10 Austin Restaurants Dishing Out Delicious Margaritas

A punch of citrus, a dash of sugar, and a bite of tequila all come together to form the perfect cocktail: the margarita. Frozen or on the rocks, this classic cocktail encompasses four out of the five human tastes: sweet, sour, salty, and bitter – making this concoction one of the most popular drinks to ever exist.

As an avid margarita lover myself, I decided to drink my way through some of Austin’s tastiest.

But before we dive in, what makes a good margarita?

“For me, I want to be able to taste the tequila,” says La Condesa bar lead Brandi Belle Hopkins. “It's hard to put into words, but you need the citrus and the agave base for balance. It’s sweet but tart, rounded out by the tequila.”

Eldorado Cafe: House Margarita

3300 W Anderson Ln. #303
www.eldoradocafeatx.com

Located in North Austin off of West Anderson Lane, Eldorado serves Mexican-inspired comfort food with a comforting price to match. The minute you walk in, you’ll notice the vibrant colors and plethora of art. Their margarita tastes of fresh limes, perfectly balanced with the agave. It was very strong, a common theme throughout Austin’s margaritas, and the bartenders struck up great conversation. While you sip on your drink, dive into their six house salsas, ranging from mild to deadly spicy.

Menu highlight: Esme’s Magic, an enchilada stuffed with mashed potatoes

El Alma: El Dorado Margarita

1025 Barton Springs Rd.
www.elalmacafe.com

El Alma boasts a scenic patio and a Poblano Relleno dish featured in Forbes. Their El Dorado Margarita, made with Socorro Reposado, is balanced and, of course, very strong. The bartender suggested their Avocadarita, a frozen margarita made with avocado. The fat from the avocado makes the tequila go down easier, leaving you dangerously confident you can drink five more. (You definitely shouldn’t.)

Menu highlight: Roasted Shredded Duck Enchiladas

Chuy’s: Frozen Margarita

1728 Barton Springs Rd.
www.chuys.com

After taking a cool swim at Barton Springs, head right down the road to the original Chuy’s (now acquired by Darden Restaurants, the same restaurant chain that bought Eddie V’s). The popular restaurant chain got its start here in 1982 and still boasts the same quirky charm. From hand-carved fishes to Elvis memorabilia, Chuy’s is the place to physically (and spiritually) recharge after a hot Texas day. Their margarita on the rocks is a classic, but I prefer their frozen margaritas. They have some rotating flavors, but their lime and strawberry frozen is always around. The recommended course of action is to combine the strawberry and lime frozen topped with a floater and tajin rim (a chile lime seasoning).

Menu highlight: Chuychanga, a deep fried burrito topped with one of their signature sauces

Licha’s Cantina: Margarita

1306 E. Sixth
www.lichascantina.com

Literally homey, this-house-turned-restaurant is located in the heart of Austin’s iconic strip of East Sixth Street bars. If you are looking for a classy yet comforting pregame before you hit the bar crawl, this is the spot. Grab some tacos and a classic margarita, inspired by Mexican soul food. The Lupita – a margarita with watermelon-infused tequila and jalapeños – is one of the many cocktails Licha’s has to offer.

Menu highlight: Birria Tacos, made with goat barbacoa and asadero cheese

Fonda San Miguel: Numero Uno Margarita

2330 W. North Loop Blvd.
www.fondasanmiguel.com

An upscale, hacienda-style space decked out with greenery, iconic artwork, and vibrant colors, Fonda San Miguel in North Austin is breathtaking. The margarita, served in a giant glass that requires two hands to hold, is boozy. Consider staying in place once you drink it. Even though this drink is a knockout, Fonda’s experienced bartenders are able to balance all the flavors of citrus and agave beautifully. Opened in 1975, Fonda San Miguel is one of the first restaurants in Austin to focus on authentic regional cuisine from Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Yucatan.

Menu highlight: Ancho Relleno San Miguel, a chile ancho filled with chicken, olives, capers, and almonds

De Nada Cantina: Classic Margarita

4715 E. Cesar Chavez
www.denadacantina.com

De Nada Cantina opened in 2020, and has been packed ever since. Their classic margarita – served in their signature pink cup and topped with a smokey-tajin rim – is a great way to kick happy hour off with a bang. Their on-the-rocks margarita is a quick finish, but if you are looking for something to sip on, try their range of seasonal frozens. The mango or guava is great … and still packs the much needed punch.

Menu highlight: Smoked Black Bean and Cheese Quesadilla

Fresas: Classic Margarita

1703 S. First
www.fresaschicken.com

When you first walk into Frescas on South First, you will find yourself marveling at the color. From the giant backyard patio to the lively decor, this place is straight from a Pinterest page. Their classic margarita has a bountiful tajin rim and many spin-offs as well. From prickly-pear to strawberry basil, deviate from the classic if you want a flavorful experience in a flavorful atmosphere.

Menu highlight: Especial Guacamole. This is not your average guacamole. It comes with mint and jicama, elevating the flavor profile and making you question why you’ve ever settled for anything less.

La Condesa: La Condesa Margarita

400 W. Second
www.lacondesa.com

While their classic margarita is wonderful in its own right, the La Condesa takes the crown. This margarita has all the qualities of a good drink: balanced, tart, and strong. But what keeps you ordering a couple more is the pineapple juice, which packs the sweet and citrus punch you want out of your drink, especially after a hot day. If you want to break out of the margarita mold, try the seasonal Pina Colada Frozen – it’s as close to alcoholic ice cream you can get. With a pineapple and cherry to top it off, enjoy your dessert while banging your head to some killer music.

Menu highlight: Queso Flameado, a rich layer of cheese with black beans, avocado, and rajas underneath

Workhorse: Workhorse Margarita

100 E. North Loop Blvd. Suite B
www.workhorsebar.com

Workhorse, a classic service industry dive bar in North Austin, serves a strong margarita AND a $20 “margarita bottle.” These margaritas, like every drink they serve, will knock you out. The margarita is pulpy, a product of a well done dirty dump (in other words, the drink is not strained). Unlike the rest of our list, Workhorse is not a Mexican restaurant, instead serving classic American dishes like fried pickles and burgers. Workhorse has a working jukebox and a bar full of regulars, so if you’re an out-of-towner wanting to strike up a conversation with locals, this is the place.

Menu highlight: Buffalo Bastrop Burger

Matt’s El Rancho: Janie Margarita

2613 S. Lamar
www.mattselrancho.com

The family-owned Matt’s opened in 1952 and has been a South Austin staple since. Matt worked front-of-house while his wife Janie made everything from scratch. The Janie Margarita is their classic margarita, with freshly squeezed lime. The pulp floats around the drink, making each sip taste better and better. Whether it's post-work drinks, all of your college friends want to get rowdy, or Mom and Dad are visiting, Matt’s is the place you take your whole crew. If you’re looking for something to knock you to the ground, try Matt’s Knockout Martini. And because you are drinking at one of the oldest marg-slinging establishments in Austin, you’ll feel good knowing you are sipping on history. Viva la margarita!

Menu highlight: Bob Armstrong Dip, aka: their famous queso