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The 20 Best Spots in Toronto to Celebrate National Margarita Day

Christine Hogg

9 months ago

The 20 Best Spots in Toronto to Celebrate National Margarita Day

While the best, limiest margaritas are always slowly sipped on the beaches of Mexico, Toronto is a strong contender for the famous tequila-based cocktail. In celebration of National Margarita Day on Feb. 22, we rounded up the 20 best places for margaritas in Toronto. Shaken or frozen, classic or done with a twist, raise a glass—or two—to our top picks to celebrate!

2222 Queen St E

Xola

From fish burritos to traditional plates, ceviches, and guacamole with grasshoppers—a hard-to-find treat in Toronto, Xola has plenty of shareables that pair perfectly with their long list of margaritas, all made using various blends of tequila. There are more than 15 to choose from, including a range of spicy margs and mezcal-infused margs.

136 Ossington Ave

Reposado

All of the cocktails at this spot are mixed with fresh juices and 100% pure agave tequila. Along with their tequila-tasting flights, Reposado has several unique margaritas to choose from. Served on the rocks and never frozen, choose from the blood orange, passionfruit, or classic margarita, all which can be ordered as a single, a bottle of three, or a bottle of nine (20.25 oz). Switch things up with some of their other tequila-based drinks, like the Hot Ruby (strawberry habanero-infused tequila, lime, and grapefruit soda).

111 Dupont St

Playa Cabana

All of the tequilas on offer at Playa Cabana are made of 100% blue agave, and the cocktail list has a strong lean towards tequila and mezcal-based drinks. The restaurant’s signature margarita, Dave’s, is an ode to the classic lime version and can be ordered as a jug for $60. If you’re looking for a similar drink, try the Paloma de Casa—it uses the same Tromba blanco tequila as the margarita, but swaps the lime juice for grapefruit juice.

121 Ossington Ave

Papi Chulo's Mexicana

Did someone say margarita tower? Papi Chulo’s is a favourite in the Ossington neighbourhood, if not for its famous neon sign but the impeccable food and drinks. On National Margarita Day, opt for the margarita tower with friends, try a margarita flight (like a beer flight but better), or stick with the classics.

5 Mercer St

Milagro Cantina

A staple for authentic Mexican cuisine in Toronto since 2006, Milagro Cantina is the perfect spot for tacos, ceviches and enchiladas. Wash it down with a choice of four margaritas, ranging in price from $19 to $23.50. All of the margaritas are made using freshly-squeezed lime juice and cane sugar, as opposed to simple syrup.

405 Jane St

Mad Mexican

Mad Mexican offers a take-out option on its house margaritas, so you can enjoy National Margarita Day at home. If you'd rather drop by for a drink, their classic version of the cocktail is made with freshly squeezed lime juice, 3 oz of tequila and triple sec and goes for $14.

501 College St

La Carnita

With four locations in Toronto, La Carnita is known for its tasty tacos and refreshing cocktails, including four margaritas. Try the Lilac marg, done with 1800 Blanco tequila, orange, lavender and lime, or, if you’re feeling really festive, opt for the Carnita Margarita pitcher (10oz) for $55. During happy hour from 4-6 p.m., the Carnita Margarita (2oz) is just $9!

942 Queen St W

Fonda Lola

Known for its #MargaritaWednesdays, it’s rather fitting that this year’s National Margarita Day takes place on a—you guessed it—Wednesday. Fonda Lola has five margaritas on the menu, ranging from the classic lime to fruitier versions that use sweet notes of hibiscus, strawberry and lychee. Margarita Wednesday means 40 per cent off regular-priced margaritas (just $9). Fonda Lola is celebrating National Margarita Day with spicy margaritas, tamarind margaritas, and a litchi strawberry margarita, all made from scratch!

802 Dundas St W

Fonda Balam

In collaboration with Patron, Fonda Balam is offering a special avocado coconut margarita ($21) from now until Feb. 22. The signature margarita uses Patrón Silver tequila infused with avocado, Cointreau lime juice and coconut syrup. The unassuming Mexican eatery also does a classic margarita, the Fonda ($15), with tequila, cointreau, lime, and agave syrup, which can also be enjoyed for $2 off during happy hour from 4-6 p.m.

277 Augusta Ave

El Trompo

Another Kensington favourite, El Trompo, Toronto’s first-ever taqueria, is still serving its signature frozen margaritas despite the chilly weather! Order a classic lime, or opt for something fruitier with your choice of strawberry or mango. El Trompo also offers the Bulldog Margarita—the traditional frozen lime marg infused with a Corona.

