Ciudad Juárez has long been a destination for people from El Paso to visit family members or a place for fun-seekers to travel without going too far. During my visits from over the last couple years I’ve noticed that the city has also turned into a serious eating destination.
From tacos and enchiladas to duck breast with a side of couscous, the city’s culinary options are diverse. Although it would take me many visits to get to know all of the restaurants and street stands in the city, here is a list of some of my favorite spots I’ve discovered in my visits.
Catalina Bakery & Bistro
Pancakes from Catalina’s.
- Av. Paseo de la Victoria 3560, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
- Price Range $$
This restaurant is one of my favorites when getting together with my girlfriends or with my mom and sisters. When I am in need for a good breakfast or brunch, this is my go-to restaurant. Their colorful decor and pleasingly put-together plates is a crowd pleaser
They have a menu of mostly sweet foods, such as caramel pancakes, red velvet french toast and acai bowls.
Even though the place is a bit small compared to other restaurants, it does not get crowded. You still get to enjoy a good breakfast or lunch without feeling invaded by people from the next table.
La Taberna
Visitors dining out in the terrace at La Taberna. Photo courtesy La Taberna.
- Camino Ortiz Rubio 734 Col. Las Arcadas, 32563 Ciudad Juarez
- Price Range $$
When I want some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city, I always think of this place set in the gardens of an hacienda.
As a person who loves a good wine, I find La Taberna to be great for any date night or celebration. They have an extensive menu of natural wine, meaning that its grapes are claimed to be hand-picked from sustainable, organic, or biodynamic vineyards with no additives in the winemaking process.
They offer small aperitifs like charcuterie boards and my personal favorite, their croquetas de jamón ibérico or iberian ham croquettes.
I recommend taking a look at their Facebook page to find out when they are featuring flamenco performances or live music shows.
Flor de Nogal
Courtesy Flor de Nogal
- Av. Paseo Triunfo de la República 5854 Local 2b, Sicomoros 32349 Ciudad Juárez
- Price Range $$$
Visiting Flor de Nogal is a whole new experience. It is all about signature cuisine.
At first, I was a bit intimidated by all the options on their menu since I had never tried anything like it. However, our waiter was friendly and made incredible suggestions. He also said that their menu is reinvented constantly since seasonal ingredients are their main focus on their plates.
The menu may include tacos, beef tartare, rack of lamb, duck breast amongst many others. By bringing new culinary experience to their customers, they have been recognized on TripAdvisor as the best restaurant to visit in the city.
Maya Cocina Artesanal
Huevos motuleños. Photo courtesy Maya Cocina Artesanal.
- Ejército Nacional #8397 32528 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico
- Price Range $$
Early in the pandemic I always looked forward to almost every Saturday morning to order breakfast for pickup from different restuarants. The banana oatmeal pancakes with miel de agave from Maya Cocina Artesanal will always hold a special place in my morning cravings list.
This modernist cuisine restaurant is all about the typical Mexican breakfast but with a twist. Their menu includes huevos motuleños – fried eggs over beans on a fried tortilla, served with salsa, chorizo, and queso fresco. They also have pan dulce and banana oatmeal pancakes for those who prefer a sweeter breakfast.
Their lunch menu is a multi-course tasting menu made up of tacos ranging from barbacoa, pork carnitas or cochinita pibil along with quesadillas de flor de jamaica or hibiscus flower quesadillas.
Viva Mexico
A scene from the “Fiesta Mexicana” show. Photo courtesy Viva Mexico.
- Avenida Lincoln 1320 32310 Ciudad Juárez
- Price Range $$$
Viva Mexico is an excellent place to take family and friends and experience a memorable evening. It is conveniently located only 2 miles away from the international border.
This is an authentic traditional Mexican restaurant, from its decor to its typical plates. The menu offers traditional food such as flautas, mole, sopes. Some plates are accompanied with rice garnishes or guacamole.
During the meal, diners are treated to a “Fiesta Mexicana” show Friday through Sunday nights. The show features an amazing group of performers, horsemanship and folklorico that represent the roots of mexican traditions. I truly believe that it’s such an amazing show that everyone from all ages will enjoy.
La Nueva Central
Pan de dulce. Photo courtesy La Nueva Central
- Calle 16 de Septiembre 222, Centro, 32000 Cd Juárez, Chih.
- Price Range $$
To some, this might be as shocking as it was to me when I first visited La Nueva Central, but this restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in downtown Juárez.
It was opened in 1958 by Yip Ben Po, and the restaurant’s story is just amazing. It has become a very traditional place to visit in the city to have breakfast, lunch or dinner and is open 24 hours every day.The extensive menu ranges from Mexican food to Chinese food.
This is my go-to place when I feel like having some tacos or menudo at 2 a.m. after a night out. La Nueva Central is known for making their own pan dulce and cakes
Burritos Tony
Burritos Tony has always been a tradition in Ciudad Juarez. (Dalinda Garcia/Borderzine.com)
- Gregorio M Solis #315 32030 Ciudad Juárez
- Price Range $
Located across Juarez’s amusement spot el Parque Borunda, for 70 years Burritos Tony has been a tradition for Juarenses.
Every trip I make to Burritos Tony is very nostalgic for me. When I was a child, my grandparents would visit my family in El Paso from Juarez and my grandfather would always bring us burritos de winnie con frijoles.
Ever since he passed away, every time we go to Burritos Tony we think of him and we continue to buy the burritos de winnie con frijoles.
