MAKE Projects

2920 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92104, United States
+1 858-633-6852
$$$ Cafe , Breakfast restaurant , Brunch restaurant , Lunch restaurant , Restaurant
(76 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Discover MAKE Projects Café: A Culinary Gem in North Park

If you're on the hunt for a café that not only serves incredible food but also embodies a noble mission, MAKE Projects in San Diego's vibrant North Park neighborhood is the perfect destination. This nonprofit café is dedicated to supporting women refugees and immigrants, combining purpose with palate in a charming atmosphere.

Culinary Delights

The menu at MAKE Projects is a delightful fusion of flavors that showcases rich Afghan influences along with a variety of global dishes. Standout offerings include their Afghan chicken tacos — an unforgettable dish that customers rave about for its bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Pair them with their crispy sambusas, served with a delectable dipping sauce, to elevate your dining experience.

For brunch enthusiasts, the Somali Malawian and duck and sweet potato hash promise a savory adventure, sending your taste buds on a journey filled with hearty textures and aromatic spices. The menu also deftly highlights seasonal ingredients, ensuring each visit presents you with new and exciting options.

A Family-Friendly Atmosphere

MAKE Projects features a large, airy space filled with warm, inviting décor that creates a perfect backdrop for family gatherings or casual catch-ups with friends. Commenting on their experience, customer Navid Zamani captured the essence of MAKE Projects perfectly, praising not only the \"incredible food\" but also the \"amazing staff\" and the café's important mission.

With its spacious layout, it’s easy to settle in and enjoy a leisurely meal. The café’s refreshing vibe is further enhanced by friendly and attentive service, a sentiment echoed by Diana A, who particularly loved the mimosas infused with lemongrass and OJ — a delightful twist on a classic brunch drink.

More Than Just a Meal

Dining at MAKE Projects is about more than just satiating hunger; it’s about participating in a greater mission. With every dish you savor, you're contributing to community support and job creation. Customer Kristina Stahl beautifully articulated this sentiment, emphasizing the unique flavors that will leave you wishing you had ordered more. The café proves that supporting a cause can come hand-in-hand with enjoying some of the best food in town.

A Must-Visit!

Whether you're a local resident or visiting San Diego, MAKE Projects is a must-visit café that will tantalize your taste buds while warming your heart. The combination of heartfelt food, a welcoming atmosphere, and community support will undoubtedly have you returning again and again!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves organic dishes
Has private dining room
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
Accepts reservations
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
76 Reviews
Navid Zamani

14 Aug 2025

Incredible food, amazing staff, and an important mission. A delicious restaurant that is also a nonprofit supporting communities in need. The Afghan chicken tacos were insanely delicious. We were with a big group and ordered a variety of items off the menu. All of them were top quality and fresh. Lots of open space and very family friendly. Highly recommend. Will be coming back frequently

Clare Herrick

04 Aug 2025

Very sweet employees and great atmosphere! The afghan chicken tacos were packed with flavor and the texture of the tortilla was perfect. Sambusas were crispy and had a great sauce with them. The drinks were also fantastic. Super cool spot for lunch!

Kristina Stahl

11 Jun 2025

Absolutely delicious! I wasn't expecting the food to be this good - I came to support their mission & values - but the food & drinks had such yummy and unique flavors. Only complaint is we wish we ordered more!!! Not the cheapest place ever for breakfast but very comparable prices to every other place in North Park with the added benefit of your purchase supporting their mission of job creation & sustainable community-led agriculture! Will definitely be back next weekend!

Kyra Solis

09 Jun 2025

The food and service were wonderful, and the vibe/decor is just darling! I thought the prices were very fair, considering we each got an app, entree and coffee. We came for breakfast and their citrus-yogurt with seasonal fruit and granola was a perfect, lighter appetizer for two. Usually I am the person asking “who goes out for a yogurt bowl?” but this bowl was unique with all of the different flavors and just the right amount of different textures (creamy yogurt, crunchy granola, fruit). The sambusas were also heavenly! They are a must-get item and also work well as an appetizer. I also liked that they had many small plate options for sharing - a little taste of everything! For two people, I think 2 apps and 1 entree or 1 app and two entrees would be plenty.

Michael O

08 Jun 2025

The beet spread and shakshuka was delicious. Love the mission and the food/drinks were very good. Very spacious also.

Katie Wood

06 Jun 2025

Delicious brunch! We enjoyed the Somali Malawian which was absolutely delightful—cheesy, hearty, and spiced. We also had the duck and sweet potato hash that was topped with a super fresh salad. If you enjoy a savory dense bread, the Afghan sweet bread was a great end to our meal, as the citrus butter was to die for. Will definitely be going back!

Diana A

05 Jun 2025

This place never disappoints. The food is fresh, flavorful, and perfect portions. The chicken n blue corn waffles and Afghan Tacos were delicious! Mimosas with lemongrass and OJ is a great upgrade from the standard. Friendly and attentive staff. Highly recommend.

Pauline Steele

02 Jun 2025

Located in North Park, MAKE cafe offers a large and airy space with great food from various cuisines and the business supports women refugees and immigrants. We went here for brunch for the first time and we left stuffed and feeling good! Parking: Just like any other North Park establishment, expect to take time looking for street parking. Service/Ambiance: The place is huge and could accommodate larger groups. It has a rustic feel with high ceilings. You order at the cashier and they serve the food to your table. Our food came out very quickly. Food: Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to order a lot but many items on the menu looked inviting. We ended up order the MAKE Breakfast sandwich ($13) and added beef kofta sausage patty ($5). The flavor of patty was amazing and I really appreciated that the milk bread didn’t crumble/get soggy— big must for me. It was a well-made sandwich which I’d get again. Overall: I’d definitely come back to MAKE cafe to try out many other things on their menu!

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