After my last visit to this restaurant, I've reached the conclusion that Mabi Tropical has stopped trying and given up. When I initially visited (in their first couple of months after opening) I was super in love with this place. Unfortunately every experience after that has been super inconsistent. I've ordered their seafood sancocho three times and every single time I've gotten a different dish. The last time I ordered it - it was more so vegetables with 2 teaspoons of broth, some rice and old fried yucca. If you look at the photo - I believe you can tell the yucca looks like it'd been in the fridge for days and they just threw it in there for good measure. The waiter didn't smile and generally looked miserable to have to deal with me. I asked for hot sauce that never came. Just overall, really disappointed in my last experience here and unfortunately won't be retuning due to how inconsistent my last few visits have been. You might get something that tastes decent, you might not. read more

MaBi Tropical - Mostly veggies with some old pieces of Yucca that tasted like they'd been in the fridge for days. - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Queen feast try! It was great. Not very busy but the location makes parking a challenge or costly. The service was great helpful with making recommendations. As the restaurant got busy we saw her less and there was some odd issue with the bill. I loved the decor. I'd go back and try a few other things. The food was good. None of us had a bad bite! I enjoyed the cocktails I must remember to snap pics of the food. read more

MaBi Tropical - Espresso martini. - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I can attest to "...IF I return..." then I must try the sancocho y sweet plantain, tambien. Even grilled fish for my family. Pero for my initial visit being a pickup/take away/to go order... I'm far from impressed. The reviews mentioning the sauce tracks for the authors meaning it was akin to mildly flavored water and vinegar. Nothing spicy. Nothing seasoned. I trust this is totally diabetic and Crohn's/IBS friendly as the ingredients taste limited in count and nothing artificial. I was grateful for the pickled onions and carrots plus the lime atop the monfongo. I'll also admit the dish, by name, made me think this was a Puerto Rican place as I commented to family that they avoid pepper and heavy seasoning like Dominicans. Alas, I read more and boom it's Dominican inspired. That totally tracks. Although I haven't lived in the DR for a bit more than a decade and when I was living there I refused to eat plantains or as my Dona would say "Bananas." Fast forward to 2022 and West Africa made me a believer. I learned the unripe plantain increases iron and I'm always operating with low iron. Diablo. So, back to the topic: The sauces have a vinegar like base but weaker. The red sauce is more like a bunch of bell peppers or sweet peppers like hot/heat peppers in water. The pork is akin to sliced pork belly that's deep fried. No chicarrones as I've seen others mention. Chicarrones have a different flavor but fried pig nonetheless. The monfongo isn't heavy with garlic nor onions. It does involve pieces of the fried pork skin which is parallel to some other Louisiana recipes when the elders use pork skins to make cornbread. I'd rather have cilantro than parsley on top but I'd also rather have heavily spiced and garlic heavy monfongo. Shredded carrots have been pickled Red onions have been pickled. Lime on top helped me. My family not so much. The plantains used for my portion have a 85% unripe and 15% sweet ratio. Meaning this is a healthy version with less sugar and a carb you can manage given you can get also benefit from the iron levels. Parking was limited. The area is something. The interior is decorated very lovely and the al fresco/patio dining Is divine. I'll trust the drinks and other things may be a better hit. As for me, I'd have to find something to recommend and unfortunately that wasn't this trip. I can see how and why I never had monfongo the entire time I lived in Santo Domingo, Higuey, Santiago nor Puerta Plata but HEY.... Like Charlotte has changed in time maybe these locales and culinary tastes have changed as well. read more

MaBi Tropical - May 2025 - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I have come to MaBi ever since its opening, and I always have a good time while enjoying some good Dominican inspired food. The vibe is great and very diverse, common areas are always clean and comfortable, and the service is outstanding. It is centrally located in one of the coolest areas in Charlotte (NoDa). There is a nice outside area, which is great during the fall and summer. There are some limited free parking spots outside, but there is a parking garage within walking distance with low rates (first 30 minutes is free, then $5 per hour). I have tried a couple of the cocktails (Sparkling Tamarindo and Morir Soñando) and several dishes, such as the Charcuterie Aplatanado, Quipes, Guacamole, Sancocho de Marisco and the Mofongo. They were all good. There were other dishes I was not a fan of, such as Carne Salada (it was OK). For dessert, you have got to try the Plantain Split (caramelized sweet plantains with coconut ice cream and dulce de leche). Wow!! Overall, 100% recommended. I will definitely keep coming back! read more

