The wine list is enormous but the staff was helpful to recommend a wine that everyone enjoyed. Todays Cafe Central, in Downtown El Paso, combines innovative taste with 100-year-old traditions, offering an outstanding fine dining experience, delectable cuisine, and superior customer service, making us a preferred destination for locals and travelers alike. Or book now at one of our other 648 great restaurants in El Paso. Escargot was bland; not prepared with Parmesan or herbs as described. It was a very special evening for us both celebrating birthday #70! All that said, it is a pleasant place, and a good choice if you want to spend unpressured time to relax.More, Very disappointed in that I neglected to inquire as to the MP (market price) for the Rack of Lamb before ordering. 109 N Oregon St Ste 210, El Paso, TX 79901-1148 +1 915-545-2233 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours See all (93) Ratings and reviews 4.0 343 reviews #13 of 903 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details PRICE RANGE 2,571 - 4,147 CUISINES American, International Special Diets Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options View all details The ambience is great and its def a place you can get all dressed up ifyou want but not required. For the rest of our meal, the guy continuously smoked cigarettes right next to us. Hours Monday to Thursday 6:30am - 4:00 pm Friday to Sunday 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. A wine list full of unusual varietals and labels offers a host of complements to the fine food.More, We were a party of four and had a good time together. Chicken Breast Available as A Substitution for Tuna, Baby Organic Arugula, Lemon Juice and Olive Oil, Pear and Beet Mostarda, Comt Cheese, Marcona Almonds, Grilled Prawns, Toasted Ciabatta. Be aware there is a dress code and the overall vibe is elegant, not casual. Amazing flavor and perfect amount of spice. 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. I was not very hungry, so wanted a small dish. Most of the spring salad mix ended up out of the bowl. The Rack of Lamb menu price is almost twice that of all other menu items. First about 5 or them decided to sit right next to us on the other side of the outdoor area windows and smoke, but the windows are not sealed, so the smoke below right in our faces. Food took a while to serve. In 1991, we became intrigued with the restaurants potential, as well as the need for a chic bistro downtown. Service normally 5/5, but tonight maybe a 3/5, but it was a little busy. I came one hour earlier then my schedule time for dinner; the staff accommodated me asap; so I appreciate that. It was a double-decker, with three very thick-cut slice of raisin-pecan bread that was quite tough to chew. Perhaps this is acceptable and smoking allowed in the outdoor area. Food was delicious when my wife and I ate here on 3/5/21 and Andrea was an incredible server. This El Paso historical gem has not done well under the new owners stewardship. Prices are upscale - especially for the wine (a long and carefully selected list). Seated In The Back Of The Front Area Next To A Guy Smoking Cigarettes. First about 5 or them decided to sit right next to us on the other side of the outdoor area windows and smoke, but the windows are not sealed, so the smoke below right in our faces. We will not dine here again. Cafe Central, El Paso: See 343 unbiased reviews of Cafe Central, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #14 of 1,394 restaurants in El Paso. The salmon I order was raw and the beef wellington my partner order was extremely raw. Excellent ambiance The Rack of Lamb menu price is almost twice that of all other menu items. Upscale - comparable to many NYC or Paris, London love it! Order and pay for food directly on OpenTable. He did not mention it was pureed. We both started with the Cream of Green Chile soup. MonSat 11:00 am3:00 pm There was not a mess of crumbs. The dining room is romantically dark, with a lovely bar at one end. Bar: 11:00 AM 2:00 AM. El Paso 915-594-2805 8889 Gateway Blvd West, El Paso, TX 79925 Get Directions Set Location Open for Business Dine-in, takeout & delivery available. Smart Casual. My only complaint was that they were out of a few things on the menu. Be aware there is a dress code and the overall vibe is elegant, not casual. Very disappointed in that I neglected to inquire as to the MP (market price) for the Rack of Lamb before ordering. The table we got was very small too tight together. Location. It was a challenge to eat the salad out of the small bowl. Best of all was the crab tower appetizer, a tasty combination of chopped crab and vegetables. 