There is no better way to learn about a neighborhood than to get the perspective of a local. Taleen Shekerjian and Lauren Beddeo have lived in the Marina for 3 and 2 years, respectively, and had this to say and recommend.
Taleen: One of my favorite things about the Marina is how close it is to the water. The outdoors is so accessible here with nearby parks and charming neighborhoods.
Lauren: The outdoor areas are definitely my favorite as well - a lot of people also get their food to-go and bring it to Marina Green and Fort Mason to eat outside.
Taleen: It’s a great neighborhood to grab a coffee to go and stroll around the various streets and shops.
Lauren: Living here, you never run out of options. There are so many restaurants in a small radius, it’s easy to go out for a quick bite or a meal with friends.
Tacko is a neighborhood staple — it’s always packed on weekends with people getting pickup, to-go and eating in. You can expect a line (sometimes out the door) at all times. Tacko is an unusually Nantucket-themed Mexican restaurant, serving lobster rolls too!
Corn & Black Bean Taco Salad
Lauren adds shrimp to romaine lettuce, grilled corn, black beans, and pico de gallo tossed in lime vinaigrette; topped with guacamole, tortilla strips, and a touch of cotija cheese.
San Francisco Burrito
Rice, beans, pico de gallo, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. Taleen gets it with everything — extra cheese!
Burrito
Chicken is Taleen’s regular choice, but she admits, “if I need an extra boost of meat, add Carnitas!”
Bowls
Includes choice of meat or veggies, rice, beans, lettuce and pico de gallo served in a bowl. We recommend getting some tortillas on the side to make your own tacos!
This is a really popular restaurant for brunch and dinner - you can’t go wrong with their stone pots (with a side of Pad See You). It’s a blend of American-Thai fusion, with outdoor space in the front, especially popular on sunny days.
Pad See You
Lauren gets the chicken option with flat rice noodle, egg, carrot, and broccoli. Pad See You is never a bad idea.
Dinner Stone Pot
Minced pork, prawns, egg, asparagus, mushroom, spinach, bell pepper, carrot, cilantro, bean sprout over jasmine rice. It’s such an interesting mix of flavors, and add hot sauce as desired!
Roma Antica is a smaller restaurant that still feels fancy (but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg). The bolognese is amazing and we often split pasta and pizza with friends. They project old-timey movies — black and white — on a brick wall above the kitchen.
Melanzane Alla Parmigiana
For a Vegetarian option, the baked eggplant, in tomato sauce and mozzarella is the way to go. Lauren gets this dish every single time.
Carbonara
Mezze maniche, smoked guanciale in creamy yolk sauce and pecorino. Taleen and friends usually get 3-4 pasta options and split it (that way you don’t have to decide on just one!).
Boscaiola
Rigatoni, wild mushroom,onion, Italian sausage, cream or tomato sauce. If you want, you can mix and match the sauces.
Organic Rolled Oats
(Served à la carte) milk, fresh fruit, granola, brown sugar.
Egg & Arugula Sandwich
Sunny side up egg, aioli, arugula pesto, pain de mie.
Matt Cain
Pepperoni, all-natural garlic-fennel sausage. This is a must-have for meat-lovers. (Editor’s Note: This is where Lauren asks, “Who’s Matt Cain?” and I, lifelong Giants fan, needed to explain.)
Burrata Bruschetta
If you’re looking for an appetizer, we highly recommend the creamy burrata, pesto, garlic-roasted tomatoes served with focaccia.
Chicken Pesto
Pizza Aloha
Marinara, ham, pineapple. Taleen loves anything with pineapples. (Editor’s note: I concur.)
Chicken Pho
Shredded chicken breast in chicken broth with rice noodle. This Lauren’s go-to noodle soup here.
Beef Pho (2 Items)
With choice of rare beef, brisket, meatballs, tendon, or tripe. Taleen’s favorites are the rare beef and brisket.
Carrot Cake
Moist and delicious! Layered with our unique "praline filling" and topped with traditional cream cheese frosting.
Red velvet cupcake
