Where To Drink The Best Margaritas In Philly
By Candis R. McLean,
17 days ago
Every time the temperature climbs above 60 degrees, we crave a margarita, whether it's on the rocks or frozen, tequila or mezcal-filled, flavored or classic. And you can't forget the perfectly salted rims. Since there are so many margaritas to try at Mexican restaurants, bars, and seemingly every Happy Hour menu in Philly, it’s important to know where to find the best. When you want that ultimate blend of sweet, sour, and a whole lot of tequila, check out any of these 18 spots.
La Llorona Cantina
You won't find a better margarita in Philadelphia than the one at La Llorona Cantina in East Passyunk. That’s because their mezcal and tequila lists are as long as a 10-year-old’s Christmas wish list, and they can make a frozen version of any drink on the menu. Whether you go for a frozen mango, hibiscus, or their La Llorona option with tequila, Combier D’Orange, lime, and agave nectar, you’ll sip on a smooth, perfectly balanced margarita complete with a chili salted rim. And during Happy Hour, they knock the price down on their house version from $14 to $7.
Blue Corn Restaurant
Blue Corn is one of our all-time favorite Mexican restaurants in Philly, and the margaritas are just one of the reasons why. They have 10 different flavors, the Thor Macho being in contention for the best spicy margarita in town. It’s made with jalapeño, lime, and tequila, so it’s not overly sweet and packs a considerable amount of heat. If you need something to eat after a couple of drinks, go for the carnitas tacos, mixed alambre, and pavo con mole.
Tamalex Bar & Grill
Whether or not you’re in the mood for a drink, after seeing an icy tamarind or passion fruit margarita go by, you’ll immediately order one. This Headhouse Square restaurant serves great, affordable Mexican food in a space that’s casual enough to walk in with a few friends and try to fix all of your problems with tequila and tacos. They have $12 traditional margaritas and $13 seasonal options like guava, but the price drops two bucks during Happy Hour. No matter which you choose, they’re all thirst-quenching, made from fresh juices, and have the ideal balance between sour and sweet.
La Chinesca
This Mexican-Asian fusion spot on Spring Garden isn’t just for people heading to Union Transfer or the ones who love Barbie so much that they just had to have a photoshoot on a bright pink patio. It’s for anyone who wants to drink a tasty margarita between 11:30 in the morning and 12 at night. Snag a seat inside the old Jiffy Lube or on the patio and order the “Fill It, Regular” or “On Empty”. The first is their take on a classic margarita and the second is a deliciously tart grapefruit marg with a chili lime salt rim. They’re both as refreshing as a cold glass of water after a long run. But, unlike water, they’ll make anybody you come to Happy Hour with seem way more interesting after one or two.
El Mezcal Cantina
At El Mezcal Cantina, a bright and airy Mexican restaurant, you’ll get margaritas in flavors like watermelon, mango-chamoy, and cucumber. Never too tart or too sweet, they’re always chilly and refreshing They’re the ideal blend of tequila or mezcal and fresh juice when you need something to pair with your aguachile or cheesy Mexican pizza.
LMNO
This massive Mexican restaurant in Fishtown has a large patio out front, a pink glowing bar, and a tree-filled, industrial dining room. no matter where you sit, two things are for sure: you’ll have to yell like Jack saying, “I’m the king of the word!” just so your friends can hear you, and the margaritas will be flowing. They have three on the rocks—classic, strawberry, and prickly pear—and one frozen (The Mango One). They’re all made with fresh fruit juice, and can be made with either tequila or mezcal. Thanks to the perfect liquor-to-agave ratio, you’ll never get a pitcher or glass that’s too sugary. Come through during Happy Hour when they’re all half off and the place is packed.
Nemi
You won’t find tastier (or stronger) margaritas in Port Richmond than at Nemi. They have a long list of them, too (there’s 10). And although you can choose from a mezcal and ginger-heavy marg, mango habanero, or roasted pineapple, they all have two things in common: fresh juices and a perfect blend. Whether you’re inside at a wood table staring at a few agave plants or on their sidewalk taking in the sun, there’s no better place in the neighborhood to eat tacos, a salmon ceviche, and order a margarita or three.
Cantina Dos Segundos
Some people collect vinyl, baseball cards, and Star Wars replica lightsabers. At Fishtown’s Cantina Dos Segundos, they must be collecting tequila, since they have over 100 options. Whenever you come to this Mexican restaurant, you’ll likely find it full of groups of friends and coworkers trying to decide whether to order a pitcher of pineapple or prickly pear margaritas. All of the house margaritas are made with fruit puree, which makes them taste extremely fresh, and they’ll always have seasonal flavors, like rosé cider and a cinnamon-forward—but still refreshing—pumpkin spice.
