Best Happy Hour Mexican Restaurants in East Village (10003)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Rosa Mexicano (Union Square)
Iconic tableside guac plus a proven, high-volume margarita program.
Notable Picks
8.7
A long-running Union Square institution known for tableside guacamole and a deep tequila roster, with a polished, high-energy dining room. Happy hour brings strong margarita value without sacrificing the kitchen’s crowd-pleasing classics.
Must-Try Dishes:
Table-side Guacamole, Tacos de Carne Asada, Pomegranate Margarita
What makes it special: Iconic tableside guac plus a proven, high-volume margarita program.
#2
Superbueno
8.4
A modern Mexican-American cocktail bar with serious technique behind both drinks and snacks, now a major player in NYC’s bar scene. Happy hour is relatively small but high-impact, spotlighting sharp agave cocktails and craveable tacos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria Grilled Cheese, Pork Belly Tacos, Roasted Corn Sour
What makes it special: Award-winning agave cocktails paired with inventive Mexican-American bites.
8.4
A long-running St. Mark’s institution, La Palapa delivers Mexico City–leaning home cooking alongside a deep margarita and mezcal bench. The menu reads classic but lands with confidence: hearty stews, expertly grilled proteins, and salsas that taste made, not scooped. It’s the kind of reliable, full-service dinner you bring out-of-towners to without overthinking it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole poblano chicken, Cochinita pibil tacos, House margarita flight
What makes it special: A veteran East Village kitchen for Mexico City–style classics.
8.4
A high-traffic East Village taqueria that still turns out consistently solid burritos with properly seasoned meats and punchy salsas. The vibe is busy and casual, but the kitchen keeps pace, especially with carnitas and al pastor. Great for a fast, dependable burrito a block from Tompkins Square.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Burrito, Carnitas Burrito, Lengua Burrito
What makes it special: Crowd-proven burritos with a deep roster of meats.
#5
Cuna
8.2
A stylish hotel dining room from Chef Maycoll Calderón that interprets Mexican traditions through a New York lens. Happy hour here feels upscale but approachable, with polished cocktails and shareable plates in a sleek setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ceviche del Día, Calabacitas with Pipián Verde, Mezcal Margarita
What makes it special: Hotel-level craft and design wrapped around refined Mexican flavors.