Mortar & Pestle Bar

Handcrafted cocktails with Indian spices like garam masala and in-house syrups.

Mortar & Pestle Bar in downtown San Mateo combines Indian-inspired cocktails with street-food snacks from Curry Up Now. The pairing gives an evening drink a different flavor profile, with spices appearing in both the glass and the food. We like the opportunity to explore those combinations in a relaxed lounge setting. The Bangalore Old Fashioned uses Indian rum and garam masala, while the broader drinks selection includes beer, wine, and other inventive cocktails. Vada pav, keema pav, and naan-based flatbreads provide substantial bites alongside the drinks. Sweet potato fries topped with cheese and a choice of protein offer another shareable direction, and gulab jamun adds a sweet finish. Mortar & Pestle's appeal is a cocktail outing with enough distinctive food to become a fuller evening.