The Invigatorium

Great coffee and brunch items. Super quirky interior. Staff very polite. Perhaps not the world speediest service, but the friendly laid back service informs you it will be that way. Worth the little extra wait for sure. Highly recommend.

This is definitely not your average morning coffee place- love the eclectic and unique decor and branding on menus. Only tried coffee, but their food and plate-ware looks lovely. Also they have a bar. Has both indoor and outdoor seating, with red umbrellas to provide shade.

I love this place: fun decor, and really good food & drinks. Great place to sit & enjoy the weather. The things I’ve tried on the menu are delicious. I’ve gotten the soyrizo breakfast tacos, the hashbrowns (my favorite), & iced & hot lattes. If you’re getting a to-go iced latte, get extra espresso shots for a better ratio of coffee to milk.

Eclectic and upbeat coffee shop that seems like a place you could sit at for hours (and they also have drinks!) Good, funky vibes, awesome sound system, lots of art and attention grabbing detail that’s mentally stimulating. The food/latte were both very solid and there was attention to detail in service. Looking forward to returning!

Such a unique atmosphere ! Breakfast options , they do not have decaf as an option (keep in mind) , but the breakfast sandwich was good and there was vegan options.

I fell in love with this spot the moment I walked through the door. It’s got such a unique and eclectic vibe—think dinosaurs behind the coffee bar, mismatched vintage furniture, and a layout that feels more like a creative living room than a café. Every corner is full of personality, and it somehow all just works. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and effortlessly cool, with plenty of cozy seating options both indoors and out. Whether you’re there to catch up with a friend, get some work done, or just enjoy a quiet moment, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you. The staff was super friendly and on point, which just added to the great energy of the place. Since it was still early, I went with breakfast tacos and a Cortado—simple, classic, and done so well. The tacos were fresh and flavorful, and the Cortado was smooth, strong, and just what I needed to start my day. Definitely one of those places you instantly want to come back to.

Love the jungle vibe here with a mix of dinosaurs, dragons, and Ronald McDonald 😂 My friend got the hashbrowns and loved them. I got the avocado toast with salmon, it was pretty good. I think it could capers, lemon juice, and some type of pepper. It needed a bit more flavor. You order at the counter and they provide you a number on a metal stand to put on your table so someone can deliver it when it’s ready.

Not impressed. Their online menu includes items they don’t actually serve (the guy behind the counter said ‘I’m aware’ when that was pointed out’), my $10 sandwich was essentially an Egg McMuffin, we were given one set of cutlery and three napkins for four people, and there were no gluten free options. If you’re there for the vibe or drinks, that’s fine, but I’d go elsewhere for food and service.

Been here a few times. Not sure why I've never left a review before. There's plenty of paid street parking around here on a Tuesday morning. The service is great, and they patiently responded and answered all questions my family had. The ambiance is most definitely one of their top selling point, given their fun decor. The food is honestly what you would expect -- good. I don't think I've had anything bad here. Their breakfast sandwich is probably my favorite but hash brown is a pretty close second. I also love that you can add lions mane to your drinks too. What a great way to start the day!

I'm writing this review after my third visit here. First was at night where it does get pretty crowded but is a great place to hang with friends. The second was for breakfast where I ordered a latte and breakfast sandwich. Lastly I came here for happy hour on Friday (3-6pm) which was nice since it wasn't too crowded and was able to sit at the bar. Service was quick and friendly and I was pleasantly surprised at their happy hour menu. While everything is pretty decently priced, I liked how it had small versions of a dirty martini and espresso martini (basically a shooter in a shot glass). The espresso martini or Spro-Loko as it's called is delicious! I will also say that the Masala Negroni was pretty tasty as well and was happy that it was made with mezcal. This is always a great place to come for drinks at all different times of the day/night and is very instagrammable with their eclectic fun decorations.

Quirky and photogenic location to grab drinks and/or brunch. Things you should know: I. PARKING You're going to have to settle for paid street parking, my friends. II. SERVICE You order at the cash register and pay right then & there. They'll give you a number for your food/beverage. Or you can meander over to the bar & order. I like that they have a self-serve water station. Service is fast and the food comes out in a timely manner. III. QUALITY Excellent pairings of flavor. Try the hash browns! The texture is chefs kiss and the sauce pairings are fun! IV. CAPACITY Packed on the weekends. You're going to want to try to come on a weekday. Also, you'll notice some people get coffees and camp out ~ it's a friendly location for that, providing outlets for your laptop.

