This Tex-Mex staple earns its reputation for lively dinners with friends, but its bar program earns equal praise. The mezcal margarita, made with Bruxo mezcal, triple sec, agave, and lime, is a Houstonia go-to, but when temperatures rise, the premium frozen margarita, made with Don Julio reposado, calls our name. For all the tequila lovers out there: Ask about the restaurant’s tequila flights.

Consistently strong across the board, Eight Row Flint’s margarita program is no exception. Its classic margarita blends blanco tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime, sugar, salt, and an egg white for a silky finish. If you prefer your margarita icy, Eight Row Flint’s frozen version skips the egg white but keeps the balance intact. For something smokier, try the prickly pear mezcalrita. 

This decades-old, family-run restaurant leans into fun and potency, with claims to the strongest margaritas in town. So, be warned, and have a designated driver or rideshare ready before you dive into this drink. The Blue Margarita builds on the closely guarded house recipe, with blue curaçao, which adds a sweetness and a vibrant hue worthy of a photo opportunity.

This Tex-Mex standby offers margaritas for every mood. The El Tiempo Margarita—available on the rocks, frozen, skinny, and in different flavors—is made with 100 percent agave tequila and can be ordered by the glass or pitcher. Splurge by upgrading to one of the handmade top-shelf options, featuring premium brands like Herradura, Clase Azul, Patrón, and Don Julio.

Chef Hugo Ortega's Montrose flagship pairs refined regional Mexican cuisine with an extensive tequila menu—and we can confirm, the Greatest Margarita is one of the best in Houston. Living up to its name, this margarita is made with Gran Centenario Añejo Tequila, a 25-year-aged Grand Marnier, tangerine, lime, ginger, and agave nectar, and features a sea salt rim. It's also the only cocktail shared across the H-Town Restaurant Group's concepts, including Xochi, Caracol, Urbe, and Zaranda.

La Lucha’s frozen margarita is dangerously good. Mezcal and tequila blanco are blended with hibiscus and lime to create a perfect pink refresher. Though the mixture of mezcal and tequila might be a bit scary to some, the smoky-meets-floral combination strikes a surprisingly balanced note. 

Few places feel as synonymous with Tex-Mex traditions as Molina's, which is technically as old as Tex-Mex itself. Stick with the Molina's Famous Margarita (on the rocks or frozen), made with 100 percent agave tequila. For a bolder option, try Molina's Premium Margarita with reposado tequila, or kick things up a notch with a spicy marg with a Tajín rim. 

Open for more than four decades (thankfully avoiding a 2025 closure), this storied restaurant continues to refine an already impressive cocktail menu. It goes without saying that The Perfect shaker margarita—made with Herradura Silver tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice—is a drink we go back for again and again.

This taco and tequila bar invites customization thanks to its long list of blanco, reposado, and añejo tequilas, plus mezcal, meaning you can craft your ideal margarita. Infused options in flavors like wild berry, watermelon and basil, and strawberry keep things playful.

Few margaritas hold as much local lore as the Original Ninfarita. Served since 1973, the recipe, served frozen or on the rocks, remains untouched: 100 percent Blue Weber Agave tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave nectar, and a proprietary blend of dehydrated limes, lemons, and citric acid gives it distinctive depth. If you're not a fan of alcohol but still like to dabble in other things, try the Tranquilita margarita. The Mick Jagger-approved drink is made with Ocho Verde Cannabis spirit, Cut Above blanco, lime juice, and cucumber.