Cinco De Mayo Specials Abound Across San Diego

From Gaslamp to Pacific Beach, restaurants and bars are offering festive deals and dishes to celebrate the holiday.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Restaurants and bars across San Diego are offering a variety of Cinco de Mayo specials and events to help the city celebrate the holiday. Deals range from discounted tacos and margaritas to themed food and drink menus at spots like The Smoking Gun, Puesto, Moonshine Beach, City Tacos, Union Kitchen & Tap, Quixote, The Blind Burro, and Union Gaslamp.

Why it matters

Cinco de Mayo is a major cultural celebration in San Diego, with the city's diverse dining and nightlife scene offering a wide range of ways for residents and visitors to mark the occasion. These special menus and events help support local businesses while allowing the community to come together and enjoy Mexican-inspired food, drinks, and festivities.

The details

The Smoking Gun in the Gaslamp District is offering a lineup of Cinco de Mayo specials including a Street Corn Skillet and Brisket Flautas, along with Teremana Tequila margaritas and Mexican beer buckets. Puesto's Taco Tuesday deal means half-off all tacos, with new menu items like a Surf & Turf Héroe and Passionfruit & Mango Shrimp Ceviche. Moonshine Beach in Pacific Beach has $12 street taco platters, $8 house margaritas, and line dancing lessons. City Tacos' 12th anniversary celebration includes a $12 deal for two gourmet tacos and a Mexican beer. Union Kitchen & Tap in Encinitas has a Pork Chili Verde Plate and Jalapeño Poppers, while Quixote in North Park offers Oaxacan-inspired dishes and agave-focused cocktails. The Blind Burro's Baja Tuesdays and Union Gaslamp's all-day specials round out the options.

  • Cinco de Mayo falls on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

The players

The Smoking Gun

A restaurant and bar located in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, known for its Cinco de Mayo specials.

Puesto

A Mexican restaurant with locations across San Diego, offering a Taco Tuesday deal for Cinco de Mayo.

Moonshine Beach

A bar and nightclub in Pacific Beach, San Diego, hosting Cinco de Mayo celebrations with food and drink specials.

City Tacos

A taco restaurant chain with locations throughout San Diego, celebrating its 12th anniversary on Cinco de Mayo.

Union Kitchen & Tap

A restaurant in Encinitas, San Diego, offering Cinco de Mayo specials on food and drinks.

Quixote

A mezcalería located inside the Lafayette Hotel in North Park, San Diego, serving Oaxacan-inspired cuisine and cocktails for Cinco de Mayo.

The Blind Burro

A restaurant and bar in East Village, San Diego, running its regular Baja Tuesdays promotion on Cinco de Mayo.

Union Gaslamp

A restaurant and bar in downtown San Diego, offering all-day Cinco de Mayo specials.

Pacific Beach AleHouse

A beachfront restaurant and bar in Pacific Beach, San Diego, hosting Cinco de Mayo celebrations with drink specials.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

San Diego's diverse dining and nightlife scene is embracing Cinco de Mayo with a wide range of festive specials, deals, and events across the city. From discounted tacos and margaritas to themed menus and live entertainment, there are plenty of ways for locals and visitors alike to celebrate the holiday in style.