Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Mental Bar

    4.8 (155 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order The Mental Bar Takeout or Delivery

    The Mental Bar Photos

    Business Info

    THE MENTAL BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - The Mental Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Front of shop and street parking
    Debbie W.

    The Green Tea Matcha Frappe was so delicious; it was creamy and the perfect amount of matcha. I also got the coffee cake which is enough to share or even just indulge by yourself - I recommend getting it heated! We came back the next day and I got the Dirty Chai (hot) - perfect balance of Chai and espresso!!!! Everyone working here is so friendly and inviting. The vibes are also so cute. I absolutely love the music and art. It was such a great find for our girl's trip!!! We were able to easily find street parking in front both times.

    Ceiling decor
    Joanna M.

    We came to SD to celebrate my best friend's birthday, and after a night out and some good sleep, I needed my morning fix. Found this spot on the app, of course. The pictures on Yelp don't do it justice, because this place is super cute and the decor is very unique! They have multiple quotes that I really like and I can relate to, about coffee. The staff were super friendly and polite. The coffee was very good and not super sweet. Overall, another satisfied customer that will return if I have the opportunity.

    Vanilla Latte
    Ci C.

    Service is always amazing. They went above and beyond as I asked questions about menu items as it relates to food allergies. The music is perfect, we were greeted warmly. Coffee was delicious (goes without saying). Ordered a grilled cheese and my kid loved it! I always say that food tastes better when it is make with intention and good energy. Even a "basic" grilled cheese was DELICIOUS here.

    Brown Sugar Latte
    Stephanie R.

    Love the concept of this coffee shop, the coffee is pretty solid too. There is seating inside and a small patio as well, it's never super crowded or loud which is so nice. I really enjoyed their brown sugar iced latte, and the cheese danish. I also tried the cali latte which has avocado powder that adds a nice almost nutty flavor to the coffee. Service here is super friendly and welcoming, Highly recommend stopping by and enjoying a little treat for yourself.

    Lavender matcha latte
    Olivia B.

    This place was great! Had some work to do on my laptop and found this place nearby. Ordered a lavender matcha latte and it was delicious. Came with a little cookie too! Love that. Service was great, they delivered my drink right to my table. Good place to work/study, good vibes, good music, and cute interior!

    Breakfast Burrito
    Jane L.

    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!

    Turkey Melt on sourdough
    Josh C.

    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.

    A lovely coconut paradise
    Maricela R.

    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.

    Chai hot
    Chanaa M.

    I love this beautiful hidden gem here in encanto/near spring valley! It's sooo goood! I have tried their croissant breakfast sandwich which is amazing! Also their bagel sandwich is delicious if you're a fan of chai, you must try their chai drink hot! It's honestly the best chai I have ever had ! If you want a food item make sure you go early cause I have gone twice 30 min before closing time and they stop making food (totally understandable)! This cafe is always clean and has cute art from local artists ‍ Another plus the owners are so nice and friendly! I will definitely be coming back again and again!

    Walls
    Maria B.

    I have been meaning to come here for a while. It's somewhat near me, but not on my route. However I wanted to try it and, I was treating some staff to coffee. I walked in an Janet Jackson was playing so immediately I was hooked. But I put the order in for pick up, it said 15 minutes for pick up so I got there a little sooner an I was immediately greeted and told my order would be ready soon. I took a look around in the meantime. The walls had lyrics by wu tang, which hey also sell coffee with the same vibe. They offer breakfast, teas, mimosas and cbd drinks. I meant to grab one of their canned coffee to try but forgot. They also offer energy boosters and I asked if it changes the flavor or drinks and was told no. Well we ordered a variety from Blueberry Vanilla Lemonade, Matcha, lattes and a black coffee! Everyone loved their drink and kept asking where it was from to check it out. I don't buy coffee daily, but it is a bi-weekly treat and this will be my new regular spot.

    Deanne L.

    Was in the area one morning and stopped by here for some coffee and small breakfast. Street parking only. Love the vibe of the cafe. Beautiful artwork by local artists. Asked the employee at the register what's recommended and she answered in detail. She said the wellness drinks are most popular, but we opted for the lavender chai, one dirty (espresso) and one without. My Dirty Lavender Chai tasted great and gave me the pick-me-up I was looking for. Was a tad bit too sweet and I recommend using a straw because the lavender bits get in your mouth. Besides that, it was fine. Surprisingly impressed by their English Muffin breakfast sandwich with the sausage. The cheese was so melty and the English muffin was soft. We were in there for about 30 min for take out order which felt slow at first but after trying our goodies I feel like they put love into it. Pretty popular shop especially on a weekend!

    The artistic ceiling that continues the motif of the decor.

    See all

    21 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of BEN K.
    555
    136
    212

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Debbie W.
    19
    67
    58

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kevin A.
    151
    34
    53

    19 days ago

    I always receive great service, exceptional coffee, and a warm atmosphere when I come here. Much more relaxed & welcoming than other cafes.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    It was my first time trying this spot. I enjoyed the breakfast sandwich and latte. Great service and ambiance .

