Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to celebrate Mexican culture with food, drinks, and a good ol’ party. And few cities put on Cinco de Mayo celebrations like Miami! Every year, numerous restaurants offer drink and food specials on 5 May, whether they serve Mexican cuisine or not!
At Miami Culinary Tours, we love celebrating Cinco de Mayo as much as we love sharing the best local Mexican fare as part of our Miami Food and Culture Tours! We’ve created this guide on where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Miami, covering the top restaurants in the city. And if you have any questions about our tours, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Before you dive into Miami’s tacos, tequila specials, and vibrant street parties, it helps to understand what Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates. Despite the common misconception, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (that’s celebrated on September 16). Instead, Cinco de Mayo honors the 1862 Battle of Puebla, when a significantly outnumbered Mexican army achieved a symbolic victory over French forces.
While the holiday is recognized in Mexico — especially in the city of Puebla — Cinco de Mayo is not a nationwide Mexican holiday. Its widespread celebration in the United States grew over the 20th century as Mexican-American communities embraced the day as an expression of cultural pride. Today, it’s a moment to celebrate Mexican heritage through traditional food, music, dance, and community gatherings.
In Miami, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a citywide celebration that blends authentic Mexican flavors with the city’s trademark energy. Whether you’re savoring regional Mexican dishes, sipping craft tequila cocktails, or joining a lively neighborhood fiesta, the day is an opportunity to appreciate Mexico’s cultural contributions with respect and enthusiasm.
And if you're looking to start your party early, check out our picks for the best happy hours in Miami!
Now that you’ve got the background, it’s time to dive into what Miami does best — celebrating through incredible food, bold flavors, and vibrant community spirit. Miami’s Cinco de Mayo scene is wonderfully diverse, ranging from laid-back cantinas pouring classic margaritas to modern Mexican restaurants serving chef-driven dishes inspired by regional traditions.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly gathering, a high-energy fiesta, or a spot where the tacos are as memorable as the tequila, the city offers something for every style of celebration. Below, you’ll find some of the best places to enjoy Cinco de Mayo in true Miami fashion — through great food, great drinks, and great company.
915 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Not sure where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year? Head on over to Playa, the most buzzing location on Lincoln Road’s dining scene! Their iconic cocktails simply must be savored, and Cinco de Mayo is the perfect excuse. Looking for local tips? Don't miss our choices for the best happy hour spots on Lincoln Road!
Playa's featured Prickly Pear Margarita combines fresh prickly pear and lime with Don Julio Blanco and agave to create a unique, warm-weather concoction. Another tequila-infused cocktail for party-goers is their Passion Margarita made with Don Julio Blanco, agave, lime, and passion fruit. Choose one of these as your drink for the night and you’ll be in for a fiesta!
901 S Miami Ave, Space 108, Miami, FL 33130
In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Brickell’s chic and trendy restaurant Balan’s will take guests’ taste buds on a trip. With a menu like Balan’s, guests can dine on delicious eats such as beef skewers, shrimp tempura, lamb meatballs, beef carpaccio, and more, all alongside their wide selection of libations. Whether you decide to just drink, eat, or both, bring your friends to Balan’s for a celebration that you won’t forget.
Looking for more to do in the area? Check out our guide to the Best Things to Do in Brickell, Miami.
1265 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
For a classic pub vibe mixed with that lively Cinco de Mayo atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with Mickey Burkes. They celebrate the only way they know best, with tequila, Modela drafts, and margaritas! And with tacos, nachos, burgers, and more to enjoy, you’ll be more than catered for at Miami Beach’s favorite local neighborhood bar and restaurant.
3067 Grand Ave, Miami, FL 33133
Arguably the premier Latin American restaurant in Coconut Grove, Jaguar delivers a Cinco de Mayo feast like no other. They have cocktails that place mezcal front and center, including their Mezcaltini, Campeta, Mexico over Melon, and Mula Fresca. These drinks are made all the better by their guacamole, quesadillas, and tacos. For a fulsome dining experience, make sure to try their signature dishes, like their salmon norma, pork pernil, and chicken costeño.
We're sure you'll be looking for even more local tips and insights when you've finished this blog, so don't miss our Ultimate Miami Taco Guide! It's sure to help you get your fill of mouthwatering Mexican food.
206 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
For a night of live DJing, dancing, and craft cocktails, Copper 29 Bar is the place to be. Located in the heart of Miami’s affluent Coral Gables neighborhood, Copper 29 invites everyone looking to celebrate the liquor-filled day with different kinds of cocktails, tapas, and flatbreads.
Must-have drinks include Smoke In The Garden, with Ilegal Mezcal Joven, hibiscus syrup, lime juice, Ancho Reyes Verde; and Piu Verde, with Espolon Tequila Reposado, sour apple schnapps, Mastiha Liqueur, basil leaves, and lime juice. Copper 29 Bar has so much to offer to its guests and takes mixology to the next level.
We're such big fans of Copper 29 that we also included it in our guide about how to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend in Miami!
310 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127
Grab your sombreros, and fake (or real) mustaches, and get your Cinco de Mayo on at Le Chick! This vibrant, modern spot promises a fiesta-filled holiday with delicious food and signature cocktails, the likes of which will absolutely titillate you. Order a Cock Fight, which has Fiero Habanero Tequila, Rosaluna Mezcal, lime juice, and dry vermouth; or a Green Machine, with Fierro Serrano Tequila, mezcal, liquid chlorophyll agave, fresh cucumber basil juice, and lime juice. You’ll be absolutely buzzing!
340 NE 61st St, Miami, FL 33137
Should you happen to tire of all those cocktails, then Magic 13 Brewing Co. may be the place for you. Regarded as one of the best craft breweries in the city, Magic 13 has all you need for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Hang out in the beer garden and listen to live music as you dine on burgers, platters, and churros. And don’t worry, there are wines and cocktails too!
Looking to explore more of Miami's thriving brewery scene? We think you'll love our picks for the best breweries in Wynwood, Miami.
Beyond Cinco de Mayo, any day of the year is a good excuse to have Mexican food. If you’ll be in Miami before or after 5 May and don’t make the celebrations, our South Beach, Miami, Food and Art Deco Tour will take you to some of the best Latin American restaurants in the city.
Not what your taste buds are craving? Then browse our full range of Miami Food and Culture Tours! Whatever you choose, we’ll be here to share Miami’s culinary scene with you. If you have any questions about our tours, feel free to contact us.
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