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Came on a Sunday late afternoon. We had reservations although it wasn't busy, and were promptly seated. Really cool aesthetic. I was told they have performers on some days. Server was attentive and answered all questions. We both ordered the colada cocktail-- which was really good. The food (shrimp with garlic, tropical fish dish) was disappointing however, not as flavorful as we were anticipating. I am not going to give up on the place, I'll plan to return to try other items and dishes. read more

I visited Mabi on Saturday to celebrate my nephew's birthday. They are located in Noda in the same strip mall as Jenni's ice cream shop. There is parking onsite and a parking garage in the same area. The ambiance is relaxing and semi sexy. Definitely perfect for a date night. The restaurant has a nice bar and dining tables behind it. The customer service is beyond a five star. Our server was hands down one of the best servers that Charlotte has to offer. He was attentive, funny, and personable. Shajee, helped create a beautiful birthday for my nephew. My food was presented well and it was good but not great. I would come back again to try them out or just yo enjoy drinks at the bar. When I glanced at the drinks sitting across the bar I could easily see that the bartender is a mixologist! read more

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Came back for more! For the adult beverage, I had the mamajuana made me do it, and I'm not tellin and a Santo Swizzle. The appetizer was the cativitas cause they're so addicting! and for dinner, the mofongo with churrasco. By far one of the best mofongos I've had in a while (I know they snuck in a maduro in there, gave it a nice hint of sweetness) no dessert tonight, drank my calories instead Ambiance and music are on point! To the owner Dalton Espaillat, Raydal, and your whole team, thank you for your great service and hospitality. You have an amazing group of folks here, and they make MaBi Tropical an excellent dining experience. read more

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This place you have to pay for parking there might be some spots on the street. The food was good. We had empanadas it was a small portion. The gave like 2 spoonfuls of meat in there empanadas. I'm just used to them be filled. They were ok. They gave us 3 flavor beef chicken and pork. The best one for me was the pork one and chicken one. Then we had the fish which was ok in flavor. It was mainly a plate of vegetables. I had the pernil which was pork and that was good it came with white rice and beans. That was good it had a nice flavor to it. The drinks were ok. Mine had a smoky taste to it. They had music playing which was nice. The service was great. Our server was very attentive and nice. read more

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Disappointed with my visit here. I pointed to a specific dish on the menu that clearly showed it came with rice and asked the server whether it was Spanish or white rice. She confirmed white rice, so I ordered it. I also asked if it was a whole red snapper and was told yes -- but when the food came out, it was a filet with no rice. I assumed maybe the rice was just coming separately. When I got my bill, I asked about it, thinking they had just forgotten the rice. That's when I realized the server had rung up a different dish entirely, one that didn't come with rice -- and to make it worse, I was charged extra for the rice I never was expecting to pay for. She apologized and pointed to the wrong item on the menu, but no effort was made to fix the bill or correct the mistake. Careless service and basic food. I won't be back -- too many other solid, consistent spots in Charlotte/Noda to settle for this. read more

MaBi Tropical - Tropical dish - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I enjoyed our first visit. Service was just ok, I think that was the biggest downfall, our server was slow and not attentive but the food was good. Cool vibe and while the outdoor area has potential, it was a bit dirty for being a newer restaurant. read more

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I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at MaBi Tropical. This is my first time visiting the Dominican restaurant. I don't know much about authentic Dominican cuisine, but I do know great tasting food. This place did not disappoint my taste buds. My waiter was very friendly and attentive. He offered great menu selections and gave details about certain menus options. I had the chicharron for an appetizer. The outside was fried crispy and the inside was tender and moist. It was kinda salty, but I didn't mind it too much. The pernil was very delicious. Mine order came with moro rice and tostones. The plantain split was good too. The coconut ice cream has coconut pieces in it. read more

