‘ritas, fajitas, and more!
Houston is famous for its Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, and the Cinco de Mayo celebration is a perfect opportunity to explore it. Many restaurants and bars, from Mexican and American to Japanese, Korean, and Italian, among others, are rolling out Mexican food and drinks. Offers abound, and special events are scheduled. Some restaurants have even decided to kick off parties two or three days in advance. Get ready for a myriad of flavors, good drinks, and a festive vibe! And mariachis? Believe us, they will be very busy the entire Cinco de Mayo week!
Hugo’s
Join in the Cinco de Mayo celebrations all day at Hugo's! The restaurant opens its doors at 10 a.m. and remains open until 9 p.m., allowing guests to enjoy the festivities throughout the day. Guests can indulge in the famous Sunday Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., priced at $45 per person. Transitioning seamlessly into the evening, regular dinner service is available from 3 to 9 p.m. Entertainment includes live music by the house band, Viento, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by lively mariachi performances at 1 p.m. Special drink offerings will be available throughout the day. Reservations recommended.
URBE
Another Hugo Ortega restaurant, URBE, is hosting all-day festivities for Cinco de Mayo. The establishment welcomes guests from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., ensuring a day full of celebration. Starting with Chef Hugo's renowned Sunday Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., priced at $37 per person, the festivities continue into the evening with Happy Hour bites and a cookout on the front patio from 3 to 6 p.m. Entertainment features a DJ spinning tunes from noon to 5 p.m., followed by lively Mariachi performances at 2 p.m. Special drink offerings will be available throughout the day.
Rockhouse Southern Kitchen
On May 5, 2024, Rockhouse Southern Kitchen is rolling out Mexican brunch items like Chilaquiles and salsa with guacamole in addition to its booming Bread-n-Butter brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with live music for $39.99. They will also be featuring $5 frozen Casamigos margaritas.
Arnaldo Richards' Picos Restaurant
Picos will be kicking off the holiday earlier that week with festivities starting on Thursday, May 2 through Sunday, May 5.
Featured for the weekend: The Ruby Lalo ‘Rita in honor of Picos’ 40th Anniversary Cinco de Mayo celebration made with Lalo Blanco, Cointreau, agave, lime, and frozen jamaica balls. From Thursday - Sunday, the featured, specialty margarita will be $12.
La Mex
The newly opened Garden Oaks / Oak Forest, La Mex, is gearing up for a jam-packed weekend at the Stomping Grounds. Starting Friday, indulge in specialty tequila flights and Cheesy Tex-Mex TV dinners for $18.95. Saturday, they will be partnering with KidCreate Studio for a Cinco de Mayo-themed activity starting at 11 am followed by piñata games. Sunday, in addition to their delicious breakfast starting at 7 a.m., customers can enjoy $5 house margaritas all day with mariachis from 12- 2 pm. In the Stomping Grounds there will also be a market with various vendors hosted by MingleMkt.com.
Traveler’s Table
Looking for a quick getaway without having to leave Houston? Look no further than Traveler’s Table. Known for their outstanding brunch, they will be featuring their Mexican-inspired dishes like the Snapper Ceviche, Mar y Tierra, Churro French Toasts, Tropical Sangria, and Paloma Negra.
Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen
Pearland’s favorite, Good Vibes Coastal Kitchen, will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with $6 Vibin’ Margaritas all day, specialty taco and enchiladas plates, tequila flights, all while listening to Del Toro, the Spanish pop band.
Family Fiesta at Daily Gather
Skip the afternoon siesta and enjoy a festive afternoon at Daily Gather. A face painter will be onsite from 1 to 4 p.m. for the kiddos, and adults can sip drink specials while mixing and mingling with Tres Generaciones reps offering samples and goodies from 1 to 3 p.m. While there, nosh on Tex-Mex-inspired bites like Coconut Tuna Aguachile, Elotes Cornbread and Poblano Guacamole.
Wild Sol x Better Generation
Wild Sol – the wildly popular Southwest Foods Brand that made its debut earlier this year – will be on-site for folks to taste test after the Astros Game on Cinco de Mayo from 5 - 10 PM. The event will take place at NBA star P.J. Tucker’s lifestyle boutique called The Better Generation, located on Washington Ave. This year’s fiesta will offer $2 margaritas featuring Wild Sol’s partner, Flecha Azul Tequila, street tacos and of course, salsa tastings. Additional entertainment includes a DJ, photo booth, carnival games and a pickleball tournament awarding the first place winner with Astros tickets. The retail space is accompanied by a large yard with a bar, basketball court, deck, and pergolas. Neighboring the retail space is Skylab Social, which is an old Metro bus retrofitted and transformed into a full-service bar.
