We had a delightful birthday dinner at Cafe Central after the Christmas Fantasia concert with the El Paso symphony! Love their Christmassy sophisticated decorations that provide a warm and welcoming festive atmosphere. The restaurant offers a sophisticated and elegant decor with a romantic touch and some live music. We taste a large tower of seafood that was generously assembled with lobsters, tiger prawns, oysters, and some crab legs a real festival of delicious fresh seafood that flawn directly from Maine! It was abundantly deliciously fresh! CC's cream of Chili is a must try and one of the very best value on the menu! My grilled Angus Tenderloin was simply perfectly cooked medium rare. The side dish was a well prepared with an oven cooked gratin dauphinois. The rest of the party tried their Chilean Seabass and they were not disappointed. For dessert we had a crème brûlée and a rich 24k Gold bar chocolate cake with some port so you can expect that the bill was steep - but in my mind justified. The only observation was that the oysters were fairly flat and tiny. The service was super attentive and friendly Adam did an excellent job and believe it or not, our server has the same birthday's date as our dear friend Jimmy! What a treat for the ages! read more

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Took my wife here because I read it was good for anniversary meals. Boy was I wrong. Firstly, maybe it's different around here, but where I'm from everyone knows how to speak Spanish, so I guess watch who you're saying the f word around and talking about your reproductive organs when speaking in the second most common language in the world. They burned my burger and still sent it out. My server was lackluster and I can firmly say that because I watched him give good service to another table! The chef did send something out to make up for it. By the way skip the dessert platter. What in the "fell off a US foods truck" did I just eat? Flavorless ice cream? A month old strawberry that was opened from a package? Creme brulee with bitter topping? C'mon you're not even trying here. The only time I heard the manager speak was when he was shuffled away by the guy that wouldn't give him the time of day otherwise (table getting good service) and when he was saying inappropriate things around my table in Spanish, thinking we couldn't understand. I then found out when my wife was going to the restroom, she turned around to close the stall and the manager was staring at her from the lobby, which stopped her from wanting to use the restroom altogether. Avoid this trashy place. What the heck? What restaurant did everyone else eat at?? read more

I was walking down the street to have dinner and saw a few people walking out of the Resturant so I thought I would give it try. I sat at the bar, the bartenders was very nice and recommend a few dishes. I preferred Herbert's which was the bacon wrapped prawns with some orzo and vegetables. The shrimp was very over cooked (had an hard time cutting it), the bacon in some spots raw. The orzo was great and so was the vegetables also but I wouldn't recommend due to the shrimp suppose to be the star of the dish and it was a disappointment. Maybe there other dishes are better. read more

Cafe Central - Prawns - Salad Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Food was phenomenal!! One of the best Chilean sea bass I've had. It was so well cooked and the fish was melt in your mouth with great balance flavor. And the cream of green chili soup is a "must try at all cost". I've never had a green chili cream soup before. It has the consistently of a bisque but the flavor was so good that I literally almost licked the bowl. This is a must place to try when you're in El Paso! read more

Cafe Central - Signature Cream of Green Chile Soup - A bowl of green chile soup is placed on a patterned plate at a restaurant table, with utensils and other dishes visible in the background. - Salad Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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Great seafood, steak, good drinks, and live piano music and female singers. Service is the best in town.

The atmosphere is elegant, warm, and inviting. We made a reservation, which is a must, and when we arrived, we were seated quickly. The service is amazing! Our server was Daniel, and he took great care of us. The food was delicious, and the dining experience was like no other. Romantic lighting makes this a perfect place for birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, etc. There is absolutely no rushing. Expect your entire meal to last about two hours. I can't say enough! It was a wonderful birthday dinner! We most definitely will be returning soon. Highly recommended. 5/5 read more

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The dining experience was truly exceptional, starting with a delicious array of appetizers that set the perfect tone. Each bite was thoughtfully crafted, with flavors that were both unique and harmonious, leaving us eager for more. The adult beverage selection was impressive, offering a range of options from expertly mixed cocktails to a carefully curated wine list that complemented our meal beautifully. When it came to the main course, the culinary excellence continued; each dish was prepared to perfection, showcasing fresh ingredients and sophisticated flavors that stood out. From start to finish, it was an outstanding meal that delighted the palate and created a memorable dining experience. See photos. Ambience is high class with awesome and friendly servers. Hope you get to go and enjoy, Bon appetite! read more

