Café Central - Top Rated Contemporary American Restaurant | OpenTable
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. El Paso
  4. El Paso
  5. El Paso
Café Central, El Paso, TX

Café Central

4.7
4.7
2202 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Cafe Central offers an outstanding experience; delectable cuisine and our dedication to thoughtful service are evident in every staff member, making it a preferred destination for locals and visitors alike. Offering an expansive, award winning wine selection and exquisite gourmet dishes with a Southwestern twist in mind to create exceptional cuisine from appetizers to entrees. Located in the heart of downtown, just one block from the Museum of Art, Plaza Theater, San Jacinto Plaza, Convention Center, and other hotels.
El Paso’s only winner of the Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence for the past 11 years and honored with the Distinguished Restaurants of America (DiRoNa) Award for Excellence. After a long day of travel, indulge in the Cafe Central experience. Join us for dinner and enjoy the impeccable service and cuisine. Your table’s ready, and the bar is fully stocked.

Experience timeless tradition at Cafe Central and be part of the legacy. Bon appétit!

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 19 times today
Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat 10:30 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (915) 545-2233
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Owned/operated by
    Latinx or Hispanic, Women
  • Executive chef
    Kasey Kaplan
  • Catering
    Please call Event Planner at (915) 545-2233 or email estela@cafecentral.com for details and we will make sure to make your event a success.
  • Private party facilities
    For private event reservations, we do not allow any outside entertainment. We will help you plan the most memorable event, please inquire with us!
  • Private party contact
    Estela Abelleyra: (915) 545-2233 ext. 110
  • Neighborhood
    El Paso
  • Cross street
    Mills and San Antonio Street
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking $5.00 Lunch and $10.00 at Dinner
  • Entertainment
    Jazz on Thursdays; Piano during Dinner Monday thru Saturday.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,202 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • El Paso

    Best Overall

  • El Paso

    Best Food

  • El Paso

    Best Service

  • El Paso

    Best Ambiance

  • El Paso

    Best Value

  • El Paso

    Good for business meals

  • El Paso

    Healthy

  • El Paso

    Hot spot

  • El Paso

    Great for fine wines

  • El Paso

    Romantic

  • El Paso

    Good for special occasions

  • El Paso

    Most Booked

  • El Paso

    Best Overall

  • El Paso

    Best Food

  • El Paso

    Best Service

  • El Paso

    Best Ambiance

  • El Paso

    Best Value

  • El Paso

    Good for business meals

  • El Paso

    Healthy

  • El Paso

    Hot spot

  • El Paso

    Great for fine wines

  • El Paso

    Romantic

  • El Paso

    Good for special occasions

  • El Paso

    Most Booked

2,202 Reviews
  1. GerardoL

    Chihuahua

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Es la tercera vez que visitamos el lugar, muy rica la comida, un excelente servicio.

    Is this helpful?

  2. docVQ

    Chicago

    92 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    92 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We were here for Mothers DAy and it was a delightful early dinner. Several of us had the sea bass which was one of the best I’ve ever had at different venues across many restaurants. The puntas de filete were also yummy. We ordered a number of cocktails and they were excellent, especially the old fashioned. No complaints at all, i just can’t wait to return!

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    4 reviews

    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Mother’s Day brunch is tradition of us at Cafe Central. So every year you get to experience different experiences. This year was a bit down compared to to last year let just hope this roller coster will be uphill next year.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    For the pricing of the food I expected more. I’ve been to other fine dining for the same price and the food was 3x better. We got the lamb and tenderloin. The lamb lacked a good sear and the tenderloin was tender. Drinks were very good.

    Is this helpful?

  5. RickC

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great experience sommelier Francisco. Fransisco is personable, informative and great with wine knowledge. The food was spectular. The service was just perfect.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Kikka

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always an outstanding experience and amazing food, ready for a James Beard award!

    Is this helpful?

  7. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good ambience, Anwar was a knowledgeable , attentive and honest server. We got a sparkler on the crème brûlée for my sister who was the celebrant… the food was divine. It’s was busy but we didn’t feel rushed. We all enjoyed our time out!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Osvaldo

    Mexico City

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The best restaurant in El Paso! Quality of food and service amazing!

    Is this helpful?

  9. AlbertM

    El Paso

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 5, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always enjoy going to Cafe C. It is probably the finest restaurant in El Paso. We will continue going there.

    Is this helpful?

