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Cochineal

3.6 (124 reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated 3 months ago

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Desert!  Chocolate mousse
Susan K.

A hidden gem. Yes! There is a great restaurant hidden beside some houses. What a great time. Sat at the bar and Benjamin was our main server/bartender but really everyone chipped in with a smile. We just ate appetizers...and desert. Had their house red which wasn't expensive yet the best red I've had on my trip so far. And from a winery in Lubbock no less. The bread is to die for! And we had the salad, escargot and the most amazing mushroom croquettes. Plan your visit around their hours. As they are closed Sunday to Wednesday.

Bread and whipped herb butter
Sophie G.

A must visit for a dinner in Marfa. Quality food and great service. If you're not down for the chef tasting menu you can make a reservation for their a la carte menu which I highly recommend! Parking - it's Marfa, was able to find street parking very close no problem. Service - I made a 5pm reservation for the bar / a la carte menu and was the first/only one in for a while. Bartender and staff were all friendly. Ambiance - I sat inside at the bar and the overall interior had a charming feel. They also have a large outdoor patio. Food - I'm glad I read the reviews and got the bread to start. The bread was incredible but the star of the show was the whipped herb butter / garlic olive oil - SO good. I got the mushroom risotto for my main and it was delicious. I unfortunately did not save room for dessert but all options looked amazing. Would recommend to anyone stopping through town for a quality meal.

Texas Buck
Royce S.

Went here for our anniversary dinner. Wow, our server was fantastic, her service was wonderful as right off the bathroom she brought 2 glasses of wine on the house and said Happy Anniversary. I started, after the wine, with a Texas Buck. A different drink but refreshing and delicious. I then started with the half/small Salade Vinaigrette, light and I enjoyed the dressing. My main course was the Mesquite Grilled Steak Grilled medium rare which was perfect and left enough room for dessert which was the Raspberry Torte, light and delicious. Yes there is upscale dining in Marfa and it was on par with anany big city upscale restaurant. I will return

Toshi's Date Pudding with Rum Caramel and Fresh Cream
Sandy R.

From a segment in a break from my Substack memoir: I started back on San Antonio toward the Paisano. About a block-and-a-half down the street I found Cochineal, a nearly hidden restaurant with an enticing courtyard. I decided to check it out. The maître-d' seated me at the bar. The bartender--was it Jeff?*--was busy but willing to converse a bit. I looked at the dessert menu and was immediately hooked by the "Toshi's Date Pudding with Rum Caramel and Fresh Cream" entry--a $16 offering. I bit. I texted ML to meet me there and within a few minutes he was sitting next to me at the bar. I offered to treat him to a "Toshi's" and he happily accepted. We sat there scooping tiny spoonsful of this decadent confection, trying hard not to let it disappear too rapidly. Soon we were swiping the dishes with our fingers; it was that good. Blood sugars skyrocketing, we made for the Paisano. *Recent communication with Cochineal manager(?): it was "Bill." And...further info on the origin of the name of restaurant (but not why) : The cochineal is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the natural dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America through North America, this insect lives on cacti in the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and nutrients. https://lbsandyrock.substack.com/p/texas-trek-part-2

Overpriced menur
Pavel T.

After visiting a big band national Park, I decide pay a visit to Marfaand I find this fine dining restaurant. Since I didn't have a reservation, I took a seat on a bar. The bartender wasn't really talkative. It was the last day of the Japanese cuisine to pay respect the previous Japanese owner. The current owner Andy was out of the restaurant. I don't know if the quality of the food or the service have something to do with it, but that's how it was. I order a charcuterie board with bread, butter, and some dipping sauce. The sauce was excellent. One of the bread was old and hard.Another item that I had was pork cutlet with some cabbage then some chicken bites. My main course was a Ramen and then I have some chocolate mousse dessert. The service took long in between the plates and honestly the food was not what I expected specially for the prices. I'm a foodie. I've been around the world, and I was very disappointed with this place when I asked the bartender to give me a check, he just told me the amount I gave him a credit card and I add 15% to my bill since I was not happy. Than I find out that 20% was already included on my bill which I was not informed ( Automatically adding 20% for service for party of one sitting on bar ??? , Who the F... you think you are ? Soo rude. I end up paying 35 % off of my bill for disappointing service and disappointing food. I should've choose the Marfa burrito instead of this place , I'm never coming back. You guys should be ashamed of yourself. I also tried to call the establishment after I find out what happened I left them a message. Nobody ever get back to me. You don't really care about your reputation you . What a shame, I've been in Japan and what you serving there have nothing to do with it maybe the Ramen was close to it but not for $50.Stay away from this greedy people.

