Empire Board Game Library

Sun pours through the front windows by 9 a.m., and a steady murmur of conversation fills the room as the first plates of the morning hit the pass.

Set in Albuquerque, NM, Empire Board Game Library has carved out a corner of the city's weekend brunch scene with a personality of its own. The room comfortably seats a mix of solo diners working through a coffee and a newspaper, couples splitting a stack of pancakes, and friend groups settling in for a slow, three-hour Saturday.

Order the pancakes and you'll get a stack tall enough to make you reconsider lunch — fluffy, lightly tangy from buttermilk, and finished with a generous pour of warm maple syrup.

Menu highlights

Here is a snapshot of the kinds of brunch dishes you can expect to find on the menu at Empire Board Game Library. Specials rotate weekly with what's in season — check the chalkboard at the host stand when you arrive.

• Two eggs any style with thick-cut bacon and crispy hash
• Brioche French toast dusted with powdered sugar and seasonal berries
• Breakfast burrito with eggs, chorizo, beans, cheese, and salsa roja
• Veggie scramble with spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese
• Crab cake Benedict with old-bay hollandaise (regional specialty)
• Acai bowl with granola, banana, coconut, and honey drizzle
• House bloody mary with bacon, olives, and pickled vegetables
• Buttermilk pancakes with whipped butter and warm maple syrup

Service is friendly without being chatty, refills come without asking, and nobody rushes you out of your seat.

Their breakfast burrito is the kind of thing locals order with eyes still half closed — eggs, chorizo, a scrape of refried beans, melty cheese, and salsa with real heat.

Their breakfast cocktails are no joke. The bloody mary comes garnished with everything but the kitchen sink, and the bottomless mimosa option has a strict 90-minute window.

Like a lot of the best brunch spots in Albuquerque, Empire Board Game Library is at its most magical on weekend mornings, when the kitchen is firing on all burners and the room slowly fills with the kind of low, happy hum that only good food and unhurried company can produce. Whether you're a tourist with one weekend in town or a local with a Sunday ritual, this is a place that earns its reputation plate by plate.

Tips from the regulars

• Tip generously — the brunch shift is the toughest in any restaurant, and the staff here keeps it warm even at peak rush.
• Save room: the pastry case at the front is part of the experience.
• Best time to go: arrive before 9:30 a.m. on weekends to skip the worst of the wait at Empire Board Game Library.
• Best for: groups of 2 to 4 — larger parties may want to call ahead.
• Don't miss the daily-special chalkboard near the host stand — it changes weekly and tends to feature the kitchen's best ideas.

Hours

Frequently asked questions

What time does Empire Board Game Library open for brunch?

Posted hours are: Tu-Fr 12:00-23:00; Sa 11:00-24:00; Su 12:00-23:00; Mo closed. Hours can change on holidays — call ahead if you're traveling.

Does Empire Board Game Library take reservations?

Most brunch spots in Albuquerque are walk-in friendly, with a wait list during peak hours. Larger parties (5+) should call ahead to ask about a reservation.

Is Empire Board Game Library kid-friendly?

Yes — Empire Board Game Library welcomes families. Most brunch menus include simple kid-friendly options like pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. Highchairs are usually available.

What kind of cuisine does Empire Board Game Library serve?

It's classified under coffee_shop, sandwich — broadly an American-style brunch experience with regional touches you'd expect in Albuquerque.

Is there outdoor seating at Empire Board Game Library?

Outdoor seating is not always confirmed. We recommend calling ahead during nice weather.

Location

Located at 3503 Central Avenue Northeast. Coordinates: 35.0801, -106.6056. Use the address above with your preferred maps application for turn-by-turn directions.