In the heart of Third Avenue, the scent of fresh espresso and sizzling breakfast has become a daily reminder of something meaningful taking root. Family-owned cafes, Galu Cafe, Mujer Divina Coffee House, Dame Más Cafeína Coffee Bar and Grind House Cafe have brought new energy to downtown Chula Vista, offering more than just good food — they’ve created spaces built on passion, heritage and connection.
Opened within the last few years, the cafes were founded by locals who turned their culinary backgrounds and love for community into full-time ventures. Their businesses are personal, grounded in family and shaped by years spent in kitchens learning how to feed both body and soul.
Galu Café and Delicatessen
At Galu Café, Paulina and Alessio Marquez have built more than a neighborhood coffee house — they have created a reflection of their lives, values and roots in Chula Vista. The husband-and-wife team both come from culinary backgrounds, and after years working in food, they realized they shared the same dream: to build something of their own.
Drawing from their shared love of cooking, coffee and travel, they brought Galu to life as a space where all those passions could meet and be shared with the community they grew up in. The name Galu is a blend of their children’s names, Gael and Luna, a subtle nod to the family-first approach that grounds the business.
When people walk into Galu, Paulina hopes they feel a kind of homey energy — warm, welcoming, and just a little bit magical. It’s a feeling she said, which comes not just from the food, coffee or aesthetics, but from the intention behind it.
“We’re not just another coffee shop, we try to remember your names and we want people to feel at home,” she said. “And what I love is that people have accepted it as that and we have created a huge community.”
And that community is always at the center of Galu’s story. It was especially clear at their recent one-year anniversary celebration. The event was a major milestone for the cafe, one that Marquez said wouldn’t have been possible without the people who supported them from day one.
“It means everything to me, it means dedication, it means years of knowledge and pursuing this dream,” she said. “It’s just amazing seeing that everything we’ve done has been received in a good way by the community.”
She also emphasized the role of family behind the scenes, from her husband and children to her father-in-law, who is also a business partner. Marquez said the cafe is a truly family effort shaped by generations of beliefs, encouragement and care.
Two years ago, before Galu had even opened its doors, Paulina found herself selling coffee at a friend’s pastry pop-up using a small, DIY coffee setup. The opportunity helped her build a following for her business before it officially opened.
Now, she said, it’s important to pay that support forward. Galu frequently partners with other small business owners, hosting collaborations with chefs, bakers, musicians and florists to help spotlight their work.
“Collaborating is how we grow, and collaborations are the way we started Galu,” Marquez said. “Now, I want to do the same back. We try to always invite people and give them a space where people can appreciate others’ work.”
She also welcomes the growth of the coffee scene on Third Avenue noting that more diversity means more choice for the community. She sees the variety of cafes as a strength, not competition.
“I always say there’s space for everyone and that’s why I love it here,” she said.
“Every coffee shop has a unique thing to them, and I think that is what Chula Vista is.”
Mujer Divina Burrito and Coffee House
Just a few blocks away is Mujer Divina Coffee, which was born out of passion as well. Owner Priscilla Curiel grew up inside her family’s restaurant, Talavera Azul, where she developed a love for cooking and hospitality. Now with her husband, Fernando Covarrubias, she opened Mujer Divina as a tribute to her roots and to the woman who came before her.
As a young mom, Curiel began working at the restaurant in her late teens. While raising her daughter, Talavera Azul offered her a flexible and supportive environment where she could grow as a parent and pursue her passion for the culinary arts. Over the years, she held various front-of-house roles and became increasingly curious about the kitchen. While she later earned a formal culinary degree at the Art Institute of San Diego in 2010, she often refers to her time at the Talavera Azul as just as formative.
“At Talavera, I found comfort and the ability to raise a young daughter and have a flexible schedule so she could go to school, and I could care for her in the afternoons,” she said. “All of that helped me so much in my personal life and as a learning experience. It was practically a school of over 10 years where I learned what I should do and what I shouldn’t do.”
The vision for Mujer Divina began as a necessity when a business run by her husband and mother-in-law in National City closed during the pandemic. The empty space inspired her to try something new: selling burritos and coffee. That idea evolved into a full-fledged cafe, which now operates on Third Avenue. Mujer Divina has grown into a vibrant and meaningful addition to Chula Vista’s coffee scene.
The name of Mujer Divina is a nod to the iconic song of Mexico’s golden age, famously dedicated to María Félix, a symbol of strength, elegance and defiance. For Curiel, it’s deeply personal, growing up bold and unapologetically herself, she often found inspiration in Felix’s fearless character. She wanted her cafe to carry that same empowering spirit.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been very bold and I wanted to use that song as inspiration,” Curiel said. “To give women a voice, to push back on the idea that you’re prettier when you’re quiet. I’ve always said, ‘speak your mind with respect and with clarity.’”
Her cultural roots also reflect in the menu where each item, from the burritos to the specialty drink, carries the kind of thoughtful preparation and flavor that speaks to her heritage. Curiel said she hopes people recognize the effort and labor behind each dish.
Mujer Divina is more than a business for Curiel, it’s a lifestyle built around love for the kitchen and the joy of creating something personal for others. She still cooks every day and is present in the shop daily, keeping the passion at the heart of everything.
She also embraces the growing coffee culture in Chula Vista and encourages people to support locals.
“A lot of people drink coffee, and I think it’s better that people support the local cafes over the chains,” Curiel said. “It’s extremely important that the community has that kind of culture.”
As Galu Cafe and Mujer Divina Coffee House continue to grow, both have carved out a place in the neighborhood’s evolving cafe scene. Rooted in family and shaped by passion, they reflect on a broader movement of local entrepreneurship, reshaping Third Avenue — one coffee house at a time.