Walk in and you'll be transported to a dimension of weird art deco and mid century modern, mixed with bodega, mixed with who the hell knows but it somehow works. A hodgepodge of interesting antiquities. Now one might think, "Ok I'm in this strange place, but does the food stack up to the surroundings?" Well I'm here to say the food here is just as unique and appetizing as the space itself. Everything I ordered was a feast for the eyes and stomach. Even the hash browns, which are normally a very boring and ugly food, were unique and delicious (in log form might I add!). The chia seed pudding was ridiculously good and the texture of that mixed with the meringue cream on top kicked the sensory overload into the stratosphere. Dusted off with "the super basic" coffee, which is anything but basic, and you have an experience that is unique, unmatched, and unforgettable. What a way to start the day. This spot is a must visit for anyone in SD.

I love coming here!!! The ambiance is fantastic. It always feels great coming here and I love the art and decorations all around-- it's so unique!! The prosciutto sandwich on a baguette is so so yummy and I would go back weekly if I could just to get that sandwich. I love love love prosciutto, so it may not be for everyone. I also really liked their coffee and I believe that it's hard to find decent coffee in San Diego, personally. Their honey cinnamon latte is quite yummy. The cashier was so kind and sweet and the service is great!

Stumbled upon this place cause we were looking for food and walking around downtown. The decor lured us in and the food exceeded expectations! There were other people studying and eating and chatting.

Fun and quirky coffee spot. First time here and the guy behind the counter was awesome. Super friendly and patient. I love how they have random things in this coffee shop makes such a fun experience.

Absolutely love the eclectic atmosphere of this place. It's right downtown in the east Village, and very central, and has lots of natural light pouring in and 90s themed decor, making it a cute place to do some more or just enjoy a coffee. They have an expansive drink and food menu, today I chose to just have a drink, and tried " the super basic" coffee which was mocha, coconut, and oat milk. I tried it iced. Absolutely delicious, and the server, MJ, was so friendly and helpful recommending drinks and telling us about the city. It's worth noting that the bathroom was so beautifully done, with high-end fixtures and decor, and absolutely clean. I was impressed. They also have a full bar and boozy coffee drinks too. Yum.

4.5 for sure! Eclectic, modern, trendy decor with random weird features like a Ronald McDonald, a dragon, giant disco ball, a shelf of pickles and Koolaid, and zebra print furniture. The coffee is solid, lattes are well balanced and not too sweet. Food to order: - the hash browns: 10000/10. So frickin good. The same hashbrowns as Morning Glory but better because they're cut in big sticks so there is more crisp to soft potato ratio. Seasoned perfectly every damn time, topped with flaky salt and served with a duo of sauces. Get your own order. Refuse to share it. Guard it with your life. -poached eggs: my new must order here! Served with savory greek yogurt, herbs, pickled onions, chili oil, and toast. Really well balanced and flavorful. We dunked some of the hashbrown sticks into the eggs and YUM. Do it. Alright: -the muffuletta. The ingredients were good individually but the focaccia was massive and threw the ratio off.

Such a great coffee shop. Matcha and breakfast sandwich were 10/10. Vibes are amazing and there's so much to look at and take in. I sat at the bar and think that is great for solo patrons.

Very cute brunch spot. Under the same restaurant group of my favorite restaurants. Service was a little slow when I went but they were understaffed so I understand. Order and the bar and they bring to your table concept.

Trendy place with tasty and quality coffee. I ordered the honey-cinnamon iced latte. It's a must try! Smooth, creamy, and honey forward. They play music all throughout the day and it's a variety of genres (alternative hip hop, neo-soul). Definitely go check this place out for a nice vibe on a sunny day. Service was a little slower than I'm used to but that's because there was just one Barista working at the time. No big deal, I wasn't in a rush so it was fine. I'll be back again.

