This wouldn't be my first choice if I wanted to go to a cafe in the neighborhood. The staff were very friendly and they seem to have a big selection of food and drinks. The front seating area is a bit noisy and busy but the back area is a lot more peaceful. I ordered tea and my husband ordered coffee. I normally have baked goods with my hot beverage, but all the baked goods were individually saran wrapped and this signaled to me that perhaps it wasn't freshly made. I was a little weirded out when I got a tall glass of hot water with a couple cardboard cup sleeves. I'm not particular about drinking my tea from a proper tea cup, but I just thought it was strange. My tea had no flavor, I suspect the tea bags were old. My husbands coffee wasn't very good and we ended throwing out both of our drinks and leaving only after 10 minutes. read more

4 stars b/c the internet is shotty. Great food and a good price and the staff couldn't be nicer. Outdoor patio is a jungly spot to chat on a sunny day. Inside, plenty of room. If you need a spot to work through lunch, this is it. Just make sure you connect to the wifi before you order. read more

Pros: Wifi Comfortable Good amount of seating Solid, reasonably priced food and wide variety of menu items Beautiful outside patio Abundance of outlets Extremely nice people On Sundays a string musical group plays folk music (note: you hafta be into that kind of thing or else it can be distracting. Next door to Succulence (an amazing store) Cons: Not a great bathroom situation. Often occupied, only one. Closes early. That's about it. The wonderful folks at progressive grounds seem to understand the needs of the cafe worker better than any. In their large, comfortable back area, they're considerate enough to put, in addition to the humongous strip of outlets along the wall, a power surge on every column. There are cushions everywhere, a large number of tables for two than can be pushed together, and an unlimited wifi policty that's even better than my office. The food is solid. It's not too filling that it makes you too sleepy or the work too difficult and it's certainly not delicious enough to attract the nonworking crowd to take up tables. The outdoor patio in the back is insanely pleasant. It's pleasant enough to go to the cafe with a laptop worker for a number of hours and just sit enjoying the lush greenery and Bernal sunshine without having any work to do on your own. Go if you want to spend an afternoon working. Don't go if you want an amazing brunch you can be raucous with your friends. read more

The owners of Progressive Grounds have created a sanctuary in Bernal Heights. As small businesses get pushed out of San Francisco, let's support this wonderful cafe that they have created on Cortland. I always enjoy my time when I come in here - delicious homemade baking and meals, kind staff and a welcoming atmosphere. The renovation of the backyard is lovely! Thank you! read more

This is one of my fave coffee shops, although it's a chain of places. It has great coffee and a super nice vibe.

great place to spend a weekend afternoon typing away, fast free wifi but too many kids running around though read more

Progressive Grounds is my favorite spot in San Francisco; the food is amazing and the service is mamazing, which is greater than amazing. The good news is that they're remodeling the patio and due to that they'll be closed next Monday 07/16/2018, so make sure you support them all the way. read more

Progressive Grounds is great, if you want lunch and to spend a good amount of time working on laptop/reading/chatting with friends. I would definitely recommend the lavash wraps, which I have to get (and often come all the way from the Sunset to get) every time I stop by. The kefta melt is seriously delicious, as is the salmon wrap (with garlic, spinach and cheese) and the tuna melt wrap as well. I usually score a pumpkin cupcake for dessert as well. The coffee is ok without being brilliant, but they have a great range of syrups for italian soda and also stock Mitchell's ice cream (hurrah!). The backroom with the comfy cushion seating around the wall is a hit. And the back garden, complete with eclectic art, metal yard furniture and tree-shade, is a San Francisco must-see. read more

They get 5 stars for their falafel wraps (one of the TWO places that I've given 5 stars for their falafel) and coffee. We come here almost every time we come to the city... The patio is just gravy...SO nice when the sun is out. We like to walk up and down the street when we're done here...great location as well. read more

Free password protected Wi-Fi, tons of cushioned lounge space, a patio, lots and lots of outlets, serves coffee/food/ice cream/beer, AND there is a decent chance of finding free street parking. What more can I possibly ask for? Latte was pretty good when you come in at 9am. I notice the quality of the brew definitely went down when I came by after work (around 6pm). This place closes at 8pm and that's decently late considering that most cafes close around 6 or 7pm. I've been here three times and I got a bit bored already... But because of its extensive amount of outlets and free password-protected wifi, I am a happy camper and will only drop down one star for the inconsistency of coffee brews. read more

