The Mental Bar- Coffee, Tea & Wellness

No exaggeration, the best lattes I have ever had. I went here three days in a row and ordered the Lavender Latte, Brown Sugar Latte (hot and iced), Blueberry Lavender lemonade, English muffin sandwiches, and a breakfast burrito. Everything was absolutely superb! The food is delicious, lattes full of flavor and that lemonade- so tasty and refreshing! The staff is incredible and the vibes are chill, yet fun. Overall, just an amazing place and I am thrilled I found this gem!

Talk about Wholesome ! This is perfect place for your cafe needs with true connection to culture. Here are some must tries. The coffee cake 😍 I personally enjoy the sunbeam tea (with CBD) and the Mexican hot cocoa. Here are some photos of my multiple visits lol. So there is a two seated lounge swing near the window and this was enough for me to give 5 stars for atmosphere lol. But they also get extra credit for having an outdoor seating area. This is a perfect place to have meetings, do Homework or an event centered around art and good vibes💚

I had such a wonderful experience at The Mental Bar! The food was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The staff was friendly and attentive, making the visit even more enjoyable. I’ll definitely be back and highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for great coffee and a cozy place to relax. Thank you for such a lovely experience

So happy my daughter and I stopped by to support this amazing coffee & tea bar. Let’s start with the ambiance, this place offers a relaxing atmosphere, the quality of their drinks and food was outstanding. The decor was very aesthetically pleasing, and the most important part their Customer Service was unforgettable.

Very nice local coffee shop in the southern San Diego area. I did try this summer drink they had called peach frappe. I tend not to get coffee, so the coffee was omitted. However, it was a very nice, tasteable drink. The customer service was immaculate, and they really take their time to make sure they craft each drink to perfection. Nice family-run business. Very cost-effective.

The customer service was exceptional. The food was delicious and the ambiance was absolutely perfect. The concept of the store had us both relaxed and captivated all around. One thing that stood out to my husband and I, was the featured art by local artists which attests to their community presence. The Mental BAR is more than a coffee shop; it's a sanctuary! We can't wait for our next trip.

I've had coffee, tea's, breakfast and lunch, no disappointments. I do recommend ordering in advance for take outs. In my experiences, service has always been friendly, accommodating and they give great recommendations, the owners are kind as well. I've used take out and have dined in. While it is located on a main street it still feels like it's tucked away, both the interior and outdoor spaces are very pleasant.

Ugh! Coffee is sooo goood! I got the iced latte with whole milk and told them to add simple sugar as the sweetener and delicious! The lox bagel 🥯 so bomb too. Love the ambiance and the staff is so friendly. I'll definitely come back!

Excellent customer service. Cool vibe in the place, people working on laptops, reading book, solid music playing. Ordered a iced mocha, they offered whipped cream, I accepted. Sweet, smooth, soft mouth feel on the drink. The perfect pick you up drink. Charged an extra .40c for whipped. Ordered Turkey Melt in sourdough, it is what it is, buttered toast, turkey, melted provolone. Delicious. Love what they're doing with the place.

Offensive art work on the wall of their outdoor patio seating area and a female owner rudely refused tp resolve the issue. Go to Lemon Grove Cafe!

Shout out to The Mental Bar for sponsoring breakfast for the Black Entrepreneurs Leaders & Learners 5th Annual Business Summit today! I always want to show love to businesses that support other businesses. I enjoyed chicken breakfast wrap, bagel with cream cheese and tea. Look forward to visiting your brick and mortar soon! Thank you kindly!

I loved everything about this black owned business. The vibe when you first walk in is all about culture and pride, the staff is very nice and the owner was there when I visited. I had a chance to talk to her about her business and her dream. She was awesome! The drinks were amazing.. we didn't have any food this time around, but the next time I am back in San Diego, this will be one of my first stops! If you are a coffee lover, please stop by. You won't be disappointed.

Coffee dates with friends are priceless. However if you want to spend money on really good coffee go here! This spot is a community hub with information on community gardens, art made by local artists and tons of other cool stuff. I loved it! Not only do they have caffeine but the food here was great too. The gentlemen at the counter spent time explaining the different coffees to us and was patient with out indecisiveness. The food was eaten rather quickly and I forgot to take a photo. I'll definitely be returning.

