Happy National Tequila Day! Want to celebrate? Here’s where to find the best margaritas in Pittsburgh.
täkō
Downtown’s täkō may be known for having some of the best tacos in Pittsburgh, but they also have a whole wall of tequila – and a selection of about a dozen margaritas, including Cucumber (Serrano, Espolon Blanco and lime), Grapefruit (sage, Espolon Blanco, lime, hopped bitters), Oaxaca (Espolon Reposado, Mezcal, Angostura, orange, Demerara) and Cilantro (Espolon Blanco, Anchin Reyes Verde, black pepper, agave). They also have one or two special margaritas on the menu every night, too.
täkō (214 6th Street)
Bakersfield
If you like your margaritas with a kick, this one is for you. Bakersfield’s Spicy Margarita has el Jimador Blanco, triple sec, agave nectar, fresh lemon and lime, and fresh fresno and jalapeno peppers, making this marg a super-spicy selection. Want something a little milder? They also have traditional margaritas, and a seasonal selection (right now, it’s Pineapple).
Bakersefield (940 Penn Avenue)
Round Corner Cantina
One of Pittsburgh’s favorite margaritas! Round Corner Cantina has seven margaritas on the menu, including their version of a classic: The La Cantina, with tequila, triple sec, lime, agave, and a splash of orange juice. Other margaritas to put on your must-drink linst include the Flamenco with Don Julio blanco, lime, orgeat, orange blossom and strawberry, and the Slow Cookin’ the Carrot, made with carrot, ginger, cilantro, lemon and jalapeno.
Round Corner Cantina (3720 Butler Street)
Mad Mex
You can’t talk about the best margaritas in Pittsburgh without talking about Mad Mex. The Big Burrito Group’s Mexican restaurants (there are now eight in the Pittsburgh area, with one more coming soon) have been serving margaritas to the masses since the first Mad Mex opened in 1993. Their massive margarita menu includes fruity takes on their original recipe (like Black Cherry, Mango and Strawberry), plus special margaritas, including a Blackberry Thyme Margarita with thyme-infused blackberry puree.
Mad Mex (various locations)
Condado Tacos
Downtown’s Condado Tacos knows how to celebrate National Tequila Day – with half-off house margaritas all day long on Tuesday, July 24. Their awesome margaritas are made with Sauza Gold Tequila, and come in an array of different flavors, including Bloody Orange, Blackberry, Pomegranate, and Muddled Jalapeno. The small-chain restaurant (a second location is coming to Lawrenceville later this year), also has a full menu of special margaritas, including the Kahlo with soda, lime juice and fresh mint, and their Sparkling Margarita, a kegged and carbonated Sauza Blue Silver margarita.
Condado Tacos (971 Liberty Avenue)
Las Velas Mexican Restaurant
Market Square’s Las Velas Mexican Restaurant has over 150 tequilas at the bar, and a selection of seven different margaritas, not including the fruit-flavored traditional options (Kiwi, Watermelon and Mixed Berry are some go-to choices). Order the Mango Cayenne margarita if you’d like a little spice and the Strawberry Cucumber marg if you’re into sweetness.
Las Velas Mexican Restaurant (21 Market Square)
La Palapa
Whether you order your margarita on the rocks or frozen, you know it’s going to be delicious at La Palapa on the South Side. In addition to traditional margaritas, they also have a Pineapple margarita made with fresh pineapple juice, and a Tropical Sangria Margarita, a traditional margarita made with white sangria (it’s so much better than it sounds!).
La Palapa (2224 East Carson Street)
Tres Rios
The margarita game is strong at the South Side’s Tres Rios, with seasonal selections like Elderflower Rosemary Margaritas on the menu along with more traditional options. They also regularly have margarita flights available, allowing you to sample three of their favorite flavors.
Tres Rios(1719 East Carson Street)
Fl. 2
Okay, it may not technically be a margarita, but Fl. 2’s ‘Who You Callin’ Prickly?’ is a fun, elevated take on the cocktail. It’s made with Patron Reposado (happy National Tequila Day, indeed!), prickly pear, yuzu, and Bauchant, an orange liqueur.
Fl. 2 (510 Market Street)
Kaya
The Spicy Cucumber Margarita at Kaya is one of our all-time favorites, thanks to it’s subtle spiciness (courtesy of habanero-infused tequila). Their cocktail menu has new additions every season, and currently also includes a Grapefruit-Basil margarita that’s worth a taste.
Kaya (2000 Smallman Street)
What do you think the best margarita in Pittsburgh is? Let us know in the comments!
I am looking for events for the National Tequila Day in Canada. We have such a blooming tequila industry in Canada; I am sure that all of the makers of tequila must have organized something.