SFGuide
The Best Restaurants In Bernal Heights
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
There are a lot of really good reasons to hang out in Bernal Heights. Maybe you call this neighborhood home. Or maybe you’re on a never-ending quest to find your dog’s new best friend running around Bernal Heights Park. Whatever brings you to the neighborhood, you'll find a ton to eat—this guide includes the homestyle Mexican spots, sourdough pizza joints, and lowkey dumpling places you should prioritize.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
This Mexican spot promises "good eats,” and that’s exactly what it delivers. From the moment you step into this homey space, everyone makes you feel like part of a family, and the fact that the menu consists of mostly homestyle guisados surely adds to that feeling. This is simply one of those restaurants where you come once and then keep coming because every dish is firing on all cylinders, and perfectly executed, from the fresh salsas to the crispy tacos dorados to extra-corny homemade tortillas. Of all the choices, get the spicy pozole, the rich chicken mole that you can smell as soon as you walk in the door, and the tangy green pork costillas, which will make you feel warm and fuzzy.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
Amidst the many casual weeknight dinner spots in Bernal Heights, Tilak stands out. The Indian spot with cheery orange walls is perpetually packed with families, entire Volo leagues, and couples huddling around a spread of curries and naan baskets. Walk in and join them—everything on the menu, from loaded biryani to the slightly sweet Goan prawn masala, will easily surpass your favorite hot yoga class as the highlight of your week.
photo credit: United Dumplings
You could spin around 15 times, blindfolded, then point a finger at a map of San Francisco and it’d land near a great dumpling spot, like United Dumplings. Their hand-folded dumplings highlight more unique ingredients, like tender bulgogi, chicken and truffle oil, and a mix of gooey mozzarella, corn, and chicken. But don't overlook their more traditional ones, like pan-fried potstickers with pork and Napa cabbage. You'll also want to order the garlicky string beans and sautéed pea shoots—they alone are worth the trip.
This spot does mainly Detroit-style pies with sponge-like crusts, and serves them in a casual space that doesn't mind if you roll up in a t-shirt and sweats. The move is to sit at the bar, order a beer, and strike up a conversation with whoever’s sitting next to you over a slice of pepperoni with slightly chunky tomato sauce (the best pie here). But any of the high tops in the dining room will get the job done if you're coming with friends and ordering a big spread of multiple pies, salads, and mozzarella sticks.
Next time your most last-minute friend texts you asking to “catch up over drinks tonight,” walk in at Komaaj Mazze Wine Bar. There’s a ton of seating in the dining room and at the bar, and plenty of wine and shareable Northern Iranian dishes to go around. Get into one of the mazze platters big enough to land a helicopter on—they’re loaded with walnut- and pomegranate-heavy dips, smoked fish, and pickles ideal for snacking on while you discuss street sweeping schedules in the neighborhood.
photo credit: Susie Lacocque
With its Lisa Frank-style horse mural and menus with hand-drawn doodles all over them, Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack feels like a Trapper Keeper turned into a restaurant—and a good one at that. All the food on the classic Italian American menu is great, from the big bowls of spaghetti and meatballs to the eggplant parmesan. And everything comes in huge portions, too. By the time you’re done with dinner, the only thing you’ll want to do is go home and crash on the sofa.
photo credit: Susie Lacocque
There are several guarantees to having dinner at this cozy Nepali restaurant: you will leave well-fed and happy, and possibly tipsy from all the free wine refills the owner may personally pour you. Another reason for the feel-good vibes at Cuisine of Nepal comes courtesy of the steamed chicken and vegetable momos. They’re served plain with a side of chutney, or drenched in a creamy soup of blended tomatoes, chilis, and other spices that warm your tongue. Go with the latter, complement it with the sizzling lamb and the chicken cashew cream curry, and call it a night. The dining room of this spot is mainly a skinny hallway lined with tables, so come with a small group.
photo credit: Carly Hackbarth
This counter-service spot decorated with soccer scarves offers excellent pupusas with classic fillings like chicharron, loroco, and cheese. Grab a seat by the window and you’ll hear the welcomed slap of pupusas coming together while you wait. They’re served hot with crispy cheese edges and sides of oregano-heavy curtido. Order them with casamiento (rice and beans) and fried plantains that are caramelized and crispy.