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Treated myself into a lovely dinner and I'm so glad I did, this place met every expectation. I fully expected as a party of one that was a walk in on a Friday night to be seated at the bar however they sat me outside in this lovely area at a table all to myself. It did smell a little like cigar smoke but I quickly got over it because it was so beautiful, the wait staff was super attentive and the sommelier even came out to chat with me about my wine selections. I had the beef carpaccio which with the salad of greens, jicama, black truffle and Parmesan was beyond divine I could have had two of them! I also came in for the honey lavender duck and while the lavender was almost not present the duck was perfectly cooked and it exceeded expectations. There was an extra leg confit and foie gras with cranberry compote that was divine and absolutely made the dish when it was all paired together! For dessert I had one of the best creme bruise I've ever had, usually they are so thin and flavorless this was thick and decadent and perfectly paired with the ice wine. I had had a very strenuous couple of weeks and this dinner is exactly what I needed. From the ambiance to my server Nick who took care of my every need, to the staff to the chef I was absolutely delighted and I cannot wait to go back. Not sure what all the negative reviews are on here, Google tells a different story, believe Google before you believe Yelp apparently, so hopefully my reviews bring up their Stars where they deserve! read more

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Came here last night for a nice intimate dinner since all the other places were packed. Unfortunately sat at the bar, I wish there were more seating. Ordered the escargot appetizer and it was super delicious. The margaritas were very good as well. The serving size for the dishes is kinda small. The service was pretty great! Just a few things could change, but I would come back another time. read more

It was incredible to have experienced this restaurant. Fantastic service and most especially, great tasting food! read more

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No one at valet when we arrived had to go in the restaurant to find someone to park the car, didn't have my second foot in the door before hostess is telling me no cowboy hats in the dining room,made the reservation weeks ago asked for main dining room tried to seat us in the bar at a table that was nearly in the kitchen , steak over done, service was fair to spare at best.espresso a joke just small cup of coffee, the construction around the restaurant is a gigantic pain in the ass. It appeared to us if you were Mexican service was better if not you're out of luck. read more

Valentines dinner with reservations. From the moment you step in this hidden restaurant you can feel the great ambiance. Amazing friendly staff. The Cocktails were perfect and well priced. The starters such as the Cesar salad and green chili soup were delicious! The lobster bisque was an elegant and tasty treat. The ribeye steak and mashed potatoes needed to be reworked, very chewy and presentation was avg. overall, A+ for dining experience, A for the starters and drinks, Seafood A+, Ribeye Steak C - . Would definitely recommend trying this high end restaurant. Btw, the bread is so addictive.... read more

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Cafe Central is El Paso's original temple of white-tablecloth dining and it's never let me down in thirty years. The puntas de filete are tender, the shrimp Guaymas is buttery and vibrant, and they're always happy to swap in mashed potatoes like it's no trouble at all. Service is still five-star: the kind of staff who make you feel like the mayor every time you walk in. Drinks are perfect--ask for anything and the bartenders will nail it. Tres leches cake is legendary, and the crème brûlée could hold its own in Paris. Still the gold standard for a special meal in El Paso, Cafe Central keeps its crown with style. However, restaurant needs more jazz music. read more

After nearly 50 years living in El Paso, I treated myself to a birthday lunch. This place was on my bucket list. I was dissapointed at the delay in service from when I waited to be seated. Overall impression of establishment was okay. Very perfumed, lots of glass and flowers. The burger I ordered for lunch was much better than I expected, especially considering that I don't often eat burgers. Even the fries were nicely seasoned and fresh. The service at my table was stellar. I will say that. Overall, I'd like to come back and try some other entrees before deciding if I'll be a regular. read more

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Was recommended this place and my experience was HORRIBLE. Bad service from the hostess and the food was too. I went during lunch and had a sandwhich and fries( just wanted something quick). 30 min to give me my order wrong and hard toast and fries I couldn't even chew. What this place lacks in service and food, they try to make up for in ambience. Really pretty decorations but smells like sewer covered in cheap perfume. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME read more

Cafe Central - Turkey panini - Salad Near Me - El Paso, Texas

It is nice to find high end dining in any city and Cafe Central lives up to the standards. The service is excellent, the cuisine amazing with unique spins on traditional dishes. read more

It's one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. the bone marrow is spectacular, and highly recommended.

The food was delicious but the service was even better. The ambiance was quiet mostly because we were there for lunch. However I would highly recommend it. read more

I'll do My past experiences have always been wonderful, especially when I tried the lobster pasta, which I adore. This time, I opted for the caviar pasta, and it delivered a pleasant flavor with a salty kick. The service remains exceptional, and the atmosphere is great, especially with the added bonus of live music! read more

Cafe Central - crembrule - Crème brûlée served in a bowl with strawberries and mint, presented on a rectangular plate with chocolate decoration and a strawberry. - Salad Near Me - El Paso, Texas

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The food was amazing and the service superb! A lovely El Paso locale to enjoy with your loved ones!

