Mexican$Kern PlaceMon-Sat 10:00-21:00
Su-Casa Restaurant on Yandell Drive is a neighbourhood Mexican staple, serving gordita plates, enchiladas, and tacos at everyday prices in a low-key local.
Order: Gordita plate with beans and rice, or green chile enchiladas
Tip: Consistent neighbourhood kitchen; generous portions and cash is preferred.
Cocktail bar$$$DowntownMon-Thu 14:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 13:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-18:00
EP Tasting Room on West Mills Avenue inside the Lucchese Bootmaker store offers 60 to 90 minute premium tequila flight experiences in an intimate.
Order: A curated tequila flight exploring Borderplex terroir expressions
Tip: Reservations recommended for the guided flight experience; walk-ins for the bar seats.
Mexican$$Five PointsMon-Fri 10:00-20:00; Sat 09:00-20:00; Sun 09:00-17:00
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.
Order: Red enchiladas with chile de arbol salsa, or the green chile relleno
Tip: Arrive before noon on weekends; the lunch crowd fills every table by 12:30.
Mexican$$Five PointsMon 10:30-21:00; Tue closed; Wed-Sun 10:30-21:00
Kiki's on North Piedras Street is El Paso's canonical machaca address: braised brisket scrambled with eggs and Hatch green chile since the 1970s.
Order: Brisket machaca with eggs and green chile
Tip: Closed Tuesdays; the green chile comes from the Hatch Valley and changes seasonally.
Modern Mexican$$$DowntownSun-Wed 06:00-22:00; Thu-Sat 06:00-23:00
Ambar Restaurante at the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park in El Paso grills over open wood flames, holding over 1,100 agave spirits behind a two-story amber bar.
Order: Wood-grilled whole asado with handmade tortillas, or the fresh ceviche
Tip: Thursday 19:00-21:00 live jazz; Saturday and Sunday brunch with live music 11:00-14:00. Book via Resy.
American$$$DowntownBistro Mon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-23:00; Sun 11:00-20:00. Upstairs Mon-Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00
Anson 11 on North Oregon Street in downtown El Paso runs two dining rooms: a ground-floor bistro for casual meals, and an upstairs room for prime steaks.
Order: Prime ribeye upstairs, or the bistro cheeseburger at lunch
Tip: Book the upstairs via the website for dinner; the downstairs bistro takes walk-ins for lunch.