Best Mexican Restaurants in North Myrtle Beach (Fall Guide)

You can tell the season has turned by the way the ocean breathes. Mornings slip in cool as a lime wedge, afternoons hang easy, and the evenings put a faint cinnamon edge on the salt air. Fall at the beach isn’t loud; it hums. It’s the time to swap sunburn for sweaters, stadium cups for short pours, and search out dinner tables where the salsa’s bright, the tortillas are warm, and the talk runs long.

North Myrtle Beach does Mexican its own way—waterway views at sunset, marsh breezes in Cherry Grove, happy clatter around big platters, and a few quiet spots that cook like abuela’s in a kitchen the size of a bait shop. Below is a lived-in guide to the best places to get your taco fix this fall, from festive waterfront cantinas to humble taquerías with pupusas that make you rethink dinner plans.

Waterway Views & Mezcal Magic at Taco Mundo Kitchen y Cantina

Pull up a chair on the Intracoastal at Barefoot Landing and watch the boats idle past while you work through tacos, fajitas, rice bowls, and a bar list stacked with house margaritas and a deep bench of mezcals and tequilas. The vibe is modern cantina—bright, casual, and built for groups. Come for brisket or shrimp tacos; stay for the golden hour. It’s the rare spot where locals and vacationers share the same grin when the baskets hit the table.

Big-Plates, Big Fun at Nacho Hippo (North Beach Blvd)

Across from Barefoot Landing, this crowd-pleaser leans Tex-Mex: towering, shareable nachos, handmade tacos, and (yes) giant margaritas. It’s loud in the right ways—game-day energy, kids comparing queso mustaches, live-tilted evenings when the chips keep coming. If you want a meal that doubles as an icebreaker with extended family, this is it.

Family-Favorite Classics at El Cerro Mexican Bar & Grill (Highway 17 N)

A local standby with roots in Jalisco, El Cerro does the things a neighborhood Mexican place should: sizzling fajitas, combo plates, and a margarita that shows up when you need it. The North Myrtle Beach location on Hwy 17 N keeps hours that work for early diners and families. It’s the kind of room where the staff knows the regulars and the menu covers the bases—no pretense, just plates with heat and comfort.

Marshfront Sunsets & Elevated Plates at Roca Roja Cantina (Cherry Grove)

Set on the Cherry Grove marsh, Roca Roja splits the difference between date-night and night-out: a polished dining room downstairs and an open-air cantina upstairs when the weather’s right. Expect queso fundido, birria, grilled seafood, and a cocktail list tuned for sunset. Check their calendar—music bingo and a weekend tequila tasting deck keep the upstairs lively without crowding the dinner tables. It’s North Myrtle’s most photogenic salsa.

Hidden-Gem Taquería: La Promesa Taqueria y Pupuseria

A no-frills counter spot on Hwy 17 N turning out tacos, ceviche, and Salvadoran pupusas that punch way above their square footage. Handmade tortillas, modest prices, and quick service make it a weeknight staple. If you measure a town by its tortillas, La Promesa keeps North Myrtle honest.

What Makes North Myrtle Beach’s Mexican Scene Shine in Fall

The crowds thin after Labor Day, which means shorter waits and better seats—like snagging a riverside table for sunset at Barefoot Landing or an upstairs perch over the marsh in Cherry Grove. Kitchens lean into heartier plates as evenings cool: birria with a broth you’ll guard like treasure, queso served bubbling, and fajitas you can hear before you see. Fall flavors meet beach tempo.

It’s also a season for sipping: menus feature agave flights and mezcal lists long enough to learn something. That slower pace lets servers talk you into the house salsa you almost skipped or a mole that took a day to coax right. Even the best-known spots feel more local in October.

How to Plan a Taco Night Like a Local

Start early at Barefoot Landing. Pop into Taco Mundo for tacos and mezcal, then wander the boardwalk as the sky goes orange—no one’s rushing you off the patio once plates are cleared. On another night, make it Cherry Grove: snag a reservation at Roca Roja Cantina downstairs for dinner, then head up to the cantina for music bingo or a nightcap if the mood hits. Both plans fit a family and still feel like a date.

