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    Magdalena A Maryland Bistro

    4.4 (208 reviews)
    PriceyNew American, Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Magdalena A Maryland Bistro Photos

    MAGDALENA A MARYLAND BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

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    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Magdalena A Maryland Bistro

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    The last of the wine
    Mary K.

    Had an amazing time, despite probably being that annoying couple celebrating my birthday with a few cocktails and wine. I appreciate the bartender so much for being so patient with us. Now for the good stuff- I took zero photos but our food was fabulous. I had the lamb and my friend had the duck and both (because obviously I get to try a bite of his!) were amazing. We had a beautiful bottle of Burgundy to accompany which the assistant sommelier helped recommend. Finally the lovely dessert, I never say no to a good birthday candle. The bar was small but intimate, and the space has excellent vibes. I would absolutely come back again!

    Menu
    Rachel N.

    This place screams quiet luxury. Really loved the complimentary valet parking, especially with being in the city. Our waiter was 10/10 so sweet! He checked on us just enough and made sure to refill our sparkling waters when appropriate. The ambiance of this place is very soothing. Music isn't loud. You won't feel rushed at this restaurant. Not only was it great food but it was a relaxing time well spent. Bread for two 7/10: came out warm, lightly toasted. butter had a twist in it Canape board 7/10: A mix of three different foods to try. The raw oysters were pretty tiny. But the mix in them seasoned them well. Can't go wrong with the crab balls. Farmer's cheese dumplings 8/10: I really thought the dumplings looked like enlarged roly-polies to be honest. BUT GIVE THEM A TRY! So chewy and the sauce had me salivating. Rockfish 10/10: Heavenly sauce !!! This rockfish was melting in my mouth.

    Amish chicken
    Anna S.

    We recently stopped by Magdalena for a quick drink and a snack on a Tuesday night. The inside is a lot smaller than I would've guessed but very polished and upscale. They have a few private dining rooms towards one side which would be perfect for a company dinner or a fancy party. To the other side is the main dining area with a small bar and a few booths. Outdoors is their expansive patio, although we didn't venture out on this particular night since it's the off season. The bartender, Max, was really friendly and knowledgeable. We were the only ones at the bar but he made an effort to show us some really interesting bottles, including a cool rum, and spoke to us about his Garden-inspired cocktails. Such a cool concept! I ordered the Autumn Spritz from the regular cocktail menu which was a cynar spritz with some sort of delicious infused syrup. It was really good! A delicious, low ABV spritz that was somehow holiday-inspired but still very refreshing. We also ordered the Amish chicken and truffle parmesan fries to munch on. My boyfriend said the chicken was some of the best he's ever had. Apparently it was the last night it'd be on the menu so I'm glad he got to try it before it was gone. The fries were pretty good but super dry - I would've loved a garlic truffle aioli on the side. It'd be nice to see the menu more clearly marked for gluten free options. The prices here are expensive but it's a swanky, boutique hotel's restaurant so it's to be expected. I would definitely return in the future for a proper meal but it would be for a special occasion, given the cost.

    Bell A.

    Beautiful restaurant! Very attentive servers. I'll be honest I didn't care for the food too too much. I wish there were better selections. I would recommend but I probably wouldn't return.

    Row 7 badger flame beets
    Annie L.

    Phenomenal from top to bottom. From the attentive, personable service to bold, flavorful dishes that are thoughtfully plated artistry, Magdalena is a must try!

    Starters! Beets, honey squash, chicken
    Jinny K.

    Went in for dinner on a Tuesday night with reservations for two. Once I walked in, I was greeted by Cynthia, the manager I believe, and was sat at our table. I loved the cozy yet elegant interior of the restaurant and how each room had a different style. Once we were sat, we were greeted by our server, Gavin, who is also a sommelier. He was super informative and friendly and helped with wine pairing options for our food. We ordered 4 appetizers together and an entree each. All the items were so flavorful and didn't have an overwhelming flavor profile. I enjoyed every single one of the items we ordered. Not to mention how perfect the wine pairings were! Will definitely be back for the warm hospitality Cynthia and Gavin provided + yummy food. Perhaps in a different room next time. Do note that they offer complimentary valet parking which is always so helpful in the city!

    Birthday Baked Alaska
    Nadine F.

    My experience was top tier! The sommelier recommended the perfect wine for me after asking about my preferences. It paired well with my meal, as well. Service was excellent. Everyone was attentive. The overall ambiance was exceptional. I appreciated getting a tour of the wine cellar after my birthday dinner. I'm looking forward to coming back in the Spring so I can dine in the garden.

    Canapé board - rabbit dumplings, vegetable soup, whitefish salad
    Alice L.