  10. JenniferC

    New York City

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The best! Cafe Central is my absolute favorite restaurant. The food and service is always five star. I love getting wine recommendations from Francisco and Charles, Diana, and Estella always make me feel comfortable by stopping by to say hello. The entire wait staff is professional and friendly, making every table feel great, even ones they aren’t necessarily serving. I always make a point to take out of town guests here and they fall in love with restaurant too. Five stars! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Is this helpful?

  11. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoy a nice dinner with my friends and I. We had an unforgettable last dinner together.

    Is this helpful?

  12. Ryan

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The way fine dining should be. An all-male wait staff dressed professionally. No blue hair. No piercings. No tattoos. Extremely attentive. The best dining experience in El Paso. Period. I will go back again and again and again.

    Is this helpful?

  13. MARTHAA

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service, food ordered was delicious and the wine recommendation was absolutely amazing

    Is this helpful?

  14. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is our favorite go to place for intimate dining and celebrating special occasions. It never disappoints us. Adam was attentive and made us comfortable.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Guadalajara

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 22, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious scargots and superb ribeye. Just a great food experience

    Is this helpful?

  16. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nick was awesome! The food was great. My husband loved the environment.

    Is this helpful?

  17. JessicaG

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We began with Baked Escargot in Herbed Citrus Parmesan Butter—an exquisite dish in which the desire to savor every drop of the butter was undeniable. The Grilled Octopus with Cilantro Chimichurri was expertly spiced, leaving a lasting impression of refined flavors. The Central Caesar Salad, uniquely presented for communal sharing, was notable for its rich Anchovy Emulsion. The Cream of Green Chile Soup was a revelation; its creamy texture and depth of flavor were so captivating that they prompted a moment of culinary reflection. However, the Seared Diver Scallops, though well-executed, did not resonate as strongly with me; I had a less than favorable reception of the broccoli puree. In contrast, the Lobster Agnolotti was satisfactorily balanced and flavorful with its delicate pasta and butter-poached lobster claw submerged in a creamy lobster broth. The Honey Lavender Long Island Duck was another course that showcased the fusing of sweet and savory nuances. The undeniable highlight of the meal was the Ribeye Prime, a masterful display of flavor infusion, complemented by Chipotle Lime Butter and enhanced by the textural contrast of crispy onion strings. We concluded on a celebratory note with a Dessert Platter for my husband’s birthday. This thoughtful gesture included an array of desserts from Petite Crème Brulée to a Mexican Chocolate Tart, each a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to a memorable dining experience. However, it is imperative to note that the ambiance was somewhat marred by the overly loud piano and live singing. While the music itself was beautifully rendered, its volume was disproportionate to the dining setting, complicating conversational flow and detracting from the overall enjoyment.

    Is this helpful?

  18. EdnaS

    El Paso

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great experience very attentive and great customer service ambience is tranquil A+

    Is this helpful?

  19. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a wonderful meal celebrating my husband’s birthday. Service and food was great!

    Is this helpful?

  20. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent all the way around as usual! Green chile soup off the charts. And the bread!

    Is this helpful?

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Anchorage

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 14, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our recent dining experience was nothing short of remarkable, captivating with its elegant ambiance and leaving an indelible mark with exceptional cuisine and attentive service. One of the highlights of our meal was the "Puntas de Filete.” This dish was a symphony of flavors, featuring succulent pieces of steak, beautifully complemented by a roasted long green chile and a tantalizing jalapeño au jus. The whipped potatoes were silky smooth, and the house vegetables were cooked to perfection, adding a refreshing balance to the rich and robust flavors of the meat. Additionally, we indulged in the Grilled & Fried Calamari, a delightful appetizer priced at $19. This dish stood out for its exquisite preparation, offering the perfect blend of textures. The calamari was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, making each bite a memorable experience. The chef's attention to detail was evident, ensuring that every element on the plate was executed flawlessly. The service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring, making us feel welcomed and valued throughout our dining experience. They were quick to offer recommendations and ensured that our culinary journey was seamless from start to finish. This dining venue is a gem in its locale. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it offers a dining experience that combines fine cuisine, elegant ambiance, and exceptional service.

    Is this helpful?

  22. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    19 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Three of us went for lunch and sent 2 of our entrees back. When I got my soup it wasn’t even warm. I’ve usually had wonderful experiences coming here. I was very disappointed in the quality of the food this time around.

    Is this helpful?

  23. Gregor

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wife and I enjoyed a great dinner last night at Cafe Central. Green Chile soup, tenderloin and pork chop all very good. Staff was on their game

    Is this helpful?

