We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.
Getting to Marfa
Where to Stay in Marfa
El Cosmico
I stumbled upon El Cosmico (which then led me to discover the entire town of Marfa) just over 6 years ago. I just couldn’t shake the desire to visit. El Cosmico is an Instagram-worthy campground filled with decorated airstream trailers, teepees, yurts and hammocks. Staying at El Cosmico was a no-brainer for us. We wanted the complete Marfa experience, and this absolutely delivered it.
Read more about our full experience at El Cosmico here.
Hotel Saint George
After two nights in our beautiful tangerine airstream, we opted for a completely different experience at Marfa Saint George, one of the two upscale hotels in town. Marfa Saint George was exquisite in every sense of the word. The rooms were an interior designer’s dream and the amenities were unreal. The restaurant on the first floor, LaVenture, was phenomenal. While Scott and I agree that we could’ve stayed at El Cosmico the entire trip, it was so nice to spend our last night in town feeling completely pampered. It was also pouring rain, so it was nice to be indoors with so many options.
Where to Eat & Drink in Marfa
Finding food in Marfa can be tricky if you don’t know where to look – and when. Some spots are only open on the weekends and some have very unique hours so be sure to google! Also know that you may have the same server at two different restaurants. I’m not kidding when I say that the town is really small – so be nice and tip well!
BREAKFAST
Bun’s and Roses
Bun’s and Roses is a cute mom-and-pop breakfast spot on the west side of town that serves traditional breakfast and fresh coffee with endless refills. They also have huge donuts that Scott and I just couldn’t resist. We stopped here on our way out to Prada Marfa.
Squeeze Marfa
If you’re into green juices and acai bowls, you have to try Squeeze Marfa. It’s a very European and very quaint spot in downtown Marfa. Aside from healthy treats, they make a mean almond milk latte that’ll really jazz you up. Bring your camera too because there are a ton of photo ops around!
LUNCH
Marfa Burrito
If you’re looking for an authentic meal while you’re this far south, Marfa Burrito is it. It’s a hidden gem that is deeply loved by locals and everything is homemade right there in front of you – even the tortillas! The menu is simple and the atmosphere is something to experience. Don’t forget to bring cash.
Food Shark
The most popular food truck in all of West Texas (I’m probably making this up) is Food Shark. It’s only open for lunch Wednesdays – Saturdays from 12-3. The first time Scott and I went, the wait was over an hour, so we decided to go elsewhere. The next day, we were determined to eat there and we did. We arrived right around 12:30 and waited about 45 minutes for our food, but we killed the time with delicious Mexican beer and good conversation. I’m telling you, IT WAS WORTH EVERY SECOND. Scott and I are still talking about it to this day.
DINNER & DRINKS
Jett’s Grill
We stopped at Jett’s Grill, an indoor/outdoor bar and grill located inside Hotel Paisano, the night we got into town. It is straight out of a movie scene and absolutely worth the stop. The margarita’s are killer and they are best enjoyed on the garden partio at sunset.
Stellina
My favorite restaurant in Marfa was probably Stellina. It’s very European in how it’s laid out – you literally sit at a giant rectangular table with strangers that become friends by the nights end. The food was fresh, healthy and so delicious – and the wine selection was on point.
The Capri
Located just across the street from the Thunderbird Hotel is The Capri, a bar and restaurant with jaw-dropping interiors. We’re talking floor to ceiling velvet curtains and one of the most picturesque bars I’ve ever seen. We stopped there Saturday afternoon for drinks and had an absolute blast. The bartender was a college student in a neighboring town and he told us all about Marfa, how legitimate Marfa Lights are and introduced us to all of the staff. I also had the best margarita of my life here.
LaVenture
Perfect for a low-lit romantic dinner, LaVenture is an upscale restaurant located inside Hotel Saint George. It’s a little pricey but definitely worth it for the food, drinks and atmosphere. The bar menu is super creative, so be sure to try something new!
Planet Marfa
If you want to get in touch with your college years and enjoy a pint of beer, visit Planet Marfa. It’s an outdoor-ish bar with ping-pong tables, an underground teepee and a lot of Marfa history.
Bar Saint George
Next to Hotel Saint George is Bar Saint George, a private outdoor bar situated next to a beautiful pool and a long line of cabanas. They have a delicious frosé, but even better than that is their frozen prickly pear margarita. You cannot leave Marfa without trying it. You just can’t.
What to Do in Marfa
When you get to Marfa, the high desert ease will overcome you. Time moves slower. You’ll spend more time having good conversations and less time thinking about your iPhone. It’s an intoxicating environment and one that you surely won’t forget.
Prada Marfa
The uber-popular permanent art sculpture is located 30 miles northwest of Marfa in Valentine, Texas. I read that dawn and dusk were the best times to visit, which almost deterred us from going when we did since we slept in a bit, but we were really happy with our mid-morning adventure. We arrived around 10:30 and stayed until noon. We had the whole place to ourselves, aside from a few semi-trucks, for the majority of the time.
Read more about our trip to Prada Marfa here.
Big Bend Brewery
Twenty minutes east of Marfa, in a town called Alpine, is Big Bend Brewery. It’s open to the public and the beer is ridiculously delicious. Scott and I each grabbed a pint and sat on the back patio while we watched a thunderstorm roll by in the distance. Behind us, families were playing card games and dancing with their toddlers. It was a very cool experience and worth short drive.
Marfa Lights
One thing you may not know about me is that I am all about extraterrestrials. If there is a UFO documentary on TV, you better believe I’m watching it from start to finish. So one thing I was so excited to do while in Marfa was watch for the illustrious Marfa Lights. There is an outpost just east of town where there have been documented sightings and you can sit out there for as long as you want. If you do, bring a drink!
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xo
Jennifer