Quick info
About Mint Lane Cafe
Mint Lane Cafe is a volunteer-run community cafe in the centre of Lincoln, at 12 Mint Ln. Volunteers cook in a commercial kitchen, and the meals are made from surplus or rescued ingredients, with chicken curry and rice and a veggie curry on the menu. Kids eat free. The cakes are vegan and freshly made, including a Mint Chocolate Cake, and the drinks list covers hot and cold options, coffee among them. Shared tables fill the room, and there are plenty of them for anyone who wants to get some work done. A garden space with a colourful mural sits alongside. A surplus food shop runs next to the cafe, stocking donated goods at reduced prices, plus boxes of fruit and veg. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Kids' menu · Family-friendly
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention vegan mint chocolate cake, chicken curry and rice, surplus grocery shop and too good to go box.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention vegan mint chocolate cake, chicken curry and rice, surplus grocery shop and too good to go box.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the volunteer-run cafe's very reasonably priced hot meals made from rescued surplus ingredients, with chicken curry and rice called tasty and a veggie curry that smelled good to one passing visitor. Freshly made vegan cakes come close behind, especially the Mint Lane Mint Chocolate Cake, which one reviewer calls flavoursome. Many describe a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that feels homely, calm and relaxed, with plenty of tables where one reviewer worked and a garden with a colourful mural. The surplus shop alongside sells groceries at greatly reduced prices. The caveats are small but real. One diner felt the curry portion was small and planned a two course meal next time, and another notes there is not much choice on the menu, though a different reviewer calls the portions generous. One visitor who came for a too good to go box left with enough fruit and vegetables to last a couple of weeks.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the volunteer-run cafe's very reasonably priced hot meals made from rescued surplus ingredients, with chicken curry and rice called tasty and a veggie curry that smelled good to one passing visitor. Freshly made vegan cakes come close behind, especially the Mint Lane Mint Chocolate Cake, which one reviewer calls flavoursome. Many describe a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that feels homely, calm and relaxed, with plenty of tables where one reviewer worked and a garden with a colourful mural. The surplus shop alongside sells groceries at greatly reduced prices. The caveats are small but real. One diner felt the curry portion was small and planned a two course meal next time, and another notes there is not much choice on the menu, though a different reviewer calls the portions generous. One visitor who came for a too good to go box left with enough fruit and vegetables to last a couple of weeks.
Featured reviews
- Michael Setterfield
“First time of walking into Mint Lane Cafe, I felt very welcomed. Such a pleasant atmosphere.”
- James fraser
“Really nice place to visit for a snack and a drink or for lunch. Staff are all wonderful, help support them and drop in for a coffee.”
- Matt
“Visited the café a few times and highly recommend it. Calm and relaxed atmosphere. Very friendly, welcoming and supportive staff, plus nicely prepared food at great prices.”
- Jackie Pearson
“Great community cafe run by volunteers, not much choice on menu but very reasonably priced there is also lots of groceries to buy at great prices obviously donated from shops”
- Mike Thompson
“I had the pleasure of attending the **Feast of Photography** event at Mint Lane Café (sponsored by Branston Potatoes) — and what an incredible experience! Mint Lane is far more than a café. They serve **nutritious, affordable meals** made from surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, and in doing so fight both food poverty and food waste. Meals are delicious, affordable, and made with real care. The place runs on the energy and passion of its **amazing volunteers** — friendly, welcoming, and clearly proud of the difference they make. You instantly feel the warmth of community when you walk in. Alongside food, Mint Lane also offers a surplus shop, a beautiful community space, and opportunities to connect, create, and belong. It’s a hub of kindness and inclusivity. During the Feast of Photography, we photographed everything from deliveries to freshly prepared meals — and the whole day highlighted just how much good Mint Lane does for Lincoln. A truly special place that deserves every bit of support. I’ll definitely be back — and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“Mint Lane Community Cafe is at the heart of our organisation, offering a community orientated space with shared tables to encourage sociability. You can expect a hot meal every day, lovingly prepared by our brilliant volunteers in our fully kitted commercial kitchen. Kids eat free - Eat in or takeaway service ........ The Mint Lane Surplus Food Shop offers a wide range of produce, all of which has been donated or rescued from going to waste. Local food producers stock our shelves with delicious fruit and vegetables. Our prices are very reasonable, ranging from only 20p for a range of store cupboard staples. We also have a wide selection of fresh fruit and vegetables available each week with a mixed ‘bowl full’ for just £1.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- Kids' menu
- Offerings· 5
- Healthy options
- Prepared foods
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Cafes near Mint Lane Cafe
- Rising Cafe4.87390.1 mi£10–20Vegetarian optionsVegan optionsReservations
halloumi fries, burgers, hot dogs
- Jenny's Cafe4.26040.1 mi£1–15Outdoor seating
full english breakfast, burger, fish and chips
- Stokes High Bridge Café4.41,4430.1 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsVegan options
scones, breakfast upstairs, coffee beans
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint Lane CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.871 | — | £1–10 | vegan mint chocolate cake, chicken curry and rice, surplus grocery shop |
| Rising CafeVegetarian options · Vegan options · Reservations | 4.8739 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | halloumi fries, burgers, hot dogs |
| Jenny's CafeOutdoor seating | 4.2604 | 0.1 mi | £1–15 | full english breakfast, burger, fish and chips |
| Stokes High Bridge CaféOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.41,443 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | scones, breakfast upstairs, coffee beans |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Cafes nearby
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0.3 miHARTY’S CAFE
0.3 miHobbsons Restaurant and Pie Shop
0.4 miAnna’s Place
0.4 miLincoln Cathedral Cafe
0.4 miMonks Road Cafe
0.5 miCafé Misto
0.5 miThe Rogues Coffee House & Kitchen
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