The Best Margaritas in Los Angeles

No one is quite sure where the margarita came from. Was the classic cocktail of tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur created in honor of a well-heeled Dallas socialite, or first mixed up for an alcohol-sensitive showgirl? Or did it simply evolve from an existing drink, perhaps the sidecar?

However it came about, the margarita has since taken off. The ubiquitous cocktail can be found in cheesy chain restaurants, laid-back cantinas and haute hotel bars, whether on the rocks with a salted rim, in a frozen slush, mixed up with seasonal produce or updated with modernist flourishes.

In honor of National Margarita Day, February 22, here are some of the many versions the Southland has to offer. Let us know your favorite margarita destinations in the comments.

A margarita on the rocks from Mexico City in Los Feliz. Photo by Melissa Acedera.

A margarita from El Paseo Inn on Olvera Street. Photo by Julie Helmi.

Margaritas at West at the Hotel Angeleno. Photo by Rick Audet.

Margaritas at Malo in Silver Lake. Photo by BOLA.

A margarita from the Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Photo by Flickr user Muy Yum, used under a Creative Commons license.

A Margarita from Culina in Beverly Hills. Photo by Flickr user Muy Yum, used under a Creative Commons license.

A flaming Margarita from El Compadre. Photo by Jennifer Durban.

A pomegranate margarita from Oliverio at the Avalon Hotel. Photo by Flickr user Muy Yum, used under a Creative Commons license.

A Topolo margarita from Red O on Melrose. Photo by Javier Cabral.

A margarita with salt foam from the Bazaar at the SLS Hotel. Photo by nooschi.