The incoming café is the vision of Denise Arellano, a hospitality professional with years of experience in restaurant marketing, operations, and culinary work across both coasts. After time spent in New York kitchens and with Michelin-starred restaurants in San Diego, including Valle in Oceanside, Arellano is channeling her diverse background into her own concept.
Marta, named in honor of her grandmother, will begin by serving espresso drinks, matcha, and an assortment of pastries including Mexican classics with modern spins - like cardamom-infused conchas and croissants alongside heart-shaped baked treats. Marta’s menu is expected to expand after opening, eventually offering light meals like tortas, salads, and nostalgic dishes inspired by Arellano's family recipes from the Calexico-Mexicali region. The goal is to create a space where heritage and hospitality meet, with a menu that highlights the depth of Mexican cuisine beyond the usual fare.
The space itself is undergoing a full redesign, transforming the former cozy café into a welcoming and modern environment. The interior will feature handcrafted ceramics from local and regional artisans, green tilework, and a blend of contemporary and traditional materials. Marta aims to carry forward the community feel that made Twiggs a neighborhood staple, while introducing a new chapter in the local coffee and pastry scene through thoughtful design, quality ingredients, and cultural storytelling.
Twiggs Coffee House had been a fixture in the community for over 30 years before closing abruptly in October 2023. Founded in 1992 and eventually expanded to two locations, Twiggs was known for its bakery, neighborhood atmosphere, and role as a community gathering space. The business changed ownership several times, with its final operators citing rising costs, inflation, and a significant drop in wedding cake sales as contributing factors to its closure. The shutdown was sudden, with employees receiving only two days' notice, prompting public concern and fundraising efforts in support of affected staff. Despite efforts to secure a beer and wine license to boost revenue and keep the café afloat, the longtime neighborhood institution closed its doors for good, leaving behind two vacant spaces.
While the original Twiggs Park Boulevard location in University Heights now houses a separate new café called Good Omen Coffee Company, Marta will bring new energy to the Adams Avenue space. With its roots grounded in cultural tradition and modern hospitality, Marta is set to become the next gathering spot for locals in North Park.
Marta Café is expected to open this summer at 2804 Adams Avenue in San Diego's North Park. For more information, follow @marta.sandiego on Instagram.
Originally published on May 22, 2025.
