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Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee company founded in 2013 that began its journey roasting and serving cold brew in a small San Diego neighborhood. The company has built its philosophy around the belief that coffee is fundamentally about relationships - from cultivating close connections with smallholder farmers worldwide to serving customers who enjoy their coffee each morning. The roastery takes pride in sourcing direct-trade coffees and maintaining strong relationships with farmers across the globe, emphasizing quality and ethical sourcing practices. What started as a small neighborhood operation has grown significantly, with Dark Horse now operating multiple locations across San Diego including Normal Heights (their original location that has moved to 3330 Adams Avenue), Hillcrest, South Park, Golden Hill, North Park, La Mesa, Chula Vista, and even expanded to Koloa on the south side of Kaua'i, Hawaii, as well as Truckee, California, and San Diego International Airport Terminal 1. Dark Horse Coffee Roasters specializes in artisanal coffee roasting with a focus on third-wave coffee culture. Their signature offerings include "The Champ" espresso drink and their popular Cold Brew on Nitro with homemade vanilla bean syrup. The company has also diversified its offerings by partnering with Mutual Friend Ice Cream at their South Park location, creating unique affogato experiences that blend their coffee expertise with artisanal ice cream. The Normal Heights location at 3330 Adams Avenue serves as their primary roasting facility and flagship café, operating daily from 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The company has demonstrated strong community engagement throughout San Diego's neighborhoods, with each location tailored to serve local communities while maintaining their core coffee quality and relationship-focused approach.
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Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
BEST FRIEND BLEND pairs Dark Horse favorites from Guatemala and Brazil. A friendly everyday roast built for cold brew, espresso, or drip from their San Diego shops.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
Varieties
Chocolate Brownie • S'mores • Dates
Rio Brilhante is Dark Horse's natural Brazil from Cerrado Mineiro — Yellow Bourbon, Mundo Novo, and Obatã. Chocolate brownie, s'mores, and dates in a cozy San Diego roast.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
Varieties
Chocolate Cake • Tangerine • Dulce De Leche
Black Condor is Dark Horse's washed Colombia from Tolima — Caturra and Castillo grown by Emmanuel Enciso. Chocolate cake, tangerine, and dulce de leche in the cup.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$22.99 · $1.92/oz
Butterscotch • Dark Chocolate • Red Apple
Dark Horse's Colombia decaf from El Vergel Estate, processed with Royal Select water. Butterscotch, dark chocolate, and red apple — full flavor without the caffeine.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$25.99 · $2.17/oz
Varieties
Sweet Candy Acidity • Melon • Floral
Welichi Wachu is Dark Horse's washed Ethiopia from Guji — heirloom lots from Yabitu Koba. Sweet candy acidity with melon and floral notes in a bright San Diego roast.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$21.99 · $1.83/oz
FRUIT PARTY is Dark Horse's blend of their favorite fruity coffees all partying together. A lively, fruit-forward cup from the San Diego roasting team — not a flavored coffee.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
Varieties
Salted Caramel • Dried Apricot • Juicy
Santa Elisa is Dark Horse's washed Guatemala from Acatenango — Catuai and Bourbon at 1500 meters. Salted caramel, dried apricot, and a juicy cup from their San Diego roastery.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
Meraki x Dark Horse NO PROBLEMO is a collaboration blend tuned for Meraki espresso machines. Dark Horse's house espresso profile, built to harmonize with Meraki's precision gear.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$21.99 · $1.83/oz
Meraki x Dark Horse ODD HARMONICS is a collaboration blend made for Meraki espresso machines. An oddly balanced Dark Horse roast partnered with Meraki's precision brewing gear.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$22.99 · $1.92/oz
Chocolate Brownie • Tangerine • Caramel
NightWave is Dark Horse's half-caff blend of Colombia and Mexico. Chocolate brownie, tangerine, and caramel — full flavor with half the caffeine for evening cups.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
NO PROBLEMO! is Dark Horse's shop espresso blend — Guatemala, Brazil, and Colombia. Built for espresso in their cafes, and just as solid for filter or cold brew.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$21.99 · $1.83/oz
Chocolate • Strawberry
ODD HARMONICS blends Guatemala and Ethiopia from Dark Horse Coffee Roasters. Chocolate notes balanced with a hint of strawberry sweetness — an oddly harmonious everyday cup.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$21.49 · $1.79/oz
Roaster's Choice is Dark Horse Coffee Roasters' rotating surprise bag from San Diego — the roasting team picks what's tasting best right now, from a specialty staple to a rare one-off.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters • San Diego, CA
$20.99 · $1.75/oz
Varieties
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds • Dulce De Leche • Smooth
This Is Our Dark Roast is Dark Horse's dark-roast Guatemala from Antigua's Los Volcanes co-op. Dark chocolate-covered almonds, dulce de leche, and a smooth cup.
2013