Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. Time to round up your crew and head out for some soul satisfying Mexican food, washed done with a frosty Margarita or two, along with a shot of premium tequila or rare mezcal. Not far from Circa, you’ll find El Pueblo de Los Angeles, the birthplace of Los Angeles, which is now a historical monument, home to museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. DTLA is also boasts some of the city’s most iconic and award-winning Mexican restaurants, rooftop oases, and craft cocktail bars, serving everything from traditional cuisine to chef-driven menus. Check website for opening hours, reservations and health & safety guidelines.
Olvera Street El Pueblo de Los Angeles 125 Paseo de la Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the birthplace of Los Angeles – El Pueblo de Los Angelest. Founded in 1781, El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (the Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels) is now a historical monument, home to free museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. Olvera Street is now open for shopping and take-out dining. Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe, a historic landmark, offers authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh margaritas made with real fruits including strawberry, mango, cucumber and more.
Las Perlas 107 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Las Perlas is happy to announce that they will be reopening for patio service on May 3. The nation’s first mezcal bar, Las Perlas was established in 2010 in the historic Sante Fe building the DTLA Arts District. This Oaxacan style cantina exists as a living tribute to Mexico’s native spirit, mezcal, with the finest selection of more than 400 premium agave spirits in the United States. Las Perlas cocktails arrive garnished with everything from wild hibiscus flowers to the Oaxacan delicacy of spicy, roasted chapulinas, while also offering ice cold Mexican cerveza.
Cinco de Mayo with Trejos Tacos Pez Cantina 401 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071
Join Pez Cantina for an exclusive event with Trejos Tacos on Thursday, May 6th from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. Ticket Includes Three-Course Meal created by Pez Cantina and Trejos Tacos. There’ll be a Taco Eating Contest judged by Danny Trejos, along with live music, prizes and giveaways. Pez Cantina is a sustainable Coastal Mexican-style restaurant and bar serving the freshest sea-to-land dishes in an oasis-type atmosphere. The menu focuses on dishes from the many distinct regions of Mexico, from Baja, to Oaxaca and the Yucatan Peninsula. A fine-tuned selection of bright and eclectic cocktails, California-focused wine list and craft beers, round out the Pez Cantina menu.
Broken Shaker Freehand Hotel 416 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on the Freehand Hotel rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city. Reservations for pool and Broken Shaker are required.
Guerilla Tacos 2000 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021
From a popular food truck, Guerilla Tacos has evolved to a contemporary restaurant and bar specializing in great margaritas and other craft cocktials, along with world-class dishes inspired by the flavors of the city, made with local ingredients and served on a tortilla. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on their festive outdoor paito. All of the proceeds from select items on May 5 will go to Save the Children.
LA Cha Cha Chá 812 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
The sister location of Terraza Cha Cha Chá in Mexico City, LA Cha Cha Chá recently opened in a chic outdoor rooftop space in the Arts District. The restaurant offers gorgeous views of DTLA and a notable menu by Mexico City-born, LA-raised chef Alejandro Guzman. There are traditional starters like aguachile and ceviche, but also chicharos de sierra with fresh peas, serrano aioli, and crispy potato – a revamped family recipe. Cha Cha Cha ioffers a tacos and tostada menu, along with more substantial dishes like grilled fish, charcoal roasted chicken, and a pork shoulder confit carnitas with braised beans and pico de gallo.
Veranda Al Fresco Hotel Figueroa 939 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Chef AJ McCloud is serving an authentic Mexico City-inspired menu, befitting the tropical vibe at Veranda Al Fresco, DTLA’s urban oasis at Hotel Figueroa. Discover a tasty, simple street taco menu paired with an intriguing selection of craft cocktails. Salud y buen provecho!
Mezcalero 510 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013
The name that says it all. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mezcalero, a small, laid-back joint in the heart of DTLA. These homey digs present a dizzying selection of mezcal. tequila and other agave spirits, along with craft beer and Mexican street food. The down to earth staff, lead by mixologist Nathan McCullough, loves sharing and shaking up our cocktails while generating a welcoming environment for all. Mezcalero offers daily happy hour specials, Open for dine-in, delivery and takeout. Salud!
Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
This Tex Mex hot spot will tingle your tummy with specialities like fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly, simmering on the stove. Chef Josef Centeno created Bar Amá as his interpretation of the food he was nurtured on by the women who raised him, and the menu reflects that comfortable sense of home. The bar offers a great selection of tequilas and mezcals, along with absinthe, whiskey, gin, beer, wine, and more. Open for pickup, delivery and patio dining.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe
Photo #2: Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe
Photo #3: Las Perlas
Photo #4: Pez Cantina
Photo #5: Broken Shaker
Photo #6: Guerilla Tacos
Photo #7: LA Cha Cha Chá
Photo #8: Veranda Al Fresco
Photo #9: Mezcalero
Photo #10: Bar Amá
