Situated on an unassuming block and in an unassuming building, you'd never know the amazing flavors you'll find at Magdalena! After being recommended, we decided to visit on a Thusday evening. We were immediately greeted and seated as there were only a few other people in the restaurant. Our server, Shannon, was delightful! We decided on the crawfish Monica, the collard greens dish, and the waygu dish! I would go back just for the crawfish! Perfect amount of everything that I will dream about. I have read about different theme nights so we will definitely be back! read more

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We dined here for a taste of Creole cuisine while staying in Indy last weekend. Upon entry the bubbly hostess greeted us and sat us at our table, gave us an overview of the menu and specials, and our server shortly followed to take drink & apps orders. The restaurant has an intimate setting with beautiful soft tunes coming from the retro speakers. The staff are very friendly, drinks potent, and the food was divine! We appreciated the owner introducing himself and assuring us that they could make an order of chargrilled oysters. They were delicious!! We hope to visit again soon the next time we are in the city and catch an Uber to enjoy happy hour! read more

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What a fun and hidden gem! Came here with a few girlfriends and it turned out to be so great! As I walked in I could definitely feel the New Orleans flair and service was excellent. We were taken to our table and after scanning the menu ordered the seafood tower. The tower was excellent and it all tasted so fresh. We also ordered the pimento cheese appetizer for the table which was equally delicious. I also opted to order the tuna tostada which was surprisingly good and tasted so fresh! Overall great experience and definitely want to come back to try more items! read more

Magdalena - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I didn't know much about Magdalena when my wife mentioned going but I was all for it once she gave me a quick run down on that kind of vibe they had! When we walked in, we were immediately greeted warmly by Shannon who took care of us the entire time! (S/O Shannon!) Every part of our experience here was fantastic, from our food (HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SEAFOOD MONICA), the chill jazz music playing (I need that playlist), and the gorgeous space it's in. read more

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Ok, so admittedly I suck with selecting from menus (Neurospicy bb here!) and am newer to seafood, but open to trying more these days. This place has potential. Very classy vibe. But we were just hungry and wanted some sense of ease and familiarity and the menu needed a classy eye (I didn't know what anything was ) that I clearly don't have lol. But I hope to try another time! We stuck to a drink, I got a white wine and our waiter is a sweetie and gave us cute mini sweet shots. read more

Magdalena - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Classy, elegant vibes in this dimly lit, simple cocktail bar with food that will impress. The menu can change but usually highlights raw fish such as oysters, scallops, or tuna/salmon. It is New Orleans-based but think upper class NOLA ;) the servers seemed to enjoy the community/camaraderie and had great suggestions for our table almost reading the person and what would be best for them and not interrupting at the wrong times. Awesome interactions with the wait staff overall! The rarebit was perfectly cooked, the mushroom risotto HIGHLY encouraged (so much flavor and a more filling dish than most), and the smoked whitefish dip was something everyone at our table said they would be back to have again (GREAT DEPTH OF FLAVOR!!). The acorn squash had some overcooked corners but every other bite was mixed with an awesome palette mixture. So much love was put into these dishes and they should be shined a light on. Probably not a bad thing on the menu here. Perfect for a birthday dinner or meetup with old friends definitely check out Magdalena!! read more

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Really enjoyed Magdalena! The food was incredible and the ambiance was intimate yet very relaxing! The food was absolutely delicious. My favorites were the Whitefish dip and the Crawfish Monica! The pasta was SO flavorful and I really enjoyed it. The waiter was so kind and attentive. This place is a hidden gem!! read more

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This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants! My fiancé and I were in town for a friends wedding and knew we wanted to try a nice restaurant for one of the extra nights. Our expectations were blown AWAY. We used our Resy $100 AMEX credit, and it made such a big part of being able to sample multiple apps and drinks. I wish I remembered the names of all the drinks, but the red drink in coupe glass (I think it was the hotel nacional?) was my favorite. The ham dish was INSANE IN THE BEST WAY. a month later and I still daydream about this dish. It was cheesy, savory, salty, and creamy all in one. I thought the gravy did a great job of breaking up some of the pimento in the grits too. Ultimately, I'm sure most people can't eat here just whenever they want, but if you're looking for a great date night spot or to celebrate a special occasion, I highly recommend Magdalena. read more

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It's been a while since I haven't had such a nice experience in a restaurant. The service was great, people are super nice and attentive. Magdalena is a beautiful place, I didn't know what to expect especially with all the construction around it but it was so great. I had the Wellington and it did not disappoint, it's such a huge portion too and you want to leave space for dessert... omg dessert, I'll be dreaming about that lemon dessert with dates and almonds of course we also had the rhubarb and strawberry, both amazing! Oh and drinks were so yummy too! I want to come back soon so I can take pics of everything read more

