Good, strong coffee drinks. The skinny donuts are tasty and always fresh. They have a great setup for outdoor ordering, and the staff are really friendly. Its fun to bring my dog since we dont have to worry about going inside at all. They even have little dog treats for your pup and I ask them to have her sit before giving her one. I really appreciate the help with training and the great iced latte to start my day. I also got a growler of cold brew for $20, and refills are $15. The cold brew is concentrated and is so worth it. Cool design on the bottle too. It packs a punch and lasts me days drinking multiple glasses a day working from home. I highly recommend! ☕

I had cuppchino which was really good but the house coffee that my husband ordered has strong metalic tastes not happy with it.

Great drinks, awesome donuts, good prices. Expect to wait 20+ minutes for anything that takes even minimal prep. Only come every few months because its always a ridiculous wait and they never warn their customers. Cant fathom how they havent figured out the issue yet.

Great local coffee shop with great customer service. I would definitely come back and order and again. The prices are reasonable and the drinks are great.

What a reasonably priced and welcoming coffee shop we have in our city! If Im going to study here, I generally get their Espresso since it smells great and is extremely good. I just wanted to thank your staff for being courteous and polite to me. Five stars for you, boys! Im going to tell everyone of my friends and family about your excellent service!

I love dark horses beans but my girlfriend got a tea here and it literally tasted like cardboard waterAlso being up charged 75 cents to use oat milk in my cortado is just ridiculous. It’s literally a 1-2 table spoons of oat milk.Too many other amazing coffee shops nearby like Hawthorne, Dos Palmas and Lestats for me to come back to a place not any better than them that nickels and dimes you and no seating area

This is the ideal spot for coffee enthusiasts because it is the only area that delivers the greatest coffee tastes. The atmosphere is really unforgettable. The coffee motif painted on the wall and the wonderful coffee theyd offer would captivate you. Employees are also kind and ready to assist clients.

Ive been treating myself to Dark Horse frequently over the last three years living in SD and its probably my favorite coffee in the city if not my favorite actual store setup or location (only because this shop and the North Park one dont have a lot of space to sit with your drink if you so choose). However you see it, I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone who loves truly good coffee that doesnt take itself too seriously. Try the salted maple...

This is the spot to go to for the famous Champ coffee beverage. I prefer it iced with whole milk but I guarantee you that it is delicious no matter what choice of milk you choose. Also try their dark roast and Guatemala coffee beans. Outstanding quality.

Their dark roast is a medium roast at best.

Long wait (1h) even though it was prime coffee hour, several people who arrived later and ordered in-person got their orders before us. We placed a relatively simple order. Earl grey donut was disappointing but average compared to most other vegan cake donuts. Americano was under-extracted causing it to taste very acidic. Might have been a one-off experience, but not a great experience.

Came to San Diego on vacation and just had to try this place! Wow. People on here are complaining about a wait... My coffee took no time at all and it was EXCELLENT! Besides, even if I did have a wait, coffee isn’t something I mind waiting on. ;) The customer service was excellent, the coffee was superb, and it’s in an adorable location. My only sadness is that this place is so far away from where I live. I would be coming here regularly if I lived closer: It’s that good.

Iced latte tasted really special, pretty hard to describe.Espresso and milk is well balanced. Its creamy at first, and a bit sour and sweetness at the back taste (just my personal and unprofessional opinion)

The tastiest coffee that I had tasted my entire life. I am very grateful that I am here in this place. I need to come back because its a good one. I cant wait to visit this place again. I will definitely be going to save their contact number for deliveries as well. Try their desserts and you won’t regret it for sure. Thumbs up!

Used to love this place, but I recently brought a group of LGBT friends here only to find out they really arent all that inclusive (contrary to my previous thinking).Long story short, we had some trans folks in our group get dead-named because the cashier used the name on their credit card rather than asking the customers name. None of us will be returning.

Breakfast was delicious, and the staff was pleasant. The mid-morning cakes and coffee were also delicious. The employees work hard and go above and beyond for their clients. With your foods and the way you entertain me, I was having a nice and beautiful day. It was the ideal day to express my gratitude to you. Until the next time, mates!

This coffee shop is very special to me. Its such a cozy place to meet friends and family to have some drinks and delicious treats. Love this place so much. Its not a very big establishment but they have several different seating spots. A nice quiet place with a calm and warm vibe. I highly recommend this coffee shop to everyone.

I knew this place was good when we saw a line going out the door onto the sidewalk. The cafe is very small but they crank out lots of high quality coffee drinks for being such a small place. The staff was friendly, the service was quick and the coffee and donuts we got we both amazing. I got the maple latte to try it out and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. Very trendy place, will definitely be back again one day!

