No one needs a reason to enjoy a delicious margarita.
Margaritas are the appropriate drinks for almost all occasions. Celebrating? Have a margarita. Pulling yourself together after a breakup? A margarita is the answer. Just want to hang out with your friends and get a little loose? Blame it on the juice, and by juice, I mean the margarita.
Whether you prefer the classic marg with salt around the rim, or something more creamy and adventurous, Columbus has plenty of options to choose from. Here are our go-to places around the capital city.
| Spot | Neighborhood | The order |
| Bakersfield | Short North | Pineapple Margarita |
| Los Guachos Taqueria | Sawmill | House margarita |
| Cuco’s Taqueria | Northwest Side | Pepino margarita |
| El Rodeo | Northeast Side | Jumbo Margarita |
| Local Cantina | Multiple locations | Margarita pitcher |
| Las Margaritas | Westerville | Fresh-squeezed traditional |
| Lupita’s | Columbus | Fire margarita |
| Viva Mexican Kitchen | Arena District | House margarita |
| Mi Tradicion | Gahanna | Don Julio pomegranate margarita |
| Agave & Rye | Short North | OG margarita |
Bakersfield
What to order: There’s no such thing as a bad margarita at Bakersfield, but I have to admit that I’m partial to the Pineapple Margarita. The menu these days builds every margarita on premium spirits and fresh citrus, and the pineapple is still on the list at $12. It’s my go-to drink when vacation is still 6 months away but I need it to be a lot sooner.
Address: 733 N High St. Columbus, OH 43215
Los Guachos Taqueria
What to order: At Los Guachos, it’s the house margarita all the way. Made with fresh-squeezed juice, these margaritas are delicious and authentic, just like the food you’ll eat while you’re sipping.
Address: 7370 Sawmill Rd. Columbus, OH 43235
Cuco’s Taqueria
What to order: The pepino, a cucumber margarita with a little heat behind it. Cuco’s started out as a Mexican grocery store with a taco counter in the back, and the food still tastes like that history. Closed Sundays.
Address: 2162 W Henderson Rd, Columbus
El Rodeo
What to order: At El Rodeo, any flavor margarita is worth having. But it’s more about the size. The Jumbo Margarita is so appropriately named and it’s definitely what you’re going to want to order. Get a designated driver and treat yourself.
Address: 2808 Stelzer Rd, Columbus, OH 43219
Local Cantina
What to order: The best thing about the margaritas at Local Cantina is that you can order them in a pitcher. Sharing is caring and your friends will love you for it.
Address: Various locations.
Las Margaritas
What to order: The name sets the expectation and the bar clears it. The margarita list runs long, from a traditional fresh-squeezed version through flavors like prickly pear and watermelon, and there’s a Coronarita for the undecided. The kitchen holds its own on the food side too.
Address: 706 N State St. Westerville
Lupita’s
What to order: Sometimes, you just want a spicy margarita, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And when that moment comes, you need to drop what you’re doing and head to Lupita’s for a Fire Margarita. It’s made with all kinds of yummy, fresh ingredients including jalapeno-infused pineapple juice, and it’s incredible. You can also get a flight of margs. It’s really heaven in there.
Address: 1586 S High St, Columbus
Viva Mexican Kitchen
What to order: A margarita in Nada’s old corner spot. Viva took over the Arena District address in early 2026 and opened its doors on National Margarita Day, which tells you where the priorities sit. The family behind Dulce Vida Ice Cream Factory runs it, and bonus: the tortillas are made in house.
Address: 220 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus
Mi Tradicion
What to order: The Don Julio pomegranate margarita. When NBC4 polled central Ohio viewers on the region’s best margarita back in 2019, Mi Tradicion took the top spot, and that pomegranate pour was the drink they kept naming. The Gahanna spot runs a full cocktail bar and takes reservations.
Address: 111 N Stygler Rd, Gahanna
Agave & Rye
What to order: Agave & Rye built its name on what it calls epic tacos. The margarita list runs just as loud, with tequila and bourbon sharing the top shelf. Start with the OG margarita and work out from there.
Address: 479 N High St, Columbus