109 N Oregon St Ste 210, El Paso, TX 79901-1148 +1 915-545-2233 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours See all (93) Ratings and reviews 4.0 343 RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details PRICE RANGE $31 - $50 CUISINES American, International Special Diets Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options View all details meals, features, about I found the sesame tuna a tad dry, but my wife's chilean sea bass was done to perfection. Loved the old photographs! Therestaurant itself is still beautiful and moody but long gone is the exceptional service that was once their hallmark. After much debate, I decided to go for the ribeye. Vegetarian Option Available, Black Bean Pure, Radish, Jalapeo and Lime, Chipotle Crme, Cabbage Salad, Pickled Red Onions, Beer Battered, Cheese Crust, Mango Jicama Pico de Gallo, All Sandwiches Served with Choice of Parmesan French Fries, Kettle Chips, or House Salad. The dining room is romantically dark, with a lovely bar at one end. Vegetarian Option Available, Tempura Fried Rock Shrimp, Caper and Dill Tartar Sauce, Toasted Ciabatta, Garden Confetti, Pancetta, Avocado, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Red Pepper Aioli, Wheatberry, Mojo Au Jus, Roasted Pork Carnitas, Black Forest Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles, Spicy Whole Grain Mustard, Half A Pound Angus Patty, Confit Pork Belly, Organic Baby Arugula, Tomato, Truffle Aioli, Shaved Prime Rib, Mushrooms and Green Chile, Pepper Jack Cheese, Horseradish Cream, Torreado Au Jus, Marinated in Whole Grain Mustard with Baby Squash and Whipped Potatoes, Roasted Long Green Chile with Jalapeo Au Jus, Daily Whipped Potatoes, House Vegetables, Maine Cold Water Lobster Claw Meat, Tarragon and Chive, Buttery Brioche Bun, Boston Bibb Lettuce, Clarified Butter. Definitely had a five star with my wife for her birthday. We are located in Downtown el paso to give you a unique and elegant dining experience. Prices are upscale - especially for the wine (a long and carefully selected list). This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Thats why we offer valet parking to our guests. Very classy place - glad it was a 2 minute walk from out hotel downtown! Last night when I received my dinner check, I was shocked to learn that the Rack of Lamb was $81. was shocked to learn that the Rack of Lamb was $81. My only complaint was that they were out of a few things on the menu. Staff was friendly. I felt like we were sitting in a casino. Celebrated a 80th birthday for my mother, staff was fantastic, service was excellent and food was on delicious! Go easy on the salt.More, I absolutely love this place! Valet Parking $5.00 Lunch and $10.00 at Dinner. We will help you plan the most memorable event, please inquire with us! El Paso, Texas, 79901 Hands down the BEST food and experience in El Paso. Copyright 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 700, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved. The beef on the tacos was borderline crispy and very salty. !More, Had a business dinner recently at the restaurant. They were never asked to tone it down, not even when the owner or manager or whomever it is came to ask about our meal. Very disappointed in that I neglected to inquire as to the MP (market price) for the Rack of Lamb before ordering. Food is delicious, ambiance is spectacular and service is amazing. The thing is, its the only option and the owners know it and still continue to charge the super high premiums they have always charged without providing the high standard of service or high quality of food. 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. Great wine list! Service lacking as we sat on bar side, no bread came until asked twice, and staff seemed flustered. On top of everything, the food is no longer impressive compared to newer offerings with awarded chefs. We thought it was strange that we were sat there alone instead of in their nicer diner area that we reserved and wasnt busy, but we shrugged it off and waited for our waitress. Mon-Thurs It looked like an overgrown plant in a small planter. We hear you and we will address with the team on how we can limit the smoking. Explore menu, see photos and read 1838 reviews: "Upscale - comparable to many NYC or Paris, London love it! Open for . Explore menu, see photos and read 542 reviews: "steak was way over cooked for how pricey it is, don't be going back". Best of all was the crab tower appetizer, a tasty combination of chopped crab and vegetables. There are unusual dishes,such as octopus carpaccio, and my fellow diners greatly enjoyed them. Sorry I dont know, check their web site or call them. We couldve got past the unusual, secluded seating, but it was incredibly disrespectful that for one, a restaurant like this allows smoking, and two, they sat him right next to us in an empty seating area. The thing is, its the only option and the owners know it and still continue to charge the super high premiums they have always charged without providing the high standard of service or high quality of food. 