Highly recommend this place! All their options are great, but the salted maple is my absolute favorite!

Had this coffee shop in my list to go and had the chance the other day before working! Such a cute small place. The staff were all super friendly. I definitely will have to come back to have another taste of their coffee! ☕

So very excited to comeback to San Diego & Normal Heights so I can once again, get the BEST coffee in town!!!!!

I ordered a chai latte and a chocolate croissant - both were lovely! I only wish there was seating here, but thats just the times we live in.For anyone worried about being referred to by the wrong name - the payment device does automatically suggest the name on your credit card for your order. But there was overt signage welcoming anyone to specify a different name for their order (perhaps put up in response to a previous reviewers comment). YMMV.

The barista was very knowledgeable about the coffee, he explained every detail. He even helped out when I bought packs of coffee to bring home. The staff members were all friendly and accommodating. I was more than satisfied with the coffee. It was worth savoring. Well be coming back here again soon!

Cozy coffee shop with just a few places to sit. I really like their churro donuts and just tried their maple one too. I always get my orders to go since seating is so limited. This is where I buy my pounds of coffee and them ground for a french press. Makes for delicious coffee at home! Numerous locations across San Diego, each with different funky vibe.

Great coffee get the champ! Reasonable prices and wonderful matcha doughnuts.

It was quiet, calm, and not overcrowded. I come here to do my paperwork and hang out. This location appeals to me because of its coziness and ambiance. Its my very favorite spot on the planet! Strongly recommended!

The best coffee shop and I can bring my cat here. I have visited this coffee shop several times and always enjoyed the coffee, and were always tempted by the selection of cakes. It is refreshing to be able to take the cat in who always gets masses of fuss from other customers and then sits quietly under the table. I strongly recommend this place for all coffee lovers!

I love Dark Horse and have to go by whenever Im close by.

The Colombia Coffee Beans so good 👌

A great morning wake up from a quaint & quirky setting. Greeted with smiles and kind service. I usually go for standard drip but opted for their “Champ” = 1tsp honey, cinnamon, espresso + milk of choice. Warm and delicious with just a hint of sweetness.

I had to do a lot of work on paper, so I wanted to go to your coffee shop to do it. The atmosphere was so serene and calming. Your coffee and cakes tasted so delicious and fulfilling. I enjoyed doing my work in your magnificent shop. Visiting this location was very convenient as well. Up thumbs!

Thank you very much to the server for perfectly adjusting to my needs. He is very welcoming, smiling at me from start to finish. He certainly made this place well known to all. The food and coffee were all delicious and very cheap. I really recommend this coffee shop to everyone.

I dont even need to add any type of sugar because its already delicious. Its a really amazing and unique location!

Great coffee and setup for orders in this season.

The best chocolate, coffee, espresso, and raspberry concoctions you will ever indulge in are served in this shop! The atmosphere is sparkling and friendly. It never fails to please this coffee shop and amaze me. This is the perfect place to sit back and talk about your day after a long day of sightseeing. We just love their coffee!

So glad that we live within walking distance to Dark Horse! Love the coffee, love the donuts and love the staff. We truly appreciate how welcoming they are to all the babies and doggies waiting in line on the weekends. We are now good friends with most of the baristas since we come here pretty often. Thankful to support local, small business that is family run! Thank you dark horse!Ps, we love Danielle, especially when she gives us free coffee after-hours during a torrential down pour!

Dark Horse makes the best lovingly hand crafted beverages. My favorite it their nitro cold brew, its creamy, smooth and delicious... just doesnt Insta as pretty as an Oat Mocha 😄 Love!!!

Cozy little coffee shop. Got a almond milk latte and it was delicious! Its pretty popular and there are a few seats to hang out for a bit but most people stop in to get their coffees to go.

Cold brew is delish, too! (And to think, there is a Starbucks two blocks from here. Probably jammed with people missing out on the local, handcrafted coffee at Dark Horse.)

We love this place. And, they are in the process of opening up a location in Chula Vista! Yay, 3rd Avenue. If you havent tried the vegan churro donuts, you dont know what you are missing. I feel way less guilty when I have one of those. Great coffee too.