    Food: the canapé apps were strange - rabbit dumplings was good, vegetable soup (called something fancier) was good, the whitefish crisp was awful. The complimentary focaccia was burnt and too crunchy, served with a really nice herby butter. The entrees were good - steak and red snapper. We got a side of mushrooms (good), and broccoli (charred to the point where it crumbled, did not taste anything but burnt). Perhaps most disappointing was the dessert - the s'mores - "Bavarian cream" in the middle but it was frozen rock solid, you can even see the condensation on the photo; felt like a crappy ice cream sandwich. Service: friendly but inattentive; multiple times we refilled our own glasses of wine, and twice we ran after our waiter to give our orders because he just didn't come back. Ambiance: nice but nothing special One of the few places I would not return to. For the price, there are many other wonderful restaurants in the city.

    harissa glazed lamb loin pistachio tapenade, bitter green salad, pickled chilis, date ketchup, natural jus
    Alexis B.

    My husband and I had date night at Magdalena last week. I had been for dinner the year before and was excited to try it again, and it was his first time. Magdalena is really beautiful, a great restaurant for a treat or special occasion. Magdalena is inside the Ivy Hotel, and it's just as stunning as you'd expect for a restaurant inside one of the city's best, nicest, and most expensive hotels. It's sophisticated and romantic and yet still very comfortable. (FYI: they offer valet, but you can sometimes find street parking, too.) The service is consistent with the quality and beauty of the restaurant, too. From our entry to the restaurant (where they offered to check our coats for us) to the service throughout the meal, every member of the staff at Magdalena were incredibly helpful and friendly. Magdalena is known for its wine program and cellar. Their wine list includes a list of over 850 wines from across 21 different countries and spanning over 160 regions. Our server was their sommelier, which was incredibly helpful, because he was able to recommend a bottle which paired well with our meal and was within a certain price point we specified (a very nice Primitivo). Our food last week was wonderful. We started with the canapé board (two of each of a seafood tartlet, a crab ball, and a raw oyster with cranberry mignonette and jalapeño). All of the canapés were delicious and a great start to the meal. Next, we shared the farmer's cheese "dumplings" (gnocchi-like dumplings with braised lamb neck ragu, black garlic, sheep's milk curds, and citrus gremolata), which was delicious. For my entree, I picked the harissa-glazed lamb loin (pistachio tapenade, bitter green salad, pickled chiles, date ketchup, and natural jus), which was great. My husband had the crispy duck leg confit (carrot bbq sauce, red miso carrot puree, grilled baby carrots, honeybush jus), which was also delicious. We were enjoying our meal so much, we didn't want it to end, so we ordered some coffee and dessert: cherry & fennel (roasted sour cherries, pernod sabayon, diplomat cream, pistachio, and cherry biscotti) - a really interesting, delicious, and not too heavy dessert. Magdalena is a special restaurant. It's pricey, but it's perfect if you need a treat or a restaurant for a special occasion. We really enjoyed our dinner here and look forward to returning on another special occasion.

    BBQ carrot butter and Focaccia
    Dakota M.

    It is not often that I visit a restaurant and have no critiques. I think it's so important to support GOOD businesses, especially restaurants, that represent Baltimore well. The food, the service, the atmosphere was top tier. Our waiter really engaged with us and made us feel at home. We started with the Focaccia and BBQ Carrot Butter which I could not get enough of. Even the next day, the focaccia was soft. I ordered the sword fish which was perfectly cooked. The sunchokes were a great addition because it's not something you find often. I wasn't a huge fan of the Banoffee Cake, but I can see where people would really enjoy it.

    Parting chocolate gifts (wasn't a fan)
    Quels P.

    Dropped into Magdalena on a Wednesday night, no reservation, and still got seated right away--off to a smooth start. The hostess was bubbly and welcoming, and our waiter/sommelier combo was like a giant teddy bear who moonlights as a wine whisperer. My friend had the NY strip--perfectly cooked, packed with flavor. His cognac French 75? Strong, just how it should be. I went with the duck breast... a solid "meh." About a 6/10, but the cherry-cola-noted red wine it came with? Fantastic. The space was airy, clean, and inviting, with the doors open to the evening breeze. Service was stellar all around. The food was hit or miss, but the staff made the whole experience worth a return trip.

    Dry aged duck breast
    Fiona N.

