So the ambiance is nice. Pretty fancy and not what I was expecting as they were playing cute like songs in a vibey uptown restaurant so that was kinda weird to me. The service is good. They were accommodating as we wanted to move tables due to it being close to the balcony. Server wasn't as attentive. But front desk host were nice. The food there I would not recommend. We had the paellla and it was way overcook and too small for 42$, I definitely would prefer and recommend bulla for anyone wanting paella. The drinks were good and strong. I would only go back for the drinks. It was a little hard to find at first but finally found my way. They don't have their own parking so you would have to pay to park in uptown. I would not come back for the price. Just another overprice uptown restaurant serving not good food. read more

See all

This is a very cute spot, beware of the stairs which are more of an art installation. The service is casual not rushed and the food is better than expected. Although I did not get to try the dessert since we had to get to the opera read more

Mariposa - Tuna tacos with pea purée and roasted potatoes - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Just GORGEOUS--I'll start here because the interior aesthetics take my breath away & leave me in awe every time that I enter. It's clear that an immense amount of thought went into the decor--from the beautiful chandeliers, to the lovely abstractly painted columns, to the amazingly unexpected butterfly wall leading to the restrooms, to the lovely marble plates upon which some of Charlotte's best dishes rest--Mariposa delivers unforgettable dining experiences bar none. Then, there's the food--a tantalizing array of small & large Mediterranean shareables designed to please many palates. A few of my faves include the kabobs--lamb or chicken for me--, the Piri Piri chicken, the focaccia with the BEST olive tapenade I've ever tasted (and I live for olives so that's saying a lot, lol), and the newly added fish camp. Run, don't walk, to Mariposa for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Cheers! Pro Tip: Round your experience out by visiting the onsite exhibits at The Mint--lovely restaurant in a lovely museum=total win! read more

See all

I was a little disappointed, having heard rave reviews. The atmosphere and vibe were good. It's definitely a good place for pre or post drinks. The server was super friendly and made informed recommendations for menu items. The whipped ricotta app was yummy. The pro belly bao were flavorful but 2/3 of them were inedible because the pork belly was literally a block of fat - zero meat at all. I've heard their Sunday brunch is good so I may give them another chance to wow me! read more

This place had really nice vibes, the patio area is gorgeous with great views. The service was friendly and excellent and the cocktails were amazing! The food however was pretty disappointing. We ordered the whipped ricotta which was delicious and different from most whipped cheeses at tapas restaurants bc it was oven roasted. The tandoori cauliflower however I felt was bland and undercooked. The piri piri chicken also was very bland, tasted like it hadn't been marinated at all and was undercooked! Bc of that our server did give us a complimentary arancini, which was great, and octopus, which was a bit rubbery. Overall, I think this place is a great vibe for apps and cocktails but for dinner a bit disappointing especially given the price. Probably wouldn't come again unless it's for drinks. read more

See all

This was the second time we have been to Mariposa and this time we brought some friends! The food here is delicious, especially the paella. Their bartenders are also wonderful and create some delicious seasonal cocktails. Both times the servers have been great too. Even helping us speed things along last night since we were late due to traffic and trying to catch a show! The ambiance is very classy. It is small enough to feel intimate, but large enough to have some space. We also love that they have patio space! read more

Mariposa - Our drinks--Fireside whisperer, pumpkintini and more! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

A marvelous time was had at Mariposa! Visited recently on a Wendesday evening for a Mariposa + Mint Museum night and will definitely be back or recommending this place to others! I parked in the Levine Center for the arts parking garage and took the elevator directly to P2 where it takes you directly to the restaurant and museum. I was meeting some friends for dinner and was immediately seated upon arrival. Our amazing waiter was Oneil - seriously, he was a great time and enhanced our dining experience! I ordered the chipotle rubbed short rib and roasted veggies. The short rib was delicious and quite filling! The veggies were a seasonal mix of asian veggies. Oneil recommended the potatoes which I will definitely try on my next visit. Everyone was happy with their meals and the ambiance is great for a girls night or date night spot. I do wish they would get rid of the sofas used for seating at the tables. They're WAY TOO LOW especially for my fellow short folks and make for an awkward dining experience. read more

Mariposa - Chipotle rubbed short rib with sweet potato puree - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Stopped in for dinner before a show with some friends and we had a nice experience. Our server Carlos was very professional and pleasant. The restaurant is a little dimly lit. Everyone had to use the flashlight on their phones to look at the menu. The food was okay. Some items were seasoned well and others were a bit under-seasoned. Overall we had a good time. read more

