Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in El Paso

The Hoppy Monk is a pub and restaurant that pays homage to those brewers from the Cistercian Order, better known as the Trappists. Although the menu is stacked with beers from Belgium, the Hoppy Monk not only features beers from this region, they have almost every style, from Lambic to Lager, it's likely to be here. In addition to suds, the Monk also serves food, where the menu has better-than-average pub grub at an awesome price.

Ripe is just what El Paso needs, a restaurant that focuses on innovative recipes and a place where guests rarely run into Tex-Mex ingredients on the menu. If they do, the plates still make this Southwest style shine in a different way. The restaurant is a brother/sister establishment that was founded in 2007 and they present three service times, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. Each menu has their wonderful burgers with beef sourced from Bakka Ranch along with many other tasty choices. Happy Hour from 3-6pm includes 3USD off appetizers and 1/2 off glasses of wine, overall a nice place to visit off-the-beaten New American path.

Pot au Feu is a nice change of pace in what seems to be a incessant amount of Tex-Mex options in the area. The kitchen here does not necessarily focus on French food despite the name, because there are internationally-inspired dishes as well as Steak Frites and the beef stew or Pot au Feu. During their brunch service, the seasonal menu is always a hit and it's probably the best time to come if you're looking to match price and portion.

This quasi famous cantina located near the border of New Mexico is most famous for its association with Marty Robbins, the country singer known for his song 'El Paso' in which he mentions it. Upon first glance it doesn't appear to be much, however the food and cold beer inside make up for it. So sit back, listen to the Marty Robbins song at least once, sip your Lone Star and enjoy.

This local Mexican/American fast-food joint with several locations in the El Paso area is known for its three flautas (rolled tacos) draped in cheddar cheese and drenched in a semi-spicy tomato sauce. Chicos is not in the least pretentious, in fact every menu item is meant to be less than gourmet and calorie-laden, however that's part of the fun. Another unorthodox menu item is their round hot-dog served on a hamburger bun and the crinkle-cut fries are definitely better than most fast-food places.

L&J Cafe is considered one of the best Mexican food restaurants on the northern side of the border. Around since the 1920s, its throwback retro sign lets visitors know what's in store for them inside, which is simple, unpretentious Mexican food. They are known for their green chile enchiladas and it has been run by the same family for over three generations, so you know the recipes are authentic. Other items on the menu include tacos, burritos, salads, tortas (sandwiches) and specialties like the Chicken Tampiqueña. If you try the enchiladas and like the salsa atop them, don't forget to ask your server for a can of the stuff in green or red.