Magdalena - Gin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Five stars and possibly our new fave Indy restaurant!!!! Wonderful service and amazing culinary creations. Also really appreciated the complimentary sparkling wine tasters mid-meal. Every bite was an "omg so good" moment. I cannot wait to return! My only requests for improvement: 1. More comfortable chairs. The seats in the center section were very basic and hard. 2. Perhaps a few more gf friendly items. I really need to avoid gluten and this was a worthy splurge but maybe updating the items in small ways to be more customizable for gf. Either way, we will be back as everything is incredible!!! read more

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Everything was great. We stumbled into this restaurant and it happened to be happy hour. Don't mind if I do! We shared most plates, oysters, and etc and so glad we did. It allowed us to sample more. read more

An unexpected transition from vape shops and mexican restaurants might be underway in Fountain Square. Located in the intersection, Magdalena, sits near more parking options than most other shops in this location. We were pleasantly surprised by the interior of the place, it's chic minimal style keeps it flexible for casual diners but can also be considered elevated for a date night option. The menu is heavily seafood/raw bar but did offer two or three cooked meal dinners. Overall, we had a good experience, but it is an acquired taste and not somewhere that we will frequent often. read more

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Excellent service! Quick and friendly! The venue is so cute! I went with my friends but it's not too loud and intimate so great for a date night! Trust the chef, this is a place you should try things you usually wouldn't! Also the cocktails are well balanced and full of flavor! Would return definitely! Oysters were a 10! read more

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Don't miss this gem! This restaurant just reached the one year mark in the Fountain Square neighborhood. The food, atmosphere, music and service come together to provide a wonderful dining experience. We got there early and were treated to happy hour drinks, classics with clever twists. We tasted 3/5 entrees, 2/6 sides 2/2 desserts and all were original and perfectly cooked. read more

Magdalena - Drinks and Vibe - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I could probably write an essay about Magdalena. It's quickly become my favorite spot in town. From the menu staples, to rotating to items, to limited specials, to special meals like the no menu Monday series every single things knocks it out of the park. The food is creative, stunning, and full of flavor. The seafood is always fresh. Even the veggies are always a shining star which doesn't happen everywhere. The cocktail program has classics, spins on stuff you know, and creative originals. The vibes and ambiance are perfection. It's been a great date spot, but my foodie kid also loves it. And the staff- the best in town. Service is always out of this world and they are all super rad and friendly individuals who care about their work! (I could probably post like 500 photos at this point ) read more

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I am once again here to sing the praises of Magdalena. Owner Nick Detrich and his staff provide a high level of service on a regular night and absolutely exceed expectations at any special event they host. Don't miss No Menu Monday themed dinners: I recently attended one of these dinners centered around The Simpsons and was amazed by how elevated an animated sitcom themed dinner could be. We started off with Flander's Style Nachos (referred to in the show as cucumbers and cottage cheese) - whipped ricotta with cucumbers and fresh dill, surrounded by a strawberry tomato gazpacho. I will dream of this gazpacho all summer. Next was the best sloppy Joe you'll ever have - complete with house BBQ and a pickled shishito. Onto the forbidden donut - a savory cheddar choux with beet goat cheese in place of the frosting and topped with bee pollen. For the last savory course, Marge's pork chop was served, complete with pear puree and rosemary. Now the dessert really took it home for me, a chocolate cremeux with homemade marshmallow and maldon salt. I will be trying (and likely failing) to replicate this decadent sweet treat. An optional drink pairing for all five courses was available as well and, naturally, you can't miss these pairings. Magdalena remains a favorite and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. read more

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Finally got to try the new hot spot in Fountain Square! Went for dinner on a Friday. Really great service. Super knowledgeable and helpful staff, we had like a million questions. Ordered half dozen oysters, tuna tostada, burrata, cucumber, Brussels sprouts, and steak. And a few cocktails. Cocktails were pretty solid. The Bon Secour* oysters were amazing, and all the other dishes were phenomenal. The steak was good but I think I'd just go with 2 other dishes next time. Will definitely be back to try some different cocktails and some new dishes when the menu rotates. read more

