12 Gay-Friendly Restaurants in El Paso, TX

In El Paso's Mission Hills neighborhood near Brentwood Ave., The Hoppy Monk is temporarily closed. Its known for rare small craft beer offerings not found elsewhere in the state. The menu goes beyond standard bar food.

Greenery Restaurant and Market has been a landmark in the El Paso food scene for years. Its discreet, elegant atmosphere is not what you might expect from a mall location. The American and seafood menu is delicious and fresh, with a cafe vibe. You'll find outdoor seating and a happy hour with beer and wine only. Reservations are accepted. They're open daily from 11am, closing at 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on Sundays. If you're in the area, consider stopping by Crave Kitchen for another local option. It's a solid choice for a relaxed lunch or early dinner.

Crave Kitchen delivers comfort food for grown-ups with an eclectic menu that blends American and Mexican cuisine. Known for one of the best brunch menus in town, this Sunset Heights spot also offers a full bar at its Eastside location. It's dog-friendly, with outdoor seating for sunny El Paso days. Open daily from 7am, Crave serves breakfast through dinner plus takeout. The beer and wine list is solid, and the full bar means you can grab a cocktail with your meal. For a classic brunch nearby, try Mesa Street Bar & Grill.

The largest and best salad bar in El Paso anchors this steakhouse. Prime rib is the specialty, but the whole menu holds up. Bartenders are very friendly and waiters are cute, though the location near the airport isn't a draw.

White tablecloths catch the downtown light through wide windows. This is Cafe Central, an upscale spot that opened in 1918 in Juarez as a cabaret and gambling den, then crossed the border after Prohibition to settle in El Paso. The menu pulls from American, Mexican, and seafood cuisines. Yelp confirms outdoor seating, free wifi, and a full bar. Reservations are accepted. The place feels more refined than its border-town roots suggest, but the history gives it character. Weekday crowds are quieter; Friday and Saturday evenings bring a livelier scene. The Yelp rating sits at 3.7 across nearly 300 reviews, so expect solid but not flawless service. If you're exploring downtown, Crave Kitchen is a nearby alternative.

One Yelp reviewer described it as a place where "your character and energy becomes a permanent part of the coffee house." Kinley's House Coffee and Teas, open since 2004 in Sunset Heights, is a local coffee shop near UTEP. The owner drove from Los Angeles to open it, bringing a warm, upbeat atmosphere. It's dog-friendly with outdoor seating and free WiFi. The menu goes beyond coffee: customizable crepes, frozen yogurt in variety of flavors, sandwiches, salads, and frappes. You'll find a mixed crowd of students and neighbors. Hours are consistent Monday through Saturday, 7am to 10pm, with a later 11am open on Sundays. Owner Kinley often greets customers personally and offers a discount when you ask for him. It's a casual spot for laptop work or meeting friends.

Texas Roadhouse in El Paso stands out from other steakhouses by letting you toss peanut shells on the floor while you eat. The place is known for hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and made-from-scratch sides. A Yelp reviewer noticed the all-male waitstaff and joked the manager must be gay. Servers are attentive, refills come fast, and the food is cooked well. The vibe is casual, with line dancers and a jukebox adding to the fun. This Cielo Vista spot opens at 3pm Monday through Thursday, but opens earlier at 11am on weekends. It's east of the airport, right off the freeway. The reviewer called it a solid choice for anyone tired of Mexican food in El Paso. Prices are typical for a steakhouse, so expect $15-$25 entrees. If you want a change of pace, Crave Kitchen nearby offers another option.

One Yelp reviewer summed up Pike Street Market as a 'bit of a break from the popular Mexican and southern cuisine' in El Paso. This downtown deli leans into its Seattle inspiration with a menu centered on American classics, breakfast, and sandwiches. The tagline 'Seattle meets Texas' hints at the vibe: a casual spot for coffee, salads, or a quick bite. Free wifi is a plus for remote workers. Hours are limited to weekday mornings through early afternoon (7am-3pm), so plan accordingly. The neighborhood is Downtown El Paso, making it a possible stop before exploring other nearby spots. Note that Yelp data indicates this venue may be permanently closed, so calling ahead is advised.

El Paso doesn't have many places that serve really good sushi, but Hayashi Hibachi is in the top of its class. This Japanese steakhouse and sushi bar draws a mixed gay-straight crowd who come for quality rolls and live teppanyaki grills. The vibe is more dinner-focused than party scene, making it a reliable spot for a date or a low-key night out. Hayashi operates on a split schedule: lunch and dinner with a break in between, except Saturday when it's open straight through till 10pm. The full bar is a plus, and happy hour deals are available. Reservations are accepted, which helps during peak times. It's not a late-night destination, but for solid sushi in Cielo Vista, it delivers.

The crowd at Mesa Street Bar & Grill is a mix of University of Texas at El Paso faculty, medical district professionals, and dressed-up locals celebrating something. This fine dining restaurant has been a Mission Hills staple since 1998, known for its extensive wine list and seasonal American cuisine. The climate-controlled patio is a favorite for business toasts and romantic dinners, and the dressy attire expected adds to the elegant atmosphere. Weekends are busiest, especially Friday and Saturday. Reservations are recommended and can be made online. The full bar and happy hour draw a neighborhood after-work crowd, while the free wifi makes it a rare upscale spot where you can actually get some work done over a steak. It's a reliable choice for a special occasion night out in El Paso.

Open from 5 pm Monday through Thursday, and 4 pm on Friday and Saturday (with a Sunday brunch-ish start at 11:30 am), Pelican's Restaurant is your go-to for upscale seafood on El Paso's Westside. It's known for some of the best food in the area, though the menu skews pricey. Reservations are a good idea here. An ideal spot for a special night out or a leisurely Sunday meal.

The regulars at Brew Sports Pub West are a mix of sports fans and billiards enthusiasts, drawn in by the pool tables and big-screen TVs. This west-side location is the original, opened in 2007, and keeps things casual with a full bar and free wifi. You'll find American pub food and a lineup of beers on tap, plus weekly pool tournaments that give the place a neighborhood feel. Hours run from 11am to 2am every day, making it a reliable late-night option. The 2.9-star Yelp rating suggests service can be inconsistent, so go in knowing it's more about the vibe than fine dining. If you're in the area, Crave Kitchen is another spot nearby worth checking out for a different atmosphere.