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. A group of about 7-8 women decided to celebrate a birthday party as if this restaurant was a club or bar in Vegas. Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection, El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center. . We will not dine here again. This was unnecessary. The menu features an impressive array of seafood dishes to augment the requisite Texas meats. A restaurant like this, and frankly any restaurant, should really think about how they treat their patrons and surely not allow someone to chain smoke inside.More. Great wine list!" We just moved here and we were looking for a nice place to eat to celebrate our move and new adventure. We were traveling from out of town and didn't want to miss the opportunity to eat at Cafe Central. 3831 Alameda Ave, El Paso, TX 79905-2508. Be aware there is a dress code and the overall vibe is elegant, not casual. I am amazed that this place doesn't have a consistent 5* on Yelp. The menu is varied which was great because I am do not eat a lot of red meat. It was a double-decker, with three very thick-cut slice of raisin-pecan bread that was quite tough to chew. more, American, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. They aren't lying when they say everything is bigger in Texas. Last night when I received my dinner check, Iwas shocked to learn that the Rack of Lamb was $81. There was not a mess of crumbs. Good job, Cafe Central! Read reviews and book now. Shameful to be considered one of El Pasos best. The food was excellent but we had to ask for bread since the bread server kept skipping over our only our table and served others around us. Hands down the BEST food and experience in El Paso. The tables were elegantly set. The only criticism I have was the tres leches cake. The bread service was a great complement to the soup. The waiter recommended a green chile soup with potatoes and cheese. More focus should be placed on the food. Caf Central is rated 4.7 stars by 1838 OpenTable diners. He did not mention it was pureed. We will get back to you shortly. After much debate, I decided to go for the ribeye. When I spend $500 for dinner, I don't expect the restaurant to be run like a food mill. I think he used some type of knife/blade to clean off the cloth table cover of the crumbs and push them over the edge onto the floor. Friday Kitchen: 11:00 AM - 11:30 PM Bar: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM. Kitchen: 11:00 AM 11:30 PM The chicken plate was tasty. I made a reservation for the dining room, and when we arrived, there were a lot of valet workers and waiting staff chatting in their front enclosed dining area. The atmosphere is very upscale - valet parking, white tablecloths, a waiter offering a bowl of wrapped mints as you leave - and a rack to hang shoulder purses! ThuSat 3:00 pm11:00 pm, AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa. There is a disconnect between Open Table and Cafe Central in that a reservation made on Open Table doesn't get through to Cafe Central. The experience was great! The chicken plate was tasty. The only criticism I have was the tres leches cake. Pomme Frites with Grated Reggiano & Truffle. Established in1918 it attracted an electrifying clientele who quickly grew to expect the finest culinary experience at this chic spot. Service was excellent. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. We were taken to the back of the front area and we were the only people seated there. Hotels with Military Discounts in El Paso, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in El Paso, Hotels near Franklin Mountains State Park, Hotels near Hueco Tanks State Historic Site, Hotels near National Border Patrol Museum, Hotels near Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums, Hotels near El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, Hotels near (CJS) Abraham Gonzalez Intl Airport, American Restaurants for Lunch in El Paso, American Restaurants with Private Dining in El Paso, Asian Restaurants for Large Groups in El Paso, Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in El Paso. I was not very hungry, so wanted a small dish. The meal was essentially ruined by the smoke. The side garden salad for the po boy sandwich came in a cup bowl. Perhaps they were friends with the owner. The chain smoker was even seated right next to the entrance to the inside, so I know everyone inside got a taste as well. A wine list full of unusual varietals and labels offers a host of complements to the fine food. The meal was essentially ruined by the smoke. Managers treating customers withvery poor manners is indicative of a systemic, top-down problem that should be fatal for a restaurant aiming at this market