What a happy place. Sat street side. Enjoyed the Wednesday night special, a vodka sauce rigatoni sausage thing that was excellent. The girlfriend had a seafood thing. Terrific bread! Dang it was good! Our server was a pro with a humorous way about her. We'll be back. You should go.
(4)
Neal A.
I had the nightly special which was lamb shank. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. It was an upcharge from their special deal, but without a question it was worth it.
(4)
William S.
Great food, great service, they have a special buy 2 meals and get a bottle of wine, unlimited number of people.
(4)
Meg E.
We had a party of 45 for dinner at Mangrove on August 12th. I can not say enough about the great meal, wonderful service and nice time that we all had. Mangrove offers the best deal in town. The meals are delicious, served hot with generous portions. An added bonus is the bottle of wine - that you can drink there or take home. Serving a group of 45 which all sits down at once is a burden for any restaurant. Not to worry, they never missed a beat. Mangrove's extensive menu, courteous and attentive staff, and great food made this a memorable evening. We will be back!! Thanks!
(5)
Elena I.
I would have to agree with previous Yelpers when they say the wine is not that great.... But what the heck do you expect for the price? When I got a bottle of wine, 2 salads, and 2 entrees for 39 bucks, I wasn't expecting the wine to be out of this world. It was OK and fit the bill. The food was good but the service was pretty bad. Our waitress was cold and when you asked her a question about the food, she just regurgitated the menu description right back at you... Guess what - I can read! This is why this place gets 3 stars Other than that, it's a pretty decent meal for a very decent price
(3)
Laura C.
We eat at mangrove once or twice a year when we come to Naples for vacation. This is one of the few restaurants that offers a special all night long and it's a great deal, no matter what time of year. The sweet and sour snapper is my all time favorite, but we've tried most items on the menu and have enjoyed them all. For an app definitely go with the boom boom shrimp or the fried calamari.
(4)
Shannon H.
I don't know much about their menu besides the Sweet and Sour Snapper, and its absolute money! I have eaten here twice and ordered it twice, it didn't disappoint either time. Our waitress was very pleasant and made sure we enjoyed our experience, we did the 2 for 35.00 dollar deal, which is pretty good considering the 5th ave prices of some other restaurants. The wine upgrade which was for 20 dollars(Pacific Rim) is kind of an overkill as the bottle can be bought at BJs for around 7 dollars.. The salad and bread was fresh, but I can 100% say I will be back for the Snapper as it is on my favorite list.. Portions - Decent Taste - Snapper is Money! Ambiance - I would eat it on the sidewalk( Ha-Ha) Staff - Pleasant Overall 4/5 GET THE SNAPPER!!!!
(4)
Carol C.
My husband and I are renting a condo on 5th Avenue for a week. The first evening upon our arrival and walking 5th Avenue, not knowing where to eat, we blindly ended up at Mangrove, mostly because of the two for 35.00 special. I had the pot roast and at the suggestion of a lady at the next table my husband ordered the veal..... Let me tell you both our dinners were delicious, extraordinarily delicious. I chose the white wine, which was also very good. Our waitress was super, as was the hostess who came over to give us some pointers on places to go while we are in Naples, as did the lady and gentleman at the next table, who we felt were actually our friends before we left..... I would highly recommend Mangrove Cafe, and will most likely return during our stay here.
(5)
Alyssa M.
This cafe is the absolute best of Naples in my opinion! I had a pork tenderloin entree for lunch when we dined here with family, and my mouth has been watering for it ever since. It was hands-down the most delectable pork I've ever had and the sides were just as good. The service was great and the atmosphere is wonderful as well, perfect for a lunch to catch up with family and friends.
(5)
April R.
My husband and I were uncertain as to what kind of restaurant Mangrove was. We were in Naples for the first time and decided that the "$39 special" was worth a try. We were pleasantly surprised. The menu was amazing, service was impeccable and the atmosphere elegant and tastful. We had the Bang Bang shrimp app and paella, both cooked to perfection. Our waitperson refreshed our delicious hot bread as needed and was attentive without being intrusive. All in all this was an amazing experience and we want to thank Jan and all the staff. I would recommend this restaurant.
(5)
mina k.
NOT A GOOD VALUE in Naples if we're talking about the $39 2-entree + bottle of wine promotion. The wine costs $5 per bottle in a store and probably $2 for them, and the entrees are difficult to eat for anyone who has ever tasted good food. Our food. The sourdough bread is soft and tasty. Side salad was mediocre and small. As an entree I ordered the Maddonini Chicken because it was supposed to be a specialty and a favorite. The extreme saltiness among other things made it hard to eat much of. My boyfriend ordered Michael's Seafood Paella. It was college cafeteria rice with only small bits of seafood and a bland flavor. Could not finish half of it, and he normally cleans any plate in minutes. Looking around the room, the retirement community seemed to be enjoying their meals so I guess this business will fare just fine despite our opinions. That is okay with me as long as most people are pleased! Service. Our waitress disappeared chronically for spells at a time. You know and she knows there's a problem when each appearance she does make at your table kicks off with a scripted "Apologies for the long wait and thanks for your patience." Mangrove Cafe fits the bill if: a) You are set on dining on Fifth Ave. and can't get in anywhere else b) You are intent on burning through someone else's $39 + tip (?) c) You've been living in suburban Pennsylvania or Ireland for a while and have forgotten what good food tastes like.
(1)
Scott T.
Overall our dining experience was excellent! My father and I had the sweet & sour snapper and it was delicious. Atmosphere was great and the service was top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(5)
Elizabeth K.
We came on a super busy Monday night during the holidays. They sat us right away, told us about their special, and we enjoyed every bite. The calamari was delicious. I ordered the veal which was yummy. My husband ordered the steak which was smaller than anticipated but delicious. Sheila our waitress was great.
(5)
Mireya A.