2a Kensington Ave

El Rey Mezcal Bar

Grab a seat at Kensington favourite, El Rey and enjoy a classic margarita ($15) or a few of their other tequila-based cocktails, like the Open Windows ($16), which blends tequila and mezcal with lime, pineapple and chilli. With no reservations, this spot is first-come, first-served, with a menu that boasts plenty of traditional Mexican snacks and shareables, like an assortment of tacos and molotes—a corn-based pastry stuffed with meats and veggies.

2 Follis Ave

El Pocho Antojitos Bar

Known for its Mexican food with a Californian twist, El Pocho is known for its gluten-free menu and tequila-based cocktails. There are just two margaritas to choose from, regular, which can be ordered as a pitcher($60) or spicy, but both use freshly-squeezed lime juice and agave to sweeten.

18 Tank House Lane

El Catrin

Distillery favourite El Catrin serves three margaritas, available by the glass (2oz) or pitcher (10oz). The Traditional fuses El Jimador blanco, Pierre Ferrand dry Curacao, agave nectar and citrus. The Reposado is the same recipe, but uses reposado (aged, gold tequila). For a margarita with a spicy twist, opt for the Mayan, which blends Herradura reposado, Pierre Ferrand dry Curacao, tamarind, citrus and a Tajin-dusted rim. There's also marg flights for those who want to try a little of everything!

565 Yonge St

Como En Casa

With a tagline “the best margaritas in Toronto,” the restaurant is ready to celebrate with its housemade margs, available in classic lime, hibiscus, or tamarind. Order the double (4oz) if you’re feeling extra festive! This spot also recently added birria tacos to the menu, in case you needed even more incentive to drop by.

2901 Dundas St W

Clandestina

The sister restaurant to Fonda Lola, owner Ernesto Rodriguez opened Clandestina in February 2022. This spot is also home to Fonda Lola’s famous Margarita Wednesday deal, and will be offering spicy margaritas, tamarind margaritas, and a litchi strawberry margarita for just $9, plus a special marg: the Clandestina Mary made with hibiscus and Chambord.

1058 Gerrard St E

Chula Taberna Mexicana

With colourful murals, a yellow exterior that’s hard to miss and a funky interior decked out in Mexican art, this spot in the city’s east end is where to go for a piece of Mexico in Toronto. Along with your typical entree plates and shareables like tacos and chips and guac, there’s a long list of margaritas that put a fun spin on the classic. Mami Chula fuses 1800 Blanco with champagne, grenadine and lemon juice, garnished with Himalayan pink salt and a sliced strawberry, while Papi Chula goes the smokier route with a blend of mezcal, ginger beer, agave syrup, star anise and Angostura bitters.

291 King St W

Casa Mezcal

Found at the busy downtown intersection of King and John streets, Casa Mezcal is the perfect hideaway to enjoy classic Mexican eats and cocktails. The restaurant has three margaritas including one made with coconut tequila. The Classic, done with Jose Cuervo Tradicional, freshly squeezed lime, Cointreau and agave can be ordered as a pitcher for $43. Wednesday is also Cheesy Quesadilla day at Casa Mezcal, which means you can enjoy any quesadilla for $12!

550 Wellington St W

Casa Madera

Set inside 1 Hotel Toronto, Mexican restaurant Casa Madera has designed the limited-edition “Aliento” Margarita ($17), which uses Tromba tequila, prickly pear, cucumber, lime, agave and tropical fog. Casa Madera also has several additional tequila-based cocktails, like the classic Casa Margarita, in addition to a range of cocktails that draw on the four earth elements of earth, air, fire and water.

504 Adelaide St W

Campechano Taqueria

It’s all about the tacos at this well-known establishment, which recently received a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022. With two locations on Adelaide or College streets, you can choose from a classic margarita or opt for its spicier sister, infused with jalapeno and cucumber. Both can be ordered as a pitcher, making this the perfect spot for larger groups.

600 King St W

Añejo

The spot for tequila connoisseurs, Añejo boasts more than 100 variations of tequila, including tequila blanco, tequila reposado and true añejo tequilas (those aged between one to three years in oak barrels). Choose your own tequila base for your margarita, or opt for one of the 12 margaritas on the menu, which can be ordered as a single, double, or a 9oz jug. Just in time for National Margarita Day, the bar has created a blueberry basil margarita. During the bar’s “Halfy Hour,” all margaritas are half-price—just $6! Feel like staying in? Añejo also sells margarita kits that serve six, and can be pre-ordered for pick-up.