    It was a warm evening in mid April. I went to Magdalena with two friends. Their food is amazing. For starters, we got bread with butter, truffle fries, and roasted beets. Their bread of the day was sourdough and it was very decent. Their truffle fries were the best I've ever had. Perfect size (both portion and the fries themself), nicely seasoned, then sprinkled with cheese. For entrees, we got catfish and duck breast. They were both great. The caviar in the catfish dish was remarkably fresh. Their duck breast was perfected cooked and seasoned. We really appreciated the skin and meat ratio of the duck breast. The seared skin has a delightful crunch and goes wonderfully with the meat. Each of us had three drinks. All of them were great. The waitress was very knowledgeable on the menu, including EVERY cocktails. She was very helpful. Their desserts are absolutely top notch in Baltimore. Their presentations were impeccable, and their tastes... *chef kiss* Every portion of the dessert has appropriate sweetness and all tastes terrific. Notably, when you put a portion of each together in your mouth, it elicits joy and harmony. The atmosphere was great. I appreciate the real, blooming white rose on the table. The dimmable lamp was helpful and aesthetically pleasing was well. Three of us together, the bill was like $400, which isn't surprising as a member of the Atlas restaurant group.

    Sidecar $16 Rye, Armagnac, Fresh Lemon Juice, Magdala
    Mitasha P.

    The food, service, and ambiance at Magdalena was incredible. There is also free valet parking available. They change their menu seasonally, so we got there right when they had a new menu. This is also a black-owned restaurant so I was happy I got the chance to dine here, especially for the month of February. FOOD: 6 oysters $22.50: the oysters we had came from Massachusetts and were sweet with a briny finish. Charcoal Roasted Beets Salad $18.00: the cheese and the walnuts provided a good creamy and nutty texture to this beets salad. I do wish that there was a little more of the charcoal roasted flavors in the beets. The beets were locally sourced 10 miles away from the restaurant so it really gave farm to table vibes. Foie Gras $32.00: this foie gras came with a toasted brioche and candied pecans. I do wish that there was a little more bread to pair with the richness of the foie gras. The flavor combinations between the red wine, poached pear and the foie gras were perfect. Focaccia $8.00: I got this after seeing other yelp reviews raving about their focaccia bread and I do think it is worth it. They do change their butter flavor based off the season. The bread itself is incredibly fresh and crispy. DRINKS: Sidecar $16.00: this cocktail was light and citrusy. It was refreshing enough, but not overly sweet. Nuoc Mam-tini $18.00: this cocktail is definitely an acquired taste. It contains fish sauce, gin, and pickled daikon for the garnish. The menu said it included carrots, but I think that was missing in my drink. It's savory, fishy, and had sour notes from the pickled radish. The smell of the cocktail was funky (almost like blue cheese) from the fish sauce. There was a resemblance of the savory flavor of fresh crab meat as well. Laurent-Perrier, La Cuvée, Brut, Champagne, France $25/glass: a crispy champagne worth a celebratory toast. I thoroughly enjoyed this sparkling wine for its well-balanced flavor. SERVICE: Emma was a wonderful server. She was very knowledgeable about the menu. She checked in on us constantly to see if we needed anything and made sure that our water glass never went empty.

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    2 months ago

    Loved the ambiance. Service was superb. Food was great, small portions, steak a bit fatty but all in all, it was a great night for dinner.

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    Ask the Community - Magdalena A Maryland Bistro

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    Clandestino has grown up, literally. What began as a small operation in Frederick has moved into a…read morelarger space, and the expansion suits them well. This is Puerto Rican pitorro, also known as ron cañita, made with care and intention rather than gimmickry. Many local liquor stores now carry the brand, and it is well worth picking up a bottle, but visiting the distillery is an experience in itself. The founder is a fellow Puerto Rican born retired military member, a background I share, and like me, he has put down roots in Maryland. That story is reflected clearly in the brand's own framing, "Puerto Rican born, Maryland made." The space feels grounded and unpretentious, and that sensibility carries through to the hospitality. We arrived late on a Saturday and were still welcomed warmly, never rushed. We were taken care of by the founder's daughter, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided us through a flight that included the traditional pitorro, almond, pineapple, coffee, coconut chai, and several seasonal offerings. The flavors were thoughtful and well balanced; even the infused expressions retained a clear rum backbone rather than drifting into novelty. We enjoyed them enough to leave with several bottles. This is artisanal pitorro done right, rooted in Puerto Rican tradition and confidently made in Maryland. Buying it locally is convenient, but going to the distillery is where the people, the story, and the spirit fully come together.

    This local speakeasy has quickly moved its way to the top of my list…read more I love the ease of parking, safe neighborhood, and spacious speakeasy space. Always great service by bar manager Charlie, fantastic food and beverage menu and options. My favs so far are the grilled wings and chicken tortilla soup. The drinks are pretty awesome, and Charlie the Great can alter beverages to your preference if you prefer. This is an overall mezcal bar, but they have other libations as well. My fav is John Updike's Old Fashioned. My son ordered and loved the Strawberry Gin & Tonic. This establishment is a great conversation starter, and I look forward to returning asap.

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    Tequila!!!!

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    Tequila!!!!

    Magdalena A Maryland Bistro - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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