Where To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In DC
Lifestyle
This just in: There’s less than 1 week to go until the ultimate excuse to indulge in Mexican cuisine officially arrives. We’re referring, of course, to Cinco de Mayo, a day that commemorates the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 — and that invites DC to celebrate in style.
Our favorite way to get in the spirit? Digging into some delicious Mexican cuisine, of course. Read on to learn about the city’s hottest spots for margs, tacos, and more!
#1 Cactus Cantina: Founded in December 1990 by Raul Sanchez and Luis Reyes, Cactus Cantina is a fun, engaging, family-friendly restaurant dishing out Text-Mex specialties in Cathedral Heights, DC. A beloved neighborhood haunt and destination all in one, Cactus is known for its lively atmosphere, frozen margs, and expansive menu.
➤ Learn more about Cactus Cantina right here.
Looking to browse the latest listings in between stops? Check out our lineup of the hottest homes live on the market today!
#2 dLeña: This wood-fired modern Mexican restaurant from chef Richard Sandoval has been drawing in Washingtonians for a fresh take on Mexican cuisine since it opened several years back. The menu offers classic Mexican dishes including an assortment of Birria Barbacoa, Camarón, and Hongos a la Leña Tacos, and the grilled house chicken dish, known as Medio Pollo al Carbón, comes marinated with guajillo-achiote, criolla sauce, and grilled broccolini.
➤ Learn more about dLeña right here.
#3 Santa Rosa Taqueria: Taqueria Santa Rosa recently reopened as a Mexican restaurant with bright colors and bold flavors, plus a wide variety of margaritas — making this the perfect happy hour spot for politicos nearby. The menu is curated by chef Brian Lacayo and Catherine Mendelsohn and includes tacos like a Birria Taco with cheesy pot roast and consommé and a veggie-friendly Roasted Harissa Cauliflower Taco that reflects Santa Rosa’s commitment to serving fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
➤ Learn more about Santa Rosa Taqueria right here.
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#4 El Chucho: El Chucho’s menu covers tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and everything in between, but the true star of its menu is elote. This Columbia Heights mainstay serves succulent corn that comes out partially charred, slathered with a brown-butter aioli, and covered in crumbles of cotija cheese and cilantro. The rooftop only makes the situation better, serving as the perfect perch for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service.
➤ Learn more about El Chucho right here.
#5 Chicatana: Three years in, Chicatana caters to daring diners in Columbia Heights with generous use of ants and grasshoppers — a delicacy of chef Marcelino Zamudio’s native Guerrero in southwestern Mexico. Menu highlights include fried quesadillas, esquites, tacos, buñuelos (Mexican doughnuts), and chicharrón gorditas made with corn masa, molcajete sauce, crema, cheese, and aromatic cilantro.
➤ Learn more about Chicatana right here.
#6 El Sol: Opened in 2014, El Sol Restaurante & Tequileria serves up authentic Mexican cuisine inspired by the heritage of chef Alfredo Solis and his sister, Jessica. Born and raised in Mexico City, the duo moved to DC, where they cut their teeth working in some of the city’s finest restaurants — advancing from dishwasher to executive chef positions. With over a decade of culinary experience under their belts, they struck out on their own to open El Sol, which shares the culture and cuisine of their homeland. The menu is driven by the foods they grew up with, from street food staples like Huaraches (flatbreads stuffed with cactus, fresh cheeses, and meats) to Tortas and Tacos. El Sol makes almost everything in-house and sources the very best products, whether it’s daily fresh bread or weekly shipments of mole straight from the Solis’ madre in Mexico. Since opening, it’s been hailed by The Washington Post, Washingtonian, Zagat, and more.
➤ Learn more about El Sol right here.
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