This was my second visit to the restaurant. The first visit was terrific, good value, food good excellent service. My visit last night was very disappointing the waitress was very rude, my husband kept calling her Godzilla because that is exactly how she behaved. She was better suited to working in a truck driving establishment then fifth avenue. Would not explain the summer special; rudely asked what do you want for dinner??? The bill came and it had 107.00 in large letters circled, but when you looked at the small print the actual bill was 77? When I complained to the hostess she stated the larger amount is what we would have spent without the summer special? I said this should be explained. I hope they get rid of this most rude waitress;
(2)
Vincent T.
Dinner there last night - first time back since the explosion! We were not disappointed - the place is as good as ever. Had the special "dinner for two" - great food at a great price. My only complaint was that the food could have been hotter-but I have that same complaint about most of the restaurants in the US Thanks Mangrove for taking care of us full time Naples residents durning the dog days of summer.
(4)
Nicol S.
Our server was fantastic. The ambiance was wonderful. However, the food is absolutely awful. It tasted cheap. My exclamation upon biting into my dinner, "This tastes like cafeteria food!"
(2)
Cheryl B.
I waited to post this to see if the owner would ever call to correct what turned out to be a horrific post dining experience. That did not occur. This review is a reflection of how things can go horribly wrong.... We were taken here by our daughter for dinner. All first timers. Food was very good and the service friendly... we were beginning to consider this a new staple. Then the bill came and our daughter paid and we left happy with full bellies and a good time. Then the next my daughter noticed two charges to her account not one. She called the restaurant and the hostess, male, was beyond rude, yelling into the phone and accusing us of not paying our bill properly. We paid what was charged to us and tipped graciously. The server called back and apologized saying hostess was hard of hearing....that may account for loud voice but not the rudeness. She explained she charged us incorrectly and ran the remaining balance on a second unauthorized charge to the same account. My daughter explained to her it was against the law to make this type if charge without consulting her and requested to speak with the owner. A day later the manager called saying owner not available. Manager supported the second unauthorized charge, accused us of not paying full bill and we should have known the bill was incorrect, and then tried to guilt us into feeling bad and allowing the second charge to go through stating it would come out of the servers pocket and how could we do that to her. In all our years of dining at all levels of food and prices, none of us have ever experienced such behavior by staff toward guests. We have yet to receive a call from the owner although it was requested multiple times. Keep in mind this was their mistake all along by not charging us correctly. All they had to do was call us to discus but they instead chose to make an unauthorized transaction and treat us terribly when we called them on it. It goes without saying....we won't be back.
(1)
gabriella s.
$35 for 2 salads, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine on 5th Avenue Naples? What's wrong with this picture? Everything! Pass this deal up and go to Avenue 5, Bistro 821, Yabba's or Chops for high quality food and service!!
(1)
Juan P.
Very very good. Food and service were awesome.
(5)
Connie M.
We have eaten at the Mangrove on several occasions and have never once been disappointed. The staff has been exceptionally friendly, attentive and very knowledgable about the menu. The bread is fresh, warm and delicious. We had a very tasty salad of generous proportion. The fact you can order anything on the menu as part of their price fix offer ($35 for two) is a wonderful deal. The wine is good and if one person wants red and the other white, they will make that accommodation with a carafe for each person. The Mangrove has become our "go to" restaurant...especially when our northern friends visit. You can't beat the price, it's the best deal around for great food and a bottle of wine.
(5)
Elizabeth H.
Jamie is a great chef. You will not be disappointed. Recently the prices were raised to two for &45 with salad and a bottle of wine. Only complaint is that different bus guys try 2 or three times to take our plates before we are finished. It happens every time we go...no change even though we told the owners. Seems to be rushing you. Only place we go that does this ... But still love the food!
(5)
Ann S.
Outside seating was on the mainstream and at times you felt compelled to adjust your chair to avoid collision with a passerby. Our waitress approached our table with an annoyed look on her face, relayed her name quickly, rattled off their special (2 dinners, 2 salads & bottle of wine - $49.99) and departed. Waiting awhile she reappeared, still displaying a sour look and asked if we decided. A couple of questions came to my mind about the special and when I addressed her by name (Jean) she immediately reprimanded me and spelled her name -J A N and recited her name again. She soften ever so slightly, when she saw the look on my face. The food arrived - (2) steak entrees, cold and not cooked to specifications - (1) fish dinner undercooked and was returned to be cooked, and the last entree, average at best. Rounding out the evening, the fresh berry tart was disguised as jam preserves on a soggy crust, that was tasteless. At times, we can overlook the food quality, but the service is another story. Simple common courtesy goes a long way, in more ways then one.
(1)
Ellie G.
We are local residents and i am sorry to say have not been here since before the fire. Everything from the wine, salad and entree were delicious ! Most of all, we surely will return!
(5)
Christina M.
Worst food and worst service I have ever experienced. Servers are extremely rude, food taste like dog food.
(1)
Danielle R.
Really enjoyed our meal and HH here! They have a special for like $30-2 entrees, 2 salads, and a bottle of wine. Where are you going to find a deal like that at a 'nice place'. There were lots of big tables of 8 or more, some all over the age of 65, some including small children. I will say the crowd is a little older, but this is Naples after all. There's not much of a swinging business after work HH. We started off at the bar where we grabbed some appetizers: bang bang shrimp and calamari. The bang bang were definitely a winner in my book, they were so good in fact my friend's Mom had another order just for her meal. Bartender was attentive and very friendly even suggesting other places for us to go afterwards. We shared a seafood pasta (see pix) and split it (the pix is of the split portion) there was no way one human could eat the full portion!
(4)
Steven P.
My family and I just had dinner here. Though we did not have reservations, we were seated almost immediately to a table indoors. The waitress we had was wonderful! She was very nice and walked us through the menu. Service is great! My mother and father had the two entrees for $45 and a complimentary bottle of wine. The food here was great food for a decent price. I had the Veal and Wild Mushroom Mango Marsala and though it sounds weird, mango drizzled over the Marsala sauce gave the dish a unique twist. My father had the Paella and it was good, nothing special. My sister had the Red fish and said that she was satisfied with the meal. Overall, this restaurant deserves 5 stars for it's excellent service and great food for a great price.
