Shark Reef Cafe

Dine next to five species of sharks, three species of turtles, rays, a porcupine puffer fish and more at the Shark Reef Cafe. The 285,000 gallon tank connects the Cafe to the Albuquerque Aquarium and is the high point of both locations.

The Shark Reef Cafe, which can be enjoyed without paying admission to the Aquarium, has seats immediately next to the tank. Diners can enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere with meals prepared primarily with locally grown food while watching the sand tiger sharks with their teeth barred, or the hawksbill turtle as it navigates through the reef.

"My favorite one is the puffer fish, Petunia" server Daniel Hodges said. "She's so ugly, she's cute. If you wear a red shirt and sit by the glass, she will come by to say 'Hi.'"

Hodges, who studied oceanography in California, often takes the time to educate the diners about the fish. At this point, Petunia is so old that it is dangerous for her to puff up, he said. The poison will go inward and is dangerous for her now. The aquarium put her in the big tank because that is where she is the calmest and least likely to puff up.

The lager head sea turtle, with only one eye, is about 120 years old, he said. She is so big that it takes three people to lift her out of the water.

Diners can watch as the big fish are fed at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The turtles and smaller fish are fed between 2 and 3 p.m. while the divers are in the tank. Hodges recommends coming while the divers are in the tank because the restaurant is slow and the tables next to the tank are normally available.

As for the food, breakfast is served all day and the restaurant is striving to use as many local products as possible. They have even begun growing food in the Heritage Farm section of the Rio Grande Botanic Garden next door to the Aquarium to use in the restaurant. Everything from herbs to apples will be provided by the farm. Currently the eggs used in the restaurant are fresh from the farm.

HelloAlbuquerque Tip: The house favorite is the Turkey New Mexican sandwich ($8.75) with sliced turkey, green chili, guacamole, Jack and Cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomatoes served on a grilled sourdough or tortilla.

- by Julie Medina, Albuquerque Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Julie Medina

Julie Medina has experience as a reporter at the Albuquerque Journal and has written freelance articles for the Albuquerque Tribune, Albuquerque the Magazine, New Mexico Magazine and New Mexico Kids Magazine. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico in 2008. She has lived in Albuquerque since 1984 and believes it is best to remember to play like a tourist in your own hometown so you don't forget the vast culture around you.