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A taste of the DR in Charlotte - love it!!! First and foremost, the beef empanadas were absolutely phenomenal and so is the sauce that comes with them - big sauce girl over here!! The charcuterie board was delicious and so unique because it's not your standard meat and cheese board that - there's a cultural spin on it, which we love to see. The mofongo was a chef's special that night, so I had to order it. Yet again, they killed it with the sauces and I just drowned my mofongo in them. The cocktails and shooters were great and so was the service. I am looking forward to coming back here to try the red snapper!! read more

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The food, service and ambiance are great. Loved the music that was being played, the videos of the D.R beaches being aired on a gigantic moniter. A must try is the Pollo Al Carbon! The bad thing is, I read that their restaurant is up for sale. So go soon! read more

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Had a great experience here! Came in on a weekend with friends and there was no wait. The food was excellent and fresh, recommend the fried rice! Good drinks as well! Ambiance was upscale and modern! read more

Saturday around 3pm If you're looking for authentic Dominican cuisine this wouldn't be my first choice but the food is yummy and the staff is welcoming! There is an ample amount of parking as well. We made a reservation but it wasn't needed as they weren't very busy when we arrived. I think it definitely fills up and gets live at night though! The interior design is nice and definitely made to be able to take photos but again speaking to authenticity ; I wouldn't have known it was a Dominican restaurant if I was going solely off what it looks like. It's not a massive spot but can fit a decent amount of people. The drinks were really good and I'd recommend if you're looking for a place to grab a bite with a friend or even throw an event as the outside patio (not pictured) is pretty! read more

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Visited for a night out with book club. The restaurant is small and intimate with an outside area as well. There was plenty of seating and the food options were great. We shared many starters and everyone enjoyed their meals. The server was very knowledgeable and helpful with decided our meals. Can't wait to go back with my husband. read more

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I ordered the pernil for takeout and was really impressed. The pork was super flavorful, and the tostones were crispy. The mojo rice complemented everything well. For takeout, it held up great, and the flavors were on point. I'll definitely come back to dine in and explore more of the menu. read more

MaBi Tropical - Pernil - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood! I was sad to see Figo 36 close as I really enjoyed their food, but I was delighted to see that it was reopening as a Dominican restaurant. If you've ever got seasonal blues and need some tropical vibes then this is the spot to be. From the music to the decor, to the elegant and tasty cocktail, you will feel like you've been transported to an island getaway. They serve a variety of traditional dishes from the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean destinations. Most recently I tried the pork belly monfogo that was on special. I have since learned that the dish originated in Puerto Rico but is very popular in DR as well. A delicious mix of mashed plantains, pineapple, and chicharron, I'm now hooked! If you want to try something new for dinner or just feel like taking down some cocktails, you definitely need to come pay a visit to MaBi! read more

MaBi Tropical - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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I went to MaBí with a friend on a Sunday afternoon and it was nice, service was great, and the atmosphere was chill and light! We made a reservation, and were seated immediately (they were not super busy at the time we went so it's possible to be seated fairly quickly without one as well depending on the time you go!) I ordered the Calentao with shrimp and my friend got the Pollo al Carbon. We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals and it felt reasonably priced. The shrimp was very fresh and flavorful. Definitely plan on coming back and trying some more yummy dishes! read more

MaBi Tropical - Pollo al Carbon - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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First time and we ordered chimi sandwich. My cousin had mabi drink and I got passionfruit morir sonado. Different but good, and the chimi is gourmet. All the employees we encountered were polite. Our waitress was great and attentive. We went around 5 pm so not busy. FYI: There's a parking lot around the corner. The parking is super limited there and area. Luckily I found street parking 2-3 blocks then we saw parking lot. Cute area to walk around in between side streets. The ambiance was mixed English and before we left they played a current song. I think it was Karol G. read more

MaBi Tropical - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Fun spot in NODA with lively, Dominican style music and friendly and attentive staff. Very clean restaurant and bar area. I ordered the chicken which was full of flavor and the coconut rice. The plantains and diced beets were delicious. The food was just really good quality and flavorful. read more