Good coffee/ cafe. Yet they offer more than coffee/lattes, breakfast tacos, breakfast sandwiches, alcoholic beverages, salads, etc. breakfast served all day. Very Clean, vibrant, unique inviting atmosphere. Modest prices and average portions. Indoor and outdoor dining available. We ordered a honey cinnamon latte, breakfast sandwich and a vanilla latte. Everything was good. Limited meter parking available.

Breakfast sandwich was amazing, 10/10. Definitely worth your money, be sure to add hashbrowns. Breakfast tacos were skippable and lacked flavor. It's a popular dish, but I don't understand why. Also got the peppermint mocha and it fell flat - didn't taste very pepperminty or mochay Ambiance was great - the decor is fun and quirky. Reasonably priced. Service was quick, employees are nice and personable, and there was a really good dog on the patio.

This is the dopest coffee shop I've ever been too! It's a gem with a really swanky, funky, cool vibe. Everything front the decor, to the music, to the food is on point. I came here two days in a row ordering two different items for vegan (since I am vegan) and plus a latte and both came out to be about $16 which is decent. I will definitely be paying this place a visit next time I'm in SD! 10 out 10! Highly recommend! Oh and it's less than 10 minutes from the apartment I was staying at on 7th & Broadway which is another huge convenience:)

This is an interesting place. The decor is kinda out there: jungles and dinosaurs and dragons and post it murals, but it all works. The food was delicious. They don't have a big menu and I was worried that I wouldn't find anything I liked, but the food was amazing. I ordered the poached eggs and wanted to lick the bowl/plate it came in. There really wasn't any *service*, exactly. You order from the counter and they bring you the food. But the guy at the counter was super nice. All in all? Would definitely recommend

I believe this is now called "Modern Times". It's located in downtown SD so patience with parking is a must. There's bar seating inside with a few mini seats and tables inside. There's also outdoor seating. I love the restroom, it includes a bidet which is very rare. The aesthetics is unique and the vibes is great. Customer service had an awesome attitude. We ordered the muffuletta melt, breakfast tacos and hash and to drink the moccanut latte and hot cocoa. They don't offer almond milk but they do have oat milk. I want to say my fave part of this visit was my coffee. I think the muffuletta would have been better without the spread and we didn't care for the breakfast taco. Don't ask for ketchup, they don't have it but it's on display on their walls.

Everything about this cool neighborhood spot speaks chill kindness and coziness! Will be back when in town again for sure! Delicious Strawberry toast and Mocha

Really cool spot, and one of the lesser known CH projects locations. Actually, this is where their office is located, and if you look at the windows behind the bar, you can see the office and all of the cool artwork inside. The other name for this place is modern times coffee, and Jay and Tony's discount meats and negroni warehouse. All interesting names, but essentially this is a coffee shop in the same space as a cocktail bar, and every time I've been here it's been pretty empty. Very industrial feeling, there's a Ronald McDonald sitting on a bench and he has got a grill on his teeth. The drinks are interesting, you can get alcohol added to them, they have one's mixed with sparkling water or lavender. There's Turkish coffee I believe. This is just a cool place, kind of an interesting spot to take a friend who's visiting you, or just a way to check off all of the CH locations from your bucket list.

Our favorite coffee spot in downtown San Diego! This is a hidden gem, from the art and decor to the food and service everything is wonderful! The breakfast taco is delicious, as well as the poached eggs and every food item we've ever tried here. Our favorite coffee item is the honey cinnamon latte we typically order it fed with oat milk and it's a 12/10! Marla & Fernando always provide amazing friendly service and we recommend this place to all of our friends and family!

Last time I was here was approximately 1 year ago, I went out with my coworkers again. I love the vibe here, during night time when it is a full bar! It is also a great place for date night. There are few food items that are appetizers, but the drinks are where it is at! I especially love the espresso martini. The bartender was super nice in explaining the menu since they make many of their own cocktails. Make sure to dress warm since it is an open front bar and can get cold at night!

Cool place! I highly recommend getting here during the day, because it is not busy and you get the whole place to yourself. Coffee and service was great. Food was ok. Great place to take pictures!