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of LaWana R.
    235
    17
    33

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Its M.
    3
    204
    320

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kat H.

    Kat H.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel W.
    68
    73
    109

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Na M.
    12
    18
    12

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kat H.

    Kat H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rebekah D.
    617
    25
    21

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tommy W.

    Tommy W.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kat H.

    Kat H.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kat H.

    Kat H.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Mental Bar

    Elevated Coffee & Confections

    Elevated Coffee & Confections

    4.9
    (227 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    AHHHHHHH!!!!!! What…read morea find! To start, the service - 5/5. They were warm, welcoming & had such wonderful recommendations. I loved that they accommodated dietary restrictions, while also having options for all The food - the s'mores banana bread pudding might be one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten in my life - no joke! It was warm, ooey gooey, rich, sweet, everything you want! The breakfast burrito was full of flavor & my husband who is not vegan, loved every single bite! The coffee was absolutely delicious! The overall space is so inviting & relaxing. I could've spent the whole morning reading or working in there.

    First time discovering this small bakery tucked away in a spacious plaza of Lemon Grove. The inside…read moreis able to seat around 14 people from the looks of it and there is additional shaded seating outside. Staff that I met was extremely friendly (Grayson, Jules, and Dom), as well as the owner of the bakery Tanya. This bakery has been operating for about three years and there was a good crowd on a Monday afternoon. All the pastries are vegan and I tried the vanilla concha (pro tip get it warmed up) with their house made maple butter and the carrot cake. Both were amazing, I've never had a vegan concha and don't think I'll be going back to regular ones! They also have breakfast sandwiches that many people ordered that looks like it's on a thick piece of focaccia. The reviews speak for itself! Great pastries and coffee, friendly staff, and clean store what more could you want?! I'm glad I made this discovery and can't wait to come back, highly recommend you check out this place!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    VEGAN Spinach Puffs
    VEGAN Spinach Puffs
    Honey Oat Latte

    See all

    Honey Oat Latte
    Lemon Grove Coffee

    Lemon Grove Coffee

    4.4
    (118 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Parking 5/5 -Good amount of free parking spots in front of…read morethe coffee shop. Service 5/5 -Friendly staff and efficient service Drink 5/5 -Medium iced americano, good quality espresso. For $3.25, it's cheaper than Starbucks and I will support a local business like this one any day over big chain coffee shops :-) Ambiance 5/5 -Air conditioned, cool interior design with a lot of seating options. I also like that they have a lot of local events posted, good space for working or studying and community-centered.

    The café offers a great variety of specialty drinks, including fun seasonal options like the Funnel…read moreCake Latte, Kettlecorn Chai, and Brown Sugar & Cinnamon latte, in addition to the usual coffee, tea, and smoothie selections. The space itself is also a plus--it's bright, airy, spacious, and has plenty of seating. Unfortunately, the overall experience was overshadowed by cleanliness and service issues. Many tables were left covered in crumbs and empty cups, yet employees made no effort to bus or wipe them down. We watched one employee throw away a leftover drink from a table, push the trash can back against the wall, and then return behind the counter to attend to a customer's drink order and then use her phone without washing her hands first. That was concerning from a sanitation standpoint. We ordered the Lavender Bliss Iced Latte with oat milk, which costs an additional $1.00. The drink arrived with barely any milk, so I had to return to ask for a splash more. If customers are paying extra for a milk alternative, the drink should be prepared properly the first time. We also had the Honeycomb Latte, and the latte art was severely lacking. While latte art isn't the most important part of a drink, it's often a reflection of the care and craftsmanship that goes into its preparation. A little more attention to presentation would elevate the overall experience The restroom was also in poor condition. There were visible stains on the toilet seat, toilet paper scattered across the floor, a full trash can, and an unpleasant odor. Regular restroom checks would go a long way toward improving the customer experience. What made the experience especially frustrating was seeing employees on their phones during slower periods instead of taking the opportunity to clean tables, tidy the café, or check the restroom. Those small tasks make a big difference in creating a welcoming environment. When service and basic care are lacking, it also makes it hard to feel comfortable leaving a tip. We did tip, but afterward regretted it. The drink menu and atmosphere have a lot of potential, but the lack of cleanliness and attention to detail made it difficult to enjoy our visit. I hope management addresses these issues, as this café could be a much better experience with stronger housekeeping and customer service.

    Photos
    10 oz. Iced coffee
    10 oz. Iced coffee
    Lemon Grove Coffee
    Lemon Grove Coffee

    See all

    Scrimshaw Coffee

    Scrimshaw Coffee

    4.5
    (393 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Went on a Friday afternoon to get some work done, and many other people had the same idea. WiFi was…read morefast and there are a decent amount of tables, people were hanging about for a while. I got the seasonal Mont Blanc and it was truly delicious, comes in a glass with a cocktail ice cube.

