Cinco De Mayo Specials Around San Diego

Get ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with specials from your favorite restaurants and bars across San Diego!

Puesto

If you’re looking for a delicious, San Diego-rooted way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Puesto delivers the goods—and then some. With its scratch-made sauces, non-GMO blue corn tortillas, and a lively, welcoming vibe, Puesto is always a go-to, and even more so.

Chef Raúl Casillas is bringing bold seasonal flavors to the table with standout dishes like the Asparagus Taco with grilled veggies and pipián verde, or the juicy CDMX Ribeye Taco topped with escabeche and ash salsa.

Craving something fresh? Go for the Crudo Verde with Ensenada kampachi and hoja santa leche de tigre.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Cinco without cocktails. Sip your way through new creations like the Poblano Paloma, Clarified Guava Margarita, or the Mole Old-Fashioned with Buffalo Trace and a hint of spice.

Swing by for Happy Hour—$10 Puesto Perfect Margaritas, $6 house brews, $9 wines by the glass, and half off snacks and shares.

📅 May 5 | Happy Hour 3 PM–5 PM
ℹ️ More info here

Quixote

Quixote at The Lafayette Hotel is bringing bold Oaxacan flavors and mezcal magic to North Park with a one-of-a-kind Cinco dining experience.

Led by Executive Chef José Cepeda, this mezcalería is housed in a reimagined Mexican church—stained glass, flickering candles, and all—setting the tone for a celebration that feels both soulful and unforgettable.

Feast on standout dishes:

• Crab Corn Doughnut with blue crab, chili oil, caviar, and burnt chili emulsion
• Memelita with duck carnitas and black mole
• Braised Lamb Belly with grilled cactus leaf and chichilo mole

Then toast the night away with cocktails like the guava-forward Vibras, the smoky Oaxacan Old Fashioned, or the tropical Motomami made with mezcal and smoked pineapple.

🗓️ May 5
📍 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

The Blind Burro

Cinco de Mayo is going big at The Blind Burro—and you’ve got four full days to get in on the flavor. This East Village favorite is celebrating with their Cinco de Mole menu, featuring savory, sauce-drenched specials that bring the heat.

We’re talking Mole Enchiladas, Mole Taquitos, and Mole Wings—all bold, rich, and full of depth.

And to keep things festive, the cocktail lineup is stacked with sippers made using Milagro Tequila, perfect for patio lounging and pregame hangs.

📅 May 2–5
📍 639 J St, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Pop Pie Co. + Stella Jean’s

Get ready for a seriously delicious Cinco de Mayo duo! Pop Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s are celebrating with limited-time treats that bring a sweet twist to classic Mexican flavors.

Pop Pie Co. is baking up Mexican Chocolate Hand Pies with Dulce de Leche, made with Abuelita chocolate, Valrhona cocoa, and a gooey dulce de leche center, all tucked into their signature buttery crust and topped with a spiced chocolate glaze. A pinch of sea salt seals the deal.

Right next door, Stella Jean’s is scooping Fresas Con Crema, a dreamy ice cream inspired by the beloved Mexican dessert—think creamy, fruity, and totally irresistible.

This is a short and sweet collab you don’t want to miss.

📅 May 4–May 5
ℹ️ Pop Pie Co. | Stella Jean’s

City Tacos

Cinco de Mayo just got spicy! City Tacos is throwing down for its 11th anniversary with a full-on taco-eating competition at its massive Ocean Beach location, OB Playground.

Eleven brave taco lovers will battle it out in an 11-minute challenge to devour as many tacos as they can. The winner gets a taco trophy and a golden ticket for a free tacos-and-drink combo every month for a year.

Even if you’re not competing, you’ll want to swing by for the $11 special—any two tacos and a bottled beer. OB Playground’s 10,000-square-foot space makes it the perfect place to sip, snack, and cheer like your favorite taco depends on it.

📅 May 4 | Starts at 12 PM
📍 4896 Voltaire Street, Ocean Beach
ℹ️ More info here

Casa Gabriela

Casa Gabriela is usually closed on Mondays—but not this time. With Cinco de Mayo landing on a Monday this year, Chef Gaby is opening the doors for a one-night-only fiesta in the heart of La Mesa Village.

Sip on $5 Margaritas de la Casa and $6 Del Maguey Mezcal Margaritas all evening, and stop by between 4 PM and 6 PM for complimentary tastings of Código Tequila and Del Maguey Mezcal.

