Get your Margarita On in Grand Rapids

National Margarita Day is February 22 – and we’re celebrating with this list of the area’s best versions of the classic cocktail, as recommended by our social media followers.

Whether you prefer the traditional lime variety or newer and more adventurous flavors, if you like it frozen or on the rocks, you’ll find plenty of satisfying salt-rimmed options in Grand Rapids.

No need to wait until February 22 to indulge your margarita craving. These selections are available right now… and all year round!

Donkey Taqueria

Housed in a remodeled 1920s neighborhood service station, Donkey Taqueria dishes up authentic Mexican food like barbacoa tacos and hand-cut tortilla chips served with homemade guacamole. Their bar is a can’t-miss, with over 130 varieties of tequila. Donkey’s standard margaritas include a classic lime version and a rotating selection of other flavors, plus options made with mezcal rather than tequila.

Luna GR

Just around the corner from Van Andel Arena, Luna embraces the rich culinary heritage of Latin America and features contemporary Latin foods, so you can always expect delicious food and creative drinks. Their margaritas are handmade daily with fresh citrus like lime and orange – and flavored with prickly pear, mango and grapefruit – then kegged and served from the tap. Can’t decide? Order a Margarita Flight of three flavors.

The same beverages are available at Luna’s Ada location, which opened in 2022. Reservations are encouraged at both locations.

Uccello’s Ristorante

With six area locations – downtown Grand Rapids, Grandville, East Beltline, Standale, Caledonia and Rockford – you’re never far away from a Uccello’s margarita fix. Try the prickly pear margarita, made with Sauza silver tequila, triple sec, sweet & sour, and finished with a lime and sugar rim, and you’ll see why it has so many fans. Margaritas are just $5 all day Tuesday and from 2pm-5pm Monday-Friday.

Beltline Bar

Less than five miles south of downtown Grand Rapids, the Beltline Bar is a long-time local favorite, in operation since 1953. It’s best known for its “famous” wet burrito – named one of America’s best by Food & Wine Magazine – but its margaritas are also a big draw. You’ll find a great variety of margarita choices here, both frozen and on the rocks. Get the free Flights of Flavor digital pass to earn points toward hats, t-shirts and more when you order the Beltline’s margarita and taco & margarita flights.

Bier Distillery

“Moonshine Margaritas” are made with Bier Distillery’s very own JusttheShine Oldtime Moonshine, authentically crafted from just local corn and cane sugar. It’s a uniquely American take on a margarita, dressed up with a rotating selection of fresh fruit flavors.

Cantina Mexican Grill

A popular destination for Mexican fare since 1976, Cantina Mexican Grill crafts its margaritas with a secret recipe and serves them blended or on the rocks. Enjoy a traditional, strawberry, peach or skinny margarita. The jumbo margarita serves two, the Cantina-rita comes with an upside-down Coronita beer in the middle of it and the Margatini blends tequila with Grand Marnier, citrus vodka and lime juice.

Condado Tacos           

Condado Tacos likes to describe itself as “a taco joint with a margarita problem” – but it’s no problem at all for lovers of build-your-own tacos and unique margarita concoctions. Opened in 2021 in the Bridge Street entertainment district, this Midwest chain restaurant boasts an array of “crafted” and “house” margaritas, and such flavors as blood orange, mango, pineapple, prickly pear, strawberry and white peach. Order the House Flight to try any three flavored mini margs – and get the Flights of Flavor digital pass to earn points toward free merchandise when you do.

Los Ranchos Mexican Restaurant

Serving traditional Mexican fare with a modern twist just southwest of GR, Los Ranchos offers a wide range of margaritas in four different sizes. The sangria margarita blends two great tastes in one glass. The 88 oz. Margarita Tower features your choice of nine flavors. And all margaritas are 50% off on Wednesdays. Get a small (12 oz.) house margarita for just $4.99 on National Margarita Day.

Pure Mex Tacos & Tequila

Known for its authentic meals, hearty portions and affordable prices, Pure Mex Tacos & Tequila also offers memorable margaritas. In addition to its delicious classic version, it offers a rotating selection of seasonal specials – like the Honolulu Blue Margarita, offered during the Detroit Lions’ recent playoff run. Located in Grandville, close to Rivertown Crossings Mall.

Barrio Tacos

“Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey” is the promise at downtown GR’s Barrio Tacos, and it’s that second element that makes the margaritas here shine. There are 10 margarita selections on the menu, each offering a distinctly different flavor sensation. Ingredients include agave nectar, ginger sugar, lemonade, lime juice, house-made morita syrup, lychee and more.

Downtown Trini’s and Margarita Joe’s

Located about 20 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids – and well worth the drive – Downtown Trini’s and Margarita Joe’s specializes in Tex-Mex cuisine. The margaritas aren’t fancy but they are lip-smackingly good… and perfect complements to the eatery’s tacos, burritos and dinner combos.

Lindo Mexico

The Lindo Mexico menu offers page after page of delectably authentic south-of-the-border dishes and drinks, including 13 different margaritas. Choose from sweet or spicy, with flavors ranging from strawberry to mango to tamarind to prickly pear cactus. All of them pair perfectly with the burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas, tacos, tamales and other Mexican specialties that await you at this woman-owned restaurant that has been delighting hungry patrons since 2000.

Maya Mexican Grill & Bar

Named one of the best Mexican restaurants in Michigan by MLive, Maya Mexican Grill & Bar offers an extensive menu of authentic south-of-the-border dishes, including vegetarian and combo meals. Their margaritas are available in a variety of flavors and there are some great happy hour specials to be had

MeXo

MeXo, led by award-winning Executive Chef Oscar Moreno, prides itself on adding modern touches to the classic pre-Hispanic cuisine of Mexico. Think Caldo de Piedra (seafood stone soup) and dishes featuring steamed masa tamal. Their food is elevated and you can expect their margaritas to be the same – like the Oaxacan Margarita, made with mezcal and combining tropical flavors with a hint of smoke. Their MeXo Margarita is shaken tableside – an experience not to be missed! 

El Burrito Loco

Got an urge for a margarita after a movie at Celebration! Cinema North? Head to El Burrito Loco, just four minutes away. The house margarita is available in two sizes (20 oz. and 39 oz.) and you can add a flavor for just 99 cents. Take advantage of great margarita specials throughout the week to accompany the restaurant’s wide selection of burritos, fajitas, tacos and more.   

El Cerrito Cocina Mexicana

Located in GR’s Uptown neighborhood, El Cerrito Cocina Mexicana prides itself on its authentic Mexican cuisine – including margaritas made with organic Reposado tequila and premium Milagro 100% agave. Choose a lime, mango, guava or strawberry margarita on the rocks, or a lime, pineapple, prickly pear or peach frozen margarita. Margarita Mondays and Pitcher Party Fridays stretch your dollar further.

Grill One Eleven

The margarita at Grill One Eleven – a classy yet casual restaurant about 20 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids – is made with Gran Centenario Plata tequila, orange curacao, organic agave nectar and fresh squeezed lime. It’s one of countless specialty cocktail, wine and spirit selections on the menu, so even the non-margarita fans in your party will be happy.

Menu items and prices are subject to change, so confirm details on your destination’s website before you visit.