Are you planning a long-awaited trip to El Paso and want to know all your spectacular dining options?
If you are, read through this list of the best restaurants in El Paso that I handpicked especially for you!
There are plenty of fantastic choices that await you, like fine dining spots, charming cafes, vibrant steakhouses, pubs with bustling bars, casual delis, budget-friendly diners, joints with internationally-inspired menus, and so much more.
Here, you can easily find a place to celebrate your special day, have an important business meeting, spend a casual meal with your companions, enjoy a romantic date with your partner, and the like.
Get ready for your food-filled vacation as you check out all the eateries below!
1. Taft Diaz
209 N Stanton St
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 271-3600
Taft Diaz is an elegant dining establishment located at the Stanton Hotel in the downtown neighborhood.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Taft Diaz is one of the best places to eat in El Paso, boasting a mouth-watering all-day menu, signature cocktails, and Mexican-inspired dishes.
This magnificent restaurant features a gorgeous interior with black and white decorations, accommodating servers, and a selection of decadent desserts.
What to Eat
Start your day with a gluten-free breakfast by ordering the Divorciados. It includes a quesadilla, eggs cooked to your taste, salsa verde, and beans.
Do you want to enjoy a poultry-based entree for dinner? Then, I suggest ordering the Happy Bird. It is a roasted half chicken served with charred broccolini and baked potatoes.
2. Zino’s Greek
7040 N Mesa St Ste H
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 584-8166
Zino’s Greek, located in a shopping mall, is officially known as Zino’s Greek & Mediterranean Cuisine.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Take a break from touring and have the best lunch in El Paso by dining with your travel buddies at Zino’s Greek.
Here, you can enjoy a myriad of delicious dishes, like handmade pasta, entrees of varying meats, vegetarian specialties, thick burgers, and kid-friendly food choices.
What to Eat
Order the Gyros to sample a best-selling sandwich. It is a pita bread filled with lamb, beef, onions, Romaine lettuce, and tomatoes with a tzatziki sauce topping.
Try a Greek classic by ordering the Moussaka with Athenian Side Salad. It consists of potatoes, ground beef, eggplants, a house-made Bechamel cheese sauce, and more.
3. L & J Cafe
3622 E Missouri Ave
El Paso, TX 79903
(915) 566-8418
The L & J Cafe is a local institution that opened in 1927 as Tony’s Place. It is a family-operated restaurant specializing in Mexican-style cuisine.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Make your way to one of the most famous El Paso eats, the L & J Cafe, to have a memorable dining experience with your companions.
It boasts catering services for every occasion, excellent serving, exquisite home-style cooking, large plates for groups or families, and a gift shop.
What to Eat
Enjoy a little bit of everything by ordering the Mexican Combination Plate. It comes with a Chile Relleno, meat taco, red cheese enchilada, shredded beef flauta, rice, guacamole, chile Verde con Carne, and your choice of tortilla.
The Guacamole Tacos are a superb choice if you follow a vegetarian diet. These are three crispy tacos topped with lettuce, onions, guacamole, tomatoes, and cheese, with a side of whole beans and rice.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park
4. Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant
2719 N Piedras St
El Paso, TX 79930
(915) 565-6713
Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant, which opened in 1976, is an old-school eatery specializing in Tex-Mex dishes.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Catch up with your family, partner, or friends at one of the best rated restaurants in El Paso, Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant.
It features an old-school ambiance, a vibrantly decorated interior, a welcoming vibe, friendly servers, and generous portions.
What to Eat
Order the Caldillo to try out a house specialty. It is a spicy stew with a house-made seasoning, beef, long green chile, and potatoes.
Try the Chicken Mole if you follow a white meat-based diet. It is a tender boneless chicken served with rice and beans.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hilton Garden Inn El Paso University
5. Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s
12111 Montwood Drive
El Paso, TX 79936
(915) 307-6886
Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s, nicknamed Carlos & Mickey’s, is a highly acclaimed Mexican restaurant.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Gather your travel buddies and spend quality time together while eating tasty food at one of the top El Paso restaurants, Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s.
It has so much to offer you, like lively music, oversized margaritas, a welcoming vibe, affordable rates, and an expansive menu of Tex-Mex fare.
What to Eat
Jump-start your taste buds with a yummy appetizer by sampling the Bandido Fries. These are homemade fries baked with cheese and topped with bacon bits, long green chile, sour cream, and chives.
