Best Restaurants in El Paso (2025)

A standard-bearer for nixtamal and heirloom corn, ELEMI channels ancestral techniques into modern tacos and small plates. Recognized by Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Tacos and with James Beard–recognized leadership, it’s a destination for serious masa lovers.

Family-run since 1927 by Concordia Cemetery, L&J’s red and green chile plates anchor El Paso’s Tex‑Mex memory. Praised by local historians and named best Tex‑Mex in Texas by a USA Today readers’ poll, it remains a beloved essential.

The machaca plate that locals swear by drew national love on Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate. A Texas Monthly–lauded neighborhood favorite, Kiki’s keeps its vintage spirit and generous plates firmly intact.

Downtown’s old‑school hangout is famed for meticulously topped nachos that food writers call among the country’s best. It’s equal parts neighborhood bar, Mexican kitchen, and border‑era time capsule with live music and late hours.

Central Texas technique meets border flavors at this locally owned smokehouse known for brisket, ribs, and green chile cheese rice. Featured by national food media, its current Cowtown digs add a full bar and room to linger.

A century‑old downtown institution for special‑occasion dining, known for refined service, green chile soup, and a deep cellar. Regularly recognized by national wine publications, it’s the city’s classic white‑tablecloth experience.

Wood‑fired Mexican cooking, handmade tortillas, and the state’s most expansive agave collection animate this art‑deco showpiece. Frequently noted by travel editors, it captures the parallel cultures of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.

Inside the Stanton House, this elegant room delivers border‑minded, contemporary plates—bone‑marrow “Mexican butter,” octopus chicharrón, and seasonal mains—backed by polished service. A go‑to downtown for date nights and business dinners.

A desert‑ranch pilgrimage since the 1970s: mesquite‑kissed steaks, frontier portions, and sunset strolls past longhorns. Featured for its one‑of‑a‑kind setting, it remains a celebratory rite for generations of El Paso families.

Chef Rulis González’s longtime “gourmet dive” riffs across cultures—think Pasta Chihuahua, brisket flautas, and craft beer. As seen on Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives, it’s creative, community‑minded, and proudly El Paso.

A neighborhood staple for scratch‑made tamales and pan dulce—especially during holiday season. Featured alongside city icons in national chef media, it’s a flavorful snapshot of everyday El Paso.

A modern taquería admired by local critics for vegetable‑driven tacos and sharp salsas. Recognized in recent statewide taco coverage, it’s a compact, high‑energy stop for mezcal and creative bites near Five Points.