Best Pizza
Winner: Dion’s
Top 5:
Village Pizza
Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
Giovanni’s Pizzeria
Mario’s Pizza
THICC on the BLOCK
Best Frozen Treat
Winner: Mrs. Sprinkles Ice Cream
Top 5:
I Scream Ice Cream
Burque Licks
Frost Gelato
Sugar Bee’s Sweets
Pink Pony Soft Serve
Family Activities & Entertainment
Best Annual Pass
Winner: ABQ BioPark
Top 5:
Explora
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Jungle Jam
Albuquerque Museum
Best Indoor Play Place
Winner: Explora
Top 5:
Liv & Mimi’s Play Cafe
Jungle Jam
Elevate Trampoline Park
Electric Playhouse
We Rock the Spectrum
Best Museum
Winner: Explora
Top 5:
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum
National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Albuquerque Museum
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
A Park worth Traveling to
Winner: A Park Above
Top 5:
North Domingo Baca Park
Wells Park
Juan Tabo Hills Park
Hyde Park
Rotary Park
Best Place to Hear Live Music
Winner: Isleta Amphitheater
Top 5:
ABQ BioPark
Winrock Town Center
The Block
Canteen Brewhouse
Best Place to Spend a Rainy Day
Winner: Explora
Top 5:
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Stone Age Climbing Gym
Jungle Jam
Books on the Bosque
Electric Playhouse
Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests
Winner: Old Town Albuquerque
Top 5:
Sandia Peak Tramway
Meow Wolf
ABQ BioPark
Mrs. Sprinkles Ice Cream
Hot Tamales
Best Splash Pad
Winner: A Park Above
Top 5:
North Domingo Baca Spray Pad
Manzano Mesa Spray Park
Civic Plaza Splash Pad
Wells Park Spray Pad
Best Sporting Event
Winner: Albuquerque Isotopes
Top 5:
New Mexico United
UNM Lobos Basketball
New Mexico Ice Wolves
UNM Lobos Football
Best Storytime
Winner: Stories and Music in the Sky at the Balloon Museum
Top 5:
Books on the Bosque
Taylor Ranch Library
Loma Colorado Library
Tony Hillerman Library
Health & Wellness
Best Birthing Class
Winner: Lovelace Women’s Hospital
Top 5:
Presbyterian Hospital
New Life Birth Services
ABQ Doulas & Birth Services
41 Wellness
Best Chiropractor
Winner: Oasis Family Chiropractic
Top 5:
Healing Happens NM
Sol Chiropractic
Wishbone Chiropractic
Blue Sky Chiropractic
Dr. Michael Pridham
Best Doula
Winner: New Life Birth Services
Top 5:
UNM Health Birth Companion Program
41 Wellness
Jaelan Mincey
Maddie Foy
Best Lactation Consultant
Winner: Milk It 505 Lactation Services LLC
Top 5:
Lovelace Women’s Hospital Lactation Services
Presbyterian Lactation Clinic
New Life Birth Services
UNM Health Lactation Services
Interlude Lactation
Best Mental Health Provider
Winner: April Lewis-Ramirez
Top 5:
The Evolution Group
Gia Family Counseling
Catherine Warriner, LMFT | Acceptance Counseling
Leading Edge Therapy, Dr. Jamie Loor
Rae Yingling
Best Midwife
Winner: Dar a Luz Birth & Health Center
Top 5:
UNMH Midwifery
Alicia Smith, CNM
Erin Stopani, CNM
Anna Stryker, CNM
Amy MacLeod, CNM
Best OBGYN
Winner: Dr. Valeria Contreras
Top 5:
Dr. Molly Carroll
Dr. Joel Teicher
Dr. Seddah Moya
Dr. Sahar A. Chavez
Best Pelvic Health Specialist
Winner: Sacred Roots Pelvic Health and Physical Therapy
Top 5:
Balanced Physical Therapy
NM Pelvic Health Physical Therapy
Dr. Joel Teicher
Method Physical Therapy
Holistic Pelvic Health
Best Pediatrician
Winner: After Hours Pediatrics
Top 5:
Journey Pediatrics
Bebe Care Pediatrics
Monica Closner–Kozlowski, CNP
Dr. Jennifer Garcia, MD
Sara Rady, DO
Best Pediatric OT/PT
Winner: Sandia Sunrise Therapy
Top 5:
Kidpower Therapy Associates PC
Journey Pediatrics
ExplorAbilities
Smalltalk Speech Therapy
Indigo Therapy Services, Inc.