Best coffee in San Diego area. Chillest workers too. I actually appreciated them using the name on my card, maybe its a false sense of security but knowing theres some chance if the opposite gender took my credit card they would be more likely to be caught just trying to steal something as small of a cup of coffee is kinda a nice idea (even thought it makes sense its not the most realistic)...That review of their low level of customer service being offended they asked them the name based on the cards content and that therefore somehow contributes to their lack of inclusivity was not at all a representation of this place. Its the exact opposite. That level of criteria for what is ok is beyond comprehension levels of control over ones personal choice.They are ALWAYS chill, despite having such a frustrating job due to dealing with some of the most falsely entitled folks on the planet (coffee snobs). Anyways, I find it highly offensive there is a disparaging of the cashier who works his rear end off to serve us over something so minuscule yet frequent in us fresh-roasted coffee lovers lives.*BEST COFFEE EVER* (in SD... beats Birdrock IMO, although less niche of roasts), and ALWAYS great service in my and my friends experiences.

The standard of coffee and sweets, the friendly atmosphere, the service, the price - all are first-rate. This is a nice place to rest and have some time to spend.

I get the soy salted maple late, and Im never disappointed. Well, maybe a little that the largest I can get is 12 Oz because its delicious!

Quant and Delicious! The Baristas are super friendly, and their Pour Overs are unparalleled! And I can never leave without a donut...or three! Hahaha

Very small place with good strong coffee. Inexpensive. Some vegan options. Limited donut selection.

I love the coffee and the friendly staff! Other places have good coffee, but arent always as welcoming in my experience. I dont feel out of place here for not being dressed upThe Skinny donuts are amazing too if you get there early enough to grab one before theyre gone. 😋 🍩 ☕

The coffee? Amazing. The baristas? So kind and fun and helpful. The decor and feel? Cozy and eclectic. I live neighborhoods away but I still come here multiple times a week because Dark Horse is THAT good. If you’ve never been, you’re missing out.

Great kefir soda.

It was a pleasure to get an outstanding sandwich and a nice coffee in the busy area. The cafés atmosphere is calming and fun.

So glad I took the detour today. Great vibes, even better coffee. I got a single origin espresso latte with oat milk (hell yes.) and homemade vanilla syrup. I blissed out—hard. Possibly the best latte of my life. Vegan doughnuts *huge* plus.

I wish there were more places like this around town. the staff was friendly and sociable. i see why this place has so many great reviews.

Updated 10/6/20:Super quick, efficient service this morning!TAKES LITERALLY FOREVER. Great coffee and donuts. Love this place but seriously need to work out some kinks. Be prepared to wait at least 10 minutes even for a drip coffee.

Very nice coffee place. Dogs are welcome. Coffees are good, staff is friendly and there are benches outside to enjoy the sun in San Diego. Stop by for sure if in the area. Thank you to the staff Adiva 🐾 enjoyed coming in with me and getting her treat 😃

Full flavored coffee that tastes good black. Also, love they have soy, almond and oat milk options. The donuts are the perfect match for their coffee also.

Tried the champ latte. Cinnamon and honey. Really good! Husband made his own concoction and had ginger and more added to his drink. He likes his coffee or chai to have a kick.Was expecting a line so I was ready. Mustve come at the right time. No one was there. So I got to chat with the barrista and she explained a few of the drinks to us. The maple donut sounds delightful so next time (it was sold out already) . As soon as we put our drink order in and walked away to wait..the line formed. I dont even know where people came from as its on a street and I did not see people walking up.

Good, freshly brewed coffee. Prices are average. Vegan donuts are yum.

It’s also a pretty good place to get a cup of coffee. The ambiance of the place is really relaxing. I highly recommend this place to all coffee addicts.

Delicious coffee been coming here for a while now and always great service

Love supporting local businesses especially when the coffee is amazing. And dont forget to try the churro doughnut. Yum!!!!

Special flavor of the latte 😋

Very small space serving great coffee. Good espresso drinks and pour over varietals. Expect a wait.

Great coffee. Excellent donuts.

Absolutely wonderful! Love the vegan donuts! So good! Their soy chai is great too!

One of my favorite San Diego coffee spots. Their cold brew is always strong in the best way possible. Awesome vegan donuts.

Great coffee. Unfortunately its always crowded.

Wonderful espresso. Tried the No Problemo blend and it sure went down smooth. Limited seating but high turnover rate makes it a great spot to enjoy your morning joe.

This is the best Dark Horse Location. I been to all of them in San Diego & they’re not all the same. Everything about this one is top notch.

Long wait so probably under staffed. Got my coffee before others who had been there longer. Wasnt impressed by the chai tea or vanilla latte. Odd aftertaste.

The baristas are nice and helpful. Tried the vanilla latte and the macchiato and they both tasted yummy. The vegan maple bacon donut was surprisingly good😁

Love their coffee! Very high quality and I highly recommend this place for serious coffee lovers!

Friendly and fantastic heart starter juice.

One of the best local toasters

Good coffee, better donuts!