See all

Had an amazing birthday dinner at Mariposa. The food was outstanding, the space is absolutely beautiful, and the service was top-notch. Everything came together for a great experience--definitely a spot worth celebrating at. read more

Mariposa - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

I absolutely loved this place. The service, food, and ambiance were top tier. The presentation of the food is amazing and this was the perfect spot to grab dinner. They offer shareable plates (tapas) and amazing drinks. The waitress told me the meals were inspired by the owners' travel. I loved it and will be back. read more

Mariposa - Oysters Rockefeller - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Overpriced and underwhelming. $24 cocktail was mostly simple syrup and not even garnished. Salmon to be cooked medium rare was dry and very well done. My meal was brought to the table a couple of minutes before my date. Tuna poke tacos were micro tacos with only tuna and a dollop of wasabi aioli, lacking flavor and any culinary imagination. This is the first time I have ever posted a negative review, so that says something. Will not return. read more

I have been to this restaurant many times over the years but was very disappointed with my experience yesterday. The food was very insipid with little to no flavor. Vegetables in the mezze platter were not cut properly (too big to eat easily) and unseasoned. The restaurant charges an automatic 20% tip for all diners which appears to result in indifferent and poor service. Overall very unhappy at having spent so much for such a poWill not go back. read more

This restaurant has been on my list for some time, so when I had a chance to go for lunch recently, I took it. Our group was a good size but we had a reservation and were seated immediately. We sat near the window and part of the group sat on the sofa. They were visibly much lower than those of us in the chairs and possibly a little too low to eat comfortably. The service was pretty good, our server was helpful and friendly. He also made good suggestions about items on the menu. I ordered the lamb burger with fries since I was told that was the best thing on the menu. Indeed it was!! Most of the others in my party ordered salads and other entrees and were not pleased with their meals. The lamb was tender and seasoned perfectly! I would come back to order it again along with a cocktail. The decor is pretty, and I hope to return for dinner or brunch. read more

See all

What an excellent addition to downtown and the adjoining museum. The menu is limited but has good variety and reasonably priced for the portion. The dessert menu had only ice cream sans alcohol which was disappointing. The service was great and the furniture and view were spectacular. Our Greek Avocado bowl was yummy. read more

Mariposa - Avocado bowl - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

My wife and I ate here after visiting the Mint Museum. We thought based on it being attached to the museum, it would be a nice quality restaurant and a romantic way to end a date night. However we found both the food quality and quantity lacking. The server was apathetic and acted like he had somewhere else better to be. The size of some of their large plates should have been small plates. The food was overly salty and the drinks were watered down. Disappointing for having spent so much. The only nice thing was the view, which I have attached photos of. Overall, stay away....there are other restaurants within walking distance of the museum. read more

Mariposa - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

I love, love, love that Mariposa has live music on Sundays during brunch. It's a nice touch. Plates are small but shareable and the mimosas are wonderful. Service is good and the atmosphere and decor pass the vibe check. Folks who eat at Mariposa probably consider themselves fancy in some form or fashion- if this is you, this is a spot you should check out. Do not come here expecting a Denny's Grand Slam breakfast! read more

Mariposa - Passionfruit kiwi mimosa - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

A friend recommended, so I decided to take my mom for her 50th birthday. Beautiful scenery and ambiance with live music. The brunch menu and food was okay I wasn't overly impressed (mezze board whipped feta was delicious) but that may just be my New Yorker pallet. A somewhat minor hiccup was we were given a drink with a completely rotten strawberry both visibly and so much that it smelled sour, they did remake the drink after we pointed it out but I couldn't believe an establishment that is seemingly fine dining would let something like that be served to their patrons. Also, I asked prior to my reservation how they celebrated a birthday person and was told they gave complimentary glasses of champagne but when we got the the glass it was a sample/tasting portion at best , which was a little disappointing especially after spending $240 on brunch for 2 adults and a 3 yr old. read more

See all

Brunch at Mariposa is absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed French toast with fresh fruit. The customer service was top tier. The restaurant has large windows allowing a lot of natural light. There was a live band playing which added to the overall vibe. I'll be back. read more

See all

Made a last minute reservation for a party of 4 and we thoroughly enjoyed the small plates to share. The service was prompt and kind to us, we had one guest with an allergy and advised of items they might not be able to consume. The interior is very open and clean. read more

