Grab a margarita at any of these top-rated Nashville based establishments, there is nothing better than discovering all the flavors of Music City through the flavors that local bars/restaurants add to their mix. Nashville might be known for its status as “Music City” but these folks know how to make a great drink too.
Rosepepper Cantina
4.2 ★
Start off this list by taking a seat on the patio at Rosepepper Cantina and ordering any of their specialty margaritas or cocktails. Located on Eastland Ave, you will notice the festive nature of this establishment from the moment you lay eyes on the building. Order a tropical margarita to get a taste of your favorite fruit blended into the mix or grab a pitcher of the classic mix, you can’t go wrong with any of the drinks at Rosepepper Cantina. Soak up the alcohol with a number of food items from the fried avocado appetizer to the family recipe Chile Verde, a pork based meal that has been proudly served since 1963. Open daily for lunch and dinner, folks walk into Rosepepper Cantina for the food and end up sticking around to finish a pitcher of margaritas.
Pushing Daisies
4.4 ★
Unlike any bar you would normally find in an average town, Pushing Daisies is an underground bar that serves an array of margaritas that will satisfy any cravings you have. If you haven’t experienced a margarita with cold-pressed avocado, hurry up and take a trip to Pushing Daisies on Broadway. Their drink menu is unique in a way that you might not expect, featuring a variety of unexpected ingredients in their margaritas and cocktails. Their presentation might seem over-the-top to some, but the details are appreciated by those who can’t resist a good, upscale cocktail. Even the shots they offer are full of flavors that you’re not going to see at any old bar, the Mexican Spark Plug with espresso and horchata pulls off a set of ingredients that work unexpectedly well together. Reservations are encouraged but not required, though they are a popular spot that fills up quickly throughout the week. Wednesday through Saturday, Pushing Daisies is thrilled to have you and your friends from 5 pm – 12 am or after noon on the weekends. Fifth + Broadway is happy to have Pushing Daisies among their businesses so don’t hesitate to seek out the staircase that will lead you to the underground bar that people in Nashville can’t stop talking about.
Superica
4.6 ★
“Tex-Mex” in Nashville doesn’t get much better than sitting down to a meal and drinks at Superica where the Barrel Racer Margarita is just one of many versions of the classic beverage available. Located just south of downtown Nashville in The Gulch neighborhood, Superica is a low key establishment with a high class menu that won’t break your bank. For new twists on the frozen drink, order the Hibiscus Margarita or the Ginger Margarita, there’s no going wrong with any item on the drink menu. Superica is also a top tier option for parties and celebrations. With a private room that can house up to 30 people at a time, the crew at Superica goes out of their way to make everyone’s experience feel personalized and special. Find Superica on Overton St every day from 11 am – 10 pm and order a margarita that goes well with the street tacos and enchiladas that line their menu.
Whiskey River Saloon
4.4 ★
Mechanical bull riding is a rite of passage in the eyes of some Nashville locals and Whiskey River Saloon is the kind of place where you can drink prickly pear or peach margaritas to get the confidence it takes to ride the bull they have on the main floor. Broadway is happy to be home to Whiskey River Saloon where you can enjoy top tier cocktails, live music from open until close, and a chance to enjoy a rooftop view. Whether you’re riding the bull and dancing with wedding parties on the first floor or experiencing the breathtaking view of Nashville’s Broadway strip from the rooftop, you will want a margarita for the occasion. Opening every day at 11 am, Whiskey River Saloon is open with live music playing throughout most (if not all) of the workday until they close at 3 am. The party doesn’t seem to stop at Whiskey River Saloon so plan to get your rowdiest group together for margaritas and crazy good times at this Broadway favorite.
Taco Mamacita
4.4 ★
Germantown is thrilled to be home to Taco Mamacita on 6th Ave, the Mexican restaurant where you are able to indulge in the Avocado Jalapeno Margarita with your tacos. Start your adventure at Taco Mamacita with some sloppy nachos and then order a margarita. They even have a “skinny” option for the calorie conscious, or those who want to leave more room to order extra food without feeling guilty. Though the vibes are somewhat industrial feeling, you won’t feel anything but love from the fast service to the friendly crew attending to all of your needs. For a fun take on the American classic, order a Sloppy Jose from the food menu, Taco Mamacita kicks the oldschool meal up with Fritos. From 11 am – 10 pm every day of the week, Taco Mamacita is one fun place to be for lunch, dinner, and drinks in the Germantown area.