La Calaca Feliz
Whenever people head to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, they have a few choices for food. They could stock up on groceries at Whole Foods, or drive further into Center City and spend 45 minutes looking for parking. Or, they could just pop in Cantina Calaca Feliz. At this Fairmount Mexican spot, you’ll eat great shrimp ceviche, baja fish tacos, short rib enchiladas, and drink some seriously good margaritas. During Happy Hour, they reduce the margarita price by a few bucks, including the house option that’s just $6. They have seven different varieties on their menu, ranging from one with three types of chilies, to frozen pink, to one with a double shot of Patrón. Grab a group of friends, a few quesadillas, and two or three rounds of pitchers—it'll definitely be a better time than staring at a Van Gogh painting.
Bar Bombón
Everyone in Philly knows about Bar Bombón because of their vegan arepas, tacos, and freshly squeezed juices that you can get from their takeout window. However, the real beauty of this Rittenhouse Square spot is the fact that you can get their margaritas for a few bucks off during their Happy Hour that starts at 3pm. They have a classic version, one with salted grapefruit, and a beet-habanero option that’s the only thing we want to drink during the summer. Combine that with a great outdoor sidewalk setup that’s flowing with plants, a long bar, and multiple floors inside, and you have an atmosphere that’s completely easygoing for Happy Hour or a casual date night.
El Vez
Don’t let the bike dangling over the bar and neon lights at El Vez distract you from the fact that the best thing about this place is their margarita. They have over 12 options, so you can choose between regular, frozen spicy mango, blood orange, and more, but we usually go for one with mezcal. The extra bit of smokiness pairs well with every bite of your taco, quesadilla, and tuna tostada.
Mission Taqueria
Mission Taquerias is known for two things: great tacos, and being the go-to spot in Center City for margaritas. This Mexican restaurant isn’t just for all of the ad executives in Rittenhouse Square looking for a lunch spot, but it’s also for anyone who wants to sip on a cocktail between 11am and 11pm. The margaritas are made with freshly squeezed juices, and you’ll find flavors like frozen strawberry cucumber, mango-pineapple, guava, and one that’s sort of like green juice. It’s nearly impossible to just order one, so we suggest ordering some mahi mahi tacos, plantain empanadas, and ceviche mixto to keep you company.
Loco Pez
Stop by any of the Loco Pez locations (Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, West Philly) any night of the week and you’ll find groups of friends and coworkers diving into queso dip and sipping on an Impala, a.k.a. their classic margarita. It’s a pretty classic version with tequila, simple syrup, and lime juice, but the ingredients are very fresh and the blend hits the right amount of sweetness and tartness. They also have bottled versions of their margaritas, along with their other cocktails, so you can order a case or two for a summer BBQ.
Cantina Los Caballitos
It doesn’t take much for the Cantina Los Caballitos patio to fill up like it’s the pit at a Foo Fighters show. That’s because this Mexican spot is one of the best restaurants in East Passyunk , and it’s a super fun place to have a frozen margarita with a friend or two. From blood orange to the volcano with mezcal and habanero simple syrup, it’s hard to go wrong with any of their varieties. Order some shrimp fajitas and chorizo tacos to snack on while people-watching on one of the busiest blocks in the city.
Las Margaritas
Las Margaritas is a Northeast staple that’s located in a strip mall. They have a long bar with a few TVs and so many booths and tables that it can probably host your family reunion this year. The ridiculously long food and drink menu contains more pages than a children’s book, so anyone you bring here will have lots of options, especially when it comes to margaritas. You'll find flavors like pomegranate, sangria, and mango, along with cafe margaritas, which are essentially frozen coffees spiked with tequila and other things like Baileys and Kahlúa. Each cocktail is shaken and blended to order—even the frozen ones—so they come to your table ice cold.
Los Camaradas
Los Camaradas is a Center City spot with good food, lots of Mexican street art, a long bar with TVs, and a few windows that look out on Julian Abele Park. We’d recommend this spot for Happy Hour and eating your way through some tacos after the Sixers lose, but we especially love the margaritas. They're pretty straightforward: classic, spicy, truta, and a frozen flavor that changes daily. There’s a super sweet sourness to them all that will stay on your tongue between bites of quesadillas and carnitas burritos.
El Camino Real
If you’re looking for a late-night margarita spot, El Camino Real is open until 1am on the weekends and has more margarita options than there are Spider-Man movies. They have choices like spicy mezcal gingerita, piña-rita, punch-a-rita, and a classic option where you can add the fruit puree of the day, meaning everyone in your group will find something they’re excited about. All the margaritas can be served straight up or frozen, and the pitchers come in sizes up to 64 ounces.
Sancho Pistola's
Sancho Pistola’s has a laid-back atmosphere, some solid tacos, and Happy Hour margarita pitchers for $15. It’s easily one of our favorite places in Fishtown to hang out with a few friends. Inside, you’ll find a few high-top tables, some Christmas lights wrapped around the beams in the ceiling, and a long u-shaped bar with a few TVs. They also have a lot of variety when it comes to margaritas—you can find ones that are sugar-free, some with mezcal, and the option to add a Gran Marnier float.
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