Mariposa - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Matiposa is located in The Mint museum. We love good museum cafes, and Mariposa is near the top of the list! The food is inventive and flavorful. We enjoyed the Peruvian Chicken Bowl with rice and avocado and the Cobb Salad with large chunks of crispy bacon and a red wine vinaigrette. The restaurant is fitting for a museum because of its artistic decor and bright open space. The open kitchen with the fire oven was fun to watch! Service was friendly and efficient. Prices were fine for the good quality of the food. read more

See all

Wow I really wish I didn't love this place as much as I did because we live across the country and will probably seldom get to eat here. If you are local or visiting in town, definitely check out Mariposa! Their dishes are tapas style. Their cuisine sends you in a trio around the world. We ordered pork belly bulgogi lettuce wraps, duck arepas, tuna crudo, and paella. The pork belly was one of the best pork bellies we've had! And boy do we eat out alot. It was seriously melt in your mouth tender and you could cut it with a fork. Even the rice that comes with the lettuce wraps had flavor to it. The duck arepas were tasty as well. I love the way it's presented. I think of it as an open faced arepa lol. The tuna crudo was an explosion of flavors. The paella was pretty good too but I do wish it had socarrat, the layer at the bottom that if cooked right, becomes toasty and crunchy. I do appreciate the generous amount of seafood you get with this dish! The restaurant is so cute inside and connected to what seems like an art museum. It's elegant yet not too fancy. You can come casually dressed or dressed to the nines. Service is great and attentive. read more

See all

I've been here before for dinner but this was my first brunch experience. Love the ambiance. Love the addition of live music. The food remains very good! You MUST order the corn fritters. Trust me. We also appreciated the lamb burger (with those wonderful fries) and the breakfast potatoes with onions & peppers. The shrimp & grits were truly unique. Those grits alone were outta here! It wasn't overly crowded for a Saturday morning in uptown. The drinks are inventive and tasty as well. Great service. read more

See all

What a beautiful place and a great experience! We came here for lunch to celebrate my friends 30th birthday and we had a great time! Our waiter was funny, attentive, helpful and kind! He recommended the best alcoholic drinks! The food was amazing! All of us enjoyed our food! The view is beautiful and the inside is decorated nicely. The bathrooms are clean. This place is such a great vibe and the music was perfect! I definitely recommend coming here for a great time and delicious food! read more

Mariposa - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

Fancy spot to go on your lunch break from the convention center! (5 min walk). It's on the 2nd floor. It's a beautiful setting and they have about 5 tables that are next to windows for a view. Staff is friendly and service is efficient. Will definitely be back! read more

See all

We randomly found Mariposa on the way to The Green. I didn't realize how hungry I was until we sat down, the Burrata appetizer jumped off the menu at me and I was so excited. Heirloom tomatoes, pesto, a delightful piece of bread with it that was airy and very flavorful. Unfortunately we jumped in so fast, I didn't get a photo, but the plate was big refreshing and exciting for the palette, it also came out very quickly. We were ordering off the brunch menu, my partner chose The Standard and I, shakshuka. I did not see an option to add protein. This was disappointing, I absolutely would have. As it was, I have no complaints, the plate stayed super hot while I was eating and held a fantastic flavor. I'm still full several hours later, I don't know when I'll be hungry for dinner! Ha! I also very much enjoyed the live music while we ate. Great atmosphere, great service, would recommend. read more

Just tried this rest for the first time tonight. The food was outstanding! Our server, Nathan, took excellent care of us tonight and we wanted for nothing. Check it out! read more

After wanting to try Mariposa since they opened, we finally had a chance two years later. The Mint Museum parking garage was closed, so the Mariposa hostess called in advance of our reservation and suggested parking across the street at The Green Garage. It was close and very convenient, and only cost us $10 for two hours. We reserved a high top table, and were seated next to the bar. The seating was very comfortable, and we loved the view of Uptown and the restaurant from our table. Since Mariposa is known for their specialty cocktails, we tried a couple. My husband had the Blackberry Velvet Bramble ($18). Since I'm not a fan of overly sweet drinks, I requested a gimlet ($14 gin + $3 mixer). We enjoyed both of them, but they were more expensive than we usually pay for comparable beverages. The server suggested that we order a mix of items across the small and large shareables, as well as a side or two. Here's what we had - 1. Tuna crudo ($15) - 5/5 - This dish was exceptional, and we both loved the Asian flavors and spice level. 2. Seared Scallops ($22) - 5/5 - This was another favorite dish. The scallops were cooked perfectly, and the XO sauce was spicy. I thought it was a bacon jam originally, haha, but the topping actually included finely chopped oysters and shrimp. 3. Burrata ($16) - 3/5 - We enjoyed the burrata and pesto, but the tomatoes were a bit firm and not as ripe as we would have liked. The accompanying toasted bread was just ok. We wouldn't get this again. 4. Half Piri Piri Chicken ($18) - 2/5 - This dish included a thigh and breast. The chicken was cooked perfectly, but the chicken was EXCESSIVELY salty. I am not sure if it was because of the dry rub or brine. We definitely won't get this again. 5. Tandoori Spiced Cauliflower ($10) - 5/5 - This side was huge, and incredibly flavored. We both loved the raisins and raita. 6. Squash Casserole ($10) - 3/5 - This dish contained more homemade croutons than squash, but everything was tasty. It was just too much food for us to finish, however. We definitely had more food than we needed, and decided if we return, we'll only get two or three small shareables and one side. Service was very good, and the timing of the dishes was perfect to allow us to have one or two items to enjoy at a time. Overall, the bill was a high for the value, although we know we ordered too much. When I compare Mariposa to our favorites--Barcelona Wine Bar and Good Food on Montford--the latter two edge out Mariposa for providing a better combination of exceptional food and slightly lower pricing. read more