Margarita
Paul L.

I've been here before so my expectations were very high. Again, Cochineal met the challenge. This is my favorite restaurant in Marfa. I could have eaten the bread all night long; the butter and oil accompaniments were very flavorful. The vegetable fritters balanced well with the aoli mustard sauce. The trout was the over-the-top surprise: truly memorable. The apple panna cotta was a fun finish to a perfect dining experience. I love this restaurant and I look forward to a visit again soon.

"Sip of Gazpacho", omg, this was so good!
Jeff B.

What a fantastic experience! Wifey n' I in town for a quick anniversary getaway, and with just arrivin' from the long drive (our messy timetable) we stumbled in without a reservation and hoped for the best. Granted, it was an oddball "not peak" time, so the crowd was thankfully thin and they got us in. I'm not really up on the fancy restaurant guidelines and terms etc., but we put ourselves in the server's hands for suggestions, etc., and it was fun, delicious and so unique. It was my first time trying some foods that were familar as food terms, but we've just never put ourselves in a spot to try them, such as caviar, boar, and gazpachio soup, and some others. We LOVED it all! We got a "Prix Fixe", which was a number of courses (check out the pic I took of that part of the menu). Not sure how relevant it will be to people reading this review in the sense it surely rotates greatly depending on what they have going on day-by-day. It's all very "chef-ie", and fluctuates depending, I think. And our server (I think her name's Melissa) was so sweet, attentive, and humored our green-ness, she's great. I got a few pics, I wish I got some of everything and did the items justice, but I hope they communicate well. As for how much it sets you back $$$, I would describe this as not inexpensive, but considering "where" this restaurant is set geographically, the unbelievable artistry, expertise, assortment, flavors, freshness, presentation, atmosphere, finishing touches, staff, comfort,... it was VERY worth it. Not someplace we could come regularly, but wow, one of the best places we've ever eaten and experienced ever. If you have the opportunity to ever visit here, wow, WOW, go for it! (just do bettet than us and make those reservations if you can).

Dessert from the SAMPLE PRIX FIXE MENU
Kristine F.

What a cozy little restaurant, at first I wasn't a big fan that the tables were so close together but after we were settled in, and the Prix Fixe Dinner Series started to be immediately placed in front of us... we found ourselves talking with the people around us! Travelers just like us! I'm a firm believer good food brings in good company. Wow did we have an amazing experience here. We paired the cocktail and wine with the dinner series and there was never a dull moment with your tastebuds!! This is a true farm to table establishment, they grow their own vegetables and everything are from local markets and farms...which I love that they support each other here. Plus everything was fresh, in season and phenomenal. The food was plated beautifully and although it looked so simple there was a lot of complex flavors going on and damn!! Was it was sex in your mouth oh so good!!! Especially with the thoughtful beverage pairing!! Magnifique!! Our server, Miguel was fantastic and descriptive on the food, the restaurant itself and even offered us to go in the back to thank the chef and the staff in the back! That's like super star status!!! Although we are just traveling through, he come to Marfa about once a year, it was just amazing and I look forward to returning to see what's next on the menu!!

