Overall great coffee shop. The foxtrot is definitely my favorite drink here…read more Very friendly staff. Street parking. Some indoor seating and cute little alleyway of outdoor seating.

North Park has so many coffee shops, but this one is easily in my top three. They serve great…read morecoffee, matcha, pastries, and even have some fun merch. The narrow outdoor patio is super cute and perfect for hanging out. They offer lots of specialty drinks, which keeps things interesting. They're dog‑friendly, and the logo is honestly the cutest. A solid stop if you're exploring North Park and want something reliably good.

(Drank 06/29/26 MO @ 3:45pm): During these modern times of craft breweries, welcome to…read more"flavortown"! After a day spent with my general contractor and having waited for an appliance pick-up service to show up, I was finally free and made my way to Modern Times Flavordome. In my quest to explore and familiarize myself with the North Park neighborhood, this was the latest brewery that was within walking distance from our place that I had to try. Founded and opened in the San Diego's Point Loma neighborhood in 2013 by Jacob McKean, they were California's first employee-owned brewery and rapidly expanded into several locations along the West Coast. Over the next decade, the craft beer industry started to constrict, a mismanaged over-expansion, the pandemic, and scandal led to the downfall of its founder in 2021, new leadership, and then eventual new ownership by Maui Brewing Co. and contract brewing handled by local AleSmith Brewing Co. Today, only two standalone locations remained along with an added coffee line. Did I enjoy the flavors of their modern time beer!? PURCHASE(S) Modern Times Beer Orderville Hazy NEIPA Beer 7.2% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00 HH): Hazy orange color, citrusy dank hoppy aroma, low body, citrusy dry hoppy flavor, drying finish, and citrusy dry hoppy aftertaste. Kettle Brand Potato Chips Sea Salt 1oz Bag ($3.00): My favorite potato chips brand, these were the only thing to nibble on while I enjoyed a draft or two. Modern Times Beer MT Pils Pilsner Beer 4.8% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00 HH): Hazy amber color, citrusy malty aroma, light body, citrusy malty flavor, clean dry smooth finish, and citrusy malty aftertaste. Boulder Canyon Avocado Oil Classic Sea Salt Kettle Style Potato Chips 1oz Bag ($3.00): A brand I wasn't familiar with, again, I just needed something to snack on while I imbibed. These were rather tasty! Modern Times Beer Black House Coffee Stout Beer 5.8% ABV 16floz Draft ($6.00 HH): Dark brown color, coffee roasty toasty aroma, medium body, coffee creamy roasty toasty flavor, mouthfeel smooth finish, and coffee roasty toasty aftertaste. Modern Times Beer Tropicolossal IPA Beer 6.8% ABV 16floz (Draft $9.50): Rich amber color, fruity mango pineapple tropical aroma, light body, fruity mango pineapple sweet flavor, smooth finish, and fruity mango pineapple tropical aftertaste. This was my favorite of the bunch! "Velvet Goldmine Original Soundtrack" Used CD ($6.95): An out-of-print CD from a fun movie, I had to add this to my expansive music collection! Modern Times Beer Fruited Orderville Guava Hazy IPA Beer 7.0% ABV 16floz Can 4pk ($16.00): Hazy orange color, citrusy fruity guava papaya tropical aroma, light body, fruity guava tropical flavor, creamy finish, and citrusy guava papaya tropical aftertaste. SERVICE I was initially greeted by a friendly young gentleman behind the bar where I grabbed a stool, made myself at home for a couple of hours with 2026 FIFA World Cup matches on, and drank the afternoon away. Eventually, a young woman appeared behind the bar. Each one chatted a bit, made beer recommendations, and quickly served my beer - cheers! PARKING (Varied: FREE this instance): I simply walked the fine minutes from my place. Otherwise, there appeared to be some spots along the main drag of Upas St. and all surrounding roads (I didn't notice any lots) - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE An open interior layout with a spacious outdoor patio, each area had many tables and chairs. The interior was a sight to see with lampshades hung from the ceiling, newspaper wallpaper, globes wallpaper covered the bathroom, and there were crates of vinyl and CDs for purchase. This was a funky groovy place! Plenty of natural lighting entered through the wall windows and doors, but I honestly couldn't recall whether or not there were any ceiling lights (I'm sure there were). There was at least one TV while classic rock & roll music played in the background. ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL It was a chill afternoon spent at Modern Times Flavordome, and I would definitely return. They had a decent selection of beers on tap, no served food so bring your own, the prices were comparable, the vibe was kick-back, and the service was very good. I'm sure furry family members were allowed on the patio, there were Happy Hour specials (MO-FR 12pm-5pm), and almost certain nightly entertainment such as trivia, music, and more were available. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $81.00 BEFORE any discounts, points usage, and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS

In November we arrived the last hour they were open. We sat at the bar so we could be quick for the…read morebartender. It was empty besides a couple outside. It is a pretty nice space. Right on the street, not too big and not too small. They had an outside patio. The bartender didn't look at us for about 10 minutes and it was extremely uncomfortable lol Eventually we were able to order so we just got one round to make it easy. He didn't talk to us again when his friend came in. He talked to his friend for the remainder of the time we were there. Here are the beers we tried: Impact Strategy: Peachy. Light hops Mt. Pils: Bitter bite

My friend and I stopped by Lovesong Coffee for a much-needed caffeine boost before heading out to…read moreexplore Balboa Park, and I'm so glad we found this place! The shop has such a nice little vibe inside, and the baristas were friendly and welcoming. Their latte flavors are definitely bold and interesting, with combinations you don't see at your typical coffee shop. My friend and I each tried one of their specialty lattes and really enjoyed them. It was the perfect stop before a day of exploring San Diego. If I'd had more time in the city, I could definitely see myself coming back, grabbing a latte, and hanging out here for a while.

Coffee was good with many unique flavor pairings to choose from. I'd like to come back if I find…read moremyself in the area to try the matcha. Service was fast. The interior is aesthetic but felt very worn. Parking was easy with plenty of street parking or a nearby garage.

"We barely remember Who or what came before this precious…read moremoment We are choosing to be here right now Hold on, stay inside" Boy, howdy, I am buzzing! I just enjoyed a cup of Parabola's Abuelita/Dark Blend. I made it pretty strong. My wife prefers lite-med so she drinks Kenya/Heights. We brew pour overs at home. Parabola is a cool place if you want to enjoy coffee in-house. I like the serene atmosphere inside, and the outdoor patio is nice, too. Baristas are personable. I'm not sure why they upcharge for nondairy milk, though. I met Maynard once. Does he drink coffee? I think he would like Parabola. "This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion"

STEPH JUDGEMENT: Cute clean place with local art, handicrafts, and 80s/90s nostalgia decor…read more Stopped in for a hot latte while in the neighborhood. While waiting for my drink I took in the 80s movie posters (hey, Thrashin'!) and the artsy skate decks. Named after a Tool song, mad props. The latte was a touch more bitter than I would've liked, but overall was fine. The service was friendly and experience pleasant--would definitely return!

Great spot to do some work, grab some coffee or ice cream. There's outlets for charging laptops and…read moreusually plenty of seating. So far, customer service has been great! Shout out to Angel. They're always willing to help, offer a sample of ice cream and be friendly.

Love dark horse. My go to location used to be golden hill in front of shell. Lately, I stick more…read moreto the South Park area. This location has a more lively vibey, in a more trafficked area. I just stick to their vanilla lattes because I enjoy dark horses unique taste. They usually have vegan donuts as well that are super good if you're lucky enough to snag one.