See all

Went for a girls weekend brunch! Highly recommend! The food and service was stellar! We loved the drinks and also got a carafe of mimosa for the table! Wait staff were lovely and very accommodating. read more

See all

I've been in Charlotte for almost a year now and this is hands down, the BEST food I have eaten thus far. My family eats out a lot, so that says a lot. I went to Mariposa tonight with a girlfriend of my who has also not tried the restaurant. We made a 7:15 reservation and was seated promptly upon arrival. We reserved the bar but we're pleasantly surprised when they offered us a table on the patio outside. I am not a huge outdoor seating girl, but it could not have been a better night to sit outside and enjoy a meal. We started with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and the Focaccia w olive tapenade and Burrata. For our mains we got the Gullah Paella and the Chipotle Crusted Short Rib. We were too full for dessert but they all sounded great as well. I truly have nothing negative to say. From the service to the food and views, it was a great night and will be back to experience it again. read more

See all

Meh. Disappointed. Nice ambiance but the food was not great considering the price point. It was just okay. Don't think I'll be back anytime soon. read more

Mariposa - Branzino - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all

We have been trying to get here for the longest. Finally made it for brunch and it was worth it. The ambiance is super cute. The waitstaff was very attentive and helpful when it came to decisions about the food. She was very knowledgeable about different menu options as well as drinks. The food was really good. There were nice portions and very fulfilling. We will definitely be back for dinner. read more

See all

As an out of state visitor I would've walked past this place over and over and not known there was a restaurant, but Yelp guided me here. I arrived with a friend at opening, even though the place was empty we could only sit out on the patio or at the bar. I was leaning towards bar for some sweet AC, since it was 90, and the space is gorgeous. My friend selected outside though so we sat and sweated are asses off. I had a nice view of inside though with the plush velvet, black and gold accents, loved. For drinks, I tried the fuego roca terra, I disliked it, and bourbon royalty, ending with the regatta colada, those last two I would recommend. We ordered vegetarian, the mezze board, street corn fritters, and vegetable tagine. The corn fritters were money, the other two dishes didn't blow me away, but they were good too. Great space and service! read more

See all

Food was baller. It is a little more on the expensive side, but you get that when hitting up a tapas place uptown. The vibes and atmosphere were beautiful! To no surprise they also had a great wine menu. The service was incredible. This is a great date night spot. We will definitely be back. read more

See all

New fav!!!!! We are foodies and absolutely love love love the food at Mariposa! The safe was so attentive and friendly, it was nice to be treated by the manager asking about our meal. We will b back %100! read more

See all

Great ambience, great location, food was decent, the smaller sharable plates were probably better than our selection of the entrees.

Nice sophisticated atmosphere, the food and service was great! The bartenders are top notch!

The service was wonderful and the food was absolutely amazing. I really want to come back for their brunch!

Innovation on dishes 10/10 but not every dish tasted well...specially vegetarian ones

This place is a must go to for brunch (brunch is on Saturday and Sunday). It's pricey! You will have to pay for parking either in a parking garage or on the street. When you walk up the stairs through the doors to your left will be the restaurant. When we walked in we was graced by the beauty of the decor and jazz music. There restaurant has indoor seating and balcony seating (for those who want to eat outside and admire the city). Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and took good care of us. The food was flavorful which our palates enjoyed. We will be back. read more

See all

Beautiful ambiance and the food was ok. Our server was attentive. The menu changed a lot and it's ok. read more

Mariposa - Views from the inside. - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

See all