We visited The Mental Bar for a late breakfast and early lunch on a Saturday morning. When you walk in it is automatically soothing to your soul. There are so many things to see and my main focus was the beautiful artwork and spa calming colors on the walls and throughout the place. We ordered drinks and grabbed pastries. I saw other patrons getting food but we had a large dinner planned so we did not get food on this trip. The menu options for a small coffee lounge are appropriate. Everything that was made was very good to us. They have a cool outdoor patio as well. It could be a great location for small events. The staff said that they have held events in the space. I live that they have cool merchandise on sale, coffees, etc. We will continue to come here, it's a great addition to the neighborhood.

More like 3.7! Cute little coffee/tea spot we stumbled upon before my friend dropped me off at the train station. She ordered coffee, we both ordered the breakfast sandwiches. The sandwiches were a no no. They didn't taste fresh at all. Seemed more microwaved. When I'm back in the city and if we're in the area I'd stop in again.

Visited from LA while celebrating my birthday. Very nice space. All of our drinks were really good and I appreciated all the autumn inspired drinks. The service was just ok. The cashier didn't speak and wasn't very warm. I did like that there was an outdoor area that was really cute!

Very exquisite coffee spot, also serves breakfast burritos, wraps, snacks, and other items. Cool relaxed atmosphere-! Nice find-! Gluten Free Pecan Pie Bar

DANG, why is this coffee so good?!? Got a caramel latte today. Words elude me: mind blown! Great customer service. Beautiful art on the walls, sweatshirts available for sale, modern decor, chill music. Will be back!

Such a community gem I love how inviting the space is, the chicken and waffles are my absolute favorite (っڡ) Everyone is super friendly and lovely to talk to. I have yet to attend an event, but knowing that they're fostering opportunities for people in Southeast to connect warms my heart. Thank you for all that you do!

i finally made it to the mental bar and i was very pleased! i got the lox bagel with a jalapeño cheese bagel and a watermelon lemonade! the bagel was very filling and tasty! the watermelon lemonade was the perfect combination of sweet and tangy! i loved the ambiance! they have beautiful art all around the cafe from local artists! it was so beautiful seeing black art and art that told a story! i look forward to visit this cafe again!

Have been here a couple times and had a good experience. Being new to the area I look for coffee shops to grab a healthy bite. Happy to find the mental bar. I ordered a matcha with almond milk very tasty. Also have had the breakfast bagel and avocado toast both great options to have. My husband got the breakfast burrito which he also enjoyed. Service was great, you are greeted with a smile and they are happy to tell you the story behind the quotes on the wall. Being a rap fan I love that! Parking is a bit tough since it's street parking. Seating area inside and outside. The have merch for sale abs other local items on display. Will be back to try out lunch items. If you're in the area this is worth a try.

Decided to go to The Mental Bar for some coffee this morning and my favorite barista was working(next time I will get his name). Got our coffee and my partner decided to get some ground coffee for home. The cafe wasn't too busy and the environment was nice, friendly, and, quiet. I look forward to returning.

We found this little spot close to our Airbnb, what a lovely shop! I ordered the Americano and my son got the hot Mexican mocha. Great service, great atmosphere, great coffee!

I think EVERYONE should pay a visit to this gem! Just move to La Mesa from Otay Mesa a few weeks ago and after trying Scrimshaw last week I decided to look up other local coffee shops around me. The Mental bar popped up and wasn't too far- about 10 mins away- so I decided to come check them out before I started my day and, ooooooh LET ME TELL YOU, I am sooooo happy I did. Everyone there was so welcoming. Since it was my first time there, this lovely woman, who I now believe is the owner or one of the owners after visiting their IG, gave me a tour of the menu and told me to take my time deciding, she helped answer my question about one of the items on the seasonal menu - even though the description was literally printed underneath it and I just didn't realize it until after she finished explaining ‍ I felt like such an airhead and obviously needed to get some caffeine in me and wake up! we shared a laughed about it (sorry again) The other barista came in to finish helping me, I think to allow the other woman to help with preparing the other orders that came before me. She was also very helpful and kind, giving suggestions when I would pause, she probably saw my indecisiveness starting to take over lol When she called me up for my coffee, knowing it was my first time, wanted me to let her know what I thought about the coffee I ordered. I just thought was really nice knowing that they cared what newbies like myself think. I ordered Coconut paradise in case you're wondering, and it was delicious for all my fellow coffee and coconut lovers lol I also happened to come in on a morning they had a live cellist performing. Talk about luck! She was sweet and played so beautifully, Claire Roberts - go check her out if you enjoy the sound if a cello! I stayed for a few songs, even after receiving my BLT which the chef WALKED my order out to me with a warm smile, when they could've just called me to the counter and I wouldn't have minded at all lol. And I called him a chef because that BLT was so damn good, he ain't just cook - that sandwich was made with love in every ingredient ! lol If you don't get what I meant, then you just don't get it lol it absolutely makes a difference. I loved everything about my first visit to The Mental Bar, not just the coffee and sandwich I had, EVERYTHING. The people that work there, the people that came in, witnessing the interactions they had with everyone, the interactions that we shared. I'm so bummed I didn't ask for everyone's name because I would've liked to thank them each BY NAME in this review. Just know, I will be coming back and am excited to try more of your delicious variety of drinks and food and to enjoy all of your company!