Pair your drinks with tasty bites like Queso Fundido, Tempura Cauliflower with jalapeño and cilantro, Rolled Taquitos, or the bright and citrusy Ceviche Verde.

And if you’re a baseball fan, you’re in luck—the Padres vs. Yankees game will be playing on the bar TVs.

📅 May 5 | Opens at 3:30 PM | Tequila tasting 4 PM–6 PM | Game at 4:05 PM
📍 8384 La Mesa Blvd, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Moonshine Beach

Who says the party has to end on the 5th? Moonshine Beach in Pacific Beach is keeping the vibes alive with a Seis de Mayo celebration and it’s packed with tacos, tequila, and tons of energy.

Snack on street tacos (1 for $3.50 or 4 for $12), and raise a glass with $7 Cantera Negra Tequila, $8 House Margaritas, or 2-for-1 Buena Cerveza Mexican Lagers. With a high-energy dance floor, live music, and a massive outdoor patio perfect for group hangs, this one’s made for those who know how to rally.

📅 May 6
📍 1165 Garnet Ave, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

barleymash

barleymash is bringing the flavor and the fiesta to the heart of the Gaslamp this Cinco de Mayo! Located on the corner of Fifth and Market, this always-buzzing spot is going all out with giveaways, Cazadores swag, and a bold menu to match the energy.

Dig into specials like the Enchilada Flatbread ($19) loaded with michelada chicken, roasted corn, and chili-lime crema, or the Holy Mole ($19) featuring turkey mole empanadas topped with poblano-avocado crema.

Behind the bar, you’ll find sips worth celebrating: the Agua Caliente and Puebla Colada bring the heat, while Cazadores shots are just $8 for the occasion.

📅 May 5
📍 600 Fifth Avenue
ℹ️ More info here

Hasta Mañana Cantina

Looking for a Cinco de Mayo party with flavor and flair? Head to Hasta Mañana Cantina, where the Gaslamp’s lively energy meets bold bites and tequila-fueled fun—just two blocks from Petco Park.

Celebrate with $10 Patrón Margaritas and the vibrant sounds of a live mariachi band. Snack on spicy shrimp aguachile, white fish ceviche tostadas, fully loaded house nachos, and street tacos that hit just right.

It’s the kind of night that makes Monday feel like the weekend.

📅 May 5 | Mariachi 5 PM–7 PM
📍 310 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
ℹ️ More info here

Agave Bar & Grill

The Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina is hosting a Tequila & Cheese Pairing Class at Agave Bar & Grill, and it’s a perfect pairing of bold flavors and expert craftsmanship.

This exclusive experience will guide you through three expressions of Flecha Azul Tequila—Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo—each paired with curated American-made cheeses by renowned cheesemonger Jenny Eastwood of Smallgoods Cheese Shop.

Expect thoughtful combinations like buttery Brie with Blanco, peppercorn-infused cheese with Reposado, and aged Gouda with Añejo, all crafted to elevate your appreciation of both tequila and cheese.

📅 May 3 | 4 PM–5 PM
📍 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego
🎟️ Tickets are $75+ per person | Get yours here
ℹ️ More info here

Casa Guadalajara

Casa Guadalajara is keeping the party going all Cinco de Mayo weekend long with a three-day celebration packed with flavor and festive vibes. Swing by this colorful Old Town favorite for live mariachi music, ballet folklorico, and traditional Mexican troubadours that bring the energy to the historic courtyard.

Grab a bite at the outdoor taco stand, where you’ll find street tacos, esquites (Mexican street corn), aguas frescas, and Jarritos, plus Don Julio tequila specials flowing all weekend. Face painting for all ages runs daily.

On Saturday, head to Harney Street and join the Old Town Salsa Tasting Competition, where $5 gets you six salsa samples and a bag of chips—then cast your vote for the Best Salsa of 2025!

📅 May 3–5
📍 4105 Taylor Street, Old Town
ℹ️ More info here

Casa de Bandini

It’s happy hour all day, every day at Casa de Bandini this Cinco—so grab your crew and soak up the fun with live mariachi music from Mariachi Zapopan, energetic performances from Tinku Duo, and vibrant Mexican folkloric dancers.

On the menu, don’t miss limited-time favorites like the Enchiladas Bandera and the “Mayorita”—a guava-infused twist on their classic margarita. Hourly tequila specials feature standout names like Cazadores, Don Julio, Casa Noble, and Casamigos.

