The story
Perched on the fifth floor of Hotel Chaco, Level 5 Rooftop Restaurant offers something Albuquerque does not have in abundance: open-air fine dining with a serious kitchen behind it. The setting alone — sky above, city below — sets a tone that the food is built to match.
Executive Chef Goran Basarov leads the kitchen with a clear point of view. As the restaurant puts it, dining at Level 5 is "a celebration of bold flavors, seasonal bounty, and the art of rooftop dining." His menu draws on regional, farm-to-table ingredients while reaching outward for global technique — the result is a vibrant, distinctly New Mexican cuisine that avoids the predictable without losing its sense of place.
The beverage program matches the ambition of the food. Wine Spectator recognized Level 5 with its Award of Excellence, a mark that reflects genuine depth and curation in the wine list — not merely a long menu. Cocktails and an in-room beverage offering round out a drinks program that takes its role seriously.
Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday mornings, while dinner is served daily. The format is flexible enough for a relaxed weekend meal or a considered evening out. The restaurant has also hosted special occasion menus — a sign of a kitchen comfortable working at different registers.
For anyone seeking New Mexican cuisine served with care, an elevated setting, and a wine program that has earned national attention, Level 5 makes a compelling case for the fifth floor.
Recognition
Ambience
Location