My partner and I planned our entire Big Bend National Park-Marfa trip around the tasting menu at Cochineal, eager to experience the cuisine of a James Beard award-winning restaurant. Unfortunately, our experience was highly disappointing, and the price was not worth the poor service we received. We spent the day at Big Bend and began calling the restaurant as soon as it opened at 5 PM to see if we could push back our reservation, for which we had already paid a deposit. No one answered the phone. Fifteen minutes before our reservation, we received a call from the restaurant informing us that they were not busy and we could push back our time. We arrived on time and waited over 18 minutes before being greeted by our server, Caroline, to get our drinks. When I asked Caroline to go over the tasting menu, her response was odd, confused, and uncomfortable. We asked if we could order additional items off the à la carte menu, but she said no because everything was timed, and we had reserved the tasting menu. This didn't make sense, as they took so long to greet us and get our drinks. We wanted the tasting menu but also additional food since we practice fasting, and this was our only meal of the day. I've never heard of a fine dining establishment denying customers the opportunity to spend more money, especially when they were not busy. When we asked for coffee, Caroline said they had espresso but gave a rude response when we asked for an Americano. My partner was so turned off by her attitude that he wanted to leave, regardless of the deposit we had paid. We received better service for half the price at Margaret's the night before. When asked for a tequila menu, Caroline brought over just three tequilas, even though we saw more at the bar. I had to get up and show her what I wanted, which was a very odd interaction. The food was good, but the overall experience with our server was terrible. We were so excited to try this restaurant, but from the beginning, it was a mess. I'm extremely disappointed in the management team for not providing their server with better training. When experiencing a tasting menu at this high of a cost, the server is part of the overall experience and should be there to provide whatever we need within reason, like drinks and answers to what's on the menu. Save your money and go elsewhere in Marfa.

Bison

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4 months ago

Outstanding cuisine, service and atmosphere. I love the garden seating but inside is also beautiful. Chef Alex is a true artist.

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10 months ago

Was an amazing way to spend my birthday ! Thanks for the delicious cupcake it was such a nice surprise!

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Ask the Community - Cochineal

Blue Mountain Bar & Grill

Blue Mountain Bar & Grill

(233 reviews)

$$

Fort Davis is a quaint little town a few miles north of Alpine. The Blue Mountain Bar & Grill is…read morenext door to the Limpia Hotel. There is a decent size dining room, a nice bar area with high top tables, and tables outside on the patio. We stopped there to grab something to eat on the way to the Star Party at the McDonald Observatory. Not being very hungry, we split the Rio Grande Brisket Taco while sitting at the bar. The brisket was flavorful and plentiful; delicious. The bartender was busy, yet still attentive. The food orders we saw all looked good and plentiful. I wish we could have stayed a while longer, but we had a 20 minute drive to the observatory. Unfortunately, cloud cover pretty much ruined the Star Party, however, we were pleasantly surprised that a refund was offered. I highly recommend a stop at the Blue Mountain and check-out Fort Davis.

We stoped in after a long days of work. It's a rainy summer Friday, we decided to give Blue…read moreMountain Bar & Grill a try. This place is nice, cozy atmosphere, attentive staff, and great food. They have a dinning room or you can order to go at the bar. We used the scan code to order off the new updated menu, I didn't mind at all. Once order was placed, our food arrived promptly. Of course I ordered the Old Fashioned. 7 out 10. Not bad. For dinner my dad and I had the Chicken Fried Chicken and my nephew had the double cheeseburger. We cleaned out plates. Food was great. All in all I will definitely recommend and will be returning.

Sazzon Baja Mex Culinary - Taste the Pacific! Shrimp, Mahi, Scallops, and Octopus is a spicy chili and lime sauce.

Sazzon Baja Mex Culinary

(134 reviews)

$$

What a nice surprise! We were greeted and seated right away, with drink orders taken promptly so we…read morehad time to review the menu. Service was on point. The ambiance is more on the utilitarian side not super classy or trendy but where this place shines is in the food. We ordered the carne asada tacos and the chips and salsa. Everything was clearly homemade. The chips were fried fresh and brought to the table warm, and the salsa tasted like it had just been made. The flour tortillas were also fresh and full of flavor. It was very, very good. We popped in for a light lunch and enjoyed every bite. Authentic, satisfying, and perfectly balanced not too heavy, not too light. Just right. Fast and delicious. Bravo!

