Casa Margarita at Casa Madera
Aside from constant sunshine (and, we argue, all-around excellence), if Southern California can guarantee one good thing, it’s a solid margarita. And as the region’s cosmopolitan mecca, Los Angeles assures you can find a good margarita whether you’re sitting beachside in Venice or are across town in Echo Park. Read on for where to find the best margaritas in Los Angeles.
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Tu Madre has multiple locations across the city, making it a prime go-to spot no matter what part of town you’re in. You can also always count on a pitcher-worthy margarita here for afternoons or evenings spent unwinding with friends over drinks, guac and tacos. However, for a real experience, go for one of the margarita flights. You’ll get to have your own tasting experience and a variety of flavors (hibiscus, tamarind, blood orange, passionfruit). It also comes with a little sparkle.
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Website/ 1515 Ocean Ave 90401
Santa Monica native Jenny Rush treats Angelenos to Baja cuisine that is both tasty and organic. With its commitment to using sustainably farmed ingredients, you know great care goes into whatever you order from BPT, whether it's the poblano and corn queso dip, barbacoa tacos or even a cocktail. You can’t go wrong with any of its house made margaritas, but we say be sure to check out the tantalizing hibiscus margarita. The vibrant cocktail is shaken up with orange, mint and house made hibiscus syrup.
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Website/ 3939 Cross Creek Rd 90265
In the late ‘90s, Sean Meenan opened the doors to Café Habana in New York City and just over a decade later, he brought his esteemed Mexican-Cuban fare all the way to Malibu in partnership with Rande Gerber. As you would expect, all Café Habana restaurants pour Casamigos Tequila, meaning whether you go for the classic on-the-rocks take or the flavorsome spicy mango cilantro margarita, you’re making the right choice.
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Website/ 2191 Rosecrans Ave 90245
In El Segundo, Caló Kitchen showcases an impressive approach to contemporary Mexican cuisine. The organic-driven menu features eye-catching dishes like potato-filled taquitos, watermelon pepita, short-rib enchiladas and halibut tacos, which all pair excellently with a margarita. For something both refreshing and sweet, consider the blackberry margarita.
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Website/ 8225 Beverly Blvd 90048
Yes, a chophouse and a great margarita do go hand in hand. Suzanne Tracht’s acclaimed Jar serves elevated American dishes like the signature pot roast, lemongrass Jidori chicken and prime Kansas City steak, which are expertly complemented by its beverage program. Case in point is the roasted jalapeño margarita, which is finished with a salt and sugar rim.
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Website/ 13301 Ventura Blvd 91423
What an enchanting experience to settle into a cozy red booth at Casa Vega. Sipping a margarita while taking in the draped lights, Mexican decor and celebrity-named booths, you can feel the 65-plus years of history emitting from the walls. Certify the experience with a cocktail that both packs a punch and nods to the Casa Vega spirit: The Tarantino. Made with Casamigos añejo, it features fresh lemon juice, fresh lime juice, lemon stevia and fresh orange juice.
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Madre has the largest selection of mezcal in the country, making it only right that you opt for the Mezcal Margarita. Also made with house chili liqueur, agave, lime and sal de gusano, the cocktail adds a nice kick to the rest of your Oaxacan feast.
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Website/ 11755 W Pico Blvd 90064
Another longtime Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles, Don Antonio has been treating Angelenos to hearty dishes and strong drinks for forty years. Keep it classic at this storied restaurant with a Cadillac Margarita— the perfect complement to a wet burrito or combo taco-enchilada plate.
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Website/ 11122 Magnolia Blvd 91601
In the Valley, one of the most popular places for a night out is in fact a Tex-Mex restaurant. But whether you go for a weeknight dinner or Saturday evening drinks, you should consider the Cesar Chavez Margarita. All of El Tejano’s margaritas keep it stylish in 18-ounce schooners, but the Cesar Chavez stands out for its use of housemade jalapeño-infused tequila.
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Website/ 813 Flower St 90017
The Rooftop at The Wayfarer knows its tequila. Over the course of May, visitors have had the chance to taste from its private El Tesoro tequila barrel. The Jalisco spirit is that important to them, making its take on the margarita a must-try. The Mango Unchained lets you choose your choice of tequila, which is then mixed with mango, Cointreau, lime, agave and chamoy.
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Website/ 812 E 3rd St 90013
With a sister-predecessor restaurant in Mexico City, LA Cha Cha Cha brings a specialized authenticity to its cuisine and bar. The Spicy Pineapple Margarita isn’t an ingredient-overloaded cocktail, but it still offers a refreshing spin on the classic drink. Featuring Maestro Dobel Blanco, it is made with pineapple, lime and tajin.