Pier 6
As a nod to their southern border neighbor, Pier 6 will be serving margaritas at half price all day on Cinco de Mayo. Try the house margarita, featuring Reposado tequila, citrus and agave (get it for $5), or the Spicy Rita with reposado tequila, agave, citrus and a zesty kick (the celebration deal is $6). Deals good on Sunday, May 5, only.
Home Run Dugout
Head over to Home Run Dugout for a weekend full of fun this Cinco De Mayo! The Katy hotspot will be serving up Crawfish out of the Dugout all day Saturday and Sunday until they run out. Enjoy frozen hurricane and beer bucket specials on Saturday, and margarita flights and Mexican beer specials on Sunday to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! On Sunday, stick around for live music from Ricky Montijo from 12 to 4 p.m.
Hongdae 33
It’s hard not to feel festive with a delicious drink in hand and Korean barbecue on your plate. Skip the crowds at Tex-Mex meccas and experience both on Cinco de Mayo with BOGO soju in flavors like strawberry, peach and green apple and BOGO imported and domestic beers all day on May 5.
ARMANDOS
Indulge in your favorite Tex-Mex this Cinco de Mayo at ARMANDOS, where their house margaritas (specially priced at $10) will flow all day long alongside their delectable brunch served from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dive into mouthwatering dishes like Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, Avocado Tostada, and Churro Waffles.
Heights & Co.
The popular patio bar, Heights & Co., will be featuring its specialty margarita menu with $10 margaritas all day, and two tacos for $15. Jala-piña margarita, watermelon cooler margarita, raspberry-lychee martini, st. margarita, and agua fresca margarita. Customers can also choose from beef, steak, or chicken.
Velvet Taco’
Cinco de Mayo celebrations begin on April 29 with Cinco Sweepstakes, a limited-time chance to win cinco (5) $100 gift cards. Guests can enter to win by becoming a Velvet Room loyalty member. Non-members can also partake in the sweepstakes by downloading the Velvet Taco App and submitting the form! The chance to win the Cinco Sweepstakes closes on May 5. Anyone stopping by Velvet Taco on Cinco de Mayo can dig into their limited-time Weekly Taco Feature (WTF), El Jefe, featuring grilled steak, tempura lobster, crispy potatoes, sun-dried tomato aioli, and arugula salad, drizilled in chimichurri.Taco-bouta one-of-a-kind taco! Better yet, a portion of every El Jefe sold will benefit The Hunger Project. During the Cinco de Mayo weekend, all late-night orders after 9 p.m. will receive a limited-time late night koozie, perfect for one of Velvet Taco’s Kick Ass Margaritas.
Verde Garden
The Margarita-fueled, Tex-Mex restaurant known for pouring 12 specialty frozen margaritas is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a first-come-first serve all day event. Brunch is available Sunday, May 5th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with drink special $8 Tommy margaritas frozen and on the rocks beginning at 11 a.m.. There will be lots of entertainment for diners to enjoy, including mariachis and folklore dancers from 3 to 4 p.m., and a live DJ from 4 to 8 p.m.. Come to enjoy Tex-Mex favorites like tacos, enchiladas, torta sandwiches, queso, and ceviche. First come, first serve, no reservations will be available.
State Fare
State Fare Kitchen & Bar will offer $5 frozen or on the rocks margaritas (originally $14) ALL DAY at all three locations: Memorial, Sugar Land and The Woodlands. The thirst-quenching On the Rocks Margarita includes Reposado Tequila, Thai Chili Infused Dry Curacao and Agave Nectar and the Frozen Margarita features Lunazul Reposado Tequila, Orange Liquor, Agave and Lime. Their delicious State Fare signature margaritas pair perfectly with their Chunky Guacamole and Queso Blanco with Green Chiles.
WILD
On Saturday, May 4th, and Sunday, May 5th, it’s time for a Fiesta at WILD Heights and WILD Montrose. Enjoy $8 cocktails on Mango, Hibiscus, Strawberry, and Watermelon Margaritas, Ranch Water, and Paloma, $5 Mexican Candy or Good Ol Tequila Shots, and $4 Pacificos or Modelos. For those wanting Mexican fare, enjoy $3 Tacos (Chicken, Beef, or Cheese) or $5 Elote cups.
Hidden Bar
On Sunday, May 5th, Hidden Bar has partnered with “the Boyz of Summer”, popular Houston deejays Wunderboi, Zino, and Loopy, to keep the Cinco de Mayo party going from 3 to 10 p.m. with drink specials on Margaritas, Tommy Margaritas, Palomas, Mexican Fire Squad, Mexican Candy Shots, as well as specials on all tequilas and mezcal. All day Happy Hour will be offered too!
