40 editor picks in El Paso.
40 mid-range places in El Paso, editor-picked. the comfortable everyday-good restaurants in El Paso, with real cooking and no surprise on the bill. All El Paso food.
L and J Cafe in El Paso, open since 1927, is the city's oldest Mexican restaurant, serving red enchiladas and house-made salsa from its East Missouri.
OrderRed enchiladas with chile de arbol salsa, or the green chile relleno
TipArrive before noon on weekends; the lunch crowd fills every table by 12:30.
ELEMI on Eastlake Boulevard in east El Paso is the James Beard semifinalist taqueria of chef Emiliano Marentes, built around daily-ground heirloom corn.
OrderHandmade corn tortilla tacos made from daily-ground heirloom masa
TipWalk-ins welcome; parties over 10 call ahead. Worth the 20-minute drive from downtown.
ELEMI is the James Beard Award semifinalist restaurant of chef Emiliano Marentes in east El Paso, centred on daily-ground heirloom corn masa and craft.
OrderChef's selection of masa-based dishes with heirloom corn tortillas, or the braised short rib taco
TipWalk-ins welcome but dinner can fill on weekends; arrive at 17:00 for best selection.
ELEMI on Eastlake Boulevard is El Paso's most significant restaurant in terms of national recognition, yet most visitors skip it because it sits 20.
OrderChef's daily selection of heirloom corn masa dishes
TipWorth every minute of the drive. Take a rideshare from downtown; parking is easy but the return trip is easier via app.
Kiki's on North Piedras Street is El Paso's canonical machaca address: braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch green chile since the 1970s.
OrderBrisket machaca with eggs and green chile
TipClosed Tuesdays; the green chile comes from the Hatch Valley and changes seasonally.
Kiki's Mexican Restaurant on North Piedras Street is the definitive machaca destination in El Paso, serving braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch.
OrderBrisket machaca with scrambled eggs and green chile
TipClosed Tuesdays. The green chile content changes by season; August through November is prime.
The Garrison on West Mills Avenue serves craft cocktails and curated spirits in a low-lit wood-panelled space, the go-to for serious cocktail drinkers.
OrderMezcal Negroni or the house Old Fashioned with Texas whiskey
TipThe mezcal and whiskey lists are the strongest; ask the bartender for a build-your-own Old Fashioned selection.
The Garrison on West Mills Avenue is downtown El Paso's best late-night cocktail bar, with craft drinks until 01:00 weekdays and 02:00 on weekends.
OrderTexas whiskey sour or mezcal Negroni
TipFills quickly after midnight on Friday and Saturday; arrive by 23:00 to get bar seats.
Kiki's Mexican Restaurant on North Piedras Street is the local benchmark for machaca brunch: braised brisket shredded and scrambled with eggs, Hatch green.
OrderBrisket machaca with eggs and green chile, or huevos rancheros
TipNo reservations; arrive at 10:30 when they open to avoid the 30-minute weekend wait.
Salt and Honey Bakery Cafe on North Oregon Street bakes scones, croissants, and seasonal celebration cakes daily, changing the pastry case each morning.
OrderBlueberry scone or the seasonal layer cake slice
TipThe pastry case changes daily; Tuesday is the best day for the full cake rotation.
Salt and Honey Bakery Cafe on North Oregon Street serves all-day breakfast with house pastries, specialty lattes, braised brisket tacos, seasonal hot dishes.
OrderBraised brisket breakfast tacos or the latte with house pastry
TipCloses at 15:00; the brisket breakfast taco is the signature morning order.
The Tiki Room on North Oregon Street serves an extensive rum and tropical cocktail menu in a tiki-themed bar with bamboo walls and vintage decor downtown.
OrderHouse rum cocktail or the Zombie with aged rum
TipThe Zombie is limited to two per customer; the house rum list covers over 40 bottles.
DeadBeach Brewery on Durazno Avenue produces Mexican-influenced lagers, IPAs, and stouts with seasonal releases; El Paso's flagship craft brewer since 2024.