Walked in and were seated right away. A couple across from us had what looked like tostada cups but…read morethey said it was the nachos. They looked really good and on the appetizer menu so I got them. Asked for the salsa flight but waiter said the prep guy did not come in that day so they had no salsa (none at all)! So o ordered the guacamole (which he competed). Also got a Jamaica juice that was so large I had to get a to go cup when we were ready to leave. The guacamole was house made but it did lack some flavor. It needed a punch of garlic and some salt. Only thing I could add was the salt from the table. Otherwise it was good and chunky. The nachos came out and they were massive. I was able to eat about 10 chips before giving up. My provider and I said we should have shared. They are loaded with meat, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico, and pickled red onions. I have no complaints bout the taste as it was all very flavorful and seasoned well. There are not a lot of options for food in town but I would eat here again.

Broadway Cafe - Chips and salsa. I sat near the door and don't recommend that spot because you get wind blown when people come in.

Broadway Cafe

(58 reviews)

Stopped here off I-10 looking for a meal. We ordered green enchiladas and chile rellenos (and asked…read morefor those to be covered in green sauce too). The food was fantastic--the green sauce is absolutely phenomenal! We asked the waitress how the sauce was made and she confessed that the cook won't share her recipe. Heck, I wouldn't either. It tastes like somebody's family recipe that they're keeping under lock and key. Also, we noted the refried beans were very good. They tasted fresh, not like they had been sitting in a pot for days. Don't be turned off by the appearance of Van Horn. It's a hard-scrabble looking town that must have seen better days. The restaurant itself is humble, but very clean, sharing a building with a laundromat. That being said, I appreciate small, locally owned businesses as opposed to chains. Broadway Cafe appears to have a lot of business from travelers as well as locals, and does a respectable amount of carry out and drive-thru orders. When I see locals eating somewhere (and they all seem to know each other), I know I've found a gem.

Nice little cafe…read more Enroute back from Big Bend to El Paso, you will most likely pass the unassuming town of Van Horn. If you're in a mood for a bite, be confident that the food and service at Broadway Cafe is pretty darn good. It's not a big space, but the cafe next to the Laundromat is clean and simple. I ordered the combination plate that came with a side taco (ground beef), choice if enchilada, rice, refried beans, and pork green chile. It was very good Liz enjoyed her enchilada plate - the enchiladas have a cheesy hatch flavor. Noah had a kids taco plate which as almost as big as my combination plate. Noemi had a bean and cheese burrito. The service was good and friendly. If you pass through VH, then consider Broadway Cafe.

The Bean Cafe - Huevos con machaca.

The Bean Cafe

(84 reviews)

$

Talk about small town charm with big city quality food…read more I'm in town for work and I was recommended this place by a state trooper who had to remind me of the speed limit on my way from Austin. The first morning I tried it out, I have been back everyday since. It starts with the staff. You enter and seat yourself and Bertha is with you almost immediately with a huge smile on her face and the softest sweetest voice. It's a small town and slower paced but the food arrives quickly. Now I'm not going to lie, this isn't a Michelin star restaurant and I actually prefer it that way out here. The quality and flavors are perfect, not exaggerated deconstructed nonsense. The food is made with love and the tortillas are made fresh in house. I'm pretty sure everything is made fresh and from scratch but the tortillas are for sure. The owner is usually in and has introduced himself and said hello starting the second time I've come in. If you're in the Big Bend area, specifically Presidio, stop in and say hello to Bertha and get some good food that isn't crazy expensive. I forgot to mention, they sell bagged ice if you're in need and they don't have bs single ply toilet paper in the restroom either. HUGE plus I'm my book.

Very worth it. Didn't know how a place out here had such a high rating with so many reviews…read more Starting with the greeting and the chips with salsa, I was understanding. Got the green sauce chicken enchiladas. Geez, perfect in every way. Most restaurants save their dried out chicken for the enchiladas, this place doesn't. There's not a thing I could say to improve or complain about. Friendly people, superb food, modern looking restaurant. Well, well worth the price.

Cochineal - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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