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Website/ 10250 Santa Monica Blvd 90067
Javier’s has long been the go-to restaurant for Mexican food and elevated dining. When perusing the margarita menu, keep it just as elevated with your cocktail order and choose the Javier’s. Always hand shaken and served on the rocks, it features Patrón Reposado Tequila and Grand Marnier.
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As mentioned, L.A. has a number of longtime Mexican restaurants, but who can really say they’ve been around a whole century? That would be El Cholo. The family-run business is famous for its L.A. Lemonade, so make it part of your next visit to one of its three locations across the city. Hand-shaken, it is made with 1800, Sauza Conmemorativo, Herradura Silver and Cointreau.
Website/ 8440 Sunset Blvd 90069
The Sunset Strip establisment sparkles above the city with an alluring lineup of element-inspired cocktails. Served flaming, the Solstice is one of Casa Madera’s best sellers and is made of El Tesoro Blanco, passionfruit and tri-pepper juice (lemon, mandarine napoleon, passionfruit).
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Website/ 3014 W Olympic Blvd 90006
The James Beard Award-winning restaurant is just as enticing for its menu as it is for its illuminating orange exterior. Between bites of chapulines and mole dishes, wash it all down with the Margarita Guelaguetza, a blend of mezcal, lemon liqueur, limoncello and cucumber.
Website/ 8450 W 3rd St 90048
Like its fellow Noble 33 restaurant, one of Toca Madera’s best-selling margaritas features the hospitality brand’s signature cocktail flame. Both a stunner visually and by taste, the Ghostrider is a concoction of Altos Plata, fresh mint, lime and agave.
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Website/ 2132 E 7th Pl 90021
From the dishes to the cocktails to the desserts, Damian produces some of the freshest elevated Mexican fare in town. It also has plenty of California influences up and down the menu, making it the right place to adventure outside of margarita classics. A nod to L.A.’s reputation as a cultural melting pot, go big with the Frozen Yugu Margarita, a handcrafted cocktail of Casa Dragones Blanco, Cointreau, Giffard’s Triple Sec, yuzu and agave.
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Website/ 8225 Sunset Blvd 90046
Pink Taco refreshed its menu earlier in the spring, which saw the return of old favorites. Among them is the Strawberry Margarita. If you’re looking for a party in cocktail form, look no further. The Pink Taco drink is a strawberry frozen slushie served in a pineapple.
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Website/ 7312 Beverly Blvd. 90036
It’s only right to start off with a classic. In honor of one of L.A.’s most legendary restaurants, we deem the Beverly Boulevard eatery a must for being part of the city for nearly a century. Equally as iconic of their house margarita. Served on the rocks, it never disappoints.
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Website/ 113 N Robertson Blvd. 90048
Next, we look to Robertson Boulevard. The Californian restaurant offers a cool-meets-spicy take on the tequila cocktail for an all-around satisfying drink. The Ivy’s Cucumber Margarita comes with organic agave nectar and serrano chiles and can be made with El Silencio mezcal or Herradura Silver tequila.
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Website/ 8905 Melrose Ave. 90069
The West Hollywood hotspot serves up the tequila beverage as it should be. Finding the right balance between sweet and spicy, Gracias Madre’s Signature Margarita comes with lime, agave, house orange bitters and citrus salt and must be ordered spicy (or at least that’s what we think). And be sure to order a pitcher if you’re with a group!
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Website/1542 Sunset Blvd. 90026
There’s a reason this pop-up evolved into a fully operating Echo Park cocktail bar, and we think it has a lot to do with their eponymous cocktail option. Opt for the Flores Margarita for an Instagram-worthy beverage that’s just as delicious. You’ll want to stop in on Wednesdays when the price drops to $8.
See also: Not-Your-Average Margarita Recipes To Elevate Your Tequila Game
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Website/ 1449 Sunset Blvd. 90026
Come for a loaded plate of tacos, stay for the live mariachi music. And while you’re at it, order one of their infamous Flaming Margaritas. The vast number of flavor options— from peach to coconut to blue cadillac— will have you coming back again and again.
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Website/ 8138 W. 3rd St. 90048
Good vibes cement a good margarita, which makes this colorful 3rd Street cantina an ideal choice for a round of drinks. What’s more, El Carmen earned the title of best margarita in L.A. in 2019 at the Home State Margarita Showdown. With Alex’s OG, you get a fantastic concoction of pineapple-infused tequila, chile, cilantro syrup and lime juice with a tajin rim.
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Website/ 510 S Broadway 90013
Mezcalero has a stellar lineup of margarita options, but we say go big or go home and opt for a cocktail that is more than just a beverage. With Real de Valles tequila, it also comes with organic agave, lime and roasted corn.
No matter where you are in Los Angeles, you're never far from a great margarita.
Photography by: Jessie Co; Tj Perez
