26 Best Mexican Restaurants near Castle Hayne

“I recently visited Buendia restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and I must say, the experience was delightful. The chilaquiles and café de olla I had for breakfast were a perfect start to the day. The chilaquiles were incredibly flavorful, striking a nice balance of spice and freshness, and the café de olla had just the right amount of sweetness.“

“Was looking for a quick lunch and found this hidden gem! Glancing in, it looked like a store front diner. You order & pay at the counter. Take a seat, and the magic happens! You are not served chips & and salsa (can buy at counter), but you won't miss them. What you get is great food and friendly service. I even brought my husband back for dinner ?. We met the owner/chef, Gino, who shared his plans for extending his business. They make all of their tortillas fresh daily. This is home-cooking done the right way! Can't wait to go back for the weekend specials. I'm sure that we will not be disappointed.“

“The best authentic Hispanic food in town hands down. Friendly staff, very clean, and the flavors that they create will take your taste buds to a different dimension. Highly recommend trying this amazing small restaurant. I know we will be back probably multiple times a week.“

“It’s my second time coming here and having the mojara and it’s good.. I had a taco the last too and it was also good.. this time I had a blueberry margarita with it and it was good too. Surprisingly the rice and beans were also good, I don’t typically like rice or beans at restaurants.“

“One of my two or three favorite Mexican places in Wilmington. And purely on the basis of the food, probably my favorite. My only complaint is that the hours are somewhat random. Wish it could be open all of the time, though I understand with: small business, paying staff, etc.“

“Just wanted to thank Karina for always being so warm and welcoming. She always treats my friends and me with warmth and welcoming spirit and a friendly smile. I live in wilmington but stop in anytime I am in Rocky Point. Great food and value. Love the shrimp tacos especially. Great job guys.“

“My girlfriend was dying to try this place because she had always seen the lines around the building of people frequenting it. When I say she was not disappointed as she ordered a soup snd was beyond satisfied. Raving about the tasty meat and vegetables cooked to perfection. She really enjoyed that soup and will be returning soon. I really enjoyed my fajita as well. Good atmosphere great service.“

“The food, service, and location were perfect! Diana was such a gem and offered us amazing recommendations for the restaurant as well as all of Wilmington (we’re traveling from Cleveland). Cannot thank this establishment enough for their help and wonderful offerings!!!“

“Being from San Diego, Mexican food is everything to me and I crave it all the time. I’m so grateful for this place!Ósea que comida tan rica y sabores propias de Mexico!Carne asada fries (not like SD) but bomb.The tortaaa mmmm!I’ve gone down the menu and have not been disappointed.Y mi güerito también lo fascina!Un aplauso!“

“Cool spot. You can grab a seat in the Alcove brewery area and order food next door and they bring it to you. I ordered a beer and got my food. Everything was amazing. Only issue is the service was minimal. I had to go back and ask for cutlery and wave to get my check for my one beer, while only 2 others at the bar. We all have off days in the service Industry though. Can't wait to revisit.“

“Unassuming location but good food. Salsa was the best part but only one carafe is free and if you have more than a couple people at the table, it’s definitely not enough. Chips were a little old. Good lunch menu prices and variety with fresh tortillas. Chicken was well seasoned but would have liked more spice in all of our dishes. Service definitely left something to be desired.“

“I'd say it's the best mexican restaurant in the US. You guys are lucky to have it in NC. I was pleased to find the place in my 4th of July trip from Washington D.C. The tostadas of octopus and shrimp are amazing. The service was also great. I'd say the food tastes better than in actual Mexico, I'm born and raised there. Life changing experience really.“

“What can I say about El Cerro Grande other than it's simply the best spot for scrumptious food and unforgettable family moments! My first rendezvous with this gem was back in sixth grade, on a Spanish class outing at a location that no longer graces Harris Teeter on Wrightsville Avenue, way back in the mid-90s. Since that fateful visit 30 years ago, I've been absolutely hooked! El Cerro Grande will always hold a special place in my heart, not just for its mouthwatering dishes, but for the amazing times I shared with my family during middle and high school—we practically made it a tradition to visit once a week during those years!And now, I'm thrilled to say that I continue the tradition with my own young family. They love El Cerro Grande just as much as I do! Even though my father passed away years ago, whenever my brother is in town, we make it a point to meet up with our mother and indulge in the comforting delights this restaurant has to offer.El Cerro Grande isn't just a restaurant; it's a cherished part of our family's story, a place where we come together to celebrate life and create lasting memories. Thank you for all the wonderful flavors and countless cherished moments!“