(5)
Linda S.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server was very lackluster. She didn't really explain the menu since we told her we had dined there once before about a year ago. You get 2 meals and a bottle of wine for $35. She never mentioned it also came with a salad so that was a nice surprise. The bread was just ok. Not a fan of sourdough. I ordered the sweet and sour snapper based on some yelp reviews. I loved it! It had 4 different sauces on the plate and came with rice and asparagus. The portion size was just right for me and I finished every last drop. Hubby ordered pot roast with mashed potatoes and green beans. He also cleaned his plate so I guess that means he really liked it too. We shared apple pie with ice cream and salted caramel although I didn't taste any salt. We both ordered a different kind of wine than offered with the meal and had to ask for the bottle of wine to take home. Server never offered it. Maybe she was having a bad day. The hostess came to our table twice to see how we enjoyed our meal and desert. She was much friendlier than our server.
(4)
Nicole D.
We did the special for $35. Like everyone else that had that special and hated it, so did we. There is no attention to detail at this restaurant. When she put my salad plate down, it had a huge amount of dressing all over the bottom and dripping off the side of my plate, so I got to sit with greasy dressing in front of my seat all evening. Our waitress was kind but very rough, I think she may have been drunk. I got the scallops. They were tiny, chewy, and sour. I honestly think they may have been rotten. The flavor of the entire dish was salt. And that's it. Nothing but texture and salt. I can't remember the last time I didn't completely annihilate a mixed salad, I looove salad. I left most of this one on the plate because the 'vinaigrette' was thick and brown, and so strong, it ruined the whole salad. Croutons in the salad came right out of a bag, easily noticeable that they were not homemade, because they actually tasted like a plastic bag. If you're not picky and really like salt, maybe you'll like this place. But it's absolutely too expensive for the quality of literally everything including the service.
This place is a real gem, great food & service at fast food prices what a fantastic deal on 5th Ave. ATTN: all Restaurant owners in Naples, come here and take a lot of notes...........This is how you manage a great Restaurant.
Explosion?!! Nevertheless we had a very nice Salmon and Snapper dinner special. Love eating outside in Nov. (we are from Pa.).
(4)
Abby M.
The place was awesome!!! A salad, entree and a bottle of wine for 2 people for $32.99! The sweet and sour snapper is amazing!
(5)
Lisa M.
Brought friends from out of town here and we all enjoyed it very much.Nice ambience,great service.And you can not beat there special 2dinners,salad and a bottle of wine for $32 many places on fifth have this sort of deal but mangrove was the first time we left thinking we had really good food.Tip;make reservation its always busy at diner time.It has been great ever since it re-opened.
(4)
John W.
Had dinner there on 8/18 to try out the "summer special" - two dinners and a bottle of wine for $30 or $32. Had a fabulous dinner! My wife had a wonderful salmon in a citrus sauce and I had the best paella I have had in years! The waitstaff was excellent and the atmosphere fun. We'll go back again before the season begins!
(4)
Bill M.
Ate here on St Patty's day. Other places on 5th ave turned us away while their tables were empty. Found Mangrove Cafe and had an excellent meal at a great price. Will be back again!
(5)
Tyler H.
I've eaten here twice in the last month, and plan on returning for more. Mangrove is home of one of the best deals in Naples for dinner -- two entrees and a bottle of house wine for $30 (you can add on appetizers, dessert, and upgrade your wine if you so choose). Expect it to be a little crowded -- the deal brings out the locals -- but it's worth it. The first time, we had paella (for me) and beef tenders (for my then-fiancee). I added a veal-stuffed mushroom, and we upgraded the wine. The paella was nice, if a little less spicy than I like (but, then again, I like a LOT of spice, so most people should enjoy it just fine). The beef was seared on the outside and cooked medium, served over an excellent mushroom risotto. The wine upgrade was kind of a bummer (spending an extra $10 for a $5 bottle of wine), but c'est la vie. The second time, we were with a large group of friends at our wedding after-party. I had the beef tips, my wife had the marinated skirt steak. My beef was properly rare (I told the waitress "beyond making sure it's not mooing at me, don't do a lot to my steak."), and the skirt steak was flavorful. The house wine was palatable -- it's a relatively inexpensive Southern French cab -- but nothing to write home about. Service both times was a little on the slow side, which I put down to it being quite busy (we were there in the evening on a Friday and a Saturday, which didn't help), but friendly. All in all, in a town where $30 won't buy you an entree at some restaurants, it's worth going to. Just don't expect to park nearby -- plan on parking in the downtown garage and walking a couple blocks.
(4)
Patti S.
We had a delicious 2 for $39 dinner the week after Easter. Service was very good. I had the salmon and it was excellent. We had a 5:30 pm reservation, it was quiet when we arrived but filled up while we dined. Would definitely return!
(4)
Katie C.
Great deal here for the dinner special. Location and atmosphere were good. Food was average, my meal was cold by the time I was served. Service was horrible, our waitress never took the time to ask how everything was or if we needed anything else.
(3)
p l.
These people know their business. Great location, friendly staff and good food! Great value. We highly recommend this restaurant. It is advisable to make a reso well in advance - they are busy!
(5)
Eli S.