The service was completely terrible. I went on a Friday night and to begin, the waiter asked if I wanted still or sparkling water, I said sparkling and everytime he refilled my glass it changed so I had a mixture of half sparkling flat water.... I still ended up getting charged $12 for that. We were only a party of 3, didn't order any appetizers and it took an hour and 15 minutes for us to get our food. When we kept asking the waiter how much longer it would take, he would just say "I'll bring it out in 30 seconds" over and over again. I would save my money for other fine dining restaurants that are much more attentive and give better service, as this was a waste of my time and money. read more

The ambiance was stunning. Great service and delicious food! Highly recommend for a special treat! read more

Cafe Central - Private Room - Salad Near Me - El Paso, Texas

We just moved to El Paso a month ago and this was our first date night out. Overall it was really good. Our server was very nice, the ambience was lovely on the patio and they had love music on the inside as well but we wanted to sit outside. The food was good, the avocado and crab tower needed a little salt but it was still delicious after we added a bit. There was a guy going around with a basket saving bread and we did get some but it was cold. Our entrees were delicious. I got the lobster ravioli and my husband got the steak. We also go the cheesecake for dessert and that was moist and flavorful as well. We would definitely return again and plan on trying out the brunch. read more

Cafe Central - Lobster Ravioli - Lobster ravioli garnished with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, green peas, and a yellow sauce, presented on a white plate with a yellow sauce drizzle. - Salad Near Me - El Paso, Texas

Exceptional service, food & ambiance. Tremendous wine and food selection. Perfect venue for any celebration.

What a difference 5 yrs makes. I relocated from NYC and Los Angeles to El Paso in 2021. Last Saturday night, I decided to go to Cafe Central for dessert. I was made to feel unwelcome upon entering. The door man was INCREDIBLY rude. I chalked it up to ignorance and poor training, but.. I thought my experience would improve upon seating. That was NOT the case. I was made to feel even MORE unwelcome when I sat at the bar. You don't have to be called a racial slur to your face, for it be know you are not wanted in an establishment. The treatment I received made it clear enough. I was there for only 5 minutes, then left in disgust. I even sent a message regarding. They made absolutely NO attempt to respond, showing me EXACTLY how they felt. Unfortunately, they believe a well appointed dining room and overpriced menu makes for a "fine" dining experience. Exemplary service MUST coincide with this experience. Their staff is no better than a bunch of high school students at Burger King. In fact, I encountered BETTER behavior there! At least Burger King knows what it is and is not trying to be something it isn't. I have traveled the globe and have dined at some of THE FINEST restaurants Cipriani in NYC, Le Cinq in Paris, La Petit Maison in Dubai etc.. I know what fine dining is. Cafe Central is HARDLY fine dining. Perhaps the ownership has changed since I was there prior. Whatever the case, don't waste your money. Go instead to 1700 Steakhouse in the Paso Del Norte Hotel. read more

Cafe Central is the standard for what downtown restaurants should be. It was my birthday, and the table for the reservation was put together on time. The ambiance was amazing, and the service was of the utmost professionalism. I don't have enough space to talk about the food! Definitely have to come back here. read more

Cafe Central really came to the rescue for my Thanksgiving plans. I am alone this year and trying to stay safe. Cafe Central offered deliver of their amazing Thanksgiving meal - even for one person! This fine dining experience was brought to my home beautifully packaged. The meal included turkey roulade, garlic masked potatoes and gravy, cranberry orange marmalade, French green beans, pine nut and artichoke stuffing and a container full of an assortment of breads and corn muffins. Their delicious butter was also included. In addition, I could not pass up their signature cream of green chili soup- it was so on point for today's holiday...and dessert - I had to choose!!!! I picked the pumpkins strudel dessert. It was an ample portion and beautifully decorated. The great thing about having it delivered was that I could pace myself and stretch the meal out making for a great day! read more

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We were there for dinner early before the Krall concert (4:45) and upon arrival our server Nayeli made us feel rushed and when I told her we're going to have a drink before we order our dinner she made it obvious she was annoyed by us. She made us feel rushed, although we ordered drinks, wine, appetizers, dinner and dessert, she never once smiled or was friendly with us, never asked how our food was or to let her know if we needed anything. We had to wave her down or she wouldn't come to our table which was by the bar while I noticed she was very welcoming to everyone else. I'm not dining at a diner to be rushed off and a friendlier server would definitely be appreciated. As we left I wasn't the only one that felt very unwelcome and it's not our first time there, we've celebrated many of our birthdays there and this is unacceptable because we can always go to AmBar or somewhere else to spend $200 plus on dinner. Food was delicious, too bad service was awful. read more