I recommend the Carnitas Pork Tips to try a meaty entree. It is pieces of tender, lightly seasoned deep-fried pork with rice, charro beans, guacamole, salsa borracha, and green onions.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Tru By Hilton El Paso Northeast
6. Crave Kitchen and Bar
300 Cincinnati Ave
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 351-3677
The Crave Kitchen and Bar is a renowned bistro offering an all-day menu of American dishes.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Are you searching for casual spots to eat? Do you want to dine at a restaurant serving an impressive array of mouth-watering dishes? If so, there is no better place than the Crave Kitchen and Bar.
This outstanding eatery features a cozy setting, an aesthetically pleasing design with brick walls, and shareable plates for large groups.
What to Eat
When visiting during brunch time, I suggest sampling the Monte Cristo. It is a French toast topped with Swiss cheese, ham, and turkey served with strawberry preserves and whole grain mustard.
Are hamburgers your go-to comfort food? Then, I recommend the Crave Burger. It has a certified black Angus patty, a homemade Guinness steak sauce, grilled red onions, and cheddar.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection
7. The Hoppy Monk
4141 N Mesa St
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 307-3263
The Hoppy Monk, established in 2010, is a family-owned bar and grill that opened near several shops and hotels.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Consider the Happy Monk when looking for good restaurants in El Paso to have an unforgettable dining experience with your significant other or friends.
It features a lively space, at least 99 independent beer taps, a chef-driven menu, and indoor and outdoor dining areas.
What to Eat
Sample the Ribeye Sandwich to enjoy a juicy, meaty sandwich. It consists of 100% grass-fed ribeye, balsamic reduction, grilled red onions, provolone, and basil aioli.
Do you follow a strict vegan diet? If you do, I recommend the Cauliflower Wings. These are gochujang-battered cauliflowers with a spicy, sweet, and savory taste.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Stanton House El Paso
8. State Line Restaurant
1222 Sunland Park Dr
El Paso, TX 79922
(915) 581-3371
The State Line Restaurant, founded in 1977, is a well-loved barbecue dining establishment.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
This brilliant eatery is one of the best birthday restaurants in El Paso, offering private spaces for your intimate event, a professional coordinator ready to help you plan down to the last detail, a customizable menu, and tableware catering to your style.
It also features a patio for outdoor dining, old-timey Texas-themed decorations, the highest quality meats, and hand-crafted cocktails.
What to Eat
Have a filling, all-you-can-eat meal by trying out the Cadillac. It includes your choice of five types of meat, beans, coleslaw, potato salad, homemade bread, and house-made ice cream.
If you prefer white meat, opt for the Smoked Peppered Turkey. It is a sandwich with turkey, dill pickles, green leaf lettuce, and green onions served with coleslaw, beans, or salad.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott El Paso
9. Julio’s Mexican Food
7470 Cimarron Market Bllg 11 Ste 100
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 581-2242
Julio’s Mexican Food, which debuted in 1944, is a highly acclaimed restaurant serving authentic Mexican cuisine.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
This fabulous eatery is one of the most popular restaurants to try traditional dishes from Mexico with your companions.
It offers a casual setting with homey decor, exquisite margaritas, stylishly plated dishes, friendly staff, seasonal house specialties, and more.
What to Eat
Order the Steak Tampiquena to try a house favorite. It is a sirloin steak with a red cheese enchilada, guacamole, refried beans, and rajas.
End your meal with a delectable dessert, like the Crepes de Cajeta. These are thin crepes flamed with brandy or tequila, topped with a caramel drizzle and pecans.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Comfort Suites El Paso West
10. Cafe Central
109 N Oregon St
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 545-2233
Cafe Central, dating back to 1918, is an upscale restaurant located at the downtown 1 Texas Tower.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Go on an intimate date with your significant other while enjoying fine dining in El Paso at this elegant restaurant.
This award-winning eatery features a refined, Southwestern-accented dining area, excellent customer service, an impressive selection of fine wine, a full-service bar, and well-presented dishes.
What to Eat
Order the Petit Iceberg Wheel to start your meal with a delicious salad. It consists of crispy pork belly, shaved radish, Roquefort dressing, tomato confit, and pickled red onions.
The Scottish Salmon is a must-try for seafood lovers. It has an orange caper Beurre blanc, black garlic risotto, and fermented carrots.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Aloft El Paso Downtown
11. Leo’s Mexican Food
7520 Remcon Cir
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 833-1189
Leo’s Mexican Food is a family-run dining establishment that opened its doors to the public in 1977.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Leo’s Mexican Food is a superb option when searching for local restaurants to satisfy your cravings for traditional Mexican cuisine.