Love, love, love this place. Anything that I've tried here has been amazing. They have an amazing team, great food & drinks, & good vibes. They also have the best dirty chai that I've ever had. A must try!!!

What a lovely black owned coffee shop to find on Juneteenth! Parking in the area is a little tough but this place is definitely worth it. The staff is very kind and they gave us a great rundown of the menu. I highly recommend branching out and getting a coffee from their wellness drink menu. I got the ginger pop latte and my roommate got the Cali latte (both iced) and both were fantastic. For food we got a BLT, spicy wings (which were incredible) blueberry muffin, chocolate chip coffee cake and a gluten free lemon bar. We loved every single thing but especially the wings and baked goods. The cafe relatively small but there's additional seating on a back patio and in the front. Their playlist inside is fire and it seems like a good place to work remotely as well. If you're anywhere near the area, definitely check it out!

We attended an event here last night and kept smelling the food so we had to order. Those chicken wings were so dang good! I also got the lavender blueberry mimosa and that was delicious also. The service was fantastic and the place is beautiful.

This is legit a hidden gem in SouthEast SD. Even though it's street parking only with limited spaces, I never have an issue finding a spot. The inside is so cozy and doesn't look or feel like you're in Encanto anymore. There's always a couple people in there on their laptops working or studying. I usually get the breakfast sandwiches (either English muffin and on croissant), and it legit tasted like how the OG Tiger Muffins did at Morse from back in the day (Class of '06 babyyy). Try the Coconut Paradise with oat milk. Trust.

Tasting and healthy drink options , I loved the Cali latte and that they have a "wellness menu" that has specific benefits without compromising taste! The drink and quality alone had me sold but that wasn't all, the owner and co-owners were super welcoming and knowledgeable and made an effort to introduce themselves and break down their menu . You can tell the team put real effort, time, passion to their menu and business. Love to see it !

Delicious place. Coffee is smooth with no bite to it (coffee folks know what it is). I ordered the BLT and the Brown Sugar Iced Latte. Both were fabulous and I would order again. Lots of options here that are non-traditional from a coffee house perspective. Milk and powder alternatives to add to your drinks. Staff is super friendly and the shop itself is very cute. Parking can be challenging. I went off peak hours and found a spot right up front. I'll be going here more often.

Damn near cried when I heard my hood finally got a coffee shop & it's black owned?! AND it's so good!! I'm a coffee connoisseur and my iced vanilla latte was perfect! Staff were friendly, very clean inside and loved the quotes on the walls. So many food and drink options, something for everyone! They have indoor or outdoor seating, as well as a gated patio area! Also love that they host a variety of events to help build community, which is very much needed these days! They also have a canned cold brew that is sold at imperial market down the street! Their insta is @thementalbar to stay updated, I'm just so glad this gem exists & can't wait to see what they have in store as they continue to thrive & grow!

5 stars hands down! I've been wanting to check out them out for a while so I went in this morning about 10am and was able to find parking in front of the building. I didn't see a parking lot for them but there was plenty of street parking. As soon as you walk in you feel a sense of calmness and fun vibe. I love all the song lyrics on the walls referencing coffee! Very very fun! EVERY, SINGLE, STAFF MEMBER was beyond kind and friendly! Not once did they make you feel you're a bother to them. They are warm and inviting. I love love love all the neighborhood names they used for their different ground coffee. If you grew up in the southeast you will be able to relate. Their muffin and cookies will make your tastebuds do a little dance and their drinks will make you forget about all your problems - just keep sipping. There was a few tables and chairs inside but I needed a quiet space and avoided the music by seating outside where it was clean, calm and the morning air was crisp fresh. Shoutout to Bianca for being so kind to my son in I and helping answer our questions. Can't wait to see more locations open up!

Our first time at "The Mental Bar" as it's on the way to my sons practice at the "YMCA" so we finally made a stop in this morning for coffee before my sons 9am game. I loooove that they took a phone order, it was ready when we got there. Ambience is insta worthy and the coffees were delicious. We got 2 salted caramel iced coffees and one hot vanilla/caramel latte. Also "Black Owned" which I love!