    Had a group meeting in the area, I saw a coffee shop across and figured trying to get some work…read moredone. Here was my experience AMBIANCE Parking: Street parking and neighborhood parking. It can get pretty busy so come early to prep. Seating: Chill plenty of seating both inside and outside. Good for small groups with room for about 30 people. Vibes: Welcome to Normal Heights nothing too flashy, just plenty of local eateries and businesses. The spot itself is relatively clean, modern, pretentious. I dig the 90s house music in the background. This seems to be a trusted neighborly coffee shop with students are working, friends are catching up, and regulars seem to know the staff by name. It helps there's a pizza shop next door as well. FOOD / DRINKS Cherie Amour (Recommend) Delish. A latte with housemade cherry and almond syrup, and if you get it iced, it comes topped with a little cold foam. I dig the sweetness and the fruitiness of the cherry, it balanced out the bitterness of the coffee which was pretty cool. CUSTOMER SERVICE Friendly and welcoming. Sara helped contribute to the neighborhood feel of the place and made the experience easy and enjoyable. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. Good coffee, reasonable prices, and a pleasant atmosphere. I know there are plenty of coffeeshops in SD but this is a cool neighborly one. It doesnt seem like a trendy place but a place more in community and steady service. Till next time, Scrimshaw! TIPS * Try the seasonal drinks--they get creative.

    Photos
    Latte by the Window
    Latte by the Window
    Hot Chocolate by the Window
    Hot Chocolate by the Window
    Latte with a View

    See all

    Latte with a View
    Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

    Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

    4.2
    (176 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $

    The baristas here are hands down the best! Everyone is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and…read moreefficient, making every visit a great experience. This place is definitely a hidden gem. It's tucked inside the apartment community near the mailboxes, so drive or walk slowly or you might miss it. The prices are hard to beat, especially in today's economy. I always order the vanilla latte made with half-and-half and their house-made vanilla syrup, and it's consistently perfect. My order is always accurate, and the coffee is smooth, flavorful, and never disappoints. There is limited indoor seating, but plenty of outdoor seating if you want to relax and enjoy your drink. Between the outstanding customer service, delicious coffee, and unbeatable prices, this spot has earned a loyal customer. If you haven't been yet, do yourself a favor and check it out you won't be disappointed!

    Today was my last time visiting this location. Unfortunately, the staff seem to lack basic customer…read moreservice and common courtesy. The cashier (the man with the mustache) came across as very arrogant and rude -- he didn't smile or show any welcoming attitude at all. It honestly felt uncomfortable interacting with him. The baristas weren't much better. My coffee was mostly milk with barely any coffee flavor, and it tasted pretty bad. When I picked up my drink, I said "thank you," and the barista didn't acknowledge me or even nod. Overall, the experience felt cold and unprofessional. I'd much rather make the drive to the Golden Hill location, where the service is noticeably better.

    Photos
    Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
    Iced vanilla latte and avocado toast (no goat cheese).
    Iced vanilla latte and avocado toast (no goat cheese).
    Dark Horse Coffee Roasters

    See all

    Ultreya Coffee and Tea

    Ultreya Coffee and Tea

    4.7
    (296 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    I'm surprised it wasn't more crowded! Although I did go mid week, perhaps that's why. This coffee…read moreshop is everything! The chairs inside are so comfortable. I like that the shop isn't extremely cluttered with plants. Just enough that it feels open and bright. You know with nature, you just breathe better. (; Anyways, the interior murals are such a warm and lively color - it just makes me happy seeing it. I love the artwork on the walls because it matches their specialty lattes. The outdoor seating space is also quite nice. The colors of the tables are pastel pink and pastel yellow-- you can sit in semi shade or shaded area. It's really lovely! To drink, I decided to get one of their specialty lattes-- $7, Iced 12 oz, PEAK SEASON with whole milk. This is an iced blueberry latte with coconut condensed milk. It was so delicious! I would highly recommend this. It wasn't overly sweet either-- which I can appreciate. I highly recommend coming to Ultreya Coffee & Tea! The drinks are superb and fairly priced. They have a few food and pastry options as well. ...lol just read my past review and I basically had the same exact thoughts as this time around! Hilarious.

    Great coffee, great service, and cool vibes. The coffee here is really good. The cortado was really…read morewell balanced with the macadamia nut milk. It was my first time having one with macadamia nut milk. I usually do almond milk. Their specialty drinks aren't too sweet either. They are more coffee forward in my opinion. I haven't tried any of their pastries, but they look good.

    Photos
    Look at all the plants!!!
    Look at all the plants!!!
    Sale yay
    Sale yay
    Vietnamese coffee with coconut condensed milk

    See all

    Vietnamese coffee with coconut condensed milk

    The Mental Bar - coffee - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...