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Margaritas from Barracuda

Where to Sip the Best Margaritas in New Orleans

17 spots for the times no other drink will do

by Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell, and Eater Staff Updated Sep 16, 2021, 1:34pm CDT

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Margaritas from Barracuda

| Randy Schmidt/Barracuda

by Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell, and Eater Staff Updated Sep 16, 2021, 1:34pm CDT

The perfect margarita — good tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, orange liqueur, salt on the rim, and on the rocks please — is a bracing punctuation mark in the cocktail lexicon. Tart, refreshing, potent, the margarita is the absolute perfect foil for zesty Mexican fare or steamy New Orleans weather when it’s made with fresh ingredients and presented with flair.

Here are some of Eater’s favorite margaritas, for those times no other drink will do. Did we miss your favorite margarita in New Orleans? Leave a comment or send an email.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

Note: This map is arranged by geography, never by ranking or date of inclusion on the map.

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Taqueria Corona

In addition to offering a lively, kid-friendly atmosphere and some of the best Mexican food in town, this decades-old Magazine Street taqueria serves a solid margarita, with tons of options for tequila — regular, large, or by the pitcher.

5932 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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The Backyard

This is a great place to let the kids run wild in the restaurant’s backyard while enjoying the Daisy Mae, the house marg with Sauza, Grand Marnier, and Cointreau. In addition to being kid-friendly, the Backyard is dog-friendly, with an outdoor space that radiates a summery, Sunday afternoon kind of vibe, complete with picnic tables and playground equipment.

244 W Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

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Sarita's Grill

This friendly Freret Street Cuban/Mexican/Central American hole-in-the-wall’s ceiling is strewn with the white lights of a university dorm room and the walls are decorated with an intriguing assortment of wall art (from waterfalls to a pelican playing the maracas). Sarita’s serves margaritas on tap, poured by the glass or pitcher in sweet (original, mango, or strawberry) or savory (hints of jalapeno and cilantro). Be sure to get some queso and chips to accompany the margs.

4520 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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El Pavo Real

This tiny joint in Broadmoor was BYO when it first opened, but now uses its fantastic agua fresca game to liven up its margarita selection. The selection changes seasonally but if they’ve got watermelon, definitely check it out. This place doesn’t really have a bar, but the only thing better than their margaritas here is their food, especially their traditional Mexican breakfast items (available all day) so sit down and tuck in.

4401 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

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Watermelon margarita at El Pavo Real

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Del Fuego Taqueria

The chill Magazine Street taco house doesn’t take short cuts. All of the margaritas are made with fresh squeezed juice, as nature intended. On tap at the bar, Del Fuego’s margaritas are beyond potent. Slurp outside overlooking the streetscape or in the cozy back patio.

4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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The Velvet Cactus

This Lakeview Mexican joint offers a margarita menu that changes with the seasons, featuring the likes of watermelon and mint; blood orange and mango; and coconut, mango, and habanero. Sip out on the lively patio, and feel good that these thirst quenchers are made with freshly squeezed lime juice and cane sugar.

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6300 Argonne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

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Blood orange mango margarita at Velvet Cactus

Felipe's Mexican Taqueria — Multiple Locations

With locations in the FQ, Uptown, and Mid City, fast-casual Felipe’s is a convenient spot for fresh or frozen margaritas made with lime juice freshly squeezed by the bartenders. Although always reasonable, Wednesdays are a steal, with margaritas just $5. Step out of the usual and try a blueberry thyme margarita, made with local blueberries.

411 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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The Best Cheap and Easy Eats in the French Quarter

Barracuda

Barracuda, the taco stand and margarita garden on Tchoup, makes kickin’ agua fresca, margaritas, palomas, and more — some of which are available by the jug for takeout. For single servings in the restaurant’s backyard, there are classic, mezcal, and spicy margaritas, as well as a rotating special — past flavors have included such delights as hibiscus honeysuckle and cucumber melon. There’s now a location on the West Bank, too, opened in summer 2021.

3984 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Superior Grill

This colorful and sprawling St. Charles Avenue stalwart with plenty of outdoor seating consistently earns raves for its margaritas made with a variety of tequilas and fresh citrus juices. Calorie counters can ask for the skinny margarita, better make it a double. Note: Even if you’re sitting at a table, the restaurant tends to serve the margaritas in Styrofoam cups, especially during happy hour.

3636 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Blue Oak BBQ

Everyone knows this laid-back Mid City smokehouse has some of the best barbecue in town, but did you know they also have one of the best house margaritas? Perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and definitely on the stronger side. They’re only $5 during happy hour, and pair perfectly with other great specials like sliders, mini nachos, and smoked wings.