📅 May 3–5
📍 1901 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad
ℹ️ More info here

The Smoking Gun

The Smoking Gun is serving up Cinco de Mayo specials all weekend long with their throwback-inspired Cinco de Drinko celebration.

Dig into bold, nostalgic eats like the Dope Wrap—ground wagyu beef, poblano-beer cheese, salsa fresca, and a crunchy tostada wrapped in a flour tortilla—or the Smokin’ Cheesy Crunch Taco, a crispy-meets-creamy mashup packed with flavor.

Weekend-long drink specials include margaritas and Mexican lagers, plus free chips and guac with any Teremana purchase. Come hungry, leave happy—and a little buzzed.

📅 May 2–5
📍 555 Market Street, Gaslamp Quarter
ℹ️ More info here

Tajima Ramen

If you’re craving something a little different this Cinco de Mayo, Tajima is serving up serious flavor with $5 off their signature Carnitas Ramen.

This bold mashup blends spicy tonkotsu pork broth with housemade carnitas, ramen noodles, ramen egg, radish, cilantro, lime, and a touch of oregano—a SoCal-meets-Japan bowl of comfort that hits all the right notes.

Want to keep the party going? Happy hour runs from 10 AM to 6 PM and includes $3.50 beers, $1.50 hot sake, $5 filtered flavor sake, and appetizers like karaage chicken and edamame—all under $6.

Spice up your Cinco celebration with ramen, sake bombs, and all the umami your heart desires!

📅 May 5
ℹ️ More info here

Novo Brazil

Novo Brazil Brewing is bringing the community together for a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 3, at their Eastlake HQ and taproom—and it’s shaping up to be a great time for all ages.

The party kicks off at 4:30 PM with live music from Mariachi Orgullo Nacional, a local youth mariachi group, and high-energy sets from DJ Cesar Castro.

Kids can join in the fun with face painting, corn hole, and a bouncy castle, while the adults grab a beer and browse local vendors like Barro y Cera Artisanal Candles.

Fuego Marino and Tres Fuegos Cocina will be serving up tasty bites, and you can catch the San Diego FC vs. Dallas match on the massive outdoor LED screen starting at 6:15 PM.

This is what Cinco de Mayo looks like—Eastlake style.

📅May 3 | Starts at 4:30 PM
📍 901 Lane Avenue, Eastlake
ℹ️ More info here

Sandbar

Sandbar is keeping things casual—and seriously tasty—for Cinco de Mayo with the return of their fan-favorite Birria Crunch.

It’s their beachside take on the iconic Crunchwrap Supreme, packed with beans, soyrizo queso, birria, salsa fresca, chicharrones, and more, all wrapped in a giant flour tortilla and served with house-pickled onion and serrano. And at just $12, it’s a win.

Wash it down with Cinco drink specials all day, including $10 Teremana pours, $40 Teremana pitchers, $6 Estrella Jalisco, and $5 Mexican Candy Shots.

Whether you’re posting up for the day or dropping by post-beach, this is an easy choice for laid-back, flavorful Cinco de Mayo vibes.

📅 May 5
📍 718 Ventura Place, Mission Beach
ℹ️ More info here

Bazaar del Mundo Shops

Looking to bring some extra color to your Cinco de Mayo celebration? Head to Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town for vibrant papel picado, hand-painted Talavera tableware, piñatas, and other artisan finds that capture the spirit of Mexico.

Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to add a festive touch to your space, this iconic marketplace has you covered.

As part of the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Bazaar del Mundo is also launching its new Tequila Aventureros Passport Program—a flavorful collaboration with CaliFino Tequila that runs through August 3.

This immersive experience invites you to explore exclusive tequila creations, savor award-winning Mexican cuisine, and enjoy the art and culture that make Bazaar del Mundo a local gem. Passports are free and available at any of the three on-site restaurants.

📍 4133 Taylor Street, San Diego
ℹ️ More info here

Lionfish

This Cinco de Mayo, Lionfish is serving up a bold twist on tradition with a limited-time dessert that’s as festive as it is indulgent. The chocolate skull—a decadent choco-flan topped with cinnamon whipped cream, roasted strawberries, and strawberry sauce—is available for $18.

Pair it with one of their $10 spicy margaritas and you’ve got the perfect sweet and spicy combo to celebrate the holiday in style.

📅 May 5, 2025
📍 435 Fifth Avenue, San Diego
🎟️ Reserve your table here