It boasts a family-friendly atmosphere, a selection of weekday specials, a full-service bar, and mouth-watering dishes prepared from scratch.
What to Eat
Order the Flautas to try a classic from Mexico. These are three crispy corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken or beef, served with Spanish rice, refried beans, and your choice of topping.
Having a hard time deciding which dish to choose? Then, I suggest Leo’s Super Combo. It includes a cheese enchilada, a ground beef taco, pork tamale, Spanish rice, cheese chile relleno, guacamole, chile Verde con Carne, and refried beans.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: SpringHill Suites by Marriott El Paso
Related: Best Things to Do in El Paso
12. Tacos Chinampa
7500 N Mesa St #302
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 581-6157
Tacos Chinampa is an authentic Mexican restaurant sitting just a few minutes away from various superb shopping centers.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Consider dining at Tacos Chinampa if you’re looking for where to eat in El Paso to try all sorts of yummy favorites from Mexico.
Here, you can try delectable salads, flavorful tacos, refreshing beer, seafood dishes, scrumptious sides, and tons more.
What to Eat
Order the Tampiqueña to try a savory dish. These are beef fajitas with onions, chili, grated cheese, and tomatoes, with a side of beans, rice, and salad.
Enjoy a hearty soup by sampling the Tortilla Soup. It is a chipotle chicken broth served with cheese, tortilla strips, and avocados.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holiday Inn Express – El Paso – Sunland Park Area, an IHG Hotel
13. Café Mayapán
2000 Texas Ave
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 217-1126
Café Mayapán, founded in 2001, is a well-known restaurant and cafe specializing in Mexican fare.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Are you a foodie looking for spectacular eateries to try delicious authentic dishes from Mexico? If you are, consider dining at Café Mayapán.
It features a charming interior with colorful decor, budget-friendly prices, catering services, family packs for groups, and an all-day menu.
What to Eat
Start your day with a tasty breakfast by ordering the Huevo con Chorizo. It consists of scrambled eggs and your choice of homemade pork or soy chorizo.
Try the Albondigas al Chipotle to sample a house specialty. These are turkey meatballs with a chipotle sauce, served with rice, vegetable soup, or beans.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Courtyard By Marriott El Paso Downtown/Convention Center
Related: Things to Do in El Paso with Kids
14. Cattleman’s Steakhouse
3450 S Fabens Carlsbad Rd
Fabens, TX 79838
(915) 544-3200
Cattleman’s Steakhouse, which opened in May 1973, is a renowned Texan chophouse on a working ranch.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Are you looking for restaurants near you to satisfy your meat-loving appetite? If so, consider dining at Cattleman’s Steakhouse.
This outstanding restaurant offers the ultimate Western-style dining experience, featuring a cowboy theme and a vast menu of high-quality steaks.
What to Eat
Enjoy a local favorite by sampling The Cowboy. It is a 2lbs porterhouse T-bone steak, served with your choice of corn-on-the-cob, baked potato, or rice.
Satisfy your sweet tooth by ordering the Queen of Sheba. It is a house-made dessert with chocolate wafers and heavy whipping cream.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western East El Paso Inn
15. Ripe Eatery
910 E Redd Rd
El Paso, TX 79912
(915) 584-7473
The Ripe Eatery is a family-style restaurant established in 2010 at the Reddwind Village, a business center.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Bond with your loved ones while tasting some of the best food in El Paso by dining at the Ripe Eatery.
It is a hip dining establishment offering a laid-back setting, craft beers on tap, an extensive menu of New American cuisine, and kid-friendly food options for your little ones.
What to Eat
Are hamburgers one of your favorite foods? If they are, try the Bacon Toreado. It consists of applewood smoked bacon, melted pepper jack cheese, creamy avocado, mixed greens, sauteed toreado, herb-garlic spread, a homemade tomato jam, and a toast brioche bun.
I suggest the Pecan Crusted Salmon if you follow a white meat-based diet. It is an oven-roasted salmon encrusted in pecans, served on a couscous risotto with pesto, parmesan, artichokes, goat cheese, tomatoes, roasted fennel, and spinach.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso West
Related: Best Hotels in El Paso
16. Ardovino’s Desert Crossing
1 Ardovino’s Dr
Sunland Park, NM 88063
(575) 589-0653
Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, commonly known as ADC, is an Italian restaurant founded in 1997.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
End a fun-filled day of sightseeing by having a terrific meal at one of the best dinner places in El Paso, Ardovino’s Desert Crossing.
This old-school eatery boasts a lively atmosphere, indoor and outdoor sitting areas, banquet facilities for intimate events, and Italian-inspired dishes made from organically-grown ingredients.
