Cinco de Mayo is primarily a holiday celebrated in the United States. It is said that Cinco de Mayo originated when Mexican-American communities wanted to commemorate freedom during the first years of the American Civil War.  Popular as an eating and drinking holiday, we wanted to give MIAbites readers a fiery taste of some of the fiesta specials planned around town.

If you like to Margarita with a crowd then this is for you:

Cinco de Mayo BRICKELL FIESTA WEEKEND

Sunday, May 4th & Monday, May 5th from 2pm - 11pm

For the third year in a row, South Miami Avenue will be transformed into a festive wonderland; the jubilant street festival of Cinco De Mayo Brickell FIESTA holds nothing back as it honors the holiday. Packs of partygoers take to the streets to enjoy an array of entertainment that only escalates as the sun goes down. Authentic Mexican food served up by numerous street vendors, accompanied by plenty of seasonal libations, keeps guests fueled for dancing to a non-stop lineup of music. Mariachis salute Mexican heritage with traditional tunes plucked on instruments the size of an average child, and live rock, pop, and DJ sets keep the party going late into the night.

For tickets go to: www.BrickellFiesta.com

For a more civilized celebration and better food and drinks for sure, the options abound…and this is only a partial list! Please feel free to add other favorite places in Comments below!

Huahua’s Taqueria- On Monday May 5th, Miami Beach’s fun, fresh taqueria will be serving a menu of Mexican classics with a playful spin…celebrate with piñatas stocked with candy and giveaways. Enjoy ALL DAY Happy Hour with $3- beers, $4- Margaritas, and a taco basket special, and 3 tacos of the same kind for $10-.  Make sure you try their Fried Chicken Taco as featured in Food Network’s Magazine article, 50 States 50 Tacos. Huahuas is located at 1211 Lincoln Rd. 305 534 TACO (8226).

HaVen South Beach- Why not get a jump on the weekends festivities!  HaVen will kick off Cinco de Mayo early, hosting a Dos de Mayo party on Friday May 2nd from 7-10pm. Chef Todd Erickon’s global influenced small plates pair perfectly with $5- Dos Equis.  HaVen is located at 1237 Lincoln Rd.  305 987 8885.

Lure Fishbar-  NYC restaurateurs, Josh Pickard, John McDonald and Chef/Partner Josh Capon off a special week long Cinco de Mayo taco and Avion tequila pairing from May 1-8.  Plus a very creative Mexican influenced seafood menu and cocktails pairings with dishes like Salmon with avocado, ponzu and aji amarillo paired with Chica Linda; Avion silver, Pimms #1, lemon juice and topped with grapefruit jarritos.  Lure is located at St Moritz Tower, Loews Miami Beach 1600 Collins Ave.  305 695 4550

In Miami, check out Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, which for Cinco de Mayo will depart slightly from the Latino inspired global plates by including such Mexican classics as Queso Fundido, Mexican crumbled chorizo, Chihuahua cheese, and flour tortillas, Fresh guacamole, shrimp or pork tacos, all while selecting an array of Mexican influenced cocktails  like Peppery Pepino, Zignum resposado mescal, King Ginger liquor, red pepper, cayenne, fresh lime and cucumber.  Wynwood Kitchen & Bar is located at 2550 NW 2nd Ave.   305 722 8959

And for those near Dadeland, check out new addition to the dining scene, Earls Kitchen + Bar which just opened in March in the Terrace Dining Wing in Dadeland Mall.  Signature Los Cabos Chicken Tacos and Dominican Fish Tacos are priced at $4.50 each, and can be washed down with a variety of Margarita flavors served on the rocks or frozen also for $4.50 each.  Earls is at 7535 North Kendall Dr. in Dadeland Mall 305 667 1786.

Ole!