OrderEl Paso Lager or the Desert Prickly Pear seasonal
TipThe prickly pear seasonal is only available August through October. The taproom fills on Friday evenings from 18:00.
The Tiki Room on North Oregon Street is El Paso's most distinctive late-night bar, with a full rum and tropical cocktail menu in a tiki-themed interior.
OrderRum cocktail or the Zombie with aged rum
TipThe two-drink Zombie limit is enforced; order the less potent rum punch for sustained evening drinking.
Salt and Honey Bakery Cafe on North Oregon Street is El Paso's best contemporary brunch spot, with braised brisket tacos, ricotta pancakes, house pastries.
OrderBraised brisket breakfast taco or the lemon ricotta pancakes
TipSaturday fills to capacity by 10:00; arrive at opening or expect a wait.
Casa Cafetzin on North Mesa Street sources beans directly from Oaxacan and Chiapan cooperatives, roasting to order and serving traditional Mexican coffee.
OrderOaxacan drip coffee with piloncillo
TipThe bean cooperative story is told on a chalkboard at the counter; ask about current origin partnerships.
INTL on West Mills Avenue in downtown El Paso is a rooftop bar with Franklin Mountain views, serving margaritas, beers, and cocktails from a terrace above.
OrderHouse margarita on the rooftop with views of the Franklin Mountains
TipThe sunset view from the rooftop is the best in downtown; arrive by 19:00 in summer before the terrace fills.
DeadBeach Brewery taproom on Durazno Avenue pours 20-plus house beers from lagered to barrel-aged, the heart of El Paso's craft beer scene since 2024.
OrderEl Paso Lager or the Desert Prickly Pear seasonal
TipThe prickly pear seasonal is only available August through October; ask if still on tap.
INTL rooftop bar on West Mills Avenue provides the best after-dark downtown views with Franklin Mountain lights and margaritas served until 02:00 weekends.
OrderHouse margarita on the rooftop
TipThe rooftop closes when it fills; arrive by 22:00 on Saturdays to secure outdoor seating.
Lamezze on North Stanton Street in downtown El Paso serves Mediterranean mezze, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and falafel in a bright space blending Levantine.
OrderHummus with warm pita, charcoal-grilled kebabs, or the falafel plate
TipGood vegetarian options; opens early so it also works for breakfast mezze before museum visits.
Mariscos Los Mariachis on Alameda Avenue serves Mexican seafood with tableside salsa, fish tacos, shrimp cocktails, and fried octopus in a casual room.
OrderShrimp tacos with tableside salsa or the fried octopus
TipClosed Mondays; the fried octopus and shrimp cocktail are the boldest orders.
Mariscos Los Mariachis on Alameda serves Mexican-style seafood with tableside salsa, shrimp cocktails, fish tacos, and fried octopus in a bright room.
OrderShrimp tacos with tableside salsa verde, or the campechana cocktail
TipAsk for the tableside salsa preparation; the green version with tomatillo is the best match for fish tacos.
Lamezze on North Stanton Street in downtown El Paso serves mezze, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and falafel with a bright Levantine-Borderplex aesthetic, open.
OrderHummus with warm pita and charcoal kebabs
TipGood vegetarian spread at brunch; the falafel plate with tahini and pickled vegetables is the best plant-based order.
District Coffee on Montana Avenue is El Paso's specialty coffee standout, sourcing rotating single-origin beans and serving careful pour-overs, flat.
OrderSingle-origin pour-over or the seasonal oat milk latte
TipThe pour-over menu rotates monthly by origin; ask the barista for the current tasting notes.
Casa Cafetzin on North Mesa Street serves traditional Mexican coffee preparations including piloncillo latte and champurrado (chocolate-corn drink).
OrderPiloncillo latte or champurrado with churro
TipThe champurrado is a thick corn-chocolate drink; pair with the cinnamon churro for the full morning ritual.
2Ten Coffee Roasters on West Mills Avenue roasts small-batch Latin American single-origins on-site; pour-over, espresso, cold brew served in a creative space.
OrderHouse-roasted pour-over or the espresso tonic
TipThe roasting schedule changes weekly; ask at the counter what was roasted that morning.