Cyclone Anaya’s
Houstonians are invited to enjoy some Cinco de Mayo fun at all Houston-area Cyclone Anaya’s restaurants. On Sunday, May 5th, all locations will offer Happy Hour-priced margaritas, including $5 regular and $10 jumbo sized, as well as $3 Casamigos sidecar. Available at all seven Houston-area locations: The Galleria, River Oaks, Houston Heights, Memorial City, Rice Village, Midtown, and The Woodlands. Hours vary per location.
Reset Rooftop Lounge
Reset Rooftop Lounge is participating in the Midtown Cinco de Mayo Crawl on Saturday, May 4th, and Sunday, May 5th! Grab the sombrero and come enjoy camaraderie and revelry from 4 to 11 p.m. on both days. Crawlers at Reset can redeem a welcome shot or drink throughout the evening. There is no cover charge for crawlers to participate.
Kirby Ice House
Kirby Ice House is ready for a big fiesta this Cinco de Mayo at three locations (Upper Kirby, Memorial, and The Woodlands)! Patrons can enjoy $5 frozen or rock margaritas all day (11 a.m. to 2 a.m.) at every location of the neighborhood bar and backyard patio. Pair the festive drink specials with food from the mouth-watering food trucks parked in the back for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration!
POST Houston
POST Houston is hosting the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring mariachi performances, drink specials from top tequila brands, a live DJ on the Skylawn, and more. The Cinco de Mayo Pregame, from 12 to 5 p.m., kicks off with a rooftop party featuring beats from DJ Phonk, drink samples from favorite brands such as Corona, Modelo, 818 Tequila, Patron, and more, as well as frozen Palomas, Margaritas, and Ranch Waters. After 5 p.m., the party continues downstairs throughout the food hall and X-atrium, where guests can take advantage of food and drink specials and enjoy live Mariachi performances.
Candente
Head on over to Candente for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo fiesta! The Montrose Tex-Mex hotspot is hosting its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration on Sunday, May 5, with festive decor, mouthwatering Tex-Mex, signature margaritas, two additional satellite bars, and a special appearance from a mariachi band from 12 to 2 p.m. and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The party will take place inside the restaurant and outside on the lively, expansive patio, where there will be high-top tables set up in addition to regular seating for extra accommodation. The party gets started Friday and Saturday ahead of the celebration as well featuring the additional bar set-ups and the newly launched brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations for parties of 8 or more will be available on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4 and can be made by calling (346) 867-1156. Tables will be first come, first serve for the Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5.
Mandito's Tex-Mex
Get ready to celebrate Cinco De Mayo at Mandito’s Tex-Mex (in Bellaire and Katy) with all-day happy hour on Saturday and Sunday! Indulge in Mandito’s Classic Margarita (on the rocks or frozen), a Paloma, or their Seasonal Bluebonnet Margarita for only $8. Plus, enjoy delicious bites like large queso or guacamole, bean and cheese nachos, or cheese quesadillas, all priced at $8 each.
Puttshack
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Puttshack, Houston’s upscale, tech-infused golf experience. Located at The Highlight at Houston Center in Downtown Houston, Puttshack brings all the good vibes to you. Puttshack offers an array of its specialty margaritas promised to elevate Cinco de Mayo, such as the Ultimate Top Shelf Margarita ($16) with dulce vida Blanco Tequilla, Cointreau, cold-pressed lime sour, black lava salt grim, and Grand Marnier Supertube or the Spiced Pineapple Mezcal Margarita ($16) with Montelobos Espadin Mescal, Hanson Habanero Vodka, Ancho Reyes Verde Liquor, pineapple syrup, fresh pineapple juice, cold-pressed lime juice, Jalapeno Hellfire popsicle, hibiscus sugar rim, and candied pineapple wafer.
Zanti Cucina Italiana
Zanti Cucina Italiana in River Oaks is putting its own sophisticated spin on Cinco de Mayo with a weekend of festivities. From Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 after 3 p.m. – Zanti will be offering specially crafted Italian Mexican fusion menu specials. Dive into Grilled Octopus with dried peppers and baby potatoes; Roasted Poblano Pepper Tagliatelle with poblano pepper sauce, goat cheese, and grilled shrimp, and 5 de Mayo Pizza made with Pomodoro, mozzarella, spicy sausage, red onion, and jalapeno pepper. Sip on special cocktails such as the Margarita Italiana, Paloma, Ranch Water, and a Zanti Margarita. All completed with live music from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Besides these gastronomic adventures, Houston offers other immersive cultural experiences to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Check out parades, street fests, themed parties, and concerts for the whole family. Some events are free to attend.
Photos: Courtesy of restaurants mentioned in this post.