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Santa Fe

Leafy Esplanade Avenue is the perfect backdrop for Santa Fe, a Southwestern eatery with a penchant for darn good margaritas made with fresh lime juice. They make for ideal slurping along with chips and salsa.

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3201 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

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Casa Borrega

Casa Borrega pioneered the restaurant scene in Central City along Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, and it’s still a frontrunner for cocktails, cuisine, and live music. The margarita menu includes the Margarita Borrega made with Cimarrón Blanco, Gran Gala, fresh squeezed lime, and dark agave nectar. The standard house version is a solid choice, as is the Cadillac version made with blood orange liqueur.lce

1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

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Juan's Flying Burrito (Multiple Locations)

From classic to supersized to fruity to frozen, if you’re not getting your margarita on while dining here, you ain’t doing it right. Try the cooling cucumber, frozen lemon berry, or treat yo’self to a Cadillac. Better yet, make your margarita a “Bootlegger” by adding a shot of moonshine to it, or add a shot of sangria for a “Sandroni.”

2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Johnny Sánchez

This elevated taco hotspot in the CBD has an entire cocktail menu built around Mexican flavors, so finding the traditional Margarita de la Casa alongside a grapefruit-blue curacao version is no surprise. Tequila purists, be sure to check out the impressive tequila and mezcals, since there are about 50 to choose from.

930 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112

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El Gato Negro (Multiple Locations)

El Gato Negro, with locations in the French Quarter, Lakeview, and now Gretna, takes its tequila seriously. Not only does the bar pour flights of blancos, añejos, and reposados, the “Black Cat” serves traditional margaritas alongside the likes of pineapple-cilantro and the 48-ounce “machoman” margarita made with Tacomba Azul and Grand Marnier.

800 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

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Port of Call

Although this Port of Call is best known for its potent Monsoon cocktails (the bar’s version of a hurricane), the margaritas deserve a shout-out. Generously poured and strong, they are made with a fine sour mix brightened with a squeeze of lime. Order one the next time you are mingling with the tourists waiting outside for a table at this popular burger dive.

838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

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Galaxie

There’s always a version of a frozen margarita along with a weekly frigid special at Galaxie Tacos, the St. Claude Avenue taco joint in a former gas station setting. Order from a wide array of tequilas and Mezcal incorporated into margaritas and margarita-adjacent beverages, for takeout or on the huge front outdoor dining space. Keep an eye out for the always-interesting specials, for drink and food.

3060 St Claude Ave Tacos, New Orleans, LA 70117

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Taqueria Corona

5932 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

In addition to offering a lively, kid-friendly atmosphere and some of the best Mexican food in town, this decades-old Magazine Street taqueria serves a solid margarita, with tons of options for tequila — regular, large, or by the pitcher.

5932 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

The Backyard

244 W Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

This is a great place to let the kids run wild in the restaurant’s backyard while enjoying the Daisy Mae, the house marg with Sauza, Grand Marnier, and Cointreau. In addition to being kid-friendly, the Backyard is dog-friendly, with an outdoor space that radiates a summery, Sunday afternoon kind of vibe, complete with picnic tables and playground equipment.

244 W Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Backyard (@the_backyardnola)

Sarita's Grill

4520 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

This friendly Freret Street Cuban/Mexican/Central American hole-in-the-wall’s ceiling is strewn with the white lights of a university dorm room and the walls are decorated with an intriguing assortment of wall art (from waterfalls to a pelican playing the maracas). Sarita’s serves margaritas on tap, poured by the glass or pitcher in sweet (original, mango, or strawberry) or savory (hints of jalapeno and cilantro). Be sure to get some queso and chips to accompany the margs.

4520 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

El Pavo Real

4401 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

This tiny joint in Broadmoor was BYO when it first opened, but now uses its fantastic agua fresca game to liven up its margarita selection. The selection changes seasonally but if they’ve got watermelon, definitely check it out. This place doesn’t really have a bar, but the only thing better than their margaritas here is their food, especially their traditional Mexican breakfast items (available all day) so sit down and tuck in.

4401 S Broad Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

Visit Website

Watermelon margarita at El Pavo Real

Del Fuego Taqueria

4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

The chill Magazine Street taco house doesn’t take short cuts. All of the margaritas are made with fresh squeezed juice, as nature intended. On tap at the bar, Del Fuego’s margaritas are beyond potent. Slurp outside overlooking the streetscape or in the cozy back patio.

4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

The Velvet Cactus

6300 Argonne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

This Lakeview Mexican joint offers a margarita menu that changes with the seasons, featuring the likes of watermelon and mint; blood orange and mango; and coconut, mango, and habanero. Sip out on the lively patio, and feel good that these thirst quenchers are made with freshly squeezed lime juice and cane sugar.

