If you like Mexican food, margaritas, and any reason to celebrate with them, this list is for you. To celebrate everyday like it’s Cinco de Mayo, Portland Old Port has created a long list of Latin inspired restaurants and food trucks throughout Portland – with a few events thrown in for good measure.
The 5th of May is a commemorative date honoring the Battle of Puebla, Mexico’s victory over the French in 1862. Interestingly enough, this holiday is more widely celebrated in the United States than Mexico, as a date of commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage.
Wanna weigh in on your favorite spots to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Head to our Facebook and Instagram pages to comment and share! Did we miss your favorite spot? Email [email protected] and let us know!
Get ready to celebrate, here are the Cinco de Mayo events happening in Portland.
Dock Fore– 336 Fore St, Portland
It’s always a party at Portland’s local watering hole, Dock Fore. Join them for a Cinco de Mayo party beginning at 3pm with $3.95 Dos Equis and house margaritas, as well as chips, salsa, and Mexican flour crips.
The Maker’s Galley – 5 Commercial St, Portland
The Maker’s Galley has a special talent for hosting events that are not only delicious but entertaining. Join them for a Fish Taco night where Executive Chef Arianna Stefanilo and friends of Upstream Portland invite guests to learn about Cod, from ocean to table. No taco is complete without a margarita (or many). This is a ticketed event beginning at 6pm.
Pizzaiolo – 865 Forest Ave, Portland
Join Pizzaiolo for a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Thursday May 5 from 7pm to 10pm at their Forest Ave location. Enjoy their Thursday Taco plate special while the Desperate Avikadoz Band jams the night away.
El Rayo – 26 Free St, Portland
Are you ready for patio season? El Rayo says you are – so get outside (rain or shine) to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on their patio out back. In addition to tasty tacos, and other food specials, El Rayo will have live music from 4pm – 7pm.
THE Bar + Bites – Celebrating all day long, The Bar and bites will have drink and food specials from 12PM – 12 AM.
The Yard – 82 Hanover St, Portland
The Yard is no stranger to celebrating the good things in life, including Cinco de Mayo. Pop over to Hanover Street to indulge in a Mexican inspired menu of classic cocktails, street food, and savory entrees. Menu begins at 4pm.
Regards – 547 Congress St, Portland
It’s Taco Night every Thursday at Regards! This week it’s even more special as $1 of each taco purchased is donated to Maine needs. Doors open at 5pm.
Rosie’s – 330 Fore St, Portland
Rosie’s is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with specials all day! $3.50 Corona Extra, $4 Well Tequila Shot, $4 Mexican Candy Shot, and $5 baskets of chips and salsa.
Stars and Stripes Brewing – 3 Free St, Portland
Celebrate Cindo de Mayo with Portland’s newest brewery. Open at 2pm Stars and Stripes will be serving tasty tacos and Lime Processco’s in addition to their full menu of beers.
Are you ready to dig into some good eats? Portland Old Port presents our list of Mexican, and other Latin inspired restaurants throughout Portland.
Amigos Mexican Restaurant – 9 Dana St, Portland
Amigos has long been king of the Old Port party scene of Wharf Street past and present. It’s no surprise that this no frills bar and restaurant is a local favorite, offering a jukebox, darts, pool table and outdoor patio that often has a band playing. But what many forget is that Amigos is also a bonafide Mexican restaurant offering classic fare like chili rellenos, burritos, and tacos. Top off your meal with a house margarita or draft beer. Now serving brunch so you can start and end your night asking what happened?
Bayside Bowl Rooftop – 58 Alder St, Portland
Wanna feel on top of the world? Head over to the epic rooftop bar of Bayside Bowl for sun, fun, and tacos. The rooftop offers a great view of Portland’s Back Bay, while delivering on great frozen drinks, beers, and their designated airstream taco truck. If you catch a chill, head inside for a round of bowling with a full bar and food menu.
Rosie’s– 330 Fore St, Portland
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated all day at Rosie’s. Specials include $3.50 Corona Extra, $4 Well Tequila Shots, $5 Mexican Candy Shot, and $5 Basket of Chips and Salsa.
Stars and Stripes Brewing – 3 Spring St, Portland
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Portland’s newest brewery! Open at 2pm, Stars and Stripes is serving up tasty tacos and Lime Prosecco’s in addition to their full menu of beers.
Bird & Co – 539 Deering Ave, Portland
Bird & Co. is a great neighborhood taco bar just outside of downtown. Their menu features a diverse selection of tasty tacos, ranging from vegan options like crispy tofu to more traditional options like their house taco with carnitas. No taco is complete without a margarita – and don’t worry, the Bird has some of the best in town! Bird and Co is open for weekend brunch, dinner service, and delivery. Pop in, or hang outside on their patio this Spring and Summer (which opens TODAY!).