  24. ArtW

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 7, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Café Central provides a first class dining experience

    Is this helpful?

  25. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Booked reservation thru open table. Unfortunately, the restaurant was confined to a firm menu of champagne and set menu. I was having a mom and son date. The hostess was not polite, and I had to pay for champagne for my 14 year old and myself. I do not drink and with underage child. Just a very unforgiving experience. The lobster “cuppacino” was not very good. Disappointed, to say the least. This was a special event for my son and bc we booked thru open table, had no idea of set menu. Nonetheless, we stayed bc of timeframe. Just wish it was a nicer experience

    Is this helpful?

  26. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 6, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Hands down the best meal I’ve had in El Paso ! The service was great and the process were very reasonable for fine dining . I highly recommend this restaurant!

    Is this helpful?

  27. RobertF

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 23, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    All four of us enjoyed the food we received, the servers that helped us, and the restaurant we were in. The total experience was good and the overall experience was good. The total price was a bit high but overall it was a good place to be at and eat.

    Is this helpful?

  28. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 22, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Hard to access location due to road closures. They forgot part of my order which created a delay. Waitress slow to check on things during a slow night. Food was tasty. Piano music was nice but singer was off tune and detracted from the experience

    Is this helpful?

  29. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed Celebrating our Anniversary, the food, the atmosphere, and the service was top notch. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

  30. SusanT

    Phoenix

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always it was an overall amazing experience! Food, service!!

    Is this helpful?

  31. ColletteM

    El Paso

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Our waiter seemed off his game that night. First he told us that the chef was too tired to have any specials that night so I am not sure if this was true. I ordered club soda but was brought Pellegrino which was a huge bottle for $9 that I could not finish. My friend ordered a coke but was brought beer but decided to go with it. We also ordered soup which we did not get but the waiter was nice enough to bring us out small cups after our meal so we could try it. The Green Chile cream soup is the best in town which I was looking forward to and I wanted my friends to try it plus the presentation is nice but they did not get to experience it. We still had a great time and it is still one of my favorite restaurant and I will return. Again I just felt like our waiter was off his game that night. Also, I do think it was just us, the table next to us was having similar problems with the waiter.

    Is this helpful?

  32. DanielR

    El Paso

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the experience. Everything was amazing from the greeting at the door to when we left. I never had to ask for a refill and every one was professional and polite.

    Is this helpful?

  33. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Everything was wonderful… could not forget nd a bathroom, all being remodeled I think. Sad to see

    Is this helpful?

  34. OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    20 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Having been here many times, our service was a real disappointment. They weren’t that busy and other tables didn’t seem to be lacking just our waiter struggling that night. Otherwise the food was very good

    Is this helpful?

  35. AmandaK

    El Paso

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 2, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, a wonderful meal, service, and ambiance. The assistant sommeliers also very kind, attentive, knowledgeable, and spot on with the wine recommendation.

    Is this helpful?

  36. tatiana

    Las Vegas

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cafe Central never disappoints. Always great service and top quality food and drinks!👌🏼

    Is this helpful?

  37. OpenTable Diner

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always great food and very accommodating to my gluten free diet

    Is this helpful?

  38. OpenTable Diner

    El Paso

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service, excellent food. Always food of the highest quality consistently!!

    Is this helpful?

  39. CarlC

    El Paso

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    All around great experience. We go whenever we are in El Paso. the time seems better every time. I highly recommend the ribeye, a fabulous steak and not too pricey.

    Is this helpful?

  40. SandraE

    El Paso

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is always amazing! The service was excellent, love to dine there!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Café Central offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (915) 545-2233.

Café Central is rated 4.7 stars by 2202 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 19 times today
Google Map for Café Central

109 North Oregon st, El Paso, TX 79901

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Mills and San Antonio Street
  • Neighborhood
    El Paso
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat 10:30 am–2:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed 3:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 3:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking $5.00 Lunch and $10.00 at Dinner
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Latinx or Hispanic, Women
  • Executive chef
    Kasey Kaplan
  • Entertainment
    Jazz on Thursdays; Piano during Dinner Monday thru Saturday.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (915) 545-2233
  • Catering
    Please call Event Planner at (915) 545-2233 or email estela@cafecentral.com for details and we will make sure to make your event a success.
  • Private party facilities
    For private event reservations, we do not allow any outside entertainment. We will help you plan the most memorable event, please inquire with us!
  • Private party contact
    Estela Abelleyra: (915) 545-2233 ext. 110
Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo