Cinco de Mayo (Monday, May 5) in San Diego doesn’t just mean margaritas and mariachi—this year, it’s all about mole wings, carnitas ramen, Mexican chocolate hand pies, and tequila specials that keep the party going through Seis de Mayo. Whether you're after bold flavor mashups, elevated street food, or a good old-fashioned fiesta, these local spots are bringing the heat (and the deals) for your readers looking to celebrate in style.

Dimly lit interior of Quixote at The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego, featuring stained glass, candlelight, and rich Oaxacan design details for a festive Cinco de Mayo dining experience. — *Photo Credit: Matt Kisiday*

An Elevated Cinco de Mayo at Quixote (North Park)

Located at The Lafayette Hotel & Club, Quixote is an Oaxacan-inspired Mezcalería led by Executive Chef José Cepeda. Quixote was created from a decommissioned Catholic church in Mexico and reconstructed to showcase dark wood paneling, rough cobblestones, flickering Santa Maria candles and rich stained-glass windows, transporting guests to Mexico. Diners can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with upscale Oaxacan-influenced cuisine like the Crab Corn Doughnut with Blue Crab, Chili Oil, Caviar and Burnt Chili Emulsion; Memelita with Duck Carnitas, Cotija Adobado, Refried Beans and Black Mole or the Braised Lamb Belly with Grilled Cactus Leaf, Pickled Cauliflower, Chichilo Mole and served with corn tortillas. Celebration doesn’t end with just food, cocktails at Quixote center around agave-spirits with notable libations such as Vibras with mezcal, guava, amaro angelo, pampelmousse, grapefruit, lime and seltzer; Oaxacan Old Fashioned with reposado, mezcal madrecuishe, moringa agave, cacao & aromatic bitters; and Motomami with Oaxacan rum, mezcal, smoked pineapple, buttered gardenia, sochu, lime and demerara.

Colorful taco plate and signature cocktails at Puesto in San Diego, perfect for a vibrant Cinco de Mayo celebration. — *Photo Credit: Mandie Geller*

Enjoy Mexican Favorites at Puesto (Multiple Locations)

Puesto, the beloved family-owned, San Diego-born brand known for its delicious Mexican dishes, tacos made from non-GMO blue corn tortillas, scratch-made sauces and a welcoming atmosphere, is the perfect place for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Guests can order classic favorites or new items by Chef Raul Casillas, including the Asparagus Taco made with grilled asparagus, zucchini, hoja santa and pipián verde; CDMX Ribeye Taco made with ribeye a la plancha, escabeche, ash salsa and avocado salsa; or Crudo Verde with Ensenada kampachi, avocado, hoja santa leche de tigre and tomatillo. Cheers to Cinco with new cocktails like the Poblano Paloma made with Ocho blanco tequila, Aperol, poblano, lime and Fever Tree grapefruit soda; Clarified Guava Margarita with El Tequileño reposado tequila, guava, canela and orgeat (clarified with milk) or the Mole Old-Fashioned made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, mole negro, pineapple & canela cordial and bitters. On Cinco de Mayo, guests can enjoy Happy Hour Specials from 3pm to 5pm for $10 Puesto Perfect Margaritas, $6 Puesto Cervezas, $9 Wines by the Glass and Half Off Snacks & Shares. Reservations can be made via OpenTable at any Puesto Location.

Close-up of mole-drenched enchiladas and taquitos at The Blind Burro in Downtown San Diego, part of their Cinco de Mole weekend specials.

Mole, Margs & Mayhem: Cinco Comes Early at The Blind Burro (Gaslamp Quarter)

Cinco de Mayo just got even better—because The Blind Burro is starting the party early, and keeping it going all weekend long! Kicking things off with their Cinco de Mole celebration, the East Village hotspot is serving up mouthwatering mole specials from Friday, May 2 through Monday, May 5. Located in the lively East Village in Downtown San Diego, these exclusive specials include Mole Enchiladas, Mole Taquitos, Mole Wings, and refreshing cocktails made with Milagro Tequila!

Lively outdoor deck and dance floor at Moonshine Beach in San Diego, lit up for a high-energy Seis de Mayo celebration. — *Photo Credit: Courtesy of Good Time Design*

Seis de Mayo at Moonshine Beach (Pacific Beach)

Keep the party going at Moonshine Beach during their “Seis de Mayo” celebration on Tuesday, May 6. Enjoy taco and drink specials including street tacos (1 for $3.50 or 4 for $12), and drink specials including $7 Cantera Negra Tequila, $8 House Margaritas and 2-for-1 Buena Cerveza Mexican Lagers. Perfect for group celebrations, partygoers can dance the night away on Moonshine Beach’s iconic, high-energy dance floor or kick back on the expansive outdoor space featuring two large raised decks, a full bar and a live music stage.

Mexican Chocolate Hand Pies with dulce de leche from Pop Pie Co. in San Diego, topped with a spiced glaze and sea salt, available only for Cinco de Mayo weekend. — *Photo Credit: Courtesy of Pop Pie Co.*

Turn Up the Sweet at Pop Pie Co. & Stella Jean’s (Multiple Locations)

Indulge your taste buds with a unique twist on traditional Mexican flavors at Pop Pie Co. The signature all-day pie shop will be offering a limited-time Mexican Chocolate Hand Pies with Dulce de Leche, a decadent treat that combines rich, authentic Mexican ingredients for the ultimate sweet experience. The hand pies are filled with a luxurious blend of Abuelita chocolate and Valrhona cocoa filling, then paired with a smooth dulce de leche, encased in Pop Pie Co.’s signature flaky, all-butter crust with a spiced chocolate glaze and a delicate pinch of sea salt. A perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spice, it's the kind of indulgence you won’t want to miss! But that’s not all—Stella Jean’s Ice Cream is also joining the celebration with a Fresas Con Crema ice cream, a creamy, fruity ice cream inspired by the popular Mexican treat. These specials are available Sunday, May 4 and Monday, May 5 only – grab yours before they’re gone!

Bowl of Tajima’s Carnitas Ramen in San Diego, a bold fusion dish offered for Cinco de Mayo featuring pork bone broth, carnitas, and lime. — *Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tajima*

Try Ramen with a Mexican Flair at Tajima (Multiple Locations)

Celebrate your Cinco de Mayo with a twist this year! Known for blending bold Japanese flavors with Southern Californian and Mexican influences, Tajima’s Carnitas Ramen is a must-try: a rich, spicy tonkotsu pork bone broth with egg noodles, housemade carnitas, ½ ramen egg, red radish, cilantro, diced onions, lime and a touch of dried oregano. This culinary fusion of two gastronomic powerhouses is the perfect way to spice up your celebration—and keep you fueled for whatever the night brings. Available at all Tajima locations across San Diego, guests can enjoy $5 off the Carnitas Ramen (dine-in only) available Thursday, May 1 through Monday, May 5 in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Not feeling margaritas this year? Switch it up with Tajima’s sake bombs and exclusive happy hour deals from 10am to 6pm, where you can enjoy $3.50 beers, $1.50 small hot sake, $5 filtered flavor sake and appetizers like Crispy Karaage Chicken or Edamame for under $6 each.

Where to Go for Cinco de Mayo in San Diego