photo credit: Melissa Zink
Going to The Front Porch for brunch is never the wrong move, unless you’re trying to do a lot of activity after, in which case, maybe think again. This place on the border of the Mission and Bernal Heights makes Southern food like chicken and waffles, eggs benedict, and chicken fried steaks. Everything here is so good—and hearty—it might inspire you to walk it off, and then loop back for the fried chicken for dinner (which they also do).
photo credit: Sarah Felker
This casual Mediterranean-ish spot has been making us feel at home and filling us up with homemade pastas, hearty meatloaf—and the best fried chicken in town—for the last two decades. The space resembles a cottage more than an actual restaurant, with dimly lit dining rooms outfitted with chandeliers, and eclectic paintings in mismatched frames of cars, boats, and people. And the patio, filled with twinkle lights, bricks, and flowering trees, is so cozy and quaint, we half-expect to run into a family of anthropomorphic cartoon farmer bears out there. Come to Blue Plate for date nights, big group dinners, pinot noir-soaked meals with someone you used to hunt mushrooms with, or whenever you want the weight of the day to dissipate.
We love fermented dough like the city loves ultra-light down jackets, which is why we order PizzaHacker’s sourdough pies at least once a month. They're gorgeously charred, and the tangy crusts nail the stretch factor—chewy on the inside and a crisp exterior. Go for the Forbidden Fruit, which is essentially a Hawaiian pie with jalapeños and red onions (it will convert the staunchest pineapple-on-pizza haters). Seating at this relaxed spot is picnic benches, making this place ideal for family dinners and weeknight group hangs.
photo credit: Brit Finnegan
The noodle-inclined people in your life will appreciate that you can choose between Thai and Japanese-style noodles at this Bernal Heights restaurant. It’s a casual yet always busy spot where you can build your own ramen bowl with options like chashu or crispy pork belly, kikurage mushrooms, and fried tofu, and eat it alongside some khao soi, pad thai, and pad see ew. You’ll probably need several visits to get through their large menu of seasonal specials and starters, from beef udon noodles to deep-fried chicken wings and corn tempura. This place is small and doesn't take reservations, so prepare to wait.
photo credit: Brit Finnegan
When the line at Nute’s is too long and you’re starting to get hangry, make your way to Coco’s for excellent ramen that’s worth any cross-town journey. The bowls are fully customizable for any Type A personalities in your life, from the type of soup (tonkotsu, miso, shoyu, shio, or curry) to the spice level. Whatever you order, make sure you top your noodles off with the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly.
photo credit: Darren Samuelson
One of the few places serving quality omakase for less than $100 is right here in Bernal Heights. The tiny spot offers a $95 menu that includes 13 courses featuring everything you’d want in a fancy fish experience—nigiri, sashimi, hand rolls, and even mini taiyaki for dessert. There’s also a vegetarian option ($70) with things like confit leek and asparagus nigiri. This laidback spot is ideal for casual-yet-kind-of-fancy date nights (jeans are totally acceptable here), or nice dinners before hitting El Rio or The Royal Cuckoo nearby.
photo credit: Paige Green
Black Jet Baking Company is one of the best bakeries in SF, full stop. The counter-service spot makes great breakfast pastries, like morning buns, croissants, and seasonal breads that are perfect when you’re not in the mood for a full sit-down breakfast. If it’s a sunny day in Bernal Heights, we like to pop in here to pick up something to snack on before a hike around the neighborhood.
photo credit: Susie Lacocque
If you just want a big bowl of pasta, head to Vega. This Italian restaurant serves excellent baked rigatoni and handmade gnocchi in an intimate setting that’s perfect for first dates, or dinner with friends you haven’t seen since you all traveled to Italy last summer. Order a glass of wine to go along with your pasta—or their salads, pizzas with homemade tomato sauce, and appetizers like grilled calamari. On nicer evenings, ask to sit out front. Their heated patio will take you right back to your favorite sidewalk cafe in Rome.
photo credit: Susie Lacocque
Bernal Star is a casual restaurant with a large breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. On weekends, it’s the perfect place to grab brunch with friends who recently hit Major Life Milestones, and talk about your upcoming trips to Napa over plates of french toast, buttermilk waffles, and crispy fish sandwiches. But the crowd-pleaser is their patio, which is outfitted with plenty of heat lamps to keep you and your dog warm on chilly Bernal Heights mornings. If you come here later in the day, the patio is ideal for having a beer and their solid burger.
