Top Restaurants For Cinco De Mayo In Philadelphia
Tacos, margaritas, tequila – these are the prime ingredients for a party. Celebrate these favorites and more during Cinco de Mayo, a day dedicated to honoring Mexican heritage. May 5 falls on a Monday this year, but that's no excuse to skip out on the fun. Many of your favorite Philly eateries will offer food and drink specials, menu additions and more in honor of the holiday, and a few will even start celebrating over the weekend.
Café Ynez
2025 Washington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(215) 278-7579
www.cafeynez.com
Evan Malone and Jill Weber, husband-and-wife owners of REX 1516 and Jet Wine Bar, have now opened a third restaurant in Philly. Café Ynez opened in late March in the Point Breeze/Graduate Hospital section of South Philadelphia. The casual diner-style BYOB specializes in breakfast pastries, coffee, sandwiches, salads and house-roasted rotisserie chicken, all inspired by Mexico City's vibrant culture. Making the restaurant even more unique is the fact that it's part of NextFab Studio, the design and fabrication workshop owned by Evan Malone. In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Café Ynez will offer all-day food specials on items such as the cemita, a Mexican-style sandwich with cheese, avocado, refried beans, herbs and your meat of choice on sesame bread. Plus, you can bring your own tequila to have margaritas and sangria mixed for you!
Related: Top Tacos In Philadelphia
Distrito
3945 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1657
www.distritorestaurant.com
Bright décor, hundreds of hanging Mexican lucha libre masks and the overall funky vibe of Distrito make it a perfect spot for Cinco de Mayo partying. Enjoy a menu of modern Mexican street food including favorites such as jalapeno guacamole, gourmet tacos and margaritas. To make it even better, you can celebrate all weekend long at this lively University City restaurant headed by Iron Chef Jose Garces. Starting May 1, there will be a number of food and drink specials leading up to the big day. And on May 5, Distrito will stay open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. instead of closing between lunch and dinner per the usual hours.
Related: Top Sangria In Philadelphia
El Vez
121 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-9800
www.elvezrestaurant.com
This Midtown Village spot from Stephen Starr offers updated Mexican classics. Fill up on favorites like fresh guacamole (with options ranging from original to spicy crab), pork tacos and chicken enchiladas, and wash it all down with a Mexican beer (or two), margarita, mojito, tequila or sangria. The Pink Cadillac or frozen blood orange margarita are just two of the most popular drinks, but you can't go wrong with the traditional "El Vez" made with Cuervo Gold, triple sec and lime. The creative décor is the perfect backdrop to your party, complete with an old-fashioned photo booth, or grab a table outside if the weather's nice for prime people-watching.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
www.mcgillins.com
Cinco de Mayo fun isn't limited to the city's Mexican restaurants. McGillin's Old Ale House will celebrate May 1 through May 5 with menu additions and drinks specials. This is Cinco de Mayo with an Irish twist. Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern will serve Mexican beer, a variety of margaritas and two specialty drinks inspired by celebrities who are half Mexican and half Irish - the Anthony Quinn tequila shot and a beer, and the Martin Sheen margarita beer. Menu additions will include an Irish chimichanga, Corona beer-battered fish and chips, burger con queso, fajita salad, tortilla soup and more.
Taqueria Feliz
4410 Main St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(267) 331-5874
www.taqueriafeliz.com
Taqueria Feliz opened in the fall of 2013, making this its first Cinco de Mayo. The Mexican spot in Manayunk is the third restaurant from Chef Tim Spinner and Co-owner Brian Sirhal. The duo previously brought us Cantina Feliz in Fort Washington and La Calaca Feliz in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. While the menu is similar to the other spots, Taqueria has a more casual feel. In general, the dishes feature large portions at approachable prices, and there's a "funky stuff' section of the menu with concoctions that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Plus, there's a killer happy hour menu from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Cinco de Mayo, you'll want to have a margarita (like the "Santana" made with espolon reposado, lime and orange liqueur) or a tequila flight. There will also be special items added to the menu just for the occasion.
Michelle Hein is the social media editor for a women's fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn't pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery…perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer fiance would love to open.
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