Yerba Mate Bar and Argentinian Cafe Coming to Pacific Beach

The newest eatery for the Argentinian family behind Parana Empanadas will showcase another essential South American cultural and culinary staple, yerba mate. Founder Lucia Landman is bringing Yerba to Pacific Beach this June, where the Garnet Avenue cafe will have a menu devoted to the “super-drink” that purports to give natural energy and provide all sorts of antioxidant and beneficial properties.

Landman and her parents launched Parana Empanadas at local farmer’s markets, expanding with brick-and-mortar locations at Liberty Public Market and Westfield UTC. With Yerba, they want to create a social space that will serve popular flavors of its empanadas, from red wine-braised beef to mushrooms with cheese and onion, and highlight the traditional preparation of yerba mate.

The caffeinated drink, brewed from the dried leaves of an evergreen holly, comes in a classic gourd-shaped cup with a special straw to filter the beverage. Yerba will offer a variety made-to-order of hot and cold mate-based drinks, including yerba mate lemonade and a dulce de leche latte, with the cafe’s signature tea blend and its yerba mate kits also available for purchase. Beyond empanadas, its all-day menu features housemade sweet and desserts, including cakes, pastries, and cookies such as chocolate alfajores.

The 1,200-square-foot greenery-filled cafe will have indoor and outdoor seating and a relaxed, beach-y design with white-washed wood interiors; it’ll be open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.