Old Sheepdog Brewery on North Oregon Street in Kern Place produces sour ales, wheat beers, and German-inspired styles in a dog-friendly taproom.
OrderGose or the German-style hefeweizen
TipDog-friendly taproom; the gose is the local favourite. Saturday taproom tours run at 14:00.
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.
OrderGose or the tart wheat beer seasonal
TipDog-friendly taproom; the least crowded on weekday afternoons when the quality-to-crowd ratio is at its best.
Gom Ramen on Hunter Drive is El Paso's most-noted ramen shop, serving rich broths and carefully balanced bowls that stand out in a city where Mexican.
OrderTonkotsu ramen with marinated soft-boiled egg
TipClosed Mondays; the tonkotsu is the richest bowl; choose your spice level at the counter.
The Hoppy Monk on North Mesa Street is El Paso's leading gastropub with a curated craft beer list, whiskey wall, Tex-Mex bar snacks; good pint atmosphere.
OrderCraft beer selection with a burger or Tex-Mex bar snacks
Tip21-plus after 19:00; the bottle list includes Texas and regional craft beers not found elsewhere.
Gom Ramen on Hunter Drive is El Paso's leading ramen specialist, offering rich tonkotsu, shoyu, and vegetarian broths in a city where the noodle shop.
OrderTonkotsu ramen with soft-boiled egg and chashu pork
TipClosed Mondays; the miso ramen with corn is the best vegetarian option.
The Hoppy Monk on North Mesa Street is El Paso's leading gastropub, with a rotating craft beer list, whiskey wall, and bar food for all-evening grazing.
OrderCheese board with a regional craft beer flight, or the green chile burger
Tip21-plus after 19:00. Sunday opens at 11:00 for early-afternoon pints.
2Ten Coffee Roasters on West Mills Avenue roasts in-house and serves espresso plus filter coffee in a creative downtown space popular with creatives.
OrderHouse-roasted espresso or the cold brew with cream
TipThe house cold brew is made in 24-hour batches and available only until stock runs out.
BLDG 6 Coffee on James Watt Drive in east El Paso serves light-roast Ethiopian natural-process and Colombian washed coffees in a minimal specialty space.
OrderEthiopian natural process pour-over or the vanilla cold foam latte
TipThe cold brew nitro tap is available Friday through Sunday; the best afternoon drink on the east side.
The Hoppy Monk on North Mesa Street is El Paso's best craft beer bar, with 30-plus taps focused on Texas and regional craft breweries, plus a bottle list.
OrderTexas craft beer flight or a rare bottle from the wall list
Tip21-plus after 19:00. The rare bottle list behind the bar is not on the menu; ask for it.
Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's on Magruder Street serves classic El Paso Mexican with chimichangas, enchiladas, and prickly pear margaritas in a room.
OrderPrickly pear margarita with green chile enchiladas or chimichangas
TipThe prickly pear margarita is the local signature drink at this address.
Crave Kitchen and Bar on Cincinnati Avenue runs all-day from breakfast through dinner, serving New American plates with a Southwest accent across multiple.
OrderBraised brisket tacos or the Crave burger with green chile
TipMultiple locations city-wide; the Downtown Cincinnati Avenue spot is closest to hotels.
Crave Kitchen on Cincinnati Avenue runs breakfast through dinner daily, serving New American plates with a Southwest green chile accent at all-day hours.
OrderGreen chile burger or breakfast tacos
TipAll-day menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options; the most convenient downtown spot for hotel guests.
Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's on Magruder Street serves classic El Paso Mexican: generous chimichanga plates, prickly pear margaritas, borderland decor.
OrderChimichangas or prickly pear margarita with green chile enchiladas
TipThe prickly pear margarita is the house signature; ask for it on the rocks, not blended.
Aurellia's Brewery on North Resler Drive is a community taproom with rotating small-batch releases, known for giving local El Paso beers a platform.
OrderCurrent rotating IPA or the session pale ale
TipRotating taps change weekly; check their social media for the current pour list before visiting.
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