Mangrove came up on a search for "fine dining" in Naples Fl. I'd have to say I agree with the assessment. The special is fantastic, two entrees and a bottle of wine for 29 bucks. We made reservations and I'm glad we did, the joint was jumping. The white that came with dinner was good, and chilled. I believe you can upgrade your wine selection but we stuck with the free bottle. All entrees come with a delicious house salad. This consisted of good mixed greens, no iceberg or wilted greens here. A lovely house vinaigrette and tasty spicy croutons (I love a good crouton). For our entree I ordered the sweet and sour snapper which is prominently displayed on the online menu, and my girlfriend ordered the sliced bistro beef tender. My snapper was very good and well prepared with a delicious sweet (and slightly sour) glaze on top. It wasn't dry at all and the edges were a little crusty. It came with some light veg (two spears of asparagus) and a nice sauce. The fish was resting on a rather uninspired bed of colored but relatively unfavored rice, but with the sauce it wasn't bad, and the plating was artfully done. My girl made out on her sliced bistro beef tender, it was a generous portion of beef cooked to order (she ordered medium as opposed to medium rare, and they nailed it). It was resting on a bed of really delicious creamy and cheesy herb risotto. This was also well plated. To finish we ordered coffees (quite good) and desert. She got the chocolate cheesecake (I forget the exact name) which was tall, rich, and darn good. I had the key lime cannoli, which was tasty but a bit understated. I normally expect a fairly thick cheese filling, or at least a dense custard in my cannoli. What I got was a lightly limed whip cream filling that didn't really balance well with the crunchy pastry. It seemed more like a lime meringue. It certainly wasn't bad, just not quite what I was expecting. I was really looking to get into the key lime flavor, but found it somewhat lacking. At the end of the meal I noticed our check auto calculated in a 20% gratuity. I didn't think this had been disclosed anywhere and would have been annoyed if the service wasn't really great. As it was I figured the house takes a cut of that so I added some tip on top for our server and called it a night. All in all with the two entree special, the free wine, two coffees, two desserts, and the 20% mandatory gratuity our dinner came to 60 bucks. Which isn't bad at all. I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking the food in a few places, but all in all the service, food, and value really made this a wonderful meal. I will certainly be back and I hope you try it out!
(4)
Helena F.
If it wasn't for the $37 deal for 2 dinners and a bottle of wine I would have given it 1 star. Service slow- took them 40 mins to bring out our appetizers. Food - average, nothing special. Atmosphere is ok.
(3)
Jesse M.
This was the most crowded place on 5th St. in downtown Naples. This was probably because of the 2 dinners and a bottle of wine for $35 deal they had. Even though it was packed with old people (and some families too) the food was excellent. I had the paella and it was fresh and flavorful. My girlfriend had pork lion and it was equally delicious. The wine was great too! For restaurants in the area you can't beat the Mangrove Cafe for a tasty meal for a great deal.
(4)
Scott J.
I have been here for lunch multiple times and for dinner once. Every time, I have been pleased. The lunch menu includes soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a handful of entrees. The New England clam, conch, and corn chowder ($6) is one of my favorites. The dinner menu includes entrees from $18 to $26. Lately, they have been offering a special deal for dinner: 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for $35. You choose the entree; they choose the wine. For lunch, I always get the tropical iced tea, which is very refreshing. For a long time, they characterized their cuisine as "Floribbean," which was a pretty accurate description. Facing Fifth Avenue South, there are just a few tables outside on the sidewalk. Most of the seating inside is a bit crowded, but overlooking the main drag helps give it a good feel. The owners are always on site and the service is usually good.
(5)
Christine C.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to visit Mangrove Cafe but I finally decided to give it a try and boy, am I glad I did. This smallish cafe located on 5th Avenue in downtown Naples is a real find. With both indoor and outdoor seating available there is nothing bad to report. This summer they have been promoting a wonderful meal: dinner for two, including salad and a bottle of wine, for $29.95. It's pretty hard to beat that price. The house salad is so yummy with homemade croutons (normally I would forgo this little guys) and the most delicious dressing (rumor has it there are mushrooms in the recipe.) My favorite entree is the roasted chicken (half a bird) with thyme. This is cooked to perfection - crispy skin, juicy meat, just wonderful. Comes with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies. The house wine is fairly decent (don't remember the vintner.) All in all, this is a high recommendation for a wonderful meal.
(4)
Pilan C.
A few friends and I were walking 5th St. looking for somewhere to eat, and we thought Mangrove was a nice little place, especially the outdoor seating and the upscale-bar feel inside (it's a nice bar during the nights, I think). The menu looked quite good and we were starving, and it looked like the perfect place for us to stop -- unfortunately, we were very wrong. After getting seated inside (we didn't feel like waiting for an outside table), we quickly ordered drinks, and realized almost off the bat that our waitress was pretty incompetent. I asked if they had an Arnold Palmer, and when she said "yes," me and a fother friend each ordered one. The waitress, of course, brought us plain, flavorless iced teas, and took probably 10 minutes to correct the problem (5 minutes before she ever came back, and 5 minutes to bring the new drinks). When we finally got to order food, it should have been another bad sign when the waitress didn't really write down what we ordered. Two salads were ordered with "dressing on the side," and they both came drowning in dressing, destroying all the fresh, tasty-sounding ingredients in the salads (as well as the health-value of the salads). Because of how long it took, we decided not to send them back, for fear that we may never get to eat. We also ordered two tuna dishes, which were actually very tasty. The tuna was cooked to a very good medium rare, but the firmness of the fish made me think that it must've been pretty frozen before they cooked it for us. The service was just soo bad, and at the end of the meal, when we were trying to get change, we ended up sitting there for another 5-10 minutes. The only reason we didn't get up to leave is because I didn't want to leave her too much of a tip, which would maybe mistake her into thinking that she provided semi-decent service to us. The prices were ok, but not great. Only the tasty tuna (in both Mediterranean salad and Asian flavor form) saved this from being a 1-star review. I don't plan on being Naples again anytime in the near future, but I wouldn't recommend this place.
(2)
Brenda S.
With all the wonderful places to go to on 5th ave I recommend you pass this one. I have gone there quite a few times in the last 5 years but since they have started the special 2 for $35 it has gone downhill. The food is not nearly as well prepared and much smaller portions. The waitstaff is slow and impassive maybe because the gratuity is added in they don't feel the need to be nice or attentive. I had the conch corn chowder that was pretty good but the grilled skirt steak was nothing but gristle the last time I was there. Fight the lure of the free bottle of wine and head down the street.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Greg G.
What a happy place. Sat street side. Enjoyed the Wednesday night special, a vodka sauce rigatoni sausage thing that was excellent. The girlfriend had a seafood thing. Terrific bread! Dang it was good! Our server was a pro with a humorous way about her. We'll be back. You should go.
(4)Neal A.