What to Eat
Do you want to order the perfect dish for sharing? If you do, try the Full House Pizza. It has various toppings, like mushrooms, marinara sauce, sausages, mozzarella, NM green chile, and pepperoni.
Opt for the Butternut Squash Risotto if you are on a meat-free diet. It consists of seared local black pearl mushrooms, seasonal vegetables, and parsley oil.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: The Hotel at Sunland Park Casino El Paso, Ascend Hotel Collection
17. West Texas Chophouse
1135 Airway Blvd Suite 7B
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 775-2467
The West Texas Chophouse is a renowned modern steakhouse boasting premium dry-aged steaks.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
The West Texas Chophouse is one of the coolest restaurants in the city, featuring contemporary decorations, prime meats, and a bustling bar offering an array of alcoholic concoctions.
Enjoy a delightful culinary experience as you try flavor-rich salads, delectable appetizers, the juiciest burgers, decadent sweets, and so much more.
What to Eat
Order the Tomahawk Pork Chop to try a premium-quality steak. It comes with crispy onion rings and a bed of chipotle mashed potatoes.
The Asadero Green Chili Burger is a must-try if you want to enjoy a chef’s favorite. It has 1/2lbs of premium ground beef or chicken, asadero cheese, green chiles, and house-made bacon mayo.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holiday Inn El Paso Airport, an IHG Hotel
18. El Taquito
1422 Airway Blvd
El Paso, TX 79925
(915) 778-7170
El Taquito is a charming Mexican restaurant popular for its affordable prices and easy accessibility.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Enjoy a casual lunch while catching up and snacking on good food with your travel buddies at this magnificent restaurant.
It has plenty to offer you, like homestyle Mexican staples, generous portions, a relaxed space, friendly servers, and more.
What to Eat
Try a filling savory burrito with a kick, like the Burrito Pura Carne All Meat. Some ingredients are marinated pork, chicken, grilled beef, Mexican sausages, potatoes, and more.
I recommend the Burrito Vegetariano if you are a vegetarian. It has guacamole, rice, cheese, onions, lettuce, cilantro, and so on.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn & Suites El Paso-Airport
19. Park Tavern
204 E Mills Ave
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 228-9050
Park Tavern, which opened in the spring of 2017, is a trendy dining establishment serving New American-style dishes.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Replenish your energy by dining at Park Tavern, one of the best restaurants downtown, with your significant other, loved ones, or friends.
It features a stylish interior with modern touches and an extensive menu of yummy dishes, creative cocktails, craft brews, and imported and domestic wines.
What to Eat
The Chicken Piccata is a must-try for pasta lovers. It is angel hair pasta with a lemon caper sauce and pan-seared chicken.
Try the Grilled Swordfish Skewers if you prefer seafood-based entrees. It consists of habanero aioli, pineapples, red onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and pine nut rice broccolini.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hotel Indigo El Paso Downtown, an IHG Hotel
20. Scenic’s Bar N Kitchen
4130 N Mesa St
El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 307-4630
Scenic’s Bar N Kitchen is a bar and grill that opened in 2019 at the Mission Hills Plaza, a prominent business center.
Why This Restaurant Is a Must Eat
Scenic’s Bar N Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in El Paso, boasting karaoke nights, live entertainment, and delicious food choices catering to all diets.
This outstanding eatery has a dog-friendly setting, a patio for outdoor dining, a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, and exquisite house specialties.
What to Eat
Try a best-selling hamburger by ordering the Green Hatch Burger. It has an Angus beef patty, shredded mixed cheeses, tomatoes, hatch green chiles, mayonnaise, and spring mix, served with a side of beer-battered fries.
Order the Scenic Club if you prefer sandwiches. It is a Texas Toast filled with ham, avocados, bacon, turkey, mayo, tomatoes, spring mix, and Swiss and American cheese.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Americas Hotel – El Paso Airport / Medical Center
Map of Restaurants in El Paso
List of image sources
20 Best El Paso Restaurants for 2022
- Taft Diaz
- Zino’s Greek
- L & J Cafe
- Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant
- Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s
- Crave Kitchen and Bar
- The Hoppy Monk
- State Line Restaurant
- Julio’s Mexican Food
- Cafe Central
- Leo’s Mexican Food
- Tacos Chinampa
- Café Mayapán
- Cattleman’s Steakhouse
- Ripe Eatery
- Ardovino’s Desert Crossing
- West Texas Chophouse
- El Taquito
- Park Tavern
- Scenic’s Bar N Kitchen
