Best Happy Hour Mexican Restaurants in Long Island City (11101)
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Casa Enrique
Michelin-recognized Mexican cooking anchored by mole, braises, and bigger plates.
Notable Picks
#1
Casa Enrique
8.8
A long-running LIC destination for regionally rooted Mexican cooking that leans into big, slow-cooked plates as much as tacos. The room stays energetic, and the kitchen’s best dishes reward ordering beyond the basics—think mole, braises, and seafood with deep chile-driven flavor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole de Piaxtla, Braised lamb shank, Branzino “al pastor”
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Mexican cooking anchored by mole, braises, and bigger plates.
#2
Carla
8.2
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Trendy Table Hotspots
Birthday & Celebration Central
A cocktail-leaning, good-energy spot that’s easiest to love during happy hour when the room feels built for lingering over a couple rounds and shareable starters. Order with restraint, keep it taco-and-snack focused, and let the drinks and vibe do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chips and guacamole, Pescado tacos, Grilled corn salad
What makes it special: Happy-hour pacing with cocktails and taco-friendly snacks in a lively room.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A plaza-side Mexican kitchen that pairs especially well with beer-garden energy, making it a smart happy-hour choice when you want tacos and something cold without a formal dining setup. The move is to order a tight spread, eat outside when the weather’s decent, and treat it as a casual hang that can stretch longer than planned.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria tacos, Esquites de la casa, Chipotle queso & chips
What makes it special: Shareable, bar-forward Mexican built around tacos, queso, and snackable sides.
#4
MÉXOLOGY
7.8
A flexible counter-style Mexican option where the build-your-format approach (tacos, bowls, salads, burritos) makes it easy to dial in what you want. The strongest move is picking one standout protein and keeping the add-ons clean so the salsa and seasoning do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Skirt steak taco, Pork al pastor taco, Chicken tortilla soup
What makes it special: Choose-your-format tacos and bowls that fit fast lunches and solo meals.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
A no-frills neighborhood taqueria built for quick, satisfying Mexican comfort—tacos, burritos, and plates that hit hardest when you lean into classic proteins. It’s the kind of spot that works best as a repeatable weeknight order rather than a special-occasion destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carnitas burrito, Chilaquiles
What makes it special: Fast, affordable tacos and burritos that stay reliably satisfying.