I had the nightly special which was lamb shank. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. It was an upcharge from their special deal, but without a question it was worth it.
(4)William S.
Great food, great service, they have a special buy 2 meals and get a bottle of wine, unlimited number of people.
(4)Meg E.
We had a party of 45 for dinner at Mangrove on August 12th. I can not say enough about the great meal, wonderful service and nice time that we all had. Mangrove offers the best deal in town. The meals are delicious, served hot with generous portions. An added bonus is the bottle of wine - that you can drink there or take home. Serving a group of 45 which all sits down at once is a burden for any restaurant. Not to worry, they never missed a beat. Mangrove's extensive menu, courteous and attentive staff, and great food made this a memorable evening. We will be back!! Thanks!
(5)Elena I.
I would have to agree with previous Yelpers when they say the wine is not that great.... But what the heck do you expect for the price? When I got a bottle of wine, 2 salads, and 2 entrees for 39 bucks, I wasn't expecting the wine to be out of this world. It was OK and fit the bill. The food was good but the service was pretty bad. Our waitress was cold and when you asked her a question about the food, she just regurgitated the menu description right back at you... Guess what - I can read! This is why this place gets 3 stars Other than that, it's a pretty decent meal for a very decent price
(3)Laura C.
We eat at mangrove once or twice a year when we come to Naples for vacation. This is one of the few restaurants that offers a special all night long and it's a great deal, no matter what time of year. The sweet and sour snapper is my all time favorite, but we've tried most items on the menu and have enjoyed them all. For an app definitely go with the boom boom shrimp or the fried calamari.
(4)Shannon H.
I don't know much about their menu besides the Sweet and Sour Snapper, and its absolute money! I have eaten here twice and ordered it twice, it didn't disappoint either time. Our waitress was very pleasant and made sure we enjoyed our experience, we did the 2 for 35.00 dollar deal, which is pretty good considering the 5th ave prices of some other restaurants. The wine upgrade which was for 20 dollars(Pacific Rim) is kind of an overkill as the bottle can be bought at BJs for around 7 dollars.. The salad and bread was fresh, but I can 100% say I will be back for the Snapper as it is on my favorite list.. Portions - Decent Taste - Snapper is Money! Ambiance - I would eat it on the sidewalk( Ha-Ha) Staff - Pleasant Overall 4/5 GET THE SNAPPER!!!!
(4)Carol C.
My husband and I are renting a condo on 5th Avenue for a week. The first evening upon our arrival and walking 5th Avenue, not knowing where to eat, we blindly ended up at Mangrove, mostly because of the two for 35.00 special. I had the pot roast and at the suggestion of a lady at the next table my husband ordered the veal..... Let me tell you both our dinners were delicious, extraordinarily delicious. I chose the white wine, which was also very good. Our waitress was super, as was the hostess who came over to give us some pointers on places to go while we are in Naples, as did the lady and gentleman at the next table, who we felt were actually our friends before we left..... I would highly recommend Mangrove Cafe, and will most likely return during our stay here.
(5)Alyssa M.
This cafe is the absolute best of Naples in my opinion! I had a pork tenderloin entree for lunch when we dined here with family, and my mouth has been watering for it ever since. It was hands-down the most delectable pork I've ever had and the sides were just as good. The service was great and the atmosphere is wonderful as well, perfect for a lunch to catch up with family and friends.
(5)April R.
My husband and I were uncertain as to what kind of restaurant Mangrove was. We were in Naples for the first time and decided that the "$39 special" was worth a try. We were pleasantly surprised. The menu was amazing, service was impeccable and the atmosphere elegant and tastful. We had the Bang Bang shrimp app and paella, both cooked to perfection. Our waitperson refreshed our delicious hot bread as needed and was attentive without being intrusive. All in all this was an amazing experience and we want to thank Jan and all the staff. I would recommend this restaurant.
(5)mina k.
NOT A GOOD VALUE in Naples if we're talking about the $39 2-entree + bottle of wine promotion. The wine costs $5 per bottle in a store and probably $2 for them, and the entrees are difficult to eat for anyone who has ever tasted good food. Our food. The sourdough bread is soft and tasty. Side salad was mediocre and small. As an entree I ordered the Maddonini Chicken because it was supposed to be a specialty and a favorite. The extreme saltiness among other things made it hard to eat much of. My boyfriend ordered Michael's Seafood Paella. It was college cafeteria rice with only small bits of seafood and a bland flavor. Could not finish half of it, and he normally cleans any plate in minutes. Looking around the room, the retirement community seemed to be enjoying their meals so I guess this business will fare just fine despite our opinions. That is okay with me as long as most people are pleased! Service. Our waitress disappeared chronically for spells at a time. You know and she knows there's a problem when each appearance she does make at your table kicks off with a scripted "Apologies for the long wait and thanks for your patience." Mangrove Cafe fits the bill if: a) You are set on dining on Fifth Ave. and can't get in anywhere else b) You are intent on burning through someone else's $39 + tip (?) c) You've been living in suburban Pennsylvania or Ireland for a while and have forgotten what good food tastes like.
(1)Scott T.
Overall our dining experience was excellent! My father and I had the sweet & sour snapper and it was delicious. Atmosphere was great and the service was top notch. I would definitely recommend.
(5)Elizabeth K.
We came on a super busy Monday night during the holidays. They sat us right away, told us about their special, and we enjoyed every bite. The calamari was delicious. I ordered the veal which was yummy. My husband ordered the steak which was smaller than anticipated but delicious. Sheila our waitress was great.
(5)Mireya A.
This was my second visit to the restaurant. The first visit was terrific, good value, food good excellent service. My visit last night was very disappointing the waitress was very rude, my husband kept calling her Godzilla because that is exactly how she behaved. She was better suited to working in a truck driving establishment then fifth avenue. Would not explain the summer special; rudely asked what do you want for dinner??? The bill came and it had 107.00 in large letters circled, but when you looked at the small print the actual bill was 77? When I complained to the hostess she stated the larger amount is what we would have spent without the summer special? I said this should be explained. I hope they get rid of this most rude waitress;
(2)Vincent T.