UPDATE: yeah, all of what i wrote was true, but i just can't drink their repulsive coffee or coffee beverages anymore. last time i went hoping to read a book and got stuck listening to some middle school thugs yell at each other about selling drugs. i like p. grounds (maybe just because they're there, and have a good name), even though they sometimes screw up my coffee order and i'm prone to trip over toys in the "playroom". the thing is, i am addicted to their pastries (pumpkin cream cheese muffins, frosted raisin pumpkin drops, cranberry oat cakes) and their patio (large, but not too large, green and sunny like your parent's backyard). read more

Progressive Grounds is a quick and easy place to swing by in the AM hours to pick up a coffee or a bagel. I recently started at a new job site that has me driving through Bernal on monday mornings, and from what I can tell so far, Martha Bros is a more popular, however much more crowded, coffee option. Everyone and their mother is up in Martha Bros., and while the line moves fast, I think I might prefer the simplicity of P.G. And the back patio area is adorable! My latte was solid. The only complaint I have is that they don't use salted butter...a toasted bagel just isn't quite right without some nice salty butter! Also...circa 8 am, there is way more parking available right outside of P.G.! read more

Only been there one time but I was struck as to how this is a neighborhood institution and hang out. Bernal Heights would be vastly less welcoming without a place like this. As for food, I did have the salmon lavash sandwich and it was excellent. It's a funky place you can hang out, get nice food and beverage, study, meet friends, etc. Nice. read more

Melty lavash wraps. Get one. The tuna is a little overwhelming in my book, but still pretty good. Really good bakery items and smoothies too. The last time I came here though I thought I'd be sneaky and buy raisin/oat bar and save it for the next morning, but it just didn't hold up- either it wasn't fresh to begin with or they aren't good the next day, but either way I don't recommend trying to save their stuff for later. Best eaten fresh! Good selection on the menu, a few outdoor spots to sit, nothing fancy and pretty bare inside, but overall I'm still a fan. read more

Cozy space to nest with your work with coffee and lots of food options. The coffee was affordable, decent, and employees were so nice. Plenty of seating but unreliable wifi - it would go out for 10-15 minutes sometimes (bummer). read more

Love the treesy back area, but the wifi doesn't work there or in the back room. The tuna melt is a delicious way to get your monthly dose of mercury. Coffee is decent, but I'd like more organic options. Attitudes of the staff are great and friendly. As another Yelper noted, though, some members of the Maternal Heights crowd can be a bit obnoxious--making this a terrific place to park your stroller and chill with the kids. The front room with its big windows is better if you want to avoid toddlers. Some think it's grubby here, as it is more like an old-school, laid back cafe complete with the chalkboard menu, rather than one decorated with stainless steel minimalism. But I've seen how the staff cleans up scrupulously at the end of the day. They even scrub the garbage cans top to bottom. That said, the pillows on the benches should be washed, because lots of tots likely have been drooling on them following their mommy&me yoga classes from Bernal Yoga across the street--especially every Sunday for the past few years, when Enzo used to play banjo (he has since moved to another spot--look it up for a great family diversion). read more

My experience here was perfectly and pleasantly positive. I went in with foggy brain syndrome and a fever and the only cure was more cowbell. Actually, the ringing in my ears was quieted once the caffeine started to course through my system. I really enjoyed my mocha and macaroon. A truly delightful M&M breakfast on Saturday morning. I also had time on my hands so I sat and read my book for awhile. The place is comfy, bright, and the people are just chill and laid back. Well, in all honesty, don't trust what I say about chill and laid back. It is probably just a projection of my current mood. Anyhow, do go for the coffee and food :) YUM! read more

Ventured to Bernal Heights with some friends to grab coffee at Progressive Grounds. It was a fairly warm day in SF, but I decided to go with the Chai Tea Latte anyway. I liked the light spice of the latte, it was more bitter than what I'm used to, so I don't think I would order it again. I really should have went with the coffee... what was I thinking. The ambiance of this cafe was really cute, typical SF cafe feel. There are so many cafes in the city, I can't say that this is one I would highly recommend. But I will definitely be back to give it another try. read more

I think that places like this are probably better for drip coffee where you can truly appreciate the flavor and craft. I had an iced latte, with soy and sugar free vanilla. I'm so particular about my coffee and have been cursed with being able to judge the craft. There was about twice what is normally expected on the sugar free vanilla syrup. PLEASE use pumps or find a better method for dispensing the syrups. It went straight to the trash. $5 wasted. Bummer. read more