This place is beyond cool. The moment you walk in you have a bunch of stuff to be amazed by. A trash can in the shape of a rocket. A cart with a spinning donut. This place has it all. A jukebox. Old school cereals and other condiments. A bar. A restroom with cockroaches and strawberries as a wall paper. Plants everywhere. Dinosaurs. Ronald freakin McDonald in the center of it all. A dragon that doesn't want to hear it when it comes to breakfast tacos . A disco ball and post it art. Consortium holdings has outdone themselves. 10/10 for vibes. They serve modern times coffee here. I ordered the bees knees latte and yes it did have me on my knees begging for more. For food I had the breakfast burrito. I loved that crispy melted cheese at the bottom. The lime and salsa were a nice little touch. Can't wait to return. Sweet dreams are definitely made of these!! The service was also really good. I enjoyed that the employees were dancing and having a good time.

Always a fun space to stop in! Had a tasty cinnamon honey latte with oat milk. Not my first and won't be my last. Was there for a Monday morning coffee and it wasn't busy, no line and lots of seating. Waited a couple minutes for the one barista to finish up with a couple drinks, but no issue with that. I love the decor here! Lots to look at. Hang out with Consortium Holdings Ronald McDonald :) Prices are a little high, but comparable to many coffee shops in the area. Smallish menu but good coffee!

Full five stars for this place. Amazing food, fast and friendly service, and the drinks are delicious. The inside of this spot is so cute! Love all the little dinosaurs and decor they have, feels like you're in the move land lost in time. Best of all, it's SO affordable. 10/10 would recommend for a casual fun meal.

This place is like a scene out of a cool indie cult classic film in the 80's! Consortium Holdings is Just incredible with all their different locations having a different scene, feel, vibe and even taste! The drinks are extravagant and delicious, the food is delicious and beyond presentable! The level of Service and attentiveness amongst all locations owned by CH is unrivaled! They proudly serve modern Times coffee here and without a doubt an awesome place to get caffeinated and inebriated all at once! Try Their Negroni! Definitely the best in town!!

Really cool spot. It has really eclectic decor in each area plus Ronald McDonald! We visited on a Sunday late morning, the line wasn't too long. Seating on the sidewalk and inside. Cute mini booths and bar seating inside. The vibe is worth it all, food was really good. Ordered: nachos-delicious! Would get these again. Mocconut Latte- lite with just enough sweetness Definite spot to grab some coffee and a light breakfast with friends or significant other.

Arrived around 8am on a weekday and employee was setting everything up. She was the only one at the cash register, making drinks and serving breakfast. Big shout out to her for doing everything as the line grew. Her Spotify playlist was so great that she even shared it with me. Drinks and breakfast were delicious. Must order their hashbrown. I walked over from seaport village, not too bad. Decor speaks for itself and don't forget to take lots of pics while you're there!

Love this cafe in gaslamp! Great location to walk to if you're in the gaslamp area. We were able to enjoy the outdoors when the rain stopped. Love the decorations indoor, it's a great photo place for IG. Their coffee is amazing. I always get the the super basic Food was amazing. I loved the hashbrowns! They were shaped like French toast sticks and I was really surprised. The stallion cocktail was really good. Highly recommend. French toast was good, not too sweet if you don't add too much syrup.

Ordered a flat white, which was pretty good. The service was great but most of all the place is definitely a cool spot to chill out if you want to sit down and have a coffee or small plates.

The place is really unique and the decor stands out but there aren't many spots to sit down and eat. The coffee was great but the food could have been better. It's definitely a place to check out for the decor and ambience but maybe not something I'd try a second time

The ambiance - impeccable The coffee - fantastic The cocktails - on point The food - acceptable I came here for a morning brunch and coffee and I ended up ordering one of their menu coffees as well as their coffee cocktail because it just seemed like one of those kind of days. The decor was amazing and everything was really great about the space. I also ordered the breakfast burrito as the breakfast tacos were something that was supposed to be their special menu item. I was informed it was actually a burrito and not tacos and I was really excited to see how they put it together. It was not bad, but it definitely wasn't special, interesting or unique in any way, it was more something I would expect to get from a quick hot n ready grab and go kind of deal. Maybe their other menu items are better or maybe it is actually just centered around being coffee and a bar.