Dinner there last night - first time back since the explosion! We were not disappointed - the place is as good as ever. Had the special "dinner for two" - great food at a great price. My only complaint was that the food could have been hotter-but I have that same complaint about most of the restaurants in the US Thanks Mangrove for taking care of us full time Naples residents durning the dog days of summer.
(4)Nicol S.
Our server was fantastic. The ambiance was wonderful. However, the food is absolutely awful. It tasted cheap. My exclamation upon biting into my dinner, "This tastes like cafeteria food!"
(2)Cheryl B.
I waited to post this to see if the owner would ever call to correct what turned out to be a horrific post dining experience. That did not occur. This review is a reflection of how things can go horribly wrong.... We were taken here by our daughter for dinner. All first timers. Food was very good and the service friendly... we were beginning to consider this a new staple. Then the bill came and our daughter paid and we left happy with full bellies and a good time. Then the next my daughter noticed two charges to her account not one. She called the restaurant and the hostess, male, was beyond rude, yelling into the phone and accusing us of not paying our bill properly. We paid what was charged to us and tipped graciously. The server called back and apologized saying hostess was hard of hearing....that may account for loud voice but not the rudeness. She explained she charged us incorrectly and ran the remaining balance on a second unauthorized charge to the same account. My daughter explained to her it was against the law to make this type if charge without consulting her and requested to speak with the owner. A day later the manager called saying owner not available. Manager supported the second unauthorized charge, accused us of not paying full bill and we should have known the bill was incorrect, and then tried to guilt us into feeling bad and allowing the second charge to go through stating it would come out of the servers pocket and how could we do that to her. In all our years of dining at all levels of food and prices, none of us have ever experienced such behavior by staff toward guests. We have yet to receive a call from the owner although it was requested multiple times. Keep in mind this was their mistake all along by not charging us correctly. All they had to do was call us to discus but they instead chose to make an unauthorized transaction and treat us terribly when we called them on it. It goes without saying....we won't be back.
(1)gabriella s.
$35 for 2 salads, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine on 5th Avenue Naples? What's wrong with this picture? Everything! Pass this deal up and go to Avenue 5, Bistro 821, Yabba's or Chops for high quality food and service!!
(1)Juan P.
Very very good. Food and service were awesome.
(5)Connie M.
We have eaten at the Mangrove on several occasions and have never once been disappointed. The staff has been exceptionally friendly, attentive and very knowledgable about the menu. The bread is fresh, warm and delicious. We had a very tasty salad of generous proportion. The fact you can order anything on the menu as part of their price fix offer ($35 for two) is a wonderful deal. The wine is good and if one person wants red and the other white, they will make that accommodation with a carafe for each person. The Mangrove has become our "go to" restaurant...especially when our northern friends visit. You can't beat the price, it's the best deal around for great food and a bottle of wine.
(5)Elizabeth H.
Jamie is a great chef. You will not be disappointed. Recently the prices were raised to two for &45 with salad and a bottle of wine. Only complaint is that different bus guys try 2 or three times to take our plates before we are finished. It happens every time we go...no change even though we told the owners. Seems to be rushing you. Only place we go that does this ... But still love the food!
(5)Ann S.
Outside seating was on the mainstream and at times you felt compelled to adjust your chair to avoid collision with a passerby. Our waitress approached our table with an annoyed look on her face, relayed her name quickly, rattled off their special (2 dinners, 2 salads & bottle of wine - $49.99) and departed. Waiting awhile she reappeared, still displaying a sour look and asked if we decided. A couple of questions came to my mind about the special and when I addressed her by name (Jean) she immediately reprimanded me and spelled her name -J A N and recited her name again. She soften ever so slightly, when she saw the look on my face. The food arrived - (2) steak entrees, cold and not cooked to specifications - (1) fish dinner undercooked and was returned to be cooked, and the last entree, average at best. Rounding out the evening, the fresh berry tart was disguised as jam preserves on a soggy crust, that was tasteless. At times, we can overlook the food quality, but the service is another story. Simple common courtesy goes a long way, in more ways then one.
(1)Ellie G.
We are local residents and i am sorry to say have not been here since before the fire. Everything from the wine, salad and entree were delicious ! Most of all, we surely will return!
(5)Christina M.
Worst food and worst service I have ever experienced. Servers are extremely rude, food taste like dog food.
(1)Danielle R.
Really enjoyed our meal and HH here! They have a special for like $30-2 entrees, 2 salads, and a bottle of wine. Where are you going to find a deal like that at a 'nice place'. There were lots of big tables of 8 or more, some all over the age of 65, some including small children. I will say the crowd is a little older, but this is Naples after all. There's not much of a swinging business after work HH. We started off at the bar where we grabbed some appetizers: bang bang shrimp and calamari. The bang bang were definitely a winner in my book, they were so good in fact my friend's Mom had another order just for her meal. Bartender was attentive and very friendly even suggesting other places for us to go afterwards. We shared a seafood pasta (see pix) and split it (the pix is of the split portion) there was no way one human could eat the full portion!
(4)Steven P.
My family and I just had dinner here. Though we did not have reservations, we were seated almost immediately to a table indoors. The waitress we had was wonderful! She was very nice and walked us through the menu. Service is great! My mother and father had the two entrees for $45 and a complimentary bottle of wine. The food here was great food for a decent price. I had the Veal and Wild Mushroom Mango Marsala and though it sounds weird, mango drizzled over the Marsala sauce gave the dish a unique twist. My father had the Paella and it was good, nothing special. My sister had the Red fish and said that she was satisfied with the meal. Overall, this restaurant deserves 5 stars for it's excellent service and great food for a great price.
(5)Linda S.
