Located on Park Boulevard in the space formerly occupied by HOB Coffee, the new cafe opened with little fanfare - just a surprise announcement on Instagram inviting locals to stop by and check out the latest addition to the Dark Horse family. The Hillcrest café is Dark Horse’s eighth San Diego-area location and its tenth overall, including outposts in Truckee, California, and Kauai, Hawaii. This new shop brings the brand’s signature rustic-chic design, artisan coffee, and cult-favorite cold brew to one of the city’s most vibrant and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.
Alongside the classic Dark Horse drink lineup - which includes favorites like the bold "Champ" espresso blend, the honey cinnamon latte, and nitro cold brew - the Hillcrest location debuts an all-new food menu crafted by Chef Julian. Guests will find a variety of breakfast burritos, including a Hawaiian-inspired option that the brand has been teasing on social media, as well as additional sweet and savory offerings tailored for leisurely brunches or quick morning pickups.
The café features ample outdoor patio seating, offering a relaxed setting to enjoy a coffee, catch up with friends, or simply watch the world go by along bustling Park Boulevard. Its location near the intersection with University Avenue positions it as a convenient stop for commuters, residents, and Hillcrest’s weekend brunch crowd alike.
Dark Horse’s Hillcrest launch follows the recent relocation of its original Normal Heights shop to a larger space just a block away on Adams Avenue. That move, which included expanded seating and kitchen upgrades, signaled a broader shift in the company’s focus toward creating more robust dine-in experiences without sacrificing its fiercely loyal coffee-first culture.
Founded in 2013, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters has earned a devoted following through its commitment to direct-trade sourcing, small-batch roasting, and a neighborhood café feel that now extends across Normal Heights, North Park, South Park, Golden Hill, La Mesa, Chula Vista, San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1, and now Hillcrest. The company also operates Mutual Friend Ice Cream next door to its South Park cafe.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is now open daily at 3752 Park Boulevard in San Diego's Hillcrest. For more information, visit darkhorsecoffeeroasters.com.