Marfa is a fabulous place for foodies.
Wednesdays to Saturdays Noon – 10 pm (until Midnight on Thursdays & Fridays). 320 W El Paso Street in the old Godbold Feedmill in the middle of town. This local distillery specialize in Chihuahuan Desert sotol, rum, gin, and other spirits. Every cocktail I’ve had at their tasting room has been great, but I recommend a Cantarito (sotol, chile posado, lime juice, and orange soda served in a clay vase) for a taste of Mexico. Other recommendations are their Prickly Pear Margarita, Paloma, and Old Fashioned. A Texas favorite is a Ranch Water (sotol, lime and grapefruit, and carbonated water). We have also tried a flight of the distillery specialties. It’s only for those who enjoy sipping hard spirits, but it’s a good introduction to what is available. This distillery tasting room is a bar that serves cocktails, but they also sell bottles of your favorite spirits to take home. Food choices are limited. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is sometimes a food truck set up outside the distillery. I didn’t try them, but the tacos looked fantastic. Marfa Spirit Company is a must-visit place for an afternoon tasting flight or an after-dinner cocktail. Follow on Instagram and/or Follow on Facebook.
Thursdays to Sundays 11 am – 3 pm. 1210 W San Antonio Street. Serves sandwiches, pasta, charcuterie, and homemade gelato. Seating is outside under a covered patio, where you can watch them bake their own bread. I had the Cashiola (Classic Italian) and a friend had the Desimone (Seasonal Vegetarian). We shared a bottle of orange wine, which I had never had before but paired refreshingly well with the meal. We also got a cheese selection to go, which was both affordable for the quality and fabulous to have with wine in the evenings at our AirBnB. I can’t recommend this place enough. EAT HERE! Arrive early as the lines can be long and they sometimes run out of homemade bread. THE BEST SANDWICH OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!
Everyday 5 – 10 pm. 1300 W San Antonio Street. A classic Marfa favorite. I love sitting outside on their patio, but if you prefer they do have indoor seating. The patio is dog friendly. My absolute favorite item is the Grain Bowl with grilled chicken. Their Smokey Paloma is good if you like mezcal. I highly recommend you eat at The Water Stop! I miss the days when the Water Stop was open for lunch.
3. Margaret’s
Wednesdays to Saturdays 5 – 9 pm. 103 Highland Street. One of my favorite places in Marfa with a cozy atmosphere in the stylish Brite building. They do not take reservations. I recommend sitting at the diner-style bar and talking to the other dinner guests sitting next to you. I know a lot of people go for their Pickled Deviled Eggs, but I prefer the Cheese Toast with whipped burrata and roasted tomatoes for a starter. For a main dish, I usually get the Baked Eggplant Parmesan or sometimes they have a Trout plate special. They have a decent wine list and the Key Lime Pie is a solid dessert. Honestly, I could just get the Cheese Toast and a bottle of wine and be happy.
4. Cochineal
Thursdays to Saturdays 5 – 10 pm. 107 W San Antonio Street. Marfa’s fancy place. Executive Chef Alexandra Gates and her husband James Harkrider create seasonal daily menus with fresh ingredients from an on-site garden and other regional farms. Chef Gates has been a James Beard semifinalist for the Best Chef Texas category in 2020, 2024, and 2025. The food is simply delicious and the atmosphere is special. It’s a little pricy for a small town in west Texas (chef’s menu ~$125 and à la carte mains ~$40), but completely worth it. You should make a reservation.
5. The Sentinel
Everyday 7:30 am – 3 pm. 209 W El Paso Street. All purchases support local journalism, the Big Bend Sentinel newspaper. It’s a great coffee shop, also serving breakfast/lunch tacos and beer/cocktails. Order at the counter, grab a number, and they will bring your food to you. The beverages are excellent; the food is o.k. They are known for their Iced Spanish Latte (espresso, regular milk, and sweetened condensed milk). It’s a beautiful building and comfortable atmosphere. They have books and artisanal items for sale. Dogs are welcome on their outside patio, but not indoors. This is a great place for brunch before exploring nearby shops and galleries.
Mondays to Saturdays 7 am – 2 pm; Sundays 8 am – 2 pm. 515 S Highland Avenue. Casual burrito place. Any place that has homemade tortillas is my kind of place. West Texas comfort food. This is a great option for brunch one morning. Nice outdoor seating in the back. Used to be cash only, but they have a square card reader now.
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