share. I have never had better service :) Made my daddy/daughter Valentine's day PERFECT! We have dined here four times in the last six months, two lunches, two diners, and the service is sub par at best and the food is consistently average. Kitchen: 11:00 AM 11:30 PM I have been many times before and as of late I have been severely dissatisfied and disappointed in this restaurants staff and customer service. Located in the heart of downtown, just one block from the Museum of Art, Plaza Theater, San Jacinto Plaza, Convention Center, and other hotels. Highly recommend.More, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Soft lights, handsome furnishings and ambient music create a relaxing mood-setting atmosphere. Saturday: Kitchen 10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Our server, Jorge, established an air of courtesy and respect from the moment we sat down. Bar: 11:00 AM 2 AM. After Prohibition ended, Cafe Central migrated closer to the border and was established in downtown El Paso. (This may be the We were a party of four and had a good time together. Nice jeans, button down with top button open and no tie, nice leather belt and a blazer The menu is varied which was great because I am do not eat a lot of red meat. Jazz on Thursdays; Piano during Dinner Monday thru Saturday. The table we got was very small too tight together. Maybe a better smoking area policy is warranted. Stacy was perfect! Pomme Frites with Grated Reggiano & Truffle. Most of the spring salad mix ended up out of the bowl. Couldn't have been any better or more special:). A restaurant like this, and frankly any restaurant, should really think about how they treat their patrons and surely not allow someone to chain smoke inside. Excellent food Business Casual. was a club or bar in Vegas. None. I came one hour earlier then my schedule time for dinner; the staff accommodated me asap; so I appreciate that. The bread choiceswere good. Cafe Central.1 Miles. After the soup it took even longer to get the main entree. Thank you so much for sharing about your experience! We have been serving the El Paso metro since 1918! Mon&Sun. Great location, great menu with lots of unique options, reasonable prices, and amazing service. The menu features an impressive array of seafood dishes to augment the requisite Texas meats. It looked like an overgrown plant in a small planter. I Will come back anticipating that 5 star experience. Loud vulgarity around my teenagers, yelling when another one entered. Manager Diana Carillo should be immediately relieved of her duty or the restaurant should be shut down until they can manage a presentable and appropriate staff. Food took a while to serve. Consider a different sandwich! First about 5 or them decided to sit right next to us on the other side of the outdoor area windows and smoke, but the windows are not sealed, so the smoke below right in our faces. The dining room is romantically dark, with a lovely bar at one end. I havent been to Caf Central in years, but the elegance has never faded. Best of all was the crab tower appetizer, a tasty combination of chopped crab and vegetables. It was a 3 for 3: Always a great place to celebrate a special occasion! The service was impeccable. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest scoop right to your inbox. A wine list full of unusual varietals and labels offers a host of complements to the fine food. We were taken to the back of the front area and we were the only people seated there. Waiters are warming and happy to serve you. In any case, it certainly turned us off to returning anytime soon. Please inform your patrons of any astronomical price increases. I found the sesame tuna a tad dry, but my wife's chilean sea bass was done to perfection. The food was excellent but we had to ask for bread since the bread server kept skipping over our only our table and served others around us. were lower than I expected, but then again I am used to big city prices. An interesting daily special would at least make it more enticing. The bread choiceswere good. The menu features an impressive array of seafood dishes to augment the requisite Texas meats. Private party contact Live piano was a nice touch. Food 5/5, as always. This was unnecessary. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. The ambience is great and its def a place you can get all dressed up ifyou want but not required. Great elegant restaurant!! Best of all was the crab tower appetizer, a tasty combination of chopped crab and vegetables. We went there during lunch and most tables were empty. Hello thank you for sharing your experience with us! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. There are unusual dishes, such as octopus carpaccio, and my fellow diners greatly enjoyed them. