Cocktail bar$$$DowntownMon-Thu 14:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 13:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-18:00
EP Tasting Room hides inside the Lucchese Bootmaker store on West Mills Avenue: walk through the boot shop and ask for the back room for a speakeasy tasting.
Order: Guided tequila or mezcal flight with food pairing
Why locals love it: Accessed only through the Lucchese Bootmaker store with no external signage; invisible from the street to first-time visitors
Tip: Walk through the boot store and ask at the back for the tasting room entrance. First-time visitors always miss it on the first pass.
American$$Kern PlaceMon-Thu 14:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-20:00
Old Sheepdog Brewery on North Oregon Street pours sour ales, wheat beers, German-influenced styles that are technically the best at their style in El Paso.
Order: Gose or the tart wheat beer seasonal
Why locals love it: Overshadowed by DeadBeach in press coverage; the sour and wheat beer programme is superior
Tip: Dog-friendly taproom; the least crowded on weekday afternoons when the quality-to-crowd ratio is at its best.
Mexican$DowntownMon-Fri 11:00-15:00; Sat 08:00-15:00
Cafe Mayapan at La Mujer Obrera community centre on Texas Avenue is El Paso's best-kept culinary secret, serving pre-Hispanic dishes including nopales.
Order: Nopales taco or tamales with atole on Saturday mornings
Why locals love it: Operated by a labour organisation, not promoted through restaurant channels; no signage visible from the street
Tip: Look for the La Mujer Obrera entrance on Texas Avenue; the cafe is inside the building. Saturday 08:00 for tamales and atole.
