Copita is located in Sausalito, the little slice of paradise that’s just a quick ferry ride or drive from the city. Take a day trip here when you’re itching to get out of the city; with its charming shops and sunny waterfront, Sausalito is the perfect mini escape. Unlike many tourist destinations though, the food options in this neck of the woods are actually solid. Copita is the Mexican staple, with a mid-sized dining room, a decent number of seats at the bar, and a few more on the front patio for those lucky enough to snag them. Better yet, the entire menu is 100% gluten-free …
To start, each table gets a complimentary serving of jicama and cucumber with chile and lime. We snacked on these while trying to narrow down our order – which was not easy with such an abundant menu. For appetizer number one we ordered tuna tostadas, which are bite-sized rounds of crispy tortilla topped with chipotle aioli, a thin slice of fresh ahi tuna, and a tiny piece of kumquat. Super bright and flavorful, this was an excellent first bite. Next were the dungeness crab taquitos, served in a warm tomato and serrano broth – another standout dish. Of the four ceviches offered, the waiter helped us choose, and we ended up with the charred chile version made with sea bass, which was my favorite dish of the meal. The texture and flavor of the fish was perfect. For all you ceviche fans, I highly recommend this dish. For tacos, we went again with the waiter’s recommendation and chose fried pork belly; anything that’s topped with pickled red onion is great in my book, and these were no exception. Unlike the dinner menu, the only dessert that’s GF, is the buñuelos (donuts) served with lime sugar and salsa de tamarindo. These were spectacularly airy and all around divine. Another must-order item!
Anyone lucky enough to find themselves in Sausalito, whether it be on a Saturday afternoon, a weekday evening, or maybe even a day of playing hookie, should absolutely make it a point to visit this adorable restaurant. We all know that Mexican food in SF is abundant, but that makes it all the more difficult for a place to stand out. Copita has managed to do just that, and all the way from Sausalitio.