Oh man do I love this place. Since moving to Bernal Heights two months ago, I've been on a mission to visit every business on my block. So far, Progressive Grounds wins for best place to get a cheap lunch and best place to work on your laptop. They have a cozy room in the back that is perfect for working; quiet, comfy, and full of other people working on their macs (or facebooking, whatever). The outdoor patio is also really nice on a sunny day. It kind of feels like visiting your friend's house (if your friend had a nice patio and a comfy couch to work on). The only thing I wish I could change was that they allowed dogs on the back patio. The people who work here are also extremely friendly. They definitely boost my mood every time I'm over there. Favorite dishes: Egg, cheese, and avocado on a croissant, the falafel wrap, and the turkey sandwich with lemon tarragon sauce. nom nom. read more

I've been going to this place for years, The food is amazing and I love the owners I love the atmosphere it so welcoming!! If it's a happen to leave around this area that's the place to have breakfast, launch,branch anything you like!! read more

Wonderful little coffee shop recommended to us by our Airbnb host who lives is Bernal Heights. We came here for breakfast and morning coffee. The bagels with eggs were SO DELICIOUS! I want to know how to get my eggs that fluffy at home. Our coffee was amazing too. We came in before a crowd and ended up waiting about 10-15 mins for our food while the rush came in. Kinda disappointing. Other than some slow service, the place is great with wonderfully nice staff. read more

Great space for getting work done. It has plenty of plug strips and reliable WiFi--there's also a patio in the back with great lighting and a cozy atmosphere. The music is jazzy and great for staying focused. If the music is too loud for you in the front room, there's also a room in the back without speakers, but the music from the front room still carries (it's just not as loud). The rooms also have awesome cushioned benches around the perimeter which are great for reading and comfort. The coffee itself is not that great from my experience, but you can't beat the prices and they offer plenty of other options from smoothies to bagels & other food. read more

Still a winner! Lavash - tasty and quality ingredients, wrapped in a lavash that's toasted in a panini press. Highly recommend the kefta, or either of the chicken. Bagels in the morning are perfect! The coffee has gotten better as well. Why wait in a long line at Mitchell's when they have Mitchell's here? Last few Sundays, they have homemade banana cake. WOW!! Big slice, so share with a friend. In fact, there's new stuff the last few weeks. More things to check out. Smoothies are perfect. Full of flavor, and not overly sweet. Back patio is excellent on sunny days now that the rains are almost over. Service is always neighborly and fast. Great for breakfast, lunch, snack, or for a pick-me-up. Still a gem of Bernal. read more

Finally got over to Bernal Heights to check it out and walk around on a nice afternoon. Stopped in here to get a latte since the wind was picking up and my eyes were getting heavy. My friend got a chai tea which arrived unsweetened. My latte also seemed a lot more bitter than I'm used to. I added some cinnamon and brown sugar which helped. Sat on the back patio then took our cups to go so we could check out some stores. There are a lot of cafes in the area so I can't say like, "You MUST go here, don't miss it!" I'm sure there are better one's on the next block over. God what a boring review I just wrote. read more

We walked in and were greeted immediately by the smiling staff! I had the Pinky smoothie ... DELICIOUS!!! My sis had a chai tea... Also very good! We would had loved to stay but had a few errands waiting on us.. I WILL be returning as soon as I can! Highly recommend to anyone who has a chill day and in need of a delightful environment to have a smoothie or cup of coffee.. Loved it and was there for less than 10 minutes!!! Thank you!!! read more

See all

The staff is so sweet and never minds my requests for extra hot sauce. Good bagels ! Gluten free option!

Progressive has excellent coffee, smoothies, ice cream and the Kefta melt is awesome, as is the Falafel wrap thingo. The environment is nice and quiet - and the garden out the back is sheltered and beautiful on sunny days (although a little crowded sometimes). IMHO it's missing free wireless access and a slightly more diverse menu. It's also not open very early - but Martha's has that covered - so it's not a detractor. All in all - it's a huge boon to the neighborhood. read more

This is definitely a neighborhood favorite. It's friendly (free dog treats) and offers note only coffee and morning pastries. You can grab a made-to-order smoothie using Mitchell's ice cream or sorbet. There's also additional seating in the back and a small garden. It's a great place to just disappear into for a while, have your coffee and relax. read more

