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.
Modern Mexican$$$Five PointsTue-Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-23:00; Sun 16:00-21:00
Casa Pantera on Pershing Drive serves wood-fired contemporary Mexican in Five Points with premium beef and Oaxacan technique in an open grill kitchen.
Order: Mesquite-grilled octopus or the tomahawk steak with agave-morita chile glaze
Tip: Reserve online; the outdoor kitchen seating fills first on weekend evenings.
New American$$$DowntownMon-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri 11:00-23:00; Sat 10:30-23:00; Sun closed
Cafe Central at 109 N Oregon St in downtown El Paso has operated since 1918 and holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, blending contemporary American.
Order: Miso Chilean sea bass or the grilled Angus tenderloin
Tip: Bar stays open until 02:00 on weekdays; dress code is business casual for dinner.