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    El Molino Central

    4.4 (1.5k reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    El Molino Central Photos

    Business Info

    EL MOLINO CENTRAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Molino Central

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    One of two Bohemia Beer Battered Fish Tacos.
    Adrian L.

    I saw Instagram foodie Festus try Mexican restaurants in the Santa Rosa and Sonoma County and he stopped by El Molino. I've been looking for a go to Mexican restaurant in the North Bay and decided to give it a try. I got the same two dishes he ordered, Beer Battered Fish Tacos and the Chicken Enchiladas. The guacamole and sauce in the tacos really made the dish! I can see why Festus likes wearing gloves while eating because it was tasty but messy as the tortilla broke cause it couldn't support its contents. The Chicken Enchiladas were delicious and you got to check out the nice cheese pull it has. The service was friendly and great. The seating is in the back and there were several bench patio tables. If I'm in the neighborhood again I would definitely be back :)

    Verde Chicken Enchiladas Suizas
    Leah E.

    I have a full-blown obsession with El Molino Central, the fact that it's Michelin-recognized only validates what I already knew. Ever since I discovered the Fairmont Spa through ResortPass, this has become my perfect ritual: spa day, then lunch here, then a second stop before heading home to stock up on their ready-made items. If you book the happy hour pass at the spa, come here for lunch. The homemade chips and guac are non-negotiable. The verde chicken enchiladas are generous enough to feed at least two people. And the seasonal chile relleno? Will have you thinking you'd never want another chile relleno ever again... that beef-and-pork mix, with the sauce, and fresh pomegranate. Our obsession has reached the point where my boyfriend literally Zelle's me in advance to make sure I bring home a full haul from the refrigerated case--tamales, enchiladas, chile relleno, guac, dips, chips, fresh tortillas, beans, desserts... It's dangerous in the best way. Pro tip: If there's something specific you want, pay for it earlier in the day and pick it up later to guarantee it doesn't sell out. And if you have room (make some!), don't skip the soft serve. The portion is huge, easily shareable, and the perfect sweet ending. NOTE: They pop up at the SF Saturday Ferry Building Farmers Market, look for the LONG LINE.

    Chicken Enchiladas Suizas, Nachos Verde and lamb tacos
    Lexus F.

    a Michelin guide taco spot !! Truly amazing though! Parking is limited, you'll enter through the front door and get drinks + order your food. Around back is a beautiful patio area to enjoy your meal. The nachos verde is a must order and the lamb tacos were amazing. I ordered the enchilada chicken suiza, which was great but a super large portion. Staff was super kind and good came out pretty quickly!

    Crispy Beef Tacos with Guacamole
    Sandy L.

    Casual place with a casual ambiance. Food is good and is one of those places where the food is absolutely incredible if you're starving if that makes sense. Food is closer to Tex mex. Big portions. Food is rich. The refried beans were great. Beef tacos were skippable. Came on a weekday for dinner and grabbed a table in the back. Surprisingly busy for a weekday but still plenty of picnic table seating with some heated lamps. Dimly lit, great for a casual dinner.

    Pork panuchos
    Francie M.

    Stopped by here for linner after exploring the nearby Jack London State Park. I ordered the winter menu item of the Yucatecan Pork Panuchos which looked like a small tostada with a crispy tortilla layered with beans and hard boiled eggs, topped with pork, avocado, and pickled red onion. It was delicious, and defined by the orange marinade in the pickled red onion which I've never tasted before. This came with 3 small portions which was filling without being stuffed The chips and guacamole came with delicious freshly fried tortilla chips, but the guacamole could have used a bit more salt and lime. My friends orders of the potato/chard/cheese tamales, chicken enchiladas, and beef tacos were all well received. The soft serve ice cream also comes as a generous height of swirl. Logistics: - Heated outdoor seating only (with umbrellas and some roof) - Limited parking to either side but more parking a few blocks away - Vegetarian options

    Hand Made Chips
    Kevin C.

