Highest-rated restaurants in El Centro by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans say they rarely or never try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, according to a from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—67% of Gen Zers and 40% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on social media or online restaurant reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google. The TouchBistro survey found that 52% of Gen Zers have opted to try a new restaurant due to positive feedback on social media, and 67% of millennials have gone to a new dining spot solely because of favorable reviews online.
New restaurants in particular tend to garner a lot of online attention. About 50,000 new restaurants open each year in the U.S., and that number continues to rise. An analysis by Yelp published in June 2024 found that from May 2023 to April 2024. But some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established eateries that customers have been visiting for decades.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in El Centro, according to reviews from diners as of January 2025. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews and a 3.0 rating were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
#30. Khan Korean BBQ
- Rating: 3.5/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 330 Wake Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
-
#29. Burrito Factory
- Rating: 3.5/5 (103 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 130 South Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
-
#28. Farmer Boys
- Rating: 3.6/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1532 Cruickshank Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers
-
#27. La Fonda Bar Grill
- Rating: 3.6/5 (101 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1950 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Bars, Mexican
-
#26. Cardenas Markets
- Rating: 3.6/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1620 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Meat Shops, Mexican, International Grocery
-
#25. Grasso's Italian Restaurant
- Rating: 3.6/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1902 West Main St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Italian, Pizza
-
#24. Burgers & Beer
- Rating: 3.6/5 (380 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 260 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, American, Cocktail Bars
-
#23. Broken Yolk Cafe
- Rating: 3.6/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3049 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes, American
-
#22. La Resaca Seafood Bar
- Rating: 3.7/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 143 South 6th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Seafood, Cocktail Bars
-
#21. Lucky Chinese Restaurant
- Rating: 3.8/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 500 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Chinese, Asian Fusion, Seafood
-
#20. Juice Haus
- Rating: 3.8/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1630 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches, Salad
-
#19. Sombrero Mexican Food
- Rating: 3.8/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 703 East Danenberg Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, fast food, Breakfast & Brunch
-
#18. Rosa's Plane Food
- Rating: 4.0/5 (98 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1523 West Main St. Ste East El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouses
-
#17. Sobe's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1151 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
-
#16. Chef Lee's Chinese Food and Noodles
- Rating: 4.1/5 (91 reviews)
- Address: 1049 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Fast food, Chinese, Noodles
-
#15. In-N-Out Burger
- Rating: 4.1/5 (128 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2390 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Burgers, fast food
-
#14. Tacos Marlyn El Centro
- Rating: 4.1/5 (151 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1614 South 4th St. Sunshine Mall El Centro, California
- Categories: Seafood, Tacos
-
#13. Flautas and Sopes
- Rating: 4.2/5 (36 reviews)
- Address: 1531 Ford Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
-
#12. Celia's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1530 Adams Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
-
#11. Mozzarelli
- Rating: 4.3/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 950 North Imperial Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches, Italian
-
#10. D'Poly Taco Grill & Beer
- Rating: 4.3/5 (268 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1573 West Main St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican, Chicken Wings, Cocktail Bars
-
#9. Pepper Grind Coffee
- Rating: 4.3/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 1560 Pepper Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Acai Bowls, Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
-
#8. Sonora Fusion
- Rating: 4.3/5 (83 reviews)
- Address: 560 West State St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Steakhouses
-
#7. Volcano
- Rating: 4.4/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 445 East Main St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Asian Fusion
-
#6. Juniors Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1791 Adams Ave. El Centro, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Mexican, Coffee & Tea
-
#5. Rico food
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 1404 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Asian Fusion
-
#4. Letty's Casita
- Rating: 4.5/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 705 South 4th St. El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
-
#3. Antojito Como En Casa
- Rating: 4.5/5 (382 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 425 Desert Gardens Drive El Centro, California
- Categories: Mexican
-
#2. Fujisan Sushi
- Rating: 4.6/5 (78 reviews)
- Address: 1560 Ocotillo Drive Ste O El Centro, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Seafood
-
#1. Puerto Nuevo Patio & Grill
- Rating: 4.7/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 395 Broadway El Centro, California
- Categories: Seafood
-
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 318 metros.