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Updating my review after two visits in 2021, both times the food was inconsistent, the music was INCREDIBLY loud, we could not have polite conversations at the table. Required us to really raise our voice just to be heard. Sea bass was inconsistent both times and yesterday lacked the sauce and was fairly tasteless. Valet does not open your door or bring the car close to the curb - they were literally practicing their golf swing as we arrived and did not stop even as we entered the restaurant. Not the experience we've come to expect, unless you're at a wing house. Wine was superb, would go back for wine alone and skip the meal. read more

Service was amazing. Our waitress was on point, the food came in so fast. One of the best cosmopolitans I've ever had. It was nice and quiet but piano music was live and lovely. The crab cakes were a little too spicy but they were good. The Cesar salad was quite delicious. I'm glad I got it. The lamb was cooked to perfection, and my steak was cooked pretty good. The dessert had several of the ones on the menu but our favorite one overall was the crème brûlée. It tasted fresh and warm. read more

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Great food. Service was top notch. Ambiance could not be beat. This place is the perfect spot to go for a special occasion. It is extremely expensive, but well worth it. read more

The food was excellent! The service was wonderful and accommodating. The ambiance is romantic. The beef carpaccio was perfect. The green chili soup was flavorful. The scallops were cooked well. Overall, wonderful experience and worth making reservations for an special date night. read more

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The galantines day brunch was a real treat. I would say this place is one of the top in El Paso thus far. read more

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So my friend took me for a rather belated birthday celebration at Cafe Central, and I must say I was enchanted. I've always wondered what was in the alleyway in downtown El Paso and the restaurant is always hopping with well dressed people entering. I, of course, got lost and entered the building where the workers entrance was. We went during lunch and there was just us and a group of very well dressed ladies doing lunch. The patio area was charming, if you like wisteria, you'll love the look. It really does evoke a New York cafe feeling with the tableware, white linens, and bold dark wood with gold finishes. All in all, it was a great lunch, albeit a pricey one. I wouldn't go here daily unless I win the lotto, and luckily for me, my friend treated me this time. However, the price was deserved for the experience and I really do commend them for bringing comfortable fine dining to El Paso. I never felt like I didn't belong, but was welcomed and appreciated, which is a mark of good training and loyalty in service. I would highly recommend Cafe Central for a special occasion if you have something or someone to celebrate. Come out and #supportlocal! Full lengthy review with more pictures and video here: https://www.todoelpaso.com/2022/06/13/charming-cafe-central/ Cafe Central (915) 545-2233 109 N Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901 https://maps.app.goo.gl/ofxsqLHM1SjpuVUaA read more

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Lovely! Just lovely! I had a great time... Absolutely nothing to complain about, the service was exceptional and the food was nothing short of being amazingly delicious. They have live music which sounded very soothing. Oh, the decor? That was just right! read more

I have never had lunch at Cafe Central! The food was amazing, delivered in a manner consistent with a lunch setting and time frame! The best part of the meal was the service! The two young ladies and young man worked as a team to serve all the patrons in the restaurant! It started with a warm greeting from the General Manager Charles and ended with the valet delivering my car in record time! I recommend this restaurant experience both day and night! Thank you Mister Charles!!!!! read more