This place is fantastic! So many wonderful coffee and tea options that it makes it hard to choose just one. They offer milk alternatives as well. You can tell a lot of attention to detail was put into the drink and food menu. We ordered breakfast burritos that were the perfect size and delicious. They offer turkey sausage and turkey bacon for those who don't eat red meat. The space is welcoming, has beautiful art on the walls and from the ceiling. Definitely a space where you could have good company or even sit and work for hours. The staff were so friendly and helped introduce us to the menu. Love this place! You should go!

Drinks are always so good! Absolutely love coming here during my breaks at work. Haven't tried parties but will soon!

We had a great experience at this coffee shop. It was in our radar to try it even though is a little out of our way. Service was amazing. We got to try some wellness drinks as well as their amazing coffee. Their sandwiches were yummy too. Ambiance was okay as their location is not super great but I liked that they are in a neighborhood location. Music! Was missing for me as I think music adds to a lovely ambiance and I am referring to outdoor music as they have outdoor sitting. Their menu items have reasonable prices. Love this one! Will definitely go again. If you are in the neighborhood, try this place. They yummy menu will not disappoint you. Happy breakfast!

I love this place! Their wellness drinks are spectacular! Service was great, I'm so grateful for the personalized recommendation Hallie! I can't suggest this place enough. It's fantastic.

I didn't get any food yet, but my Carmel Latte is soooo good! The ladies at the counter were so kind in giving me a tour of the menu. The ambiance definitely gives a little hip hop with coffee shop vibes and the music in the background is everything soulful! Oh don't forget the pieces of art and culture on the walls! Coffee 5 out of 5 Service 5 out of 5 Ambiance 5 out of 5 I highly recommend The Mental Bar!

Atmosphere. Amazing. People. Glowing. Food. Bussin'. All are welcome & all are fed well.

Great neighborhood coffee shop on Imperial Ave. This shop looks to be more than just a coffee shop but also a cultural center, they sell art work and hold events right outside. The young lady working was really pleasant and had a good grasp of the menu so was able to make recommendations based on my questions. The drink was great and not overly sweet.

So I'm bringing a group of high school students down to Encanto to look around the area. There is a developing Black Arts District that we need to survey because we are working on a project in City Heights. Saw this along the walk and had to try. This is a great space! Calming inside! Very relaxing vibe! I did tell them to expect a group of students in the coming week. I ordered one of their signature coffees, the Brown Sugar latte....Oh man....sooooooo good! I would definitely order this again! They also have a great little patio! I would've photographed that latte but it was gone!

Great coffee and a nice vibe. I like to stop by when I can, it's convenient and good quality.

A unique coffee experience is hard to find on this side of San Diego. I was coming from a church and I think I typed in "coffee" in my Yelp search bar for this area, and came up with almost nothing. Same with Google. It was like, you'd have to drive some miles before you reached a coffee shop. So when I read the reviews for the Mental Bar, I was immediately excited to know it was close by. I only saw street parking available, and there is not that much of it. You pretty much share the parking with residents of the building next to the coffee bar. Once inside The Mental Bar, you are greeted by hip hop, sports, and movie star quotations on the wall, colorful merchandise, and a small front counter area, and some tables and chairs. They serve beverages and food. Two ladies were playing cards at one of the tables and waiting on their salad and sandwich (food smelled so good). As I waited for my to-go order, I picked up a flyer for their Open Mic night which seemed to be happening that weekend. Drinks took awhile to come out, but overall they were satisfying and refreshing (especially considering, no other coffee was nearby?). Other than the hard-to-find parking situation and the time it took for the drink order, I'd say The Mental Bar has solid coffee and a chill atmosphere, worth checking out!

Coolest atmosphere and music. Delicious food and coffee. Very friendly and hospitable. Love it!

1st timer at the mental bar and they do not play with their coffee bar! I ordered an iced coconut paradise and an iced dynamic latte with oat milk from the TMB Wellness menu. Both drinks were tasty and refreshing. I came on a Wednesday afternoon for a pick me up. The barista was very nice, explained the menu for me, and even gave me personalized recommendations. The cafe is spacious with indoor seating and outdoor patio seating. For my students and WFH girlies, you can find indoor outlets to charge your devices. Shout out to the owners of project reo for opening up this cute coffee shop in encanto and keeping the culture alive with community events like open mic night. Please come by and support this black owned small business!! FYI there's limited street parking so I recommend walking if you live on imperial ave or parking in front of another business down the street.