A nice little coffee spot in Bernal. I needed coffee, they sell coffee! The coffee was good. It's crazy how the universe works sometimes... The staff was friendly and we had a nice chat about the Warriors (go Dubs!). read more

This place has gluten free bagels, which is super exciting as GF treats are hard to come by on Cortland. They also recently opened their outdoor patio and it's adorable. read more

Now, I'm a tea drinker, so I apologize for the lack of coffee commentary. I really loved the space here - big front room with ample seating, an equally ample (but quieter) back room, and a huge enclosed and private rear patio space complete with trees, a breeze, and [again] ample seating. I was really happy to see the regular studding off the walls with power strips for laptops. They also offer free Wi-Fi, making this a great place to work. Finally, we had a lavash sandwich, which was really good. A generous portion of cut-up chicken breast, with zuchini and onion in a tarragon aioli. It was tasty, filling, and tarragonish. read more

The staff is kind and interested in their customers. I talk about running with one of the folks that runs the counter (personal touch goes a long way!) I within walking distance from this place and stop in each on weekends before I take my dog up the hill. It's a great location and decent coffee. I've never eaten here, usually opting for bakery goods from Liberty Cafe. If only they opened earlier! read more

This place has everything I look for in a cafe - enough seating, plugs, good drinks and food, and free wi-fi. I didn't have any issues with the internet, although it's not secured if that's something that concerns you. I ordered a mocha, house coffee and banana cake. The banana cake was on the dry side and I realized later I must have got the last piece from the previous day, but it wasn't old enough that I would want them to throw it away. The mocha was tasty, and the coffee meets my standards for a good cup of coffee. The owners definitely have character. I appreciate this but I can see how some might find the guy a bit crass. read more

I loved this place, and I mean absolutely loved this place. But lately something has changed. Every time I order a cappuccino or a latte, the milk is completely burned, which just makes it taste not so good. I am not one to complain, so I drink it anyway to get my caffeine injection for the day. The price is a darn good price for a drink. I use to think "oh what a steal!" but now eh I guess it's worth that price. Everything else about this place is pretty amazing. The ambiance, the atmosphere, the location, the decor, the food, the affogato, etc. is so quaint and cool and one of my favorite neighborhood joints. Please Progressive fix the coffee and I promise to keep injecting myself with your caffeine. read more

Pretty solid place to study. Pros - Good vibe, feel, and decor. Not too crowded, lots of space Coffee and food is quite tasty Free wifi. They carry Mitchell's Ice cream! Cons - Can be a bit cold in the winter Cash only (or mostly) A little pricey, no free refills on coffee. Wi-fi can be a bit shaky from time to time Overall, I liked it however, and while there seems to be more cons than pros, I'd study there more. read more

Delish little cafe! Food is made fast and fresh! Great local hangout spot!

This is a nice little place to go for tea or coffee. In the front, its sunny and the energy seems boisterous. Its not a great place to go if you're looking to study or for meditative, deep thoughts. However, its a great meeting place to catch up with friends over a delicious cup of coffee. There is a hallway splitting two rooms apart from one another. The back room seems quieter, darker and more exotic then the front room. Not, that anything is all together that exotic here. It must be the pillows and soft cushions on some of the wall benches that lends this extra not quite moroccan touch. Theres a built in shelf on one wall that houses dozens of books. I noticed some of the books were sticky so I proceeded to put them back, hoping that the coffee was responsible for the stickiness. Oddly enough, there were dozens of the same copies of one book - a children's book I had never heard of. I wonder if they were free.... It can get quite loud in this cafe but if you're with your friends and absorbed in witty banter, you'll hardly notice it at all. Definitely worth a visit, if you're strolling around sunny Bernal Heights. read more

I have been going here for 6 years and would have to say it is by far my favorite place in the city for coffee. They have delicious smoothies and wraps (my favorite being the chicken pesto) and the owner is - oh-so friendly greeting me with hugs. They have a new location on Bryant, which he seems to spend most of his time nowadays, however the employees at the Cortland location are just as sweet. Grab a friend, take them to Progressive, sit in the sun on the back patio, and gossip for the remainder of the day! read more

Great cafe with yummy coffee and ice tea drinks, as well as smoothies, sodas, and other fine beverages. Fabulous wraps - including vegetarian - and flavorful soups. Very baby-friendly: the private bathroom has a baby changing table. Park on the side streets to avoid parking meters. The back room has very comfortable tables and cushions. I try to come here a few times a month! read more