Dining on Cortland
San Francisco is renowned worldwide for its cuisine, not just for its quality and diversity, but also for the numerous fine eateries throughout the City. Therefore, it should not be surprising that there is, in fact, a wealth of eating establishments; however, what is amazing is that you can find them in almost every corner of the City, not just in the more densely populated or touristy parts of San Francisco. Every neighborhood has at least one hidden gem, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.
In this article, I aim to discuss restaurants in Bernal Heights without providing formal reviews. But, of course, there are plenty of other websites, such as Google Maps, OpenTable, and Yelp, among others, that provide patron reviews for all the restaurants out there.
However, this article will provide a brief description of what makes these restaurants good and worth visiting.
3rd Cousin (www.3rdcousinsf.com) at 919 Cortland Avenue: this establishment has made a good impression on many local Bernal residents. The restaurant specializes in California and international cuisine with a regularly changing menu. Additionally, they take pride in using local, organic ingredients. I would recommend a particular dish, such as the Wagyu cheeseburger, but I am not sure they will still serve it when you go. In any case, their food is excellent, and I am sure you will find something on the menu you have never had before.
Moki’s Sushi & Seafood (www.mokisf.com) at 615 Cortland Avenue is one of my favorite restaurants in the City, primarily because it serves sushi, one of my top three favorite cuisines. Therefore, I already have a certain bias in favor of this restaurant. They have the most creative sushi rolls you will find anywhere. So, when I dine here, I make it a point to order my usual maguro, sake, and Hamachi nigiri, but always leave room for one or two of their rolls. I won’t tell you which one, because they are all excellent. You may prefer some ingredients more than others. Additionally, since my partner is not a seafood fan, Moki’s offers a few Moki’s suitable for non-fish lovers.
Seafood Station (www.seafoodstationsf.com) at 803 Cortland Avenue serves up, as the name implies, fantastic seafood. They are a recent addition to the selection of eateries in Cortland. Some of our favorites include Oysters, Alaskan Crab, and Seafood Pasta. They also offer non-seafood entrees, including steak (and shrimp), burgers, and Philadelphia Cheesesteaks, for those who prefer non-seafood options.
Taco Los Altos (www.tacolosaltos.com) at 737 Cortland Avenue is a Mexican “taquería” serving g”eat agreatliciodeliciousamazingly reasonable for San Francisco prices. Additionally, as a Mexican, I can attest that the food is authentic, and the wait staff is friendly, remembering you when you return. In addition to serving traditional Mexican dishes, most Americans are familiar with and enjoy other fare, such as “ceviche tostadas, “mole poblano,” and others. It is also a great place to order from and take home, especially if you’re in a hurry or want some comfort food while sitting on the sofa and watching TV.
Vega (www.vegapizzasf.com), located at 419 Cortland Avenue, holds a special place in my heart due to its convenient location. Although the restaurant at this location was called “Valentina” at the t”me, ttime”ocale placere my partner and I had our first date almost 16 years ago. Therefore, we always return to the same spot each year to celebrate this anniversary. All that said, Vega does an amazing job preparing pizzas and other fancier Italian fare. Now, with a 9-year-old daughter, the option of ordering fine Italian fare for us adults and a great pizza for our daughter makes this place an attractive location. Additionally, they have tables out front, should you want to dine outside during nice weather.
There are also cafés, bakeries, and other eateries in Cortland worth visiting, but for brevity, this article focuses primarily on actual restaurants. Nevertheless, we hope that the information provided is helpful and that you enjoy your dining experience on Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights (south slope).
Bernal Heights Restaurants and Cafes
Mike Doherty serves as Chief Experience Officer at Greening Projects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant green areas