Habanero Grill
4.6 ★
Margaritas are an important part of enjoying Mexican cuisine and Habanero grill knows this. They offer three types of margaritas that come in single serving or pitcher sizes and the option to add flavors like blueberry or habanero. With the affordable menu at Habanero Grill, you won’t have to bat an eye with ordering more drinks or burritos. Look for the black and orange sign on Lebanon Pike to find this family owned restaurant that loves to add habanero spices anywhere they can. Habanero Grill is closed on Mondays but will be happy to have you throughout the rest of the week from 11 am – 9 pm for lunch, dinner, and drinks. Pro Tip: Their best deal is the Build Your Own combo. For less than $13, you can pick two entree items complete with a side of rice and vegetables.
Condado Taco
4.6 ★
Flavored margaritas take the stage to impress at Condado Taco, even featuring white peach and hibiscus in their available selection. From the outside, you might not think that this establishment is meant to sell Mexican cuisine, it looks a bit like a bank at first glance because of its location inside of the Capitol View building. Most people come to Condado Taco to chow down on chips and dip or build-your-own taco bowls, but you’re here for the good stuff featured on the drink menu. At the time of publishing, Condado Taco is featuring the Frozen Blue Marlin Marg as a seasonal margarita to celebrate the summer months. Ask for a house flight if you are feeling up to sampling multiple flavors of margaritas at once and embracing the best deal of their menu. Condado Taco is open daily from 10:30 am – 11 pm and located on 11th Ave north.
Bakersfield
4.5 ★
Fueled by the margaritas they serve, Bakersfield is the spot for over 100 different options in the tequila and whiskey department. Mexican street food is served in a straightforward way, no frills, just great tastes. Tacos, tequila, whiskey, and Johnny Cash playing on the radio all combine to create a laid back ambiance that makes your drinks taste even better. Grab a pineapple margarita and see if you can taste the fresh lime added to their mix. Bakersfield opens daily at 11 am and doesn’t close until midnight except on Sundays with a 10 pm close time. If you’re in the heart of downtown Nashville and need to take a break from how fast the city seems to move, Bakersfield has a crew that is passionate about authentic Mexican street fare and ready to show your group a great time so get ready to laugh throughout your entire visit.
Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina
4.6 ★
For the last five or so years, Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina has won the title of “Best Margarita” in Nashville. Featuring inspiration from Music City and Mexican cuisine, Pancho & Lefty’s is proud to present their “Nashmex” style that combines the best of multiple worlds. Order one of Nashville’s best margaritas and enjoy an establishment that was created by the same minds that brought Edley’s BBQ to the area. Though our primary focus is on the available margarita section of the menu, you won’t want to miss out on their “big ass” nachos or the sweet potato tacos. Ask for The Outlaw Margarita for “three ingredients and the truth” and if you’re feeling frisky then order it frozen. Pancho & Lefty’s has two locations, one in Melrose and another in Sylvan Park and they both open at 11 am. Until 9-10 pm every night, you can count on Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina for margaritas and Nashmex cuisine. When someone says that they have the best margarita in Nashville and is backed up with the awards to prove it, you have to go in and see for yourself what the hype must be all about.
El Fuego Restaurant
4.3 ★
East Nashville is full of people who can’t get enough of El Fuego Restaurant on Gallatin Pike, coming in for the made-from-scratch margaritas to start. Since they opened in 2018, El Fuego Restaurant has been proud to serve Latin American food and drinks with a special focus on customer service. At El Fuego, the staff is dedicated to each and every meal experience that they curate. Treating guests like family seems to come second nature to them. There’s no leaving without feeling fully satisfied by any of their menu options. While you can’t go wrong with the house recipe margarita, you might want to expand your palate with the hibiscus margarita or the “Fuego” that comes with a customizable hot infusion. After dinner and drinks, grab an order of their light and fluffy sopapillas for dessert. Open every day from 11 am – 10 pm, El Fuego Restaurant is delighted to have you hang out with them for lunch, dinner or both.
Conclusion
Regardless of the garnishes that you add or the texture you pick, a margarita is made up of three essential ingredients as a base. As long as you start with triple sec, tequila, and lime, there is no limit to what a margarita might include. In Nashville, we love to push limits and any of these restaurants and bars will take you on a journey to flavor town without charging any bus fare. At The Nashville Insider, you can always depend on us to answer any questions you might have about visiting this bustling city. We know that Nashville has a seemingly endless number of options for food, drinks, music, and things to do so visit our Guides tab to read up before your visit.
While you’re here in town, don’t hesitate to take advantage of the tour that is unique, fun, and affordable. Our Nashville Bar Bike Tours are known for taking the party to the streets with a cycle that can fit up to 15 riders at a time. Get to know Nashville in a quirky way with your favorite music and a local host that knows all about the area with Nashville Bar Bike. Perfect for weddings, reunions, and even work trips, a tour with Nashville Bar Bike is another top rated experience that can’t be beat here in Music City.