If your crew wants casual, Nacho Hippo is built for groups and big appetites; share two platters and work through the taco list. Craving comfort without fanfare? El Cerro covers the classics (and does it consistently). On nights when you want honest food, low noise, and high value, slide into La Promesa—and add a pupusa to the order because wisdom says never argue with a bubbling griddle.

Practical Tips: Parking, Waits & Reservations

Barefoot Landing has ample parking, but peak fall weekends around events can add a few minutes—plan a little buffer for golden-hour tables. Roca Roja accepts reservations (check OpenTable), while others operate first-come, first-served; verifying hours before you go is smart as seasonal schedules shift.

A Note on Style & Substance

You’ll find three types of “best” in North Myrtle Beach. There’s best view (Taco Mundo’s waterway line-of-sight). There’s best for a crowd (Nacho Hippo’s platter-friendly energy). And there’s best pound-for-pound (La Promesa’s tacos and pupusas). El Cerro sits in the center—reliable, friendly, the kind of place where the sizzle hits the pan and heads turn. Roca Roja, meanwhile, plays the marsh like a violin—polished plates, a view that slows the whole table down.

FAQs: Mexican Dining in North Myrtle Beach (Fall)

What’s the best time to go to avoid waits?
Golden hour is popular at waterfront and marshfront spots. For shorter waits, aim for late lunch (2–4 pm) or early dinner (before 6 pm). Weeknights beat weekends.

Do I need reservations?
Waterfront/marshfront restaurants that offer reservations often book up for sunset; secure a table 24–48 hours ahead. Most casual taquerías are first-come, first-served.

Is outdoor seating available in fall?
Yes. Fall evenings are prime for patios and decks. Pack a light layer for breezy nights; heaters may appear later in the season, weather permitting.

Are there vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options?
Common wins: veggie tacos, fajita veg plates, bean-and-rice combos, and corn-tortilla swaps. Confirm gluten handling (shared fryers, sauces) with your server.

Are these restaurants family-friendly?
Very. Expect kids’ menus or shareable platters at the bigger cantinas, plus quick service at taquerías. Early dinner hours are best for families.

What’s the typical price range?
Casual taquerías are budget-friendly; full-service cantinas are mid-range with shareables and premium cocktails. Happy-hour snacks and margaritas can stretch your dollar.

How’s parking?
Barefoot Landing offers large lots; allow extra time on event nights. Near Cherry Grove, small lots and street parking fill around sunset—arrive a bit early.

Is takeout or delivery common?
Most offer takeout; delivery varies by platform and season. Call ahead for large orders or party platters.

Any tips for large groups?
Choose cantinas with big-table layouts and order shareables (nachos, fajita combos). Call ahead to ask about waitlists or partial reservations.

If You Go

Location
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—clusters around Barefoot Landing (Intracoastal Waterway) and Cherry Grove (marshfront), plus Highway 17 North for quick, casual taquerías.

Best Time to Dine (Fall)
Late September–mid-November for mild evenings and thinner crowds. For views, time your table 30–45 minutes before sunset.

Game Plan
Views: Book or arrive early for waterfront/marshfront seating.
Casual Night: Pick a taquería for fast service and value.
Group Outing: Choose a cantina with big platters and broad menus.

Practical Tips
Check hours (some shift seasonally); ask about patio heaters; verify dietary needs; consider rideshare on busy weekends; watch local event calendars that can spike wait times.

What to Bring
Light layer for breezy decks, comfortable shoes for boardwalk areas, and a healthy appetite—fall is the season of sizzling skillets and sunset sips.

The Bottom Line for Fall Eats

When the evenings cool and the sky pulls earlier into purple, North Myrtle Beach’s Mexican kitchens feel made for the moment. You can dress it up at the marsh, kick back by the waterway, or sit down with a paper plate and something grilled and right. Good tortillas, a little heat, and the easy rhythm of the shoulder season—that’s the whole ballgame.

If you’re planning a beach escape around great food (smart move), pair these restaurants with a comfortable place to land. Thomas Beach Vacations has you covered with oceanfront condos and family-ready homes near every spot mentioned here. Explore stays at northmyrtlebeachvacations.com or call (866) 249-2100 to talk with a local who knows where to book—and where to eat.