Best Pediatric Dentist
Winner: Smiles for Kids Dentistry
Top 5:
Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry
Happy Campers Pediatric Dentistry
Sandia Pediatric Dentistry
Route 66 Children’s Dentistry
Best Orthodontist
Winner: Albuquerque Modern Dentistry
Top 5:
Fanning Orthodontics
Success Smiles Orthodontics
Bear Canyon Oral and Facial Surgery
Mohr Orthodontics
Straightline Orthodontics
Best Gym or Workout Studio
Winner: Burn Boot Camp
Top 5:
Mindful Movement & Wellness
Impact Fitness Studio
Barre3
Gainz Fitness
Reincarnation Auto Body & Paint
Shopping & Services
Best Auto Repair Shop
Winner: Mango Automotive
Top 5:
The Masters Touch Automotive
Independent Vehicle Service
All in the Wrist
Shea’s Automotive
Reincarnation Inc. The Subaru Guys
Best Farmers Market
Winner: Rail Yards Market
Top 5:
Downtown Growers Market
Corrales Farmers Market
Los Ranchos Growers Market
La Familia Growers Market
Best Birth Photographers
Winner: Nicole Bridges Photography
Top 5:
Taylor Rayne Photography
Sarah Love Photography
Jacqueline Vega Photography
Molly Morgan Photography
41 Wellness
Best Newborn Photographer
Winner: Kate Buckles Photography
Top 5:
Nicole Bridges Photography
Melanie Knott Photography
DaniRae Photography
Deanne Nicole Photography
Best Family Photographer
Winner: Nicole Bridges Photography
Top 5:
Kate Buckles Photography
Wander and Bloom Photography
Taylor Rayne Photography
Jacqueline Vega Photography
K. Shine Photography
Best Hair Salon
Winner: Lavish Hair Lounge
Top 5:
Culture Club Salon
Blo Blow Dry Bar
Inspire
ABQ Beauty
Kidz Place Haircuts & More
Best Nail Salon
Winner: Princess Spa and Nails
Top 5:
Demi’s Nails
Golddust Nail Lounge
Sunflower Beauty Salon
Joy Spa & Nails
Red Carpet Nails & Spa
Best Spa
Winner: Betty’s Bath & Day Spa
Top 5:
Ten Thousand Waves
Isleta Resort & Casino
Green Reed Spa
Prickly Pear Skin
Kendra’s Paramedical Skin Care
Best Tattoo Shop
Winner: Urban Inkology Tattoo Studio
Top 5:
Tru Tattoo
Dark Mark Arts
Gallo Negro
Aces Tattoo
Rabbit Hole Tattoo
Best Kids Haircut
Winner: Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids
Top 5:
Kidz Place
Just for Looks
Shear Grace Hair Studio
Marz Babershop
Hair by Musti
Best House Cleaning Service
Winner: Sandia Green Clean
Top 5:
Mrs. Clean LLC
Home Clean Heroes of High Desert
Calidad Cleaning, LLC
Pristine Clean LLC
Adobe Cleaning Service
Best Pet Boarding
Winner: Canine Country Club & Feline Inn
Top 5:
Camp Bow Wow
K9 Resort
La Pawta Pet Resort
Premier Pets Playground and Grooming
Northview Animal Hospital
Best Pet Grooming
Winner: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Top 5:
Jack & Rascals
Arfin’ Annie’s Pet Salon
The Bark Factory
Premier Pets Playground
Children’s Entertainer/ Face Painter
Winner: Zia Face Paint
Top 5:
Andrea’s Face Painting
Facepainterina
Giggles the Clown
Bright Brush Face Painting
Binky the Clown
Best Gift Shop
Winner: Duran Central Pharmacy
Top 5:
Color Wheel Toys
Poulin Marketplace
FlickerMill Candles
Juxtaposed
Sarabande HOME
Best Thrift/Consignment Shop
Winner: Savers
Top 5:
Once Upon A Child
Animal Humane Thrift Store
Arc Thrift Stores
Plato’s Closet
Once Upon a Child
Best Plumber
Winner: TLC Plumbing Heating & Cooling
Top 5:
First Rate Plumbing Heating and Cooling
Rick’s Plumbing & Heating
Wagner Mechanical
Gustafson’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Custom Plumbing & Heating
Out on the Town
Best Brewery
Winner: Ex Novo Brewing Co.
Top 5:
Steel Bender Brewyard
Marble Brewery
Boxing Bear Brewing Co.
Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza
Rio Bravo Brewing Company
Best Date Night Spot
Winner: M’Tucci’s
Top 5:
Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort
Farm & Table
Vernon’s Speakeasy
Antiquity Restaurant
Mrs. Sprinkles
Best Ladies’ Night Out Spot
Winner: St. James Tearoom
Top 5:
Happy Accidents
Wild at Art
Vintage 423
Effex NightClub
Level 5 (Hotel Chaco)
Best Place for a Glass of Wine
Winner: Casa Rondeña Winery
Top 5:
M’Tucci’s Bar Roma
Gruet Winery
Noisy Water Winery
Sheehan Winery Tasting Room
Pasando Tiempo Winery
Best Patio
Winner: El Pinto Restaurant
Top 5:
Los Poblanos
Ex Novo Brewing Company
Level 5 Rooftop Bar
Flock of Moons Brewing Company
Rumor Brewing Company
Best Place to Watch the Game
Winner: Bubba’s 33
Top 5:
Sandia Casino Sportsbook
The Pit
Steel Bender Brewyard
Turtle Mountain Brewing Company
The Office Bar & Grill
Best Location for Family Photos
Winner: Rio Grande Open Space
Top 5:
Elena Gallegos Open Space
Jemez Mountains
Balloon Fiesta
Big Jim Farms
Old Town
Community Highlights
Best Instagram Personality
Winner: @mrssprinklesicecream
Top 5:
@_johnnyamerica
@johnnyjames
@alex.nicolette
@yochowda
@middle_manda
Top Local Celebrity
Winner: Holly Holm (UFC Fighter, Former Boxing & MMA Champion)
Top 5:
Amanda Chavez (owner of Mrs. Sprinkles Ice Cream)
Johnny James (Instagram Personality)
Danielle Todesco (KOB 4 News Anchor)
Jon Jones (UFC Fighter, Former Light Heavyweight Champion
Chezile (Singer-songwriter and producer)
Mom Making a Difference
Winner: Justine Baptiste (Founder of Liv & Mimi’s Play Café, Supporting Families & Children)
Top 5:
Amanda Chavez (Owner of Mrs. Sprinkles Ice Cream, Community Involvement)
April Lewis-Ramirez (Registered Play Therapist at A Bird’s Nest)
Mandy Howell Howard (Realtor for Real Broker LLC)
Dawnielle Rodriguez (Educator at Mission Avenue Elementary)
Stephanie Telles (City Councilor Representing District 1)
Best Preschool
Winner: Paradise Hills Community Preschool
Top 5:
First Foundations Preschool
Shining Stars Preschool
The Learning Experience
Montessori One Academy
Sunset Mesa School
Best Daycare
Winner: Paradise Hills Community Preschool
Top 5:
Shining Stars Preschool
Springstone Montessori School
Noahs Ark Children’s Academy
La Esperanza Child Development Center
Covenant Schools of Rio Rancho
Best Charter School
Winner: The Montessori Elementary
Top 5:
Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts
Explore Academy
Shining Stars Preschool
South Valley Academy
21st Century Public Academy
Best Private School
Winner: Hope Christian School
Top 5:
Albuquerque Academy
Bosque School
Sandia Preparatory School
Montessori ONE Academy
Manzano Day School
Kids Activities
Best Dance Studio
Winner: The Dancing Turtle
Top 5:
Dimensions School of Dance
Fishback Studio of the Dance
Corrales Dance Studio
Magnify Dance Center
Elite Dance and Theatre
Best Gymnastics Gym
Winner: SAGA Gymnastics
Top 5:
The Little Gym
G-Force Gymnastics Academy
Gold Cup Gymnastics
Albuquerque Gymnastics School (AGS)
Precision Gymnastics Academy
Best Theater Program
Winner: Albuquerque Little Theatre
Top 5:
New Mexico Young Actors
Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company
Musical Theatre Southwest
Heartstrings Theatre Company
Best Swim School
Winner: Fish Factory Swim School
Top 5:
SwimLabs Swim School
Green Feet Swimming
Jr. Lobo Swim Academy
Kay’s All Swim School
MAKO Aquatics Club
Best Martial Arts
Winner: Blackman’s Championship Martial Arts
Top 5:
Gracie Barra
Invictus Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai academy
Jackson Wink MMA Academy
Phoenix Martial Arts Academy
Rio Grande Shoshin Ryu
Best Music Class
Winner: Music in the Sky at The Balloon Museum
Top 5:
Roots & Wings Music School
Sagebrush Music Academy
Bounce N Boogie
NM School of Music
Rock 101
Best Art Class
Winner: Wild at Art
Top 5:
Albuquerque Museum
Kiln it Art Studio
Canvas and Coffee
Painted Iguana Art Studio
Brushfire Pottery Studio
Best STEAM Program
Winner: Explora
Top 5:
Stories and Music in the Sky
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails
Sol Forest School
R4Creating
ExplorAbilities
Best Sports League/ Team
Winner: Lil Kickers
Top 5:
i9 Sports
Guadalajara Soccer Club of New Mexico
AYSO Soccer
YMCA Central New Mexico
Zia Track Club
Best After-School Program
Winner: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico
Top 5:
Children’s Choice
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails
ExplorAbilities
Rio Grande Educational Collaborative
i9 Sports
Best Educational Experience for Kids
Winner: Explora
Top 5:
Bosque School’s Field and Community Science Program
Albuquerque School of Excellence
R4Creating
Mathnasium
Hey business owners, celebrate your win with official ABQ Moms’ Choice Awards stickers!
To help you showcase your achievement, we’re offering the opportunity to purchase official ABQ Moms’ Choice Awards stickers. Whether you place them on your storefront or marketing materials, these stickers are a great way to highlight your award and let customers know you’re a local favorite.
Winners – click here to place your order and proudly display your win!
Top 5 – click here to place your order and proudly display your win!
Want even more visibility?
Are you a winner or a Top 5 finalist, and want a display ad featured under your business name on this page?
→ Click here to submit your listing
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→ IG Story Graphics
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→ Moms’ Choice Award Graphics
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