This coffee shop is a hidden gem! The menu has a variety of choices, whether you are a classic coffee kind of person or like something a little more fancy this place is for you. Great for studying or if you're looking for a quick bite. I am slowly becoming a regular!

If you are not getting your coffee and latte here, you should! Ambiance, vibes and hospitality are great. The food is served hot and is delicious. The drinks are tasty and a cool spot to hang out as you plan your day. Head on over to the mental bar for some chill time.

We tried the brown sugar lattes, strawberry lemonade, and vanilla frappe, and we were so happy with our drinks and the service. We live nearby and hadn't checked out this coffee shop until now, and we enjoyed the quality drinks and beautiful coffee shop. It's such a nice and refreshing addition to the community. As a coffee lover, I'll be stopping by more often.

I found this place searching for a new breakfast/coffee spot near our neighborhood. We ordered by phone to pickup. They were super nice and patient. Parking is a bit limited but found street parking near the shop. We got the bagel & cream cheese, sausage muffin and coconut paradise iced latte. It was not busy at all and they were super welcoming. They have plenty of space to hang out or study. Our food was still warm and the coffee was super tasty. A good balance of coffee and sweetness. Love that they help with the community!

Great new coffee and wellness bar in Encanto. I was glad to see it open up here because they are really needed such as place. I stopped in for a cortado and some breakfast, but unfortunately they did not have any eggs at the time I ordered my cortado, so I just kept to the beverage. The eggs did eventually show up, but I was already through with my Cortado. Speaking of the cortado, it was very well made. They barista prepped it perfectly and served it on the appropriate cortado glass. The cortado was smooth and rich in flavor. It certainly hit the spot. Well done! The coffee shop offers quite the melee of espresso based beverages and a pretty good menu of eats. They offer comfortable inside and outside seating. They offer Cafe Virtuoso coffee products. Service was super friendly and offered good conversation. Good prices.

Food was good service great cool laid back place with good vibes. This is us come support our local coffee shop The mental Bar! Come clear your mind!

Okay. This places actually makes me Happy. Yummy, welcoming without weirdness. Add in wholly calm and mellow vibes, genuinely good coffee (coffee snob here) and stellar personal service. Plus art and merch! What more do you want? Good food too? You got it. And not pricey!!! Right in Southeast San Diego, on Imperial just outside Encanto. I am so in.

Great food and drinks and always great vibes! I love yall but PLEASE GET ANOTHER TOASTER OVEN

I love coffee so much and a little breakfast! I always have a hard time lookign for a good coffee with something to little to eat on the side that wouldnt be so greasy or heavy! My go to coffee would always be ICED! And they serve the best iced coffees ever! Not too sweet!! Its an actually Iced coffee. Not iced milk or creamer coffee is strong and good Pastries are good! Took my whole family twice everytime they come over to San Diego and they love it! They initiated the 3rd time! Im a vendor at this place every 3rd sunday of the month but i stopped going due to health reasons But i still go for a coffee and breakfast Everyone who's hired here is not just hired for a job. They love their jobs!! Owners are super friendly, you see them all the time! The passion on this business is just PRICELESS!! Ambiance is great!! And with friendly faces makes it even more better! Everything about this coffee shop is just Heartwarming Definitely recommended

First, let me say, the decor is very aesthetic and beautiful, you just get a sense of calm as soon as you walk in. Moving onto the owners, they radiate so much positive energy. You can tell they love what they do. You feel such a sense of welcome. And don't let me get started on the coffee, they are so flavorful and unique from the every day flavors that you get in a normal coffee shop. This coffee shop is AMAZING and I'm so happy i found it. This is a black owned business, which makes it all that more special. They even have tables where you can get some work done and parking is plentiful on the street. I will most definitely be back.

Went there looking for a place to hang out waiting for my son to call for a ride from work. Their menu and the name drew me there. They have avocado blended coffee drinks which I wasn't in the mood to try, but sounds interesting. The lady who helped me (may have been the owner) gave me the "tour" of the menu. The ambience was awesome. It's pretty small inside but I sat in a hammock type seat while waiting for my order and enjoyed the music and the decorative leaves all hanging from the ceiling. There were only about two parking spots in front, but I got lucky. I just wish it were closer to where I live and that they can expand for more people to enjoy.

The Mental Bar is always vibe! Service is great! Food and beverage options are in abundance, and it's always good to see the owners in and interactive with their customers. Best coffee spot in the city!