The topic of 'best' margarita -- best any cocktail -- is a controversial proposition. So I'll preface this list by saying these places serve margaritas the way I tend to like them: pure lime juice, tequila, agave nectar or simple syrup, on the rocks. Nothing else. I also shy away from sweet drinks, so a bartender who will customize the amount of simple syrup is a real plus in my book.
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1. Tommy's
5929 Geary Boulevard (at 23rd)
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 387-4747
It all begins with Tommy's. That's what I like to say. I was recently at a lounge in the Financial District, and I asked the bartender for a margarita with just the basics. He said, 'oh - you want a Tommy's margarita.' Yes. Exactly. I love Tommy's margaritas and it would follow that Tres Agaves (Julio Bermejo of Tommy's is co-owner) is also one of my favorite spots to indulge in tequila. If you’re accustomed to slushy, sweet margaritas, Tommy's will convert you. And the 100 percent agave tequila selection is outstanding.
2. Tres Agaves
SoMa / AT&T Park
130 Townsend Street (at 2nd)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Telephone: (415) 227-0500
I cannot tell a lie (not about tequila). I've been going to Tres Agaves since it opened its doors, and the bartenders there still make my favorite margaritas. In the spirit of Tommy's, Tres Agaves uses just lime juice, tequila and agave nectar -- on the rocks. I've taken out-of-town friends who had sworn off tequila drinks, who ended up lounging at the bar, sipping Don Julio and wanting to stay the night, in spite of a raucous, noisy weekend bar.
3. Colibri Mexican Bistro
Union Square
1438 Geary Street (between Mason and Taylor)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 440–2737
Colibri has an excellent margarita and tequila selection, and their house margaritas are divine. The location of Colibri, just across from the Curran is perfect if you've got plans anywhere near Union Square or tickets for the theater. They also serve food all day -- slightly pricey but delicious fare -- so there's no waiting between lunch and dinner hours.
4. Maya
SoMa
303 2nd Street (between Folsom & Harrison)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Telephone: (415) 543-2928
Maya calls itself "Modern Mexican." I would also call it upscale Mexican cuisine and ambiance. And . . . they have a weekday happy hour from 5p to 7p, serving $5 margaritas and mojitos. They have several varieties of margarita, using muddled fruit, so your margarita experience may depend on how you take to "muddled." Their "Margarita Tradicional" is a straightforward fruit, tequila and rocks concoction.
5. Tia Margarita
300 19th Avenue (at Clement)
San Francisco, CA 94121
Telephone: (415) 752-9274
Tia Margarita is another Richmond favorite that inspires vehement loyalty. Their margaritas are known for their potency. The Tia Margarita top shelf margarita uses Cointreau -- I usually ask bartenders to skip the Cointreau -- but for those who like their tequila drinks on the sweet side, the added liqueur is not a deal breaker.
6. Velvet Cantina
Mission
3349 23rd St. (between Mission and Valencia)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Telephone: (415) 648-4142
Velvet Cantina can be a mellow lounge in the early hours but tends to transform into a busy and more trendy crowd the later you go. The bartenders are personable and will make your margarita any way you choose. I'm not usually one for aberrations on the traditional formula, but friends enjoyed a watermelon margarita and mango-infused tequila.
7. Bix
Jackson Square - Financial District
56 Gold Street (near Montgomery)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Telephone: (415) 433-6300
Bix is a popular San Francisco bar and I can attest to the skill of their bartenders, and their friendliness in accommodating a pure-lime-juice margarita. Perfect. The bar at Bix can get crowded and if you can't get a seat, you'll just have to console yourself with the fact that at least your cocktail is done well. There’s also something satisfying about ducking into the hidden byway that is Gold Street, surrounded by the historic architecture of the Jackson Square area.
8. Mamacita
2317 Chestnut Street (between Divisadero & Scott)
San Francisco, CA 94123
Telephone: (415) 346-8494
Mamacita's house margarita is 100 percent agave tequila, agave nectar and fresh lime juice. You can pay a little more for an anejo tequila. Although some people wonder why you'd put a sipping tequila in a margarita, I'll admit to doing that on occasion but only on pay day, when the fiscal confidence peaks. A Mamacita margarita is a refreshing way to replenish after a day hiking around the Presidio . . . if your idea of replenishment involves the ever-nutritious tequila.
9. Cantina
580 Sutter Street (between Mason & Powell)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Telephone: (415) 398-0195
Cantina is a new lounge on the block in 2007. In an effort to engender community and gathering, Cantina prefers to serve cocktails pitcher style -- which, of course, is never a problem when you're drinking margaritas. Their margarita has a bit of limoncello. In spite of my aversion to sweet I might forgive the limoncello as a nostalgic tribute to days with my Italian friends.
10. Traditional San Francisco Favorites
Real-lime, top-shelf margaritas come at a price . . . unfortunately. But an old-time favorites in San Francisco -- known for its affordable pitchers and tequila kick -- is Puerto Allegre in the Mission.
This section used to include a classic old favorite, La Rondalla -- which has since closed.
Puerto Allegre is known for its strong drinks, and good, traditional Mexican fare.
- Puerto Allegre: 546 Valencia (between 16th & 17th)
