Downtown’s new wave of unique restaurant and nightlife choices continues with Mangrove, a new Jamaican concept that will open on Thursday, February 15.
Mangrove, from the same team that brought you Jrk! in Aventura and Downtown, is a bar, restaurant, and lounge that aims to “redefine the casual fine dining experience.”
Unlike the local fast-casual franchise that came before it, Mangrove exudes serious tropical speakeasy vibes and offers a full cocktail menu to compliment its more sophisticated, authentic Jamaican and Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Mangrove is located behind Jrk! in Downtown.
Walk through the front of Jrk! Mangrove is an intimate, softly lit space filled with vintage features such as channeled leather banquettes, caned Cesca chairs, vegetation spilling over the bar, and a yellow-tiled DJ booth lined with vinyl records.
Paintings by local artists adorn the walls, suggesting at the owners’ desire to create a community-driven environment with Mangrove. “This project is about breaking down barriers and uniting people through food, music, and culture,” explains Max Pierre, Mangrove’s managing partner.
During Jrk!’s usual hours, guests can hang out and eat their meals. By night, the lounge turns into Mangrove, with a dinner menu that includes appetizers like jerk skewers and main courses including ginger rosemary snapper and a specialty fried chicken sandwich.
Mangrove’s full liquor bar serves delightful, island-inspired cocktails such as the Red Red Wine, which includes white rum, house-made sorrel, ginger, and fresh lime juice. The Hotstepper is a colorful tropical cocktail created from passionfruit.
“Mangrove is a testament to our love for Caribbean culture,” says Wayne Sharpe, co-founder, executive chef, and Kingston native. “We’ve curated a space where every dish, every note, and every moment transports you to the heart of Jamaica.”
Every Wednesday, Mangrove will offer a lit reggae night, beginning with happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Mangrove serves dinner Thursday through Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Mangrove is located at 103 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 3312. To make a meal reservation, go to Resy. For more information about Mangrove, visit mangrove.miami or follow @mangrove.miami.