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6300 Argonne Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124

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Blood orange mango margarita at Velvet Cactus

Felipe's Mexican Taqueria — Multiple Locations

411 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

With locations in the FQ, Uptown, and Mid City, fast-casual Felipe’s is a convenient spot for fresh or frozen margaritas made with lime juice freshly squeezed by the bartenders. Although always reasonable, Wednesdays are a steal, with margaritas just $5. Step out of the usual and try a blueberry thyme margarita, made with local blueberries.

411 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Barracuda

3984 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Barracuda, the taco stand and margarita garden on Tchoup, makes kickin’ agua fresca, margaritas, palomas, and more — some of which are available by the jug for takeout. For single servings in the restaurant’s backyard, there are classic, mezcal, and spicy margaritas, as well as a rotating special — past flavors have included such delights as hibiscus honeysuckle and cucumber melon. There’s now a location on the West Bank, too, opened in summer 2021.

3984 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BARRACUDA (@eatbarracuda)

Superior Grill

3636 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

This colorful and sprawling St. Charles Avenue stalwart with plenty of outdoor seating consistently earns raves for its margaritas made with a variety of tequilas and fresh citrus juices. Calorie counters can ask for the skinny margarita, better make it a double. Note: Even if you’re sitting at a table, the restaurant tends to serve the margaritas in Styrofoam cups, especially during happy hour.

3636 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115

Visit Website

Blue Oak BBQ

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Everyone knows this laid-back Mid City smokehouse has some of the best barbecue in town, but did you know they also have one of the best house margaritas? Perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and definitely on the stronger side. They’re only $5 during happy hour, and pair perfectly with other great specials like sliders, mini nachos, and smoked wings.

900 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Blue Oak BBQ (@blueoakbbq)

Santa Fe

3201 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Leafy Esplanade Avenue is the perfect backdrop for Santa Fe, a Southwestern eatery with a penchant for darn good margaritas made with fresh lime juice. They make for ideal slurping along with chips and salsa.

Open in Google Maps

3201 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Visit Website

Casa Borrega

1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

Casa Borrega pioneered the restaurant scene in Central City along Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, and it’s still a frontrunner for cocktails, cuisine, and live music. The margarita menu includes the Margarita Borrega made with Cimarrón Blanco, Gran Gala, fresh squeezed lime, and dark agave nectar. The standard house version is a solid choice, as is the Cadillac version made with blood orange liqueur.lce

1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113

Visit Website

Juan's Flying Burrito (Multiple Locations)

2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

From classic to supersized to fruity to frozen, if you’re not getting your margarita on while dining here, you ain’t doing it right. Try the cooling cucumber, frozen lemon berry, or treat yo’self to a Cadillac. Better yet, make your margarita a “Bootlegger” by adding a shot of moonshine to it, or add a shot of sangria for a “Sandroni.”

2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Juan's Flying Burrito (@juansflyingburritonola)

Johnny Sánchez

930 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112

This elevated taco hotspot in the CBD has an entire cocktail menu built around Mexican flavors, so finding the traditional Margarita de la Casa alongside a grapefruit-blue curacao version is no surprise. Tequila purists, be sure to check out the impressive tequila and mezcals, since there are about 50 to choose from.

930 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Visit Website

El Gato Negro (Multiple Locations)

800 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

El Gato Negro, with locations in the French Quarter, Lakeview, and now Gretna, takes its tequila seriously. Not only does the bar pour flights of blancos, añejos, and reposados, the “Black Cat” serves traditional margaritas alongside the likes of pineapple-cilantro and the 48-ounce “machoman” margarita made with Tacomba Azul and Grand Marnier.

800 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Visit Website

Related Maps

Port of Call

838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Although this Port of Call is best known for its potent Monsoon cocktails (the bar’s version of a hurricane), the margaritas deserve a shout-out. Generously poured and strong, they are made with a fine sour mix brightened with a squeeze of lime. Order one the next time you are mingling with the tourists waiting outside for a table at this popular burger dive.

838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Visit Website

Galaxie

3060 St Claude Ave Tacos, New Orleans, LA 70117

There’s always a version of a frozen margarita along with a weekly frigid special at Galaxie Tacos, the St. Claude Avenue taco joint in a former gas station setting. Order from a wide array of tequilas and Mezcal incorporated into margaritas and margarita-adjacent beverages, for takeout or on the huge front outdoor dining space. Keep an eye out for the always-interesting specials, for drink and food.

3060 St Claude Ave Tacos, New Orleans, LA 70117

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Galaxie (@galaxietacos)

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