5 Must-Try Places to Eat in El Paso

Planning a trip to El Paso, Texas? Make sure you read 5 Must-Try Places to Eat in El Paso so you know where to get the best eats in Sun City!

Having just returned from my awesome trip to El Paso, Texas for the International Food Blogger Conference, I can’t wait to tell you about all the glorious food the Sun City as to offer!  Visit El Paso did an excellent job of introducing us to their great city and making it possible for us to try local places!  Not only did I eat tacos every single day I was there, I also had the opportunity to experience fine dining at its best!  From seafood, to vegetarian, to probably the best taco I’ve ever had, let’s dive in!

In case you didn’t realize how close El Paso is to the Mexican border, it’s about a 15 minute walk!  That creates a perfect opportunity for excellent regional eats!  My hometown, San Diego, is also a border town, so I actively sought out tacos on my trip so that I could experience the difference in cuisine from one side of Mexico to another.  After this trip, I can honestly say that I fell in love with the food in El Paso!  FYI: I spent the entirety of my trip in downtown El Paso, so that is the only area I will be covering.  In no particular order, here are the 5 Must-Try Places to Eat in El Paso:

Birria Culiacan

The quesabirria taco = my love language.  I mean, slow cooked beef that braises in a flavorful, chile-based liquid gets placed in a corn tortilla and swathed in cheese before getting cooked until crispy on a griddle.  As if that alone isn’t drool-worthy enough, you sprinkle some fresh onion and cilantro inside the taco then dip it in a cup of consommé.  It’s a cross between a taco and a quesadilla and I’m here for it.  I’ve had quesabirria tacos before, but the iteration at Birria Culiacan is the best I’ve had!  Everything about it from the meat, to the cheese, to the consommé was absolutely perfect!  FYI: Birria Culiacan was voted #1 Best New Restaurant by the Best of El Paso Magazine 2021.

Lapa Lapa

If seafood is what you’re after, you will be delighted by the menu and food at Lapa Lapa.  This seafood-based Mexican restaurant reminds me of the cuisine I’ve had in Baja California.  I ordered a shrimp ceviche tostada and a Lapa Taco.  Each was amazing, as was the chips & salsa.  The shrimp ceviche was fresh, bright, and flavorful; exactly what I was looking for after eating some heavier foods the day before.  The Lapa Taco, which is a tortilla topped with melted cheese, chorizo, shrimp, grilled peppers, onions, and tomatoes, was also delish!  Don’t forget to order a Cantarito – a cocktail made with tequila, fresh orange juice, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and Squirt.

Cafe Central

A fine dining establishment that has been around since 1918!  It first opened in Ciudad Juárez, México but moved to El Paso, Texas when Prohibition ended.  A group of us from our conference dined there for a four-course, wine-paired dinner, and what a treat it was!  Somehow each course was better than the previous.  The course of New Mexico red chile pork belly atop a chive polenta cake was so flavorful and well-rounded.  The main course of a butter-poached lobster tail paired with an American Wagyu strip steak (Gold grade, which is the highest of all American Wagyu grades) with potato gnocchi was pure decadence.  It was my first time having Wagyu beef, and I can’t even explain how it just melts in your mouth.  Just superb!  The service at Cafe Central is just as good as their food and a special occasion dinner here would be a special treat!  FYI: Cafe Central was voted #1 for Best Fine Dining by the Best of El Paso Magazine 2021 and #2 for Best Date Night Restaurant.

TAFT-DIAZ

Named after American president, William H. Taft and Mexican president, Porfirio Diaz, TAFT-DIAZ is said to be a “mix of Mexican flavor, American influence and five-star service in an atmosphere inspired by and fit for – history in the making.”  This was my first stop in El Paso and I sat at the bar, so I can’t attest to the dinner service, but the food was outstanding.  I ordered an Al Pastor taco and a vegetarian option, a Tempura Artichoke taco.  Not only was the vegetarian taco my favorite of the two, it was one of the best vegetarian options I’ve ever had.  The crispy tempura-battered artichoke heart combined with marinated mushrooms, salsa matcha (the black dots on the tortilla), and aioli made for an incredible combination of flavors and textures.  FYI: their eco-friendly straws are made from agave!

Elemi

Although this list of five places is in no particular order, I did save best for last.  I asked my Uber driver where this San Diego girl should go for good tacos and he said, “You have to go to Elemi.”  That man knew what he was talking about, so thank you, Daniel!  I ordered their Suadero taco (confit angus skirt steak) and a Carnitas taco (maciza pork shoulder and loin). I had never had Suadero before and it was fabulous.  Even though that taco was unbelievable, the BEST THING I ATE IN EL PASO was their Carnitas taco.  The most succulent, flavorful chunks of pork that are slightly salty and perfectly moist while still being a little crispy on the edges.  Now add some pico de gallo and guacamole to that Carnitas and pile it on a freshly made blue corn tortilla – speechless.  The guacamole was an extra charge, but after drooling at other people’s tacos and asking what they had, they highly recommended the upgrade for guac so I did it, and I’m doing the same for you.  If you eat one thing in El Paso, go to Elemi and order a Carnitas Taco with guacamole.  Thank me later.

Well, that’s my list of 5 Must-Try Places to Eat in El Paso!  I hope you check them out!  If you’re looking for fun things to do in El Paso, Texas, make sure you check out all the resources available at the Visit El Paso website.  From hiking, to wineries, to where to get custom-made cowboy boots, their site has it all!

Thank you to the folks at Visit El Paso for your exceptional hospitality!  Your kindness, professionalism, and resourcefulness made my trip even better than expected and is much appreciated!

Looking for more foodie getaways?  Check out these great destinations:

• San Francisco – 2 Fun Foodie Days in San Francisco
• Italy – A Foodie’s Trip to Italy
• Sacramento – Visiting Sacramento, America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital
• Cross-Country Road Trip – California to Virginia, My Cross-Country Foodie Adventure

Thank you for reading 5 Must-Try Places to Eat in El Paso!  Have you been to any of these places?  Let me know in the comments below!  You can also tag me @therealflavorfuleats on Instagram, @flavorfuleats on Twitter, or Flavorful Eats on Facebook.  Cheers!  For new recipes sent to your inbox, make sure you subscribe on the home page!