Cinco de Mayo knows no borders. The traditional Mexican celebration has become a beloved holiday across the U.S. And for good reason.
The margaritas are strong, the music is infectious, and the tacos, enchiladas, and flautas are downright delicious. This year, you deserve a real fiesta—complete with the food, drinks, and dancing to match the energy. Here are 18 spots to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in New Jersey.
Meximodo
Metuchen and Jersey City
Saucy braised goat tacos, queso fundido, truffle street corn, and pollo con mole are just the start at Meximodo. Obviously, on Cinco de Mayo, you need a margarita. Luckily, Meximodo boasts the world’s largest selection of agave spirits — not a typo.
For the holiday, Meximodo is offering an all-day live DJ, hand-painted catrinas on-site, and happy hour from 4–6 p.m.
Al Chile Restaurant and Bar
Wood-Ridge
At Al Chile Restaurant and Bar, the music is bumping, the margaritas are large, and the fajitas are sizzling. This Wood-Ridge hot spot is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday. Try a Margarita Tentación for something delicious that will have you feeling right.
Taco specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jose Tejas
Fairfield and Woodbridge
No Cinco de Mayo list is complete without this legendary New Jersey institution. With two locations, Jose Tejas offers sizzling fajitas, Tex-Mex staples, a wide selection of Mexican cerveza, and, of course, the famed margaritas.
East LA
Hoboken
East LA has been the Hoboken spot for loaded Mexican plates since the ’80s. Everything from griddled burritos and quesadillas to sizzling fajitas and enchiladas — and some of the best margaritas in town.
San Patricios
Jersey City
Irish pub meets Mexican cantina? San Patricios might just be the perfect destination for something a tad different on Cinco de Mayo. Start with a frozen margarita and some pork pibil tacos, then finish the evening with a sangria spritz and Mexican cerveza-battered fish and chips.
San Patricios is offering Cinco de Mayo specials all day long, plus a live mariachi band.
Taco Caballito
Cape May
Tacos, a couple of ice-cold margaritas, and pristine beach views — just what the doctor ordered for Cinco de Mayo. Cape May’s Taco Caballito has you covered on all three.
Live music, mariachi, drink specials, and giveaways are on the table for Cinco de Mayo at Taco Caballito.
Barrio Costero
Asbury Park
This coastal staple brings an elevated Mexican experience to Asbury Park. For over a decade, Barrio Costero has been a local favorite for layered tostadas, zippy ceviche, slow-cooked carnitas, and, of course, tacos. Plus an addicting spicy marg.
For Cinco, Barrio is offering a special menu and a Taco Tuesday deal: two tacos and a marg for $17.
Bitol
Clifton
Bitol is your answer for an elevated Cinco de Mayo experience. The Clifton cantina specializes in chef-driven, regional Mexican plates and the cocktails to back them up. Think: watermelon-tequila refreshers and carnitas michoacán.
Check out our review of Bitol’s sister taqueria, Ixim Taco, here.
Taqueria Downtown
Jersey City
If you ask any Jersey City native to point you toward the best tacos in the city, most will lead you to Taqueria Downtown. The no-frills Mexican joint serves simple, authentic tacos alongside strong margaritas and spiced micheladas. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the holiday.
Lolitas
Westwood and North Bergen
The margaritas are vibrant, served generously in colorful stemmed goblets. The tacos are flavorful, loaded with the likes of ropa vieja, blackened fish, and chicken tinga. For groups, try the Fiesta Platter — quesadillas, elote, chicken flautas, ropa vieja empanadas, mini shrimp tostadas, guacamole, oaxaca cheese, and mole sauce.
It’s an all-day party with a live DJ and specials at both locations.
BarBacoa
Summit
Nestled in the heart of downtown Summit, BarBacoa is the neighborhood favorite for burritos, tacos, smoked meats, tequila, and more. Wash down a smoky half chicken and a quesadilla burger — yes, really — with a tart tequila refresher.
Merch giveaways and drink deals: $2.50 to upgrade any margarita to premium with Espolón. Free chips and salsa with any Espolón cocktail — maybe take the upgrade.
La Cantina Mexicana
Clifton
If you’re looking for huge plates of cheese-smothered nachos, guacamole with chicharrón, gargantuan burritos, and loaded churrasco platters, look no further. La Cantina Mexicana is equal parts fun and delicious. Plus, the margaritas go down easy.
Cinco de Mayo at La Cantina brings music all day long, plus shots every 30 minutes. Drink responsibly.
Mariscos El Submarino
Jersey City
You’ve been sleeping on a legendary taco spot. It’s time to know about Jersey City’s best-kept secret — and what better day to open your eyes than Cinco de Mayo? Mariscos El Submarino specializes in Mexican seafood: grilled shrimp, octopus tacos, tuna tostada, ceviche — that type of thing. Plus palomas, margaritas, and micheladas to pair.
Central Taco and Tequila
Haddon Township
The fruit-packed tequila cocktails are enough of a reason to spend the holiday at Central Taco and Tequila, but the food is right there with them. A mix of traditional and contemporary tacos dots the menu, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Carne asada and al pastor, right next to Korean short rib and coconut shrimp? Count us in.
El Asadero Mexican Grill
Fort Lee, Passaic, Secaucus, and Rochelle Park
With four locations across the Garden State, El Asadero provides a casual window into an authentic Mexican cowboy dining experience. Chilaquiles, pork ribs, flame-grilled octopus, fresh guacamole, and tacos are just the start. The chamoy-lined margaritas keep the night going.
It’s a Cinco de Mayo fiesta with live music, a horse show (Rochelle Park and Fort Lee locations), and an outdoor taco station.
Nomada
Verona
An expansive agave-focused cocktail list, Mexican plates, and the atmosphere to tie it all together. Nomada is a vibe on Bloomfield Avenue in Verona, playing off the feel of a visit to coastal Tulum. A few tacos, churros, and a frozen margarita later — you’ll quickly forget you’re in Essex County, New Jersey.
Extended happy hour from 3–5 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo.
Mezcal
Old Bridge
Bold Mexican flavors and steakhouse elegance combine at this Old Bridge restaurant. Mezcal brings rare tequilas, contemporary taco options, thick-cut steaks, and even a caviar service for a sophisticated Mexican experience. Want to add some luxe to Cinco de Mayo? This is your spot.
This year’s Cinco de Mayo party: tequila tasting, live music, dancers, and all-night specials.
Viva Margarita
Wallington, Hackensack, Cliffside Park, and Hazlet
If the margarita flights and micheladas don’t bring you to Viva Margarita, the birria-covered chilaquiles and the indulgent tacos alambres just might. With multiple locations across the state, you’re never too far from a true Cinco de Mayo experience.
$6 house margaritas and $10 specialty margaritas are what’s in store for Cinco. You can even blend your own marg on the blender bike. It’s an all-day party.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
