It’s hard to beat the refreshing combination of high-quality tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and fragrant triple sec that makes up the perfect margarita. We’re lucky to enjoy a bounty of authentic Mexican restaurants here in SF, and you’d be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t have their margarita recipe down to a science (and that doesn’t have a great happy hour menu). Here are our picks for the best margaritas in San Francisco, whether you’re craving a delicious cocktail on a sunny day, or you’re making some Cinco de Mayo plans.
1. El Techo
This breezy rooftop restaurant has incredible views, plus a wide variety of Latin American street food. In addition to their fabulous margaritas, consider trying other mouthwatering cocktails including pisco punch, sangria, and more.
馃嵏 Happy hour: 4-6pm on weekdays. Specials include $5 Modelos, $7 margaritas, and $5-7 appetizers
馃寪 Website: El Techo
馃搷 Location: 2516 Mission Street, San Francisco (Mission District)
2. Nopalito
Nopalito’s unforgettable margaritas are made with Pueblo Viejo Blanco, lime, Combier, and agave nectar. They also offer smokey mezcal margaritas; a “Sweet Heat” cocktail with pineapple, lemon, and habanero; and a variety of non-alcoholic agua frescas.
馃寪 Website: Nopalito
馃搷 Locations:
- 306 Broderick Street, San Francisco (Lower Haight)
- 3690 18th Street, San Francisco (to-go window, Mission District)
3. Puerto Alegre
Puerto Alegre has one of the most impressive margarita menus we’ve ever seen, not to mention plenty of delicious food! Try margaritas in flavors like lime, strawberry, and peach. Or step up your game with specialty tequila options including Sauza Hornitos, Sauza Tres Generaciones. and more.
馃嵏 Happy hour: Weekdays, 4-5pm. Includes $8 margaritas and appetizers. Look for more margarita discounts on the first Friday of the month from 4-7pm.
馃寪 Website: Puerto Alegre
馃搷 Location: 546 Valencia Street, San Francisco (Mission District)
4. Lol贸
In addition to Lol贸’s margarita, which may be enjoyed with tequila or mezcal, you’ve got to consider trying the House Mimosa made with Aperol and grapefruit, the Mezcal Negroni, or their refreshing sangria. Lol贸 showcases some of the finest mezcals and agave-based selections in the city, so you really can’t go wrong.
馃寪 Website: Lol贸
馃搷 Location: 974 Valencia Street, San Francisco (Mission District)
5. Underdogs Tres
Underdogs Tres offers a great house margarita made with Ex贸tico Blanco, but you can also step it up and get a “Cadillac Margarita” featuring Ex贸tico Reposado with a Grand Marnier float, or a “Top Shelf Margarita” with Ex贸tico Reposado and Cointreau. Take a look through the rest of their cocktails while you’re at it – you may just decide to go for a “La Roja Wedding,” “Horchata White Russian,” or a “Mezcal Older Fashioned.”
馃嵏 Happy hour: Weekdays, 4:30-6pm. Specials include $5 house margaritas, $3 tacos, and $3 Tecates.
馃寪 Website: Underdogs Tres
馃搷 Location: 1224 9th Avenue, San Francisco (Inner Sunset)
6. Tommy鈥檚 Mexican Restaurant
Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant has the most impressive tequila menu we’ve ever seen. With a whopping 311 tequilas listed on their website, all of which are 100% agave, you really can’t go wrong with a high-quality margarita pitcher. Enjoy alongside a fantastic meal such as chiles rellenos or enchiladas.
馃寪 Website: Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant
馃搷 Location: 5929 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco
7. Tropisue帽o
This is one of the best margaritas in San Francisco thanks to an extra kick from a haji chile salt rim and El Jimador tequila. While you’re at it, consider trying their “Duende” with absinthe and rosemary salt or their “Margarita Exclusiva” with Don Julio Blanco, Grand Marnier, and Aji chile salt.
馃嵏 Happy hour: Daily from 4-6pm. Includes $6 margaritas and $3 tacos and churros.
馃寪 Website: Tropisue帽o
馃搷 Location: 75 Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco (Downtown SF)
8. Tacolicious
Tacolicious boasts a “San Francisco point of view” on Mexican food, which comes out in their drink menu with cocktails like the “Papi Hemingway,” featuring mezcal, rum, grapefruit bitters, and lime. Margarita options include “De la Casa,” which features Pueblo Viejo Blanco, lime and agave, and other variations such as “Margarita Picante” with red chile shrub and “Margarita Fresca” with strawberry.
馃嵏 Happy hour: Weekdays, 3-6pm. Includes $10 margaritas, $5 Tecates, and small selection of shareable plates for $10.25.
馃寪 Website: Tacolicious
馃搷 Locations:
- 2250 Chestnut St, San Francisco (Marina)
- 741 Valencia St, San Francisco (Mission)
9. Santer铆a
This lively margarita bar in San Francisco specializes in handcrafted margaritas using 100% blue agave tequilas, and craft cocktails using all agave spirits. Enjoy your drink with a plate of traditional Mexican cuisine including Michoach谩n carnitas or pulpo al pastor.
馃嵏 Happy hour: Weekdays, 3-6pm. $3 for chips and salsa trio, $9 margaritas and cocktails, $5 beers
馃寪 Website: Santer铆a
馃搷 Location: 2251 Market St, San Francisco, CA (Duboce Triangle)
10. Celia’s by the Beach
A margarita tastes even better with an ocean view, and this Outer Sunset institution has served delicious Mexican food and drink since 1960. Their famous margaritas come in a characteristic oversized cactus glass with multiple flavors and sizes.
馃嵏 Happy hour: All night on Thirsty Thursdays
馃寪 Website: Celia’s by the Beach
馃搷 Location: 4019 Judah St, San Francisco, CA (Outer Sunset)