Cantina 76 sits on One City Plaza in the heart of downtown, with an outdoor patio whose tables look out over the square. Inside and out it keeps a casual, upbeat feel that pulls in a downtown mix: couples, coworkers on a lunch break, friends meeting after work for drinks. On a warm day the plaza seating fills fast, so it helps to time your visit.
The hand-crafted margaritas are the headliner, built on fresh lime and agave and poured in variations like muddled strawberry and basil, with a bar stocked in premium tequilas behind them. The tacos are where the kitchen gets playful: reviewers keep singling out the blackened and jalapeno shrimp, the fish tacos, and a fried chicken taco that turns up in write-up after write-up. Sauces, salsas, and dressings are made in house daily, and the queso, guacamole, and salsa dip trio is a common opener. It is independently owned, one of a small group of South Carolina spots that began with college friends in Columbia.
The visit runs quick and easygoing, lively when the room is full: an easy downtown lunch, or an unhurried evening over margaritas on the square.