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Food was delicious, we will definitely be going back real soon. Our waiter proceeded to scrape off bread crumbs that had not fallen on the inside of the small bread plate. A restaurant like this, and frankly any restaurant, should really think about how they treat their patrons and surely not allow someone to chain smoke inside. Perhaps this is acceptable and smoking allowed in the outdoor area. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest scoop right to your inbox. Visit Website . I found the sesame tuna a tad dry, but my wife's chilean sea bass was done to perfection. Chicken Breast Available as A Substitution for Prawns, Served with Chipotle Rice, Tomatillo, and Chile De Arbol Salsa. . I had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. Established in 1991. Food was delicious when my wife and I ate here on 3/5/21 and Andrea was an incredible server.Live piano was a nice touch. Great elegant restaurant!! The food is not bad but its not like its something I look forward to sitting down to and Im not sure the menu has changed at all in the last ten years. The cake overall was dry and lacked flavor, and the bottom layer was so tough that it was almost inedible. 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. Sat. Saturday: El Paso, Texas. * If you want to have a good and calm time this is the place. Soft lights, handsome furnishings and ambient music create a relaxing mood-setting atmosphere. Atmosphere normally 5/5, but always inside. Alternatively, you may use. I felt like we were sitting in a casino. you want but not required. Waiting times between courses were unacceptable and being told your food will be right out and 15 minutes later it is right out? 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. Highly recommend. Reserve a table at Cafe Central, El Paso on Tripadvisor: See 339 unbiased reviews of Cafe Central, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #11 of 1,688 restaurants in El Paso. . Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. Reserve a table at Cafe Central, El Paso on Tripadvisor: See 338 unbiased reviews of Cafe Central, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #11 of 1,693 restaurants in El Paso. The chain smoker was even seated right next to the entrance to the inside, so I know everyone inside got a taste as well. I was not very hungry, so wanted a small dish. Youll easily spend $80 dollars without drinks(alcohol). That's why we offer valet parking to our guests. Loud vulgarity around my teenagers, yelling when another one entered. Reserve Your Table Order Delivery Order Takeout View Menu Local Promotions Hours Dinner Mon - Thu 4 - 10 pm Fri - Sat 4 - 10:30 pm Sun 4 - 9 pm Happy Hour Will definitely return when in the area next. Be aware there is a dress code and the overall vibe is elegant, not casual. Cafe Central - El Paso, TX Fine Dining - American, Seafood, Steak. Fill out the form below to get in touch with us. 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. Lots of Locals all decked out come here. The waiter recommended a green chile soup with potatoes and cheese. It was extremely overpriced for the quality of food. We decided to create an elegant black and cream interior to set off our collection of original art, and restored some of our old charm with an ornately gated New Orleans style courtyard. It was a double-decker, with three very thick-cut slice of raisin-pecan bread that was quite tough to chew. Everyone was so nice and friendly and never pushy. In any case, it certainly turned us off to returning anytime soon. The manger explained that some items are expensive to serve. Atmosphere normally 5/5, but always inside. There are unusual dishes,such as octopus carpaccio, and my fellow diners greatly enjoyed them. Will definitely return when in the area next. I felt like we were sitting in a casino. Wonderful service and the scallops were delicious! My husband and I agree, we cant think of anywhere across the country thats any better. Perhaps they should treat it as the fine dining establishment it is and not like one of their other franchises. Mon-Thurs Kitchen: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Bar: 11:00 AM - 2 AM. The evening was amazing as always - tops down, my favorite restuarant. Cafe central is the best place to have a nice dinner for any occasion. Perhaps someone looked the other way because they were spending a fortune that evening. Friday Located right behind the Plaza Hotel in the heart of downtown El Paso, Cafe Central provides an elegant alternative for those who seek more than casual dining. The staff was cordial and very helpful. This has happened twice and even though I had confirmed reservation in writing. At this restaurant, you can work your arms a little. It was one of the reasons I chose this restaurant and unfortunately it fell short of my expectations.