    Two well deserved, Michelin stars in 2021 and 2025!! Without a doubt some of the best Mexican food I have ever eaten and I've eaten a lot of Mexican food. For starters, the hand made chips and salsa were amazing. Thick corn tortillas, hand pressed, rolled and fried. The refried black beans, which are the hallmark of every good Mexican food experience are to die for. Excellent texture and taste. My wife had the the Butternut squash enchiladas. I would not have ordered that, but they were outstanding. Creamy texture and so flavorful. I had the pork tamales. Again, the Masa, the texture and flavor were out of this world. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, water station and fast friend services.

    Fish taco
    Megan H.

    This place was so good. Everything on the menu looked delicious. I ordered 2 fish tacos and they were so tasty and filling. Easy walk up ordering inside and lots of seating out back. Friendly service. Would definitely go back.

    Chicken Enchiladas Suizas
    Amanda F.

    We stopped by for dinner on a Sunday night. Many items were sold out so we opted for the enchiladas and chips w salsa. We sat out back, wiping the table down with a bleached towel in a nearby bucket. Water was available in a large cooler with reusable cups. It seemed like we waited a long time for our food. Finally, they delivered our food. The temperature was good, the quantity was enormous and the taste was just ok. I was hoping for better. I think the mole sauce needed some salt. The chips are too thick. The guac was fine and the green sauce was good. I liked the pickled veggies. They don't come back to check. We cleaned our table and took our leftovers home. I wouldn't go back. It's just ok. And there are lots of Mexican places nearby. We went because it's walkable from where we stayed and we did not need a reservation.

    So great 10/10!!! Just remember to be patient if you go on a weekend. If you see a line out the door, expect about 35min for your food after ordering, but they bring the chips out first.

    Chile relleno
    Ada C.

    Excellent food, very fresh. I had the chile relleno which was delicious. Highlight was the freshly made tortillas - soft, pliable with a bit of bite.

    Amanda L.

    We stopped by after wine tasting in the area and it hit the spot. Came on a beautiful sunny evening. Parking lot is small but there's also a lot across the street you can park at. You order food at the counter and there's plenty of outdoor seating in the back. We ordered a side of guac and chips, chicken mole enchiladas and mushroom tacos (blue corn tortilla). Everything was delicious, the mole was sooo good!

    Sam P.

    This place seemed promising as it had a long line out the door when we arrived. You order at the counter and they have lots of outdoor seating in the back patio which makes for a fun evening! We had the chips and guacamole; these are delicious, the chips were thick but crisp and a perfect match to the guacamole. Then o had their Shrimp tacos, the tortillas were homemade and were delicious though they are very dense, the shrimp was weird as it was fried and they were good but they had so much breading, they looked like shrimp clusters with multiple shrimp in each price but it was one of, with lots and lots of breading so I pealed it off and just ate the shrimp inside which was much better! Cabbage mix was fresh and tasty! Fun atmosphere and loved the outside patio; food was good but would have preferred a fish or shrimp taco that was not breaded !

    Avocado, tomato, onion, but where's the crab?
    Julie M.

    New special, Crab Tostada! Very tasty, but missing the crab and flavor of crab. Flecks of crab miss the mark.

    Shrimp Scallop Octopus Cold COCTEL

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    El Molino Central Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Molino Central

    Do they allow small dogs in the outdoor seating area?

    Yes

    Do they have high chairs?

    I think hat they do bit suggest that you call them. It is very kid friendly.

    I only have one stomach - what should I eat here?

    Try Al pastor Tacos or Tamales!!!

    Are chilaquiles available every day? I don't see them in the menu.

    Weekends

    What kind of nuts are used in the mole? (asking because of a nut allergy)

    I don't know, but they are generally ignorant of allergies. I am allergic to legumes, and they won't omit the beans. Good luck, but honestly, they don't care

    Sonoma neighbors said there is a popup in/near Sonoma Square? Can anyone help share info?

    Does this restaurant serve alcohol?

    Beer (in bottle) and wine!

    Do they sell there fresh/dozen tamales in any store(s) in the South Bay?

    They sell their tamales under the Primavera brand. I've seen them at Whole Foods, as well as local groceries (like Napa's Browns Valley Market, Sonoma Market, Glen Ellen Market) Not sure if the Primavera brand is available in the South Bay.

    Is it good food, better than average mexican resturaunt?

    It depends on the dish. The guacamole is better than most and worth the trip. The chicken enchiladas suizas were better than most, mainly because the chicken was very well seasoned and seemed slow cooked. The fish tacos are fresh tasting and… Read more

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    Had an excellent peaceful meal over the weekend, everything was cooked to perfection and the…read moreservice was seamless. Thank you Matt for being wonderful. Sometimes, I sit and think I can't imagine the number of Karen's or disgruntled guests that come through establishments just looking for something wrong. What a waste of a life, as I overheard one lady complaining about the noise of an AC unit. Sounds like you may need a wake up call to remember how beautiful life is. I needed to say that so bad!

    We recently attended a rehearsal dinner at this restaurant as guests of the wedding party. Overall,…read morethe food quality was quite good; however, we encountered a service issue that significantly impacted our experience. Due to a flight delay beyond our control, we arrived partway through the evening and missed the first course. When we politely requested the opening salad, a dish that had been prepaid by the wedding party as part of a three-course package for all guests, we were informed that the kitchen could not accommodate us given our late arrival. We found this response difficult to understand, as a simple salad should present minimal operational burden to prepare outside of the standard service flow. For a venue that hosts out-of-town guests for milestone events such as rehearsal dinners, we would expect a greater degree of flexibility and hospitality, particularly in circumstances outside a guest's control. Accommodating a straightforward request of this nature would have gone a long way in demonstrating the kind of service that warrants a recommendation. Regrettably, based on this experience, we would not feel comfortable recommending this restaurant to out-of-town guests attending future events.

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    The Girl & The Fig  - Pan-seared scallops

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    4.1(4.7k reviews)
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    We had the Spring Tartine. It was amazing. Then we had the steak & frites. Cooked to perfection…read more And the taste of the meat was perfect. The fries (aka French fries) were crispy and perfectly salted. Lucky for us we live down the street and will continue to be regulars!

    My goto dinner spot in Sonoma…read more I actually have been here multiple times and I don't know what has taken me so long to post a review but the Girl and the Fig is definitely the truth. When you enter you'll notice a more homey decor to the place. Warm colors all around and even warmer service once you sit down. Every single experience Ive had here is been nothing less of 110%. Theres always this good balance professionalism with lightheartedness that pair so well for the atmosphere. Because at its core this restaurant is high scale. It definitely has that higher scale vibe but if never comes off as pretentious though. This particular I took my wifey here for our 10th year anniversary together. And we were greeting by a nice little card from the "Fig Family." We ended up trying the Seared Halloumi and I was shocked at how much I liked it. Very light flavors but still enough variety with the crispy spigarello and pine nuts to keep things fun. The lemon never feels too overwhelming. For mains my wife got the Mushroom RisottoI think? Or maybe it was Butternut Squash Risotto? I got the Fig Burger and both were amazing. The only reason I didn't get her Risotto was simply because I already had it at lunch time, but that still didn't stop me from taking a bite. Each rice like grain had a perfect chew and flavor to each bite. Even being the picky person that I am with veggies, I appreciated the veggies addition to the dish. I still think though that the sure winner was my Fig Burger. This burger is everything we wish our local breweries burger was. A harmonic balance between salty and sweet. Im down to get a little crazy with burgers but if it's too sweet, it kinda loses the appeal for me. It takes away too much from the burgers roots. So yea. Go here. Make reservations too. I know for myself I made mine about a month in advance so it's hard to say how hard it is to get a table here. But hopefully it's not too bad. Parking by the way is just street parking. Despite that Ive always been able to get a park on W Spain St right before I pull up to the restaurant. OH! And thanks again Girl and the Fig family! You made the end to our anniversary quite magical!

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    El Molino Central - mexican - Updated June 2026

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