La Bodega Latina Grocery Store: 863 Congress St, Portland
If you’re looking to enhance your cooking with some added spice, or seeking out specialty products you won’t find elsewhere, look no further than La Bodega Latina. Open daily for in-person shopping, or pop online to CarHop and everything on your list, including cerveza, delivered to your door!
El Rayo – 26 Free St, Portland
A Portland staple since its days located on the corner of York Street, El Rayo never fails when you’re craving Mexican food. Their menu offers yummy appetizers like golden jet pineapple skewers dusted with chile powder, as well as classic tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and salad. Their drink menu is no joke either, presenting a wide array of tequilas for tasting (including flights), mixed drinks, and of course margaritas. Try the Snake Bite if you’re looking to add some spice this Cinco de Mayo.
Jefe Juans – 47 Wharf St, Portland
We love a family affair at Portland Old Port, especially sister restaurants! Jefe Juan’s features a delicious menu inspired by Boss Juan’s favorite recipes, the head chef of sister restaurant Mash Tun. Their menu features traditional Mexican fare, as well as some classic Maine food like lobster rolls. Jefe Juans offer late night eats from 10pm to close – which may mean it’s a great last stop for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Lupitas – 15 Exchange St, Portland
Located right in the heart of the Old Port, Lupita’s was born during the pandemic to bring Portland a local taqueria serving up traditional tacos and margaritas. Lupitas draws inspiration from traditional Mexican flavors, adds a Colombian twist, and incorporates recipes from around the world to deliver good eats. If you can’t make it out for Cinco de Mayo, find them during their Happy Hour for $5 margaritas, and other food and drink specials.
Quiero Cafe – 3 Deering Ave, Portland
Quiero Cafe is most known for their incredible empanadas that feature a range of Latin flavors like sweet plantains and chorizo. In addition to their hand pies, Quiero Cafe offers appetizers, hearty sandwiches, dessert, and a full drink menu featuring margaritas (of course), daiquiris, smoothies, limeade, and soda. Whether indulging in tequila, or keeping it non alcoholic, Quiero Cafe is definitely a restaurant that should be added to your “must visit” list.
Restaurante El Corazon – 190 State St, Portland
If you love tacos, but want to add a bit more variety to your plate, El Corazon has a large menu of traditional Mexican fare. Go hard with your Cinco crew with appetizers like Cocteles de Marisco (Seafood Cocktails), queso fundido, and grilled Mexican corn, or indulge in larger portions like a smothered burrito, specialty plates, or enchiladas. In addition to clinking cervezas and margaritas, treat the table to something sweet like their churros.
Taco Escobarr – 548 Congress St, Portland
It’s debatable whether Taco Escobarr is most known for their puffy taco, or their funky atmosphere complete with bright colored chili lights and luchadores mural. If you’re in the mood to get festive, Taco Escobarr is a great place for casual, affordable, and authentic Mexican food and beverage. Unique to Taco Escobar is their diversity of tacos, offering your favorite treat three ways – soft, crispy, or puffy. Why try one, when you can have all three!?
Terlingua – 40 Washington Ave, Portland
Terlingua combines flavors of the Southwest to have a Tex-Mex vibe at their restaurant located on Washington Ave. Featuring one of the biggest deck/patios in Portland, Terlingua is a great spot for Cinco de Mayo celebrations, or any day the sun is out (including winter). What you can come to expect are top notch margaritas with a chili rim, smoked-meat stuffed tacos, BBQ boards, and more. Even better, Terlingua offers a marketplace where you can take home their delicious meats and pretend you’re a top chef.
Tic Taco – 1 City Center, Portland
Looking for lunch on the run? Look no further than Tic Taco – a to-the-point Mexican restaurant located in City Center. If you can’t make it out for a rowdy Cinco de Mayo, Tic Taco can still fulfill your need to indulge in Mexican food.
Sal de la Tierra – 581 Congress St, Portland
Sal de la Tierra serves an exquisite mixture of Latin cuisine, featuring flavors of Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Colombia and more! This restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner for dine in or take out; if you’re grabbing take out, go down the block and bask in the sun in Congress Square Park. Some favorites on the menu include pupusa, pernil, and burritos.
Create your own Cinco de Mayo picnic with food truck fare found throughout Portland!
Tacos La Poblanita
Head over the East End to indulge in Mexican street food served straight outta the Tacos La Poblanita’s food truck. They’re known for their tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and desserts. Don’t forget to bring your blanket, and create your own picnic fiesta while taking in the gorgeous view!
Tacos Del Seoul
Looking to try something different? Tacos del Seoul fuses Mexican and Korean for a taste-splosion of yumminess. Check out FoodTrux to find their daily location.
Ironclad Eats
Their tag line tells you everything you need to know “a foodtruck serving metal-ass tacos all over Maine ”. Go hard this Cinco de Mayo with tasty bites from Ironclad Eats. Check out the FoodTrux or their socials for their daily location.
