Margarita Madness: A Guide to the Top Sips in Surf City USA

7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

With an indoor/outdoor agave bar, it’s no surprise this Bella Terra eatery makes the list of the best sips in Surf City. Whether you enjoy your margaritas blended to velvety smoothness or served up skinny style, any of these solita sippers are the perfect accompaniment to a menu of street tacos filled with savory meats and spicy seafood. For date night, order the Grande Casa Noble margarita to watch a tableside preparation for two.

7821 Edinger Avenue, Suite 110
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Another Bella Terra hot spot, this award-winning modern Mexican restaurant has a menu of specialty margaritas starring tropical fruits and citrus flavors. Try the passion fruit with El Tesoro blanco tequila or the Fruit Cart, a sweet and spicy sip that pairs mango, pineapple, watermelon and cucumber with chamoy and Tajin. Splurge on That Good Good Cadillac, an upgraded option with Siete Leguas añejo tequila and Grand Marnier, or share a bottle of Puesto’s house margarita with the table.

21040 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite F200
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

For margaritas with a view, check out this Pacific City restaurant that provides nearly every diner in its contemporary coastal dining room a glimpse of palm trees and the Pacific. Fruit-forward options are plentiful here, like the Punta Negra margarita that offsets the sweet tartness of blackberries with the spicy kick of a jalapeño. Come back each month for a new specialty flavor, like strawberry mango finished with a Tajín rim.

300 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 201
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Overlooking Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, this quintessential downtown bar and restaurant goes big with its specialty margaritas served in oversized goblets and glasses.  A Fred’s classic is the Corona Rita, which tops a signature house marg with an ice-cold beer bottle. You can’t go wrong with an old-fashioned Cadillac, but don’t be afraid to venture outside the box with the K.A. — two shots of 104-proof Pueblo Viejo that make a drink so strong, bartenders will cut you off after three.

211 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

It wouldn’t be a trip downtown without a double-shot margarita at Baja Sharkeez. It’s always prime time for a party here, where revelers can enjoy their drinks served in personal bowls and buckets. In addition to frozen fruity margs and hand-shaken Patron varieties served on the rocks, a major draw is the massive 32-ounce El Macho topped with a baby bottle of Grand Marnier.

18603 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

A neighborhood favorite, this 5 Points Plaza family-friendly restaurant invites patrons to pull up a seat in the bar or enjoy their margaritas with a full meal in the dining room. Tried-and-true flavors like the spicy mango and jalapeño are generously portioned, served in oversized goblets to pair with sizzling fajitas and complimentary chips and salsa.

318 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

The family-run restaurant downtown makes all its margaritas using only fresh ingredients. For a tart sip, try the Paloma, which combines grapefruit and lime juice with Patron Blanco. Avila’s bar team also crafts specialty creations like the blood orange margarita served with the earthy Los Sundays Blanco tequila. Upgrade any margarita to a liter, perfect for sharing with groups of four or more.

15101 Goldenwest Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Find some of north Huntington Beach’s best margaritas at Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill. The coconut margarita is a thirst-quenching pick with fresh fruit puree and toasted flakes, but for something with a little more zip, try the skinny jalapeño that packs a powerful punch at under 100 calories. The colorful restaurant also invites patrons to try a different flavor profile with the Smokey Mezcalito, featuring Agave de Cortes mezcal and a splash of lime juice, cilantro and agave nectar.