You hear people talk about the valet here. But I don't get it. I mean, the place is surrounded by endless construction and fences. Which is why I parked in the parking garage up the street. Seriously, it's only five bucks, people. I honestly can't see how valet even works here with all the closed roads and whatnot. But I'm just rambling now. Onto the review. I gotta say....the elegant, upscale decorum of this place really smacks ya in the face upon entry. And I'm not saying that in a bad way. It was seriously impressive. We arrived with a 6:45 reservation and, much to our surprise, escorted to this backroom which was secluded from the main part of the restaurant. That was unexpected. It was nice though because not only was it way quieter, there's a private restroom back there, too. Noice! But many of you are probably wondering what we thought about the food. Well, here's where things get interesting. Now, keep in mind this place is a legit fine dining restaurant. That said, allow me to start with.. Attire: Even though you'll see a majority of patrons dressed in business casual or similar, this dress code isn't really enforced much. I mean, there was a guy at the table across from ours wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I was like, "Really, dude? Really??" To each their own, I guess...but...don't be that guy. Please. Appetizers: We tried the Caesar salad, Vine Ripined Tomatoes and Dungeness Crab Cakes. Firstly, the Caesar salad was pretty excellent. Your typical fine dining style salad, as shown in the picture. The croutons, while freshly made, were a bit on the big side. Overall, 9 out of 10. Now, the crab cakes...kinda sucked. I really wanted to like them. But the outsides looked and tasted of deep fried breadcrumbs with the insides resembling cat food. Plus, they were overwhelmingly spicy. Between the peppers and the super spicy remoulade sauce, it was just too much. 4 out of 10. 12oz rib eye with truffle lobster mac: this one isn't a part of their main menu. It was a special they were offering at the time and I decided to try it, since I was immediately sold on the truffle lobster mac. Now, the truffle lobster mac was bloody brilliant! Between the stellar cheese sauce blend and uniquely shaped macaroni noodles, I was very pleased with all the flavors. Unfortunately, these were fine dining portions; AKA extra small. This type of portioning barely counts as a side. Besides, there was exactly one piece of lobster in the entire thing. The rest was just...lobster flavored, I guess. 8 out of 10. That rib eye though...yeah. L-let's talk about this.. The rib eye, while not terrible, was a pretty big let down. Considering what we were paying for that night, I find it mind boggling that I could easily get a much more superior rib eye from Ruth's Chris or even Cattleman's. Again, Cafe Central is a fine dining restaurant. So, I have to hold them to a higher standard. Anyway, the rib eye had the consistency of a cheap NY strip. And while, requested medium, came out mid-rare. Not that I'm opposed to mid-rare meat when done properly. But it's not normally my first choice. Probably the most annoying thing about this steak was how difficult it was to cut. I'm not sure if it was the mid-rare temp or the quality of the steak itself. But sawing through this sucker was like trying to cut into a well cooked tire. The seasoning was fine, yeah. But it also didn't help that this particular rib eye was, like....40% fat. So, a little less than half of the steak was inedible. I get that rib eye is supposed to have fat running throughout. But this was just...really bad for fine dining standards. 5 out of 10. I also sampled the wife's rack of lamb. But these were bizarre. They tasted more like barbecue ribs, due to whatever sauce they were glazed with. Nowhere near as disappointing as the steak, but these things confused me. 7 out of 10. And you're probably wondering why I rated this place 3 under-cooked, rubbery steaks out of 5 when the only things I thoroughly enjoyed were the salad and mac n' cheese. Well, I'll tell ya. The service was possibly the BEST we've received in the history of dining out. Between the live entertainment, the attention to detail with things like silverware placement, consistent drink refill, menu item recommendations and being checked on every 10 minutes...you can tell everyone here deeply cares about their customers. We seriously appreciated that. Because it really is hard to find good help these days. I wish we could get such attentive and cordial service everywhere else. So, to sum up: the best part about Cafe Central is the service, hands down. The decorum is fancy and upscale, the dress code apparently optional, and the food is honestly hit or miss. I'll probably return for the lunch menu at some point. read more

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This restaurant is outstanding! A true gem in ELP. Visited recently for my son's birthday ... the service and food were great. The restaurant has a very romantic atmosphere suitable for special occasions. read more

Great food and mediocre front of house staff. The valet and hostess were nowhere to be found today at 4 pm. Nice 10 minute wait for each of these to return to help park our car and welcome us to the restaurant. With an empty restaurant it took 15 minutes to receive our water and menus. Then the waiter asked us what entrees we'd like to order. He completely missed asking for appetizers or telling us the daily specials. The food was hit or miss depending upon what you order: The raisin bread and lavosh bread are very good. The other two breads are terrible and dry. The seafood tower is wonderful. The grilled octopus is great as well. The steaks, ribeye and NY strip, needed more salt and pepper and were average. The scallops were excellent along with the lamb chops. The green Chile soup and Caesar salad are awesome. The tres leches cake was very good as well. We spent 10-15 more minutes waiting on the valet and for arriving customers to move for us to leave the skinny alley in front of the restaurant. I'd suggest avoiding the valet debacle and park around the block and walk over. Overall, expect great food ( especially the seafood ), and mediocre service from the front of house staff. read more

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So admittedly we came in on a busy night. We were able to sit at the bar and order our food and drinks. I had the strawberry basil margarita. For dinner I ordered the lobster stuffed ravioli. The food and drinks were amazing and the bartenders who served us were amazing. It did take us over an hour to get our food but the bartender gave us our dessert free because of it. Great food and great service. read more

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