Attending SDCC can be a slog sometimes to find decent places to eat. But if you're willing to walk a bit out of the main Gaslamp area to 9th street, you should pop by The Invigatorium for some good coffee and grub. This eclectic establishment has a kitschy aesthetic, complete with a few dinosaur statues that adorn the cafe equipment and back counters. The traditional coffee drinks and more playful riffs on coffee creations are exquisite and the food is solid for both quality and quantity. My muffaletta was only $13 and was larger than a 6x8" card. Best thing on the menu: Nitro Cold Brew (it's Modern Times... what's not to love?) and the muffaletta sandwich Ambiance - Jurassic Park meets hipster coffee shop turned cocktail bar at night. It's playful, lively aesthetic is packed into a semi small space (no more than 10-15 tables in total with a small wrap around bar counter for extra seating

Stopped in for breakfast and was thinking it would be great after reading other reviews. The atmosphere is okay, not quite as unique as some others have posted. Had and egg sandwich and it was meh at best. Latte was not hot although flavor was good. There are definitely better breakfast options in the area.

Cool little place for coffee. We had Vanilla Lavender Lattes with an add shot. We got them warm due to the cool May Gray morning. I might recommend without the add shot next time as it was a little strong tasting and the vanilla and lavender were harder to taste. Definitely will give them another try soon.

The Invigatorium is a very unique place to stop by for drinks (coffee or alcohol) and a meal. I didn't know what I was walking into when I got there but that's part of the fun. I got the Eggs Benedict which was very no nonsense, straight to the point like this is an eggs benedict. I got the cold brew coffee and thought it was ok. However, my friend got one of the sandwiches and a latte and really enjoyed her meal so it all depends on what you order. You order at the counter, grab your silverware and a seat. It's a great place to hang out and people watch.

Wow. Loved this place. Both the food and the coffee was excellent. Would highly recommend. We got the French toast and egg sandwich..just a variety and it was all good. Parking is very difficult during a padres game do just be aware of that. And pricing super reasonable! Oh and fun interior.

Where to start? This place is a stunner, menu items are fresh and delicious, coffee is FANTASTIC. I ordered the most Bastia things ever ( "The Super Basic" coffee and avocado toast), and both were delicious! This spot is 1 of many projects by their company, and they sure do love to their reputation. There's a handful of indoor and outdoor seating, the decor is SO interesting, you'll have plenty to talk about during your coffee break. Parking might be a bit tight because it's downtown, and I would say the only downside is a totally unrelated company is doing hardcore construction pretty much next door so it can be a bit noisy. But that doesn't take away from their delicious menu items or the great vibe (lots of people come in to do remote work there). Definitely a must-try coffee/breakfast spot!

Not from the area, but every time we're in the city we decide to get coffee here. Baristas are always nice coffee is always on point. Decided to try some of their food before we hit the road and the food was delicious as well! great ambiance inside, music's great food and coffee amazing! will definitely be back.

To start, parking was horrible! Came during late morning, was a perfect day for a coffee apparently! Then again, when isn't it. After finally finding a spot, walking in, ordering, hanging out was no problem at all and quite enjoyable really. The vibe is super cool in a tacky sort of way. The staff were very friendly and helpful towards my friends and I. I ordered a an iced coffee and the All Day Breakfast Sando. I would say it takes like diner home cooking, nothing noteworthy, but still delicious. The everything bagel bun, egg, deli meat, and REAL CHEESE were of standard breakfast taste. The sando was light and airy, which was nice. I can't stand when restaurants use American cheese. So glad The Invigatorium doesn't. This place was cool for a chill hangout spot, but I don't think I would come back as there are so many other coffee joints to visit in the area.

Fun music and decor that defies categorization or description (check out the photos, or better yet just go experience for yourself), with good coffees and delicious breakfast options, really a perfect way to start the day. For the food and coffees: Plain drip coffee: good and strong Honey cinnamon lattes: tasty and beautiful Avo toast: pricy but fresh and yummy, great combination of flavors and textures Cinnamon-sugar toast with brûlées lemon: just get it, and don't forget to squeeze the lemon on the toast, it adds another dimension of deliciousness All day breakfast sando: perfectly satisfying Muffaletta: you really get your money's worth of meat

Very unique interior, friendly and nice service, coffee and foods everything was great, I would like to visit for drinks later for the bar. Their foods are very fresh and delicious, I feel bad to not remember my food name! Hope there's parking but it is what it is in downtown but love going this place!