“Left the dentist office and saw this restaurant. Decided that is where I’m getting my lunch. Walked in and was greeted by a lady that was polite and she spoke English which was even better. I ordered the Steak Torta to go. Took about 10-12 minutes. When I got back to work I Kilt that sandwich because it was so FIRE! I am definitely coming back to try other dishes.“

“The place, if I recall it was a bit of a hole in the wall. I went with two other white guys and we were the only white folk in the joint, I knew we were in the right spot. It seemed pretty authentic..the food was great. My friends were hesitant, but glad we ate there.“

“A Wilmington Staple!! Just like the sign says "Hot, Fast, Cheap and Easy". Great place for families and more affordable than ANY other tex-mex place around. Great place for larger parties, families and they have a separate room for birthday parties! Burritos are always served fresh and almost always over stuffed. No skimping here! The churkeychanga around Thanksgiving is a must try.. it is a Thanksgiving dinner in a burrito. The crew is SO VERY AWESOME a whole separate reason to go there beside the food!“

“Too many times, food is just food. Not in this case.It's a family tradition. New ownership and a new attitude. All ABC permits ( the essentials )This is not Durangos anymore, so you will not be treated like you're interrupting them. A whole new experience. I'd give 7 stars if i could.“

“We love this place for Mexican food and don't go anywhere else! The staff is so professional and kind here! Whenever we crave Mexican, we head to this little gem and place our order to go and then head over to the little bar for a "clean Margarita" to sip on while we wait. The gal who makes our drinks makes them PERFECT! Just Silver Patron, lime juice and triple Sec made to absolute perfection. They will even offer chips and salsa while we wait! When we head home to eat, we always have plenty of leftovers that somehow taste just as delicious reheated the next day. Highly recommend La Costa over all other authentic Mexican restaurants in town!“

“We were visiting from out of town and this place was recommended to us by relatives. We arrived hungry and looking forward to the diverse menu. Our group ranged from the timid to me who loves authentic options. Whether it was a dish with basic grilled chicken or my beef tripe tacos, we all loved the food. The service was friendly and the price was reasonable. I highly recommend this great local option!“

“(Translated by Google) LOVED IT! So many options for lunch and dinner. They serve great egg dishes for breakfast too. We had flautas, chicharrones, yuca, empanadas, pupusas, so much food! We liked the lunch dishes: flautas, chicharrones, yuca, empanadas and more! For breakfast they have egg dishes too!?(Original)LOVED IT! So many options for lunch and dinner. They serve great egg dishes for breakfast too. We had flautas, chicharrones, yuca, empanadas, pupusas, so much food! Nos gustaron los platos del lonche: las flautas, los chicharrones, la yuca, las empanadas y mas! ¡Para el desayuno tienen platillos rices de huevo también!?“

“Best Mexican food in North Carolina and Wilmington!!! Highly recommended you go eat there for the Hispanic culture there. The food is awesome and delicious especially the tacos and chulipas and shrimp chimichangas meal is the best there!! The chips and dip are on point the churricaso is the best you can get in Wilmington it's so flavorful and mouth warming! The queso is super good with guacamole it's so tasty and delicious. The drinks are so good!! Highly recommended to EAT HERE!!!!Parking: Best parking ever“

“2nd time and just as good as the first. great service, food served Hot and flavors are terrific. definitely recommend chrck them out.Parking: plenty of parking out front. not super busy when we went.Wheelchair accessibility: easy access and plenty of room to navigate in the dining area“

“Quick review because we took our food to go at the end of a long day. Not a touristy place; this is where locals go for grub. My Chuleta de Puerco Asada was served with white rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, freshly made corn tortillas and a roasted jalapeño. So delicious. My DH got a recommendation from the server and actually had no idea what he was eating. What he wolfed down was Tajadas con carne molida, a dish made with ground beef and fried green plantains, served with cabbage salad and pico de gallo. Great place“

“I would give 10-stars if I could. I ordered to-go for the first time last weekend and told myself, "If they give me a burrito in foil then this place is legit." Sure enough I got a massive two-hand-necessary size burrito. The Californian in me is very happy.“

“First of all, it was very clean. Easy menu to pick from. Quick service. Not sire what I expect to see, but it was all very good. We ate outside. My daughter tells me that it gets super busy because of the after 5pm deal. Line out the door! When I go back to Wilmington, I'll be going back for more tacos.“

“This warm embracing atmosphere still continues to delight the senses! The fresh flavor and varieties of fare offered more than satisfy the palate. Their exceptional service is timely, pleasant, and welcoming. Price point is on target and we look forward to enjoying our casual evening dining for many more times to come! Thank you for such an enjoyable evening.“