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While visiting my daughter, she knew how much I enjoy trying unusual foods. She offered me a choice between Mexican and Dominican cuisine. Since I can have Mexican food anytime, I opted for Dominican, and I was not disappointed! The variety and uniqueness of the dishes were a delight to my palate. We started with a tuna ceviche made with coconut milk. I then enjoyed their version of a charcuterie board, featuring a variety of sausages, cheeses, and Dominican vegetables and fruits. They also have a unique cocktail called Mama Juana, served in two ways: one in a small glass to sip and another mixed with rum. Both were delicious. The service was excellent, with staff explaining the new food concepts and readily allowing us to exchange tostones for sweet plantains. This place should definitely be on your radar! read more

MaBi Tropical - Charcuterie, chicken, ensalada rush, sweet plaintains - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Solid food. Amazing service. Creative drinks. If you like Caribbean food this is a must go place! The menu had clearly marked veg and vegan options the food was fresh and the service here is super friendly. I had a rum cocktail with a toasted plantain garnish that was also amazing. read more

MaBi Tropical - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This is my first time visiting MaBi Tropical although pi had visits the restaurant prior at this location. Great location with parking out front and a garage across the street. MaBi Cocina Tropical has a fun, laid back ambiance of all things Latin. The music was old school and today's Latin pop, Salsa, Bachata, and had me doing a little dance in my seat as I ate! I ordered the penil, (which is pork) with rice, tostones, and avocado. While Dominican, it resonated with other Latin cuisines. I will say this gave me the feel of comfort food, flavorful, generous portion - I had to pack the rest to go. The service was friendly with great recommendations for me . read more

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Located in the NoDa neighborhood, MaBí (pronounced Mah-bee) occupies the former spot of Figo36, bringing a flavorful Dominican experience to Charlotte. Operated by the Raydal Restaurant group, who also run the popular Sabor Mexican restaurant brand and other Latin eateries around the city, MaBí offers a refreshing take on Caribbean cuisine, particularly Dominican dishes that the owner, Dalton, holds close to his family's culinary traditions. Parking can be a bit of a gamble--if you're lucky, you might snag a free spot on the strip in front of the restaurant. If not, the nearby parking garage offers a brief window with the first 30 minutes free. I was hosted to explore the heavily Dominican-influenced menu, and it was clear from the start that MaBí goes above and beyond in delivering a comprehensive dining experience. Unlike other Caribbean spots in the Queen City, where entrees often come with just one side or require ordering a la carte, MaBí's plates are brimming with multiple sides. Expect your main course to be accompanied by rice, an additional starch like tostones, fresh ripe avocado, or salad, leaving you fully satisfied. The menu is extensive, featuring appetizers, sandwiches, main plates, and desserts, with an impressive selection of drinks tailored to complement the Dominican flavors. Even the spirit-free menu was well thought out. Service was friendly and attentive, with regular check-ins that made us feel well taken care of throughout the evening. Portion sizes were generous, offering great value for the quality of food. My dining partner and I couldn't decide what to order, so we did what any indecisive food lover would do--order multiple entrees and hope we'd leave room for dessert (I had my eye on the Flanchoco). We kicked off our meal with the Empanada Cativia, a trio of cassava empanadas filled with pernil (pork), ropa vieja (beef), and charcoal-roasted chicken, served with a rosada dipping sauce. The ropa vieja was the standout, bursting with rich, savory flavors. The pernil came in second, and while the charcoal-roasted chicken was tasty, it could have used a bit more seasoning to really shine. The rosada sauce, creamy with a hint of smokiness, was a hit--I found myself dipping into it throughout the meal. First up was the Cuban Sandwich. Having tried my fair share of Cubanos in Charlotte, I was curious to see how MaBí's version stacked up. While it was a good sandwich, it didn't quite hit the mark for a true Cuban experience--the bread wasn't pressed as thin and crispy as I prefer. However, the side of root vegetable chips was a pleasant surprise. If I had a bag of these in front of me, they wouldn't last long. Next, we ordered the Pollo al Carbon, a charcoal-roasted chicken served with ensalada rusa, coconut rice, avocado, and tostones. We had to look up ensalada rusa--it's a Russian-influenced potato salad with egg, beets, potato, onion, and mayo. Not being a fan of beets, I passed on this, but my dining partner enjoyed it. The coconut rice, despite my usual aversion to coconut, was mild and enjoyable. The tostones were just right--thick, perfectly salted, and not dry like I've encountered elsewhere. The charcoal-roasted chicken was the star, moist and tender with just the right amount of smoky flavor. A bottled vinaigrette with a hint of mojo added a delightful zing. The Sancocho de Marisco, a pan-fried red snapper and shrimp dish, came next. While the shrimp were cooked to perfection, the red snapper wasn't to my liking--nothing wrong with it, just not my preferred preparation. The root vegetables, possibly yucca, were soft but cut into cubes that were too thick, making them a bit too starchy in the center, so an extra dip in the sauce it was served with was necessary. Finally, we dug into the Pernil, a mojo pork dish served with moro rice, avocado, pickled onions, and tostones. The moro rice (Cuban black beans and rice) was a fantastic accompaniment, and the mojo pork was tender, flavorful, and well-balanced with just the right fat-to-meat ratio. After trying several dishes, I've already got my eye on what I'll be ordering next time--the Ropa Vieja and that Flanchoco dessert. MaBí has brought authentic Dominican flavors to the Queen City, embracing this rich cuisine, and I'm eager to see how it will continue to evolve. If you're looking for a hearty, flavorful meal that leaves you fully satisfied, MaBí is the place to be. read more