We had a reservation and were seated immediately. Our server was very lackluster. She didn't really explain the menu since we told her we had dined there once before about a year ago. You get 2 meals and a bottle of wine for $35. She never mentioned it also came with a salad so that was a nice surprise. The bread was just ok. Not a fan of sourdough. I ordered the sweet and sour snapper based on some yelp reviews. I loved it! It had 4 different sauces on the plate and came with rice and asparagus. The portion size was just right for me and I finished every last drop. Hubby ordered pot roast with mashed potatoes and green beans. He also cleaned his plate so I guess that means he really liked it too. We shared apple pie with ice cream and salted caramel although I didn't taste any salt. We both ordered a different kind of wine than offered with the meal and had to ask for the bottle of wine to take home. Server never offered it. Maybe she was having a bad day. The hostess came to our table twice to see how we enjoyed our meal and desert. She was much friendlier than our server.
(4)Nicole D.
We did the special for $35. Like everyone else that had that special and hated it, so did we. There is no attention to detail at this restaurant. When she put my salad plate down, it had a huge amount of dressing all over the bottom and dripping off the side of my plate, so I got to sit with greasy dressing in front of my seat all evening. Our waitress was kind but very rough, I think she may have been drunk. I got the scallops. They were tiny, chewy, and sour. I honestly think they may have been rotten. The flavor of the entire dish was salt. And that's it. Nothing but texture and salt. I can't remember the last time I didn't completely annihilate a mixed salad, I looove salad. I left most of this one on the plate because the 'vinaigrette' was thick and brown, and so strong, it ruined the whole salad. Croutons in the salad came right out of a bag, easily noticeable that they were not homemade, because they actually tasted like a plastic bag. If you're not picky and really like salt, maybe you'll like this place. But it's absolutely too expensive for the quality of literally everything including the service.
(1)Emma D.
$32 for two small salads, two entrées, and a bottle of wine. Good deal considering the upscale prices of the 5th Ave restaurants -- I guess that's what you get in a wealthy retirement community... We ordered the sweet & sour snapper with yellow rice and the sliced beef tenderloin with risotto, and both dishes were pretty yum! Outside seating was relaxing, and service was attentive and friendly.
(4)John B.
This place is a real gem, great food & service at fast food prices what a fantastic deal on 5th Ave. ATTN: all Restaurant owners in Naples, come here and take a lot of notes...........This is how you manage a great Restaurant.
(5)Rick G.
I won't be specific to the food, but everything we were served was fantastic. The service was close to perfect, the ambience - really, really nice. The convenience - great. I just wish I weren't from out of town, 'cause we'd be there very often! Love the place, and highly recommend it! Bon appétit!
(4)Scott W.
Explosion?!! Nevertheless we had a very nice Salmon and Snapper dinner special. Love eating outside in Nov. (we are from Pa.).
(4)Abby M.
The place was awesome!!! A salad, entree and a bottle of wine for 2 people for $32.99! The sweet and sour snapper is amazing!
(5)Lisa M.
Brought friends from out of town here and we all enjoyed it very much.Nice ambience,great service.And you can not beat there special 2dinners,salad and a bottle of wine for $32 many places on fifth have this sort of deal but mangrove was the first time we left thinking we had really good food.Tip;make reservation its always busy at diner time.It has been great ever since it re-opened.
(4)John W.
Had dinner there on 8/18 to try out the "summer special" - two dinners and a bottle of wine for $30 or $32. Had a fabulous dinner! My wife had a wonderful salmon in a citrus sauce and I had the best paella I have had in years! The waitstaff was excellent and the atmosphere fun. We'll go back again before the season begins!
(4)Bill M.
Ate here on St Patty's day. Other places on 5th ave turned us away while their tables were empty. Found Mangrove Cafe and had an excellent meal at a great price. Will be back again!
(5)Tyler H.
I've eaten here twice in the last month, and plan on returning for more. Mangrove is home of one of the best deals in Naples for dinner -- two entrees and a bottle of house wine for $30 (you can add on appetizers, dessert, and upgrade your wine if you so choose). Expect it to be a little crowded -- the deal brings out the locals -- but it's worth it. The first time, we had paella (for me) and beef tenders (for my then-fiancee). I added a veal-stuffed mushroom, and we upgraded the wine. The paella was nice, if a little less spicy than I like (but, then again, I like a LOT of spice, so most people should enjoy it just fine). The beef was seared on the outside and cooked medium, served over an excellent mushroom risotto. The wine upgrade was kind of a bummer (spending an extra $10 for a $5 bottle of wine), but c'est la vie. The second time, we were with a large group of friends at our wedding after-party. I had the beef tips, my wife had the marinated skirt steak. My beef was properly rare (I told the waitress "beyond making sure it's not mooing at me, don't do a lot to my steak."), and the skirt steak was flavorful. The house wine was palatable -- it's a relatively inexpensive Southern French cab -- but nothing to write home about. Service both times was a little on the slow side, which I put down to it being quite busy (we were there in the evening on a Friday and a Saturday, which didn't help), but friendly. All in all, in a town where $30 won't buy you an entree at some restaurants, it's worth going to. Just don't expect to park nearby -- plan on parking in the downtown garage and walking a couple blocks.
(4)Patti S.
We had a delicious 2 for $39 dinner the week after Easter. Service was very good. I had the salmon and it was excellent. We had a 5:30 pm reservation, it was quiet when we arrived but filled up while we dined. Would definitely return!
(4)Katie C.
Great deal here for the dinner special. Location and atmosphere were good. Food was average, my meal was cold by the time I was served. Service was horrible, our waitress never took the time to ask how everything was or if we needed anything else.
(3)p l.
These people know their business. Great location, friendly staff and good food! Great value. We highly recommend this restaurant. It is advisable to make a reso well in advance - they are busy!
(5)Eli S.
