Margaritas, Photo Courtesy of PixabayReady to mark Mexico’s 1862 victory over the French army in Pueblos? Or maybe you just want a chance to kick up your heels and finally celebrate spring. Either way, the Garden State features dozens of ways to enjoy Cinco de Mayo — which this year falls on a Saturday — at restaurants, resorts, wineries, food truck festivals, and more.
Indulge in delicious Mexican cuisine while sipping sangria or a margarita — or bring the kids along for some fun, family-friendly activities.
Here are some New Jersey Next’s favorite places to party on Cinco de Mayo. (All events are held on Saturday, May 5 unless otherwise noted).
Please email us at editor@newjerseynext.com if we missed a great Cinco de Mayo event.
Northern Jersey
East Hanover & Netcong locations
Don Jose in East Hanover, Photo Courtesy of Don Jose
Don Jose Mexican Restaurants’ festive and colorful decor makes everyday look like Cinco de Mayo. Their Mexican menu includes jalapeno poppers, taquitos, tamales, and more. Don Jose’s a BYOB restaurant that serves non-alcoholic margaritas and pina coladas. A few of their delicious Mexican desserts are flan, fried ice cream, and sweet chimichangas.
Elizabeth
Bar Code will be hosting Cinco de Mayo with DJ Camilo and Friends. Bar Code describes their restaurant as “a combination of restaurant, lounge, & innovative sports bar with a Latin twist.”
Hoboken, Ramsey, & Carlstadt locations
Biggie’s Cinco de Mayo Cerveza Fiesta offers their extensive, award-winning steakhouse menu, including a raw bar. Biggie’s will feature a DJ on May 5.
Hoboken & Haledon locations
The Shepherd & the Knucklehead’s Brunch Series: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at The Shepherd & the Knucklehead features 3 hours of unlimited food and drinks including (amongst other things) a ranchero wrap, breakfast tacos, brunch quesadillas, and pitchers of Sangria.
Jersey City
Food Truck Fest 20+ Food vendors, live music and entertainment. $5, kids under 12 free. 12:00 pm to 6 pm at the Urby Parking Lot.
West Orange
Folklore Artisanal Taco’s Cinco de Mayo celebration will include a variety of tacos (they serve 25—one representing each state in Mexico), specialty beverages (Folklore is a BYOB restaurant), handmade Mexican decorations, music, and more.
Central Jersey
Asbury Park
Pop’s Garage On The Asbury Park Boardwalk, Photo Courtesy of Pop’s Garage
Pop’s Garage, on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, features food from Sayulita, Mexico. Entrees include over-stuffed burritos, homemade tacos, Pop’s Cuban Corn, and Skirt Steak Jalisco.
Englishtown
Rosalita’s Roadside Catina’s Cinco de Mayo “Cockfighting,” Photo Courtesy of Rosalie’s Roadside Cantina
Rosalita’s Roadside Cantina offers a child-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration during the day in the parking lot. Kids will love the bounce houses, obstacle courses, games and giveaways, people dressed up as chickens “cockfighting,” and a DJ playing music. At night the adults can ride a mechanical bull, enjoy margaritas, sample tacos truck fare, win prizes, and more. Entertainment is provided by Xplosive events.
Linden & Clifton locations
Chevys Fresh Mex is hosting an indoor/outdoor Cinco de Mayo party. DJ Chris C will provide music while attendees feast on empanadas, queso, tamales and chile relleno. Ryan Maher will be Master of Ceremonies.
New Brunswick, Woodland Park, Princeton, & Paramus locations
On The Border promises a “tequila-fueled bash like no other.” On The Border will have Cinco drink specials as DJ La Voz Enigma & DJ Angeles play tunes, plus lots of tasty food including chimichangas. Festivities will be inside as well as on the patio.
Princeton
Fresh Mexican Food Ingredients and a Carafe of Sangria, Photo Courtesy of Two Sevens
Two Sevens Restaurant invites you to their child-friendly all-day fiesta. Kids’ games until 3 pm. Specially priced Margaritas, Palomas, and Pacificos. Their menu has empanadas, tortilla soup, octopus tostada, ceviche, pupusas, tamales and many vegan and vegetarian options.
Southern Jersey
Avalon/Cape May/Diamond Beach (Wildwood Crest)
ICONA Diamond Beach (in Wildwood Crest), ICONA Avalon, and ICONA Cape May are hosting a Cinco de Mayo Girlfriends’ Weekend that includes 2 nights’ accommodations, a Friday night welcome reception and Espolon Tequila tasting. Three hours of beer, wine, house and featured cocktails, entertainment, and dancing Friday and Saturday nights. Breakfast will be served on Saturday and Sunday mornings. In between eating and drinking you can luxuriate in a 30-minute spa treatment and burn calories in Saturday’s Zumba class. Dinner on Saturday precedes the night of celebration. This package starts at $349 per person.
Bridgeton
Bridgeton, NJ Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Photo Courtesy of Bridgeton
The Town of Bridgeton offers a celebration of Mexican culture, food, music, beverages, and Mexican customs on May 6.
Cherry Hill
La Cita Authentic Mexican Food is a BYOB with fabulous food. Some of their specialties include flautas, tortilla soup, Molcajete Azteca and Molcajetes served in hot lava rock bowl. Bring some Tequila to pour into their Virgin Margaritas.
Landisville
Bellview Winery promises great food, dancing, wine, and sangria. Admission is $5. An additional fee of $6 per person is charged for wine tasting for those who wish to imbibe (8 tastes). Tasters receive a souvenir glass.
Tuckerton
TRUCKERton Food Truck & Brew Fest Cinco de Mayo will have 12 food trucks Saturday and Sunday. The $10 admission includes maritime activities, historic and recreated buildings, live animals, a boardwalk, miniature golf course, and exhibits.