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Great food and service. They gave us a ticket to validate the first hour of parking but it did not work and we had to pay $20 to park for 2 hours and 20 min. We won't be back. read more

MaBi Tropical - Shrimp with coconut rice - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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So it's the pernil for me was a bit mushy, the Moro was made from quinoa? The flancocho was dry, when you put Carmel on flan it's not needed. read more

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Food was amazing and I loved the ambience of the place. My friends and I were quite impressed with the dishes we got. read more

MaBi Tropical - We couldn't pick, so we ordered all three desserts. - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Had the pleasure of dining at MaBi two weeks ago and I am long overdue for this five star review. Have to say the service was incredible, the food was amazing, while not your typical Dominican restaurant, I have to say that I absolutely love how they incorporate their dishes into their menu. We tried the empanadas, the Kipes and the pork belly. Just had to say that we ordered a second round of empanadas and had we not ordered our main dishes we would have probably order a second and third round of the pork belly (chicharron). El Chicharron was off the meter!!! The location selection was amazing NoMa needed a different vibe and happy to say that Dominican Sabor hit the spot! I would definitely recommend it, to the owner, employees and chefs! Great Job! #platanopower read more

We tried MaBi for the first time tonight and were pleasantly surprised. The food was very fresh and flavorful. The staff was very friendly too. We will definitely be back! read more

MaBi Tropical - Camarones - Latin American Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Sat at the bar. Patricia was a wonderful server and bartender. Our first time in so she was patient and explained everything. Food was great. The charcuterie board, guac, and pork belly were the highlights Will definitely be back. read more

Great service, drinks., and food that hit the tropical island vibe. Ceviche Shrimp was excellent appetizer.

Exceptional food and ambience. The seasoning on my chicken was unique and allowed it to be moist. Fun place. I will repeat!

The food and drinks was just not good. I got the red snapper and it was soooo dry. I also substituted my root vegetables for mixed vegetables and those were tasteless. No seasoning at all. I also ordered 2 drinks and sent them both back. read more

MaBi was great! The ceviche was fresh and delicious. Shajee was so friendly and provided incredible service. The vibes were good with fun music! 10/10 read more

We had a wonderful experience here! Kate was our server, she did a wonderful job and was super attentive! We will most definitely return as the food and desserts were amazing! Love to see more Dominican cuisine in Charlotte! read more

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The food was mediocre at best, chicken was bland, the pernil was not "Dominican". Seems like the food is an afterthought, the restaurant is very nicely decorated, and looks like it's probably a fun place to go for drinks. read more

Food was so yummy, flavorful and fresh. The chicken was juicy and tender. The quipes (little meat filled balls as apps) were amazing. As was the dipping sauce. We had the sweetest waitress, Kate. She made great suggestions. And was so polite and friendly and happy. We will DEFINITELY be back. read more

Good service, good food and great ambiance!! I absolutely recommend the pica pollo and the mofongo (without chicharrón) with shrimp. We also a huge fan of their morir soñando! Very authentic in the way they make this drink. read more

What a fantastic place. Lively environment, great music and such an incredible staff. Everyone was so attentive, happy and accommodating. Food is amazing and the craft cocktails are to die for!! read more