Best Mexican Restaurants on Hilton Head Island
Holy Tequila has fajitas and margaritas on a patio, San Miguel’s sits over Shelter Cove Harbour and Cactus Street Cantina is the taco stop.
Sit-down Mexican restaurants and cantinas
Tacos, sizzling fajitas, birria and margaritas in Park Plaza, with a covered patio, TVs and daily happy hour. Books online.
A colorful cantina-style room with crispy house-fried tacos, chile colorado and margaritas by the pitcher. Open daily.
Fajitas, chimichangas and margaritas on a patio over Shelter Cove Harbour, serving since 1977.
Latin American and Mexican dishes, from tacos and empanadas to Cuban sandwiches, with Sunday brunch and daily happy hour.
Fajitas, burritos and birria tacos with craft margaritas and a full bar in South Island Square. Takes reservations.
Papi Tequila, the taco cantina at The Triangle on Greenwood Drive, is listed by its operator as temporarily closed.
Counter-service tacos and burritos
Order at the register and eat in or take it back to the rental; none of these take reservations.
A small, bright spot with a patio, known for its tacos, the Caliburrito and street corn. Closed Sunday.
Family-owned burrito and taco counter with a coffee bar and breakfast, and a line out the door at the dinner rush.
A family-run favorite for some of the biggest burritos on the island, plus tacos and a coconut margarita.
Burritos, tacos and chimichangas with free chips and a salsa bar. Closed Sunday. A second Fiesta Fresh is on New Orleans Road.
A no-frills taqueria with tacos by the piece and a tray of toppings to dress them yourself. Cash only.
Al pastor tacos, grilled meat plates, fajitas and big seafood soups, with fresh aguas frescas. Open daily until 9:30 p.m., 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Honduran counter on Arrow Road
Not Mexican, but the same kind of quick, filling counter meal: PakePikes cooks Honduran food from a trailer. For another Honduran trailer, see the food trucks in the Marshland Road square.
Honduran baleadas, Honduran tacos and pollo con tajadas, plus a daily special that comes with a drink. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
About this list
Mexican restaurants on Hilton Head Island (HHI) run from counter-service burrito shops on the north end to a waterfront cantina at Shelter Cove, and nearly all of them are casual. Most are walk-in or order-at-the-counter; only a couple take reservations.
If you want the best Mexican in Hilton Head by reputation, the counter-service places carry the strongest reviews: Cactus Street Cantina on Main Street and Java Burrito Co. in the Village at Wexford rate among the island’s highest, and locals send visitors to Amigos on Pope Avenue for its burritos. For a sit-down dinner with margaritas, Holy Tequila, Mi Tierra and San Miguel’s are the usual picks.
Several double as happy-hour spots. Holy Tequila runs half-price tacos on Tuesday and $5 margaritas on Thursday, and Tio’s Latin American Kitchen has happy hour from 4 to 6 every day. For more drinks, see the Hilton Head bars guide.
More ways to choose where to eat
Every Mexican restaurant on the island in one list, with ratings, phone numbers and how to reserve.
Hilton Head bars guide: tiki beach bars, pubs, cocktail lounges, live music rooms and happy hours, with what each is known for and phone numbers.
Kid friendly restaurants Hilton Head Island: playgrounds, lawn games, kids menus, game rooms and early-bird dinners for a family vacation.
Hilton Head restaurants on the water: Skull Creek docks, Broad Creek decks, marina patios, oceanfront tiki bars and Harbour Town views, with phone numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated
What is the best Mexican restaurant in Hilton Head?
Cactus Street Cantina and Java Burrito Co. carry the strongest Google ratings, Amigos Cafe y Cantina is a local favorite for burritos, and San Miguel’s is the pick for margaritas on the water.
Is there a Mexican restaurant on the water on Hilton Head?
Yes. San Miguel’s Mexican Cafe has a patio overlooking Shelter Cove Harbour and has served there since 1977.
Which Mexican restaurants on Hilton Head take reservations?
Holy Tequila and Tio’s Latin American Kitchen take online reservations. Cactus Street Cantina, Java Burrito Co., Amigos, Fiesta Fresh, Cabritos and Mi Tierra are walk-in.
Where can I get Mexican food near Coligny Beach?
Amigos Cafe y Cantina is at 70 Pope Avenue, a short drive or bike ride from Coligny, and Holy Tequila and Mi Tierra are nearby on the south end.
Is Cabritos cash only?
Yes. Cabritos takes cash, though reviewers say Zelle is accepted, and there is an ATM nearby.
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