Mangrove came up on a search for "fine dining" in Naples Fl. I'd have to say I agree with the assessment. The special is fantastic, two entrees and a bottle of wine for 29 bucks. We made reservations and I'm glad we did, the joint was jumping. The white that came with dinner was good, and chilled. I believe you can upgrade your wine selection but we stuck with the free bottle. All entrees come with a delicious house salad. This consisted of good mixed greens, no iceberg or wilted greens here. A lovely house vinaigrette and tasty spicy croutons (I love a good crouton). For our entree I ordered the sweet and sour snapper which is prominently displayed on the online menu, and my girlfriend ordered the sliced bistro beef tender. My snapper was very good and well prepared with a delicious sweet (and slightly sour) glaze on top. It wasn't dry at all and the edges were a little crusty. It came with some light veg (two spears of asparagus) and a nice sauce. The fish was resting on a rather uninspired bed of colored but relatively unfavored rice, but with the sauce it wasn't bad, and the plating was artfully done. My girl made out on her sliced bistro beef tender, it was a generous portion of beef cooked to order (she ordered medium as opposed to medium rare, and they nailed it). It was resting on a bed of really delicious creamy and cheesy herb risotto. This was also well plated. To finish we ordered coffees (quite good) and desert. She got the chocolate cheesecake (I forget the exact name) which was tall, rich, and darn good. I had the key lime cannoli, which was tasty but a bit understated. I normally expect a fairly thick cheese filling, or at least a dense custard in my cannoli. What I got was a lightly limed whip cream filling that didn't really balance well with the crunchy pastry. It seemed more like a lime meringue. It certainly wasn't bad, just not quite what I was expecting. I was really looking to get into the key lime flavor, but found it somewhat lacking. At the end of the meal I noticed our check auto calculated in a 20% gratuity. I didn't think this had been disclosed anywhere and would have been annoyed if the service wasn't really great. As it was I figured the house takes a cut of that so I added some tip on top for our server and called it a night. All in all with the two entree special, the free wine, two coffees, two desserts, and the 20% mandatory gratuity our dinner came to 60 bucks. Which isn't bad at all. I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking the food in a few places, but all in all the service, food, and value really made this a wonderful meal. I will certainly be back and I hope you try it out!
(4)Helena F.
If it wasn't for the $37 deal for 2 dinners and a bottle of wine I would have given it 1 star. Service slow- took them 40 mins to bring out our appetizers. Food - average, nothing special. Atmosphere is ok.
(3)Jesse M.
This was the most crowded place on 5th St. in downtown Naples. This was probably because of the 2 dinners and a bottle of wine for $35 deal they had. Even though it was packed with old people (and some families too) the food was excellent. I had the paella and it was fresh and flavorful. My girlfriend had pork lion and it was equally delicious. The wine was great too! For restaurants in the area you can't beat the Mangrove Cafe for a tasty meal for a great deal.
(4)Scott J.
I have been here for lunch multiple times and for dinner once. Every time, I have been pleased. The lunch menu includes soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a handful of entrees. The New England clam, conch, and corn chowder ($6) is one of my favorites. The dinner menu includes entrees from $18 to $26. Lately, they have been offering a special deal for dinner: 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for $35. You choose the entree; they choose the wine. For lunch, I always get the tropical iced tea, which is very refreshing. For a long time, they characterized their cuisine as "Floribbean," which was a pretty accurate description. Facing Fifth Avenue South, there are just a few tables outside on the sidewalk. Most of the seating inside is a bit crowded, but overlooking the main drag helps give it a good feel. The owners are always on site and the service is usually good.
(5)Christine C.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to visit Mangrove Cafe but I finally decided to give it a try and boy, am I glad I did. This smallish cafe located on 5th Avenue in downtown Naples is a real find. With both indoor and outdoor seating available there is nothing bad to report. This summer they have been promoting a wonderful meal: dinner for two, including salad and a bottle of wine, for $29.95. It's pretty hard to beat that price. The house salad is so yummy with homemade croutons (normally I would forgo this little guys) and the most delicious dressing (rumor has it there are mushrooms in the recipe.) My favorite entree is the roasted chicken (half a bird) with thyme. This is cooked to perfection - crispy skin, juicy meat, just wonderful. Comes with a side of mashed potatoes and veggies. The house wine is fairly decent (don't remember the vintner.) All in all, this is a high recommendation for a wonderful meal.
(4)Pilan C.
A few friends and I were walking 5th St. looking for somewhere to eat, and we thought Mangrove was a nice little place, especially the outdoor seating and the upscale-bar feel inside (it's a nice bar during the nights, I think). The menu looked quite good and we were starving, and it looked like the perfect place for us to stop -- unfortunately, we were very wrong. After getting seated inside (we didn't feel like waiting for an outside table), we quickly ordered drinks, and realized almost off the bat that our waitress was pretty incompetent. I asked if they had an Arnold Palmer, and when she said "yes," me and a fother friend each ordered one. The waitress, of course, brought us plain, flavorless iced teas, and took probably 10 minutes to correct the problem (5 minutes before she ever came back, and 5 minutes to bring the new drinks). When we finally got to order food, it should have been another bad sign when the waitress didn't really write down what we ordered. Two salads were ordered with "dressing on the side," and they both came drowning in dressing, destroying all the fresh, tasty-sounding ingredients in the salads (as well as the health-value of the salads). Because of how long it took, we decided not to send them back, for fear that we may never get to eat. We also ordered two tuna dishes, which were actually very tasty. The tuna was cooked to a very good medium rare, but the firmness of the fish made me think that it must've been pretty frozen before they cooked it for us. The service was just soo bad, and at the end of the meal, when we were trying to get change, we ended up sitting there for another 5-10 minutes. The only reason we didn't get up to leave is because I didn't want to leave her too much of a tip, which would maybe mistake her into thinking that she provided semi-decent service to us. The prices were ok, but not great. Only the tasty tuna (in both Mediterranean salad and Asian flavor form) saved this from being a 1-star review. I don't plan on being Naples again anytime in the near future, but I wouldn't recommend this place.
(2)Brenda S.
With all the wonderful places to go to on 5th ave I recommend you pass this one. I have gone there quite a few times in the last 5 years but since they have started the special 2 for $35 it has gone downhill. The food is not nearly as well prepared and much smaller portions. The waitstaff is slow and impassive maybe because the gratuity is added in they don't feel the need to be nice or attentive. I had the conch corn chowder that was pretty good but the grilled skirt steak was nothing but gristle the last time I was there. Fight the lure of the free bottle of wine and head down the street.
(2)