I was recommended this place by my brother for my first cup in San Diego. It is a quaint shop with approximately 8 seats that fill up fast. If you are looking to chill in a spot with a big group of friends this may not be for you. However, the coffee is well worth the cramped space. After waiting for 3 minutes my Champ was finished to order. The drink was awesome! I would definitely order it again or even try something else on their menu. The phrase good things come in small packages is overused but, it definitely rings true about this place.

Fast, efficient, and courteous service. It has a great atmosphere.

I have been to all of their locations, including the one up in Truckee by Lake Tahoe! Each one has a great personality and always top top notch coffee

Came in today to buy a roasted bean, was greeted by a young lady, she was very rude, . I left un happy felt offended by her .

I really enjoy an almond milk latte. Iced or hot. Im happy. I dont get Starbucks. Theirs tastes burnt. I dont like any of their coffee drinks. Dark Horse is a welcomed delight. A rich, dark roast, but not burnt. Its a world of difference.

Stopped by and got a Brazil pour over for me and a hot chocolate for my son. It was good and I would come back again. Staff was nice.

A very small coffee shop with a couple of outside seating options. What it lacks in space it makes up for with friendly social service: the coffee is delicious; options to suite every taste and dietary restriction from what I could tell. A few muffin/donut options to select from as well. Churro donut was light sweet and simple. Parking is available close by which is rare for the North Park area. A good grab and go coffee place, not one Id recommend for your sit down coffee house experience, but will likely revisit and recommend above others.

Theyre open and serving. Friendly service and awesome coffee. Get there early cause line forms

Food was so delish. The staff was friendly and sociable. It has a great interior. Kinda of like a cafe in Phoenix that I enjoyed.

This place was good! They have this milk called oat milk and it’s suppose to be another healthy alternative milk if you’re lactose intolerant! We have it a shot and it wasn’t actually all too bad! The coffee was good and their espresso was strong. The place is very small inside and only had room for about 4 tables so beware if you have a bigger crowd.

They have the best coffee in all of the coffee shops that Ive been to. They also have a very friendly staffs and thats a plus point.

Over 30 mins for 2 cups of coffee. Not worth it for sure

Local spot with great coffee, excellent service, and a chill vibe

Really good coffee. Nice outdoor seating area that was perfect for our dog and us to hang out on a relaxed Saturday afternoon.Dark Horse Coffee Roasters.

Such a refreshing change from the typical...starbucks-esque...coffee house. Fun, hip staff and customers. I highly recommend Dark Horse.

They have the best everything. Super friendly staff. I love their featured artwork. The artwork on their merch is always changing and always great. I want to buy every new travel mug that they put out.

Can I just say this is my favorite coffee shop ever!!! Their oat milk latte is the bomb. Also it’s a good spot to do some quick computer work. Their customer service is also top notch!

Their original location was small and quirky. Its not a place for a meeting or to study but they lived up to my expectation after research that they are among the premier coffee roasters in town. Their single origin Ethiopia on espresso was exceptional even in the crowded field of delicious Ethiopian coffee competitors. I wanted a little more out of the service and atmosphere, but theyve earned themselves another visit to a different location due to the amazing espresso.

Is nice is coffee. very very nice

If all coffee houses in the world caught fire at the same time, I would be in the bucket line outside of Darkhorse! Love it!

Their cold brew was good and nitro was frothy and had a very robust flavor. Churro donut was good, not overly sweet. And the olive scone was moist. The staff was very friendly!

This place is bomb. The best part about their drinks is the substitute oat milk?! What! I live for oat milk and finally a place near us that serves. I ordered 3 drinks! I got the champ iced and it is delish

Having trouble finding a local, artisan coffee shop in San Diego? Yeah, me too. Good thing there’s Dark Horse. Cozy and thoughtful. Bustling yet intentional. A great mix. Great coffee.

Love this place. Tiny, homey, and cool. The coffee is excellent (pour-over, drip, espresso, etc). They also have tea, cocoa, and keifer soda. There are 3 tables inside and some benches outside. The staff are wonderfully friendly and helpful. Weve been coming here for years and well continue to do so!

I found out about Home after friends posted pictures of their magical lattes on Instagram (of course). After visiting this cozy coffee shop in the Inner Sunset, my experience was nothing short of delightful.

One of the best coffee roasters in San Diego, and at a good price for the quality too. I would put the beans just slightly below Bird Rock and Mostra, but the price per pound is also lower. That makes this just about my top pick for coffee beans.

Friendly staff, coffee that actually taste good and reasonable / affordable prices!5 star coffee at 2 star prices! Nothing extra on the menu to distract the staff... A few grab and go donuts and thats it! Lets keep this place going / open!