What an eccentric vibe! I came here for breakfast and was delighted by the ambience of the place. Their coffee/tea menu was pretty intricate and interesting, I got a matcha/lavender latte with oat milk that was tasty and warming. The vegan breakfast sandwich was delicious! I also got the hash browns (not vegan - made with butter) that were hot and crispy, perfect side dish for the sandwich. Will definitely come back when I'm in the area.

A whole vibe! We stopped here by The Invigatorium for coffee and I was blown away by the cute interior - multiple dinosaurs, a huge golden disco ball, beautiful bar (they also serve drinks and food), lots of plants, neon signage, etc. There was a short line to order at the counter but it moved quickly. I was feeling a bit under the weather and ordered their Honey Lemon Ginger Latte (it had a name but I can't find it online), which was delicious and totally brought me back to life. My friends also loved the Iced Lavender Latte. Even the bathroom was cool here, with strawberries and cockroaches on the wallpaper and a surprisingly fancy toilet. Would happily return!

This spot is soo outta this world, the decorations are insane! You either love it or love it. I was able to enjoy a lovely Saturday morning not busy at all!! I shared a sandwich with my date as we had a whole day ahead of us to get stuffed I chose "The Chai Latte" & he chose "Lavender Vanilla Latte which hid drink was the best, and the sandwich the way the hash brown is done gives it a whole crispy texture but honestly I think what makes it the best sandwich is the Potato Onion Bun!

Definitely an Instagramable place with great throwback feel to the 90s, dinosaurs and dragons, and a cool vibe all around. My favorite part about the decor were the hoarding/pantry type items they have on their shelves which includes items from Wheaties cereal to Top Ramen and RC cola. Near the register, there was a bench with a metallic Ronald McDonald that was quite creepy but super cool nonetheless. The line can get quite long, it's order and pay at the register and then try your luck at seating. We were lucky to snag a few stools around the bar. Drinks and food didn't take too long to come out. I thought the drinks were just ok. For my brunch entree, I ordered the egg white frittata which needed a bit more salt or flavoring. I also took a bite of the prosciutto sandwich and they soaked the bread in butter such that my one sample bite left my palms a glistening mess that was difficult to get out. Overall, great place to check out, though food and drinks were someone forgettable.

Fun atmosphere, delicious prosciutto baguette, lovely Honey Cinnamon Latte, plenty of places to sit and enjoy!

I've had the best time at this cafe. I went here during my big conference and this cool eclectic place served me the best coffee and Cuban I've ever had. Filled with dinosaurs, weird stuff, and greenery vibes, I feel jealous that I never thought of this idea before. My favorite part about this is sitting next to Ronald McDonald while sipping my mocha. It was a cute date.

Ambiance: 5 Service: 2 Food: 2 Invigatorium is the breakfast/cafe of modern times. The interior is designed in a fun way with dragons and jungle themes. I ordered a flat white and the muffuletta. My husband got the breakfast sandwich, and we also ordered a side of sausage, & cinnamon toast. It cost $35 total. My flat white and mufaletta were fine. Focaccia was overbaked and dry with almost no seasonings on top and none of the oily goodness you expect. My husbands breakfast sandwich was supposedly served with a brioche bun but it felt like a week old onion bun. His sandwich looked like a gas station breakfast sandwich. Our sausage was also not good. Lacked flavor and tasted like frozen Pattie's from a grocery store. The cinnamon toast was similarly underwhelming. Just butter and cinnamon on seemingly day old toast. They need to find a new bread vendor. Service was also extremely slow, no one was wiping up any tables, and dishes left out from previous guests were sitting on tables even though there was a line inside. I would come back only for the latte & fun people watching.

My favorite place to get flavored coffee and exotic breakfast! Love the ambiance The cafe becomes a bar at night! Highly recommended their avocado toast!