With so many coffee shops in North Park, I overlooked this one for way too long -- but I'm glad I…read morefinally stopped in. Midnight Animal Coffee sits in a tiny shopping center next to The Wise Ox (fair warning: while you wait for your drink, the smells from Wise Ox will tempt you into grabbing one of their sandwiches). Parking in the lot is tight, crammed, and chaotic, so I usually park on El Cajon Blvd and walk over. This time I lucked out and found street parking right in front. The shop has a simple, modern, black‑minimal aesthetic. They make their house‑made syrups, offer plenty of alternative milks, and have several drinks with Mexican influence, which I love. We originally tried to order a latte with their tres leches syrup, but they were out -- so we switched to the café de olla latte instead, and wow. It tasted just like the café de olla my family makes, but lighter and not overpowering. You still get the espresso while enjoying that warm cinnamon‑spice note. We also ordered a matcha latte. They offer two sugar‑free syrup options, so I went with sugar‑free vanilla, light amount, and it was great. Good size matcha for the price compared to other local shops. Overall, worth the stop -- great flavors, thoughtful menu, and a nice addition to the North Park coffee scene.

Super inventive drinks and a very cute cyber/motorbike aesthetic. I thought the service was…read moreexcellent and that the barista was very friendly. The latte I got was tres leches and it was really subtle and not too sweet.

Outstanding coffee! I had both a hot and iced latte and they were both incredible. The cafe is…read moresuper cute and has a ton of seating. It also has a beautiful outdoor patio. The baristas were really sweet and quick with their work. Great place and I'll be back for sure!

I had a nice cortado and lemon poppy seed muffin from this Dark Horse in Hillcrest on Park…read more The cortado was well made and offered a great coffee flavor. It was smooth to drink. Dark Horse has never let me down with their cortados. The lemon poppy seed muffin was good. I probably should have had them warmed it up a bit because it was a little dry. Other than that, it tasted very good. This Dark Horse location offers inside and outside seating. It is located right next door to the Trust Restaurant. The staff offered good hospitality and were nice. In addition to the baked goods, they offer bagel sandwiches.

this is the cutest little spot and the nicest people run this place! You have to try the New…read moreOrleans cold brew :D

My husband wanted to check out Inspired Coffee Roasters to pick up some espresso beans, so we made…read morethe trip out to North Park. Right when we walked in, the owner and his employee greeted us and were super friendly and welcoming. You could immediately tell this is a neighborhood spot. There were a few people hanging out talking coffee with the owner, and the whole place had a relaxed, community feel to it. My husband picked up some espresso beans and ordered a pistachio iced latte. I don't drink coffee, so I went with the pistachio matcha. It definitely hit the matcha spot and was a nice drink while we hung out for a bit. My husband was happy with both the latte and the beans he brought home. Overall, just really good vibes and genuinely friendly service. We enjoyed our visit and can see why people keep coming back.

Whenever we're in town, we always make it a point to stop by Mostra Coffee--it never disappoints…read more Their coffee is consistently amazing, and our go-to drinks, the Bibingka Crème Brûlée and Campfire Latte, are always a hit. Servers are nice and helpful. This location is especially beautiful--clean, well-kept, and thoughtfully designed. The patio is a great bonus, with a cozy vibe that makes it perfect for relaxing and enjoying your drink. Definitely a must-visit spot in San Diego!

I came here this morning because a Filipino pastry spot with a bibingka latte sounded too…read moreintriguing to pass up -- and they had a longanisa sandwich on top of that? Sold. So I made the trek over. Heads up: there's construction nearby, so parking was a struggle. Unfortunately, the visit ended up being a bit of a letdown. First off, they didn't have ice. I like my morning drinks iced, and I still ordered the bibingka latte, but it came without ice -- I ended up having to grab some from another restaurant since my work doesn't have a fridge. I was also excited for the longanisa sandwich, but they didn't have any hot sandwiches. What they did have was cheese rolls, a guava-filled ensaymada, and pandesal. The pastries were frozen, so he had to warm them up, which took a while. On the drink, I'd give it a 2.5/5. It was OK, but not something I'd order again. It was a balance of sweet and savory, with hints of rice flour and coconut milk -- but even ordering it less sweet, it still came out too sweet for me. The pastries were also just OK. My favorite of the bunch was the ensaymada. I really wanted to love this place given the concept, but between the missing ice, no hot sandwiches, and the frozen pastries, it didn't quite come together this visit.