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Came here with friends to try and share many of the dishes. I haven't seen a ton of people review this place and they don't in-fact post the menu on Instagram like their website suggests. Ironically they did start posting the menu for something called No Menu Monday. That leads everyone to think they are only an oyster bar which is a disservice to the broader menu and stops people that dislike oysters from coming. The space has changed from its Thunderbird days. Decor is sparse, just one giant framed poster. I would have expected a little more thought put into the ambiance of the space. The food was good but also so tiny. The waitress did suggest 3-4 plates for person so that puts you at $45-60/person. I ordered the Ramos gin fizz which was great but steep at $22. I kept it to the one drink. I highly recommend this place for a drink and an app. We did not try the dessert but I'm sure it is good. We tried the Hokkaido scallop on special. $10/scallop. Smoked whitefish dip (a standout) which comes with the fried saltines. Chicken liver parfait (very rich - probably good it's small). Burrata (nothing special - save your money for something else). Tuna crudo (good as expected, small portion as expected). Steak Hache (should have googled what steak hache is. It was good and thankfully it was made with wagyu but it's ground steak made to look like a steak. It was good but not what we expected.) Sharing was a good way to go but the price point is a turn off. It was not full on a Saturday night during prime dinner time. I hope they add some life to the space and start posting the menu to draw more people in. I definitely didn't know what to expect. read more

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Loved the vibe of this place. New Orleans influence which is one of my favorite cities so was happy to find this place. Our server Langston was great and attentive to our needs. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and super friendly. We ordered from the shareable - barrata, grilled zucchini, cast iron city ham, and lemon posset. It was very difficult to pick a favorite as they were all amazing. The pistachio mole on the grilled zucchini was a unique and tasty accompaniment. The lemon posset was tart and sweet. I could have had a second one! Just to note the menu changes every few weeks which is exciting. I cannot wait to come back and try a few new dishes. Just wish I lived closer because I seriously would be here every week! read more

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My daughter and son-in-law took me to Magdalena's for my 71st birthday. The restaurant itself was clean, neat, and well organized. The staff were extremely attentive, professional, and genuinely pleasant throughout the evening. We enjoyed the five-course tasting menu with beverage pairings. By the third course, I found myself keeping notes on the menu card. Of the five courses, I would rate three as disappointing, one as average, and one as very good. My main concern was that several dishes tasted overly charred or burnt, which overwhelmed the other flavors and made the meal less enjoyable for me. I understand that some dishes may intentionally feature smoky or heavily caramelized elements, but in this case the flavor profile simply did not appeal to my palate. At $135 per person before gratuity, the evening represented a significant expense for my family--nearly $500 for the three of us. Because of the cost, I left feeling disappointed that I did not enjoy more of the food, especially since this was a special birthday celebration. While I appreciated the atmosphere, service, and attention to detail, the food itself did not meet my expectations for the price. read more

Visit Date: October 2025 Magdalena really impressed us. The service was excellent & the staff were friendly, attentive, and we never felt rushed. I ordered the Calabrian Pork Chop, which was cooked perfectly. The shishito peppers were a great touch, and the sauce had just the right amount of tartness to balance everything out. The atmosphere hit a sweet spot between relaxed and upscale. Comfortable enough to unwind but still refined (great for date night). We tried a few cocktails, and overall the bar program holds up well, which makes sense given the experience of the owner. My Mai Tai was well-iced (as it should be) but still full of flavor, not watered down. The Hotel Nacional was especially smooth and one of our favorites of the night. The Mezcal Old Fashioned was good overall, though the simple syrup came through a bit strongly for my taste. I came with my fiancée, who will post her own thoughts on her dishes. Overall, a great experience and definitely a place we'd come back to. read more

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I was so excited to hear that we had a new restaurant show up in Fountain Square! I'll admit I was very intimidated by the menu, so I put off getting a meal here for far too long. Most of the menu screams gluten and the rest of it was full of ingredients I have never tried before. I was pleasantly surprised when we walked in and asked if they could accommodate a gluten allergy that they gave an enthusiastic yes. They then marked up a menu (after asking me if cross contamination was OK--which for me it is). I had a lot more options than I thought I would. Everything we ordered was incredible! 3 East coast oysters, 3 west coast oysters, angels on horseback (broiled oysters), steak frites, chocolate cremeaux, Cara Cara posset, and four different cocktails were all absolutely amazing. I was pleasantly surprised at the noise level and the lighting! The seating was spaced out so well and the lighting was where I could still read a book if I wanted to rather than bring my kindle. Our waiter Joe was knowledgeable, fast, and attentive! I was not knowledgeable at all on oysters and Joe didn't make me feel weird about asking how to order them. Joe also recommended the Cara Cara Posset which was our favorite of the two desserts we ordered. I can't wait to go back on a 2 buck shuck night! I'm glad we were able to get in without a reservation, but I do not anticipate that being the case for too long. The food and drinks are too good for Magdalena to not become a packed Indy favorite restaurant on a Friday night. read more

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I went just when this new spot opened and it only had a few people at the bar and at the tables in the bar area. It was a nice first experience because the staff was super attentive, food came out quickly, and we got a feel for how the restaurant runs. I loved the decor and their menus! Everything felt thoughtfully curated, from the font they used to the little cocktail graphics (especially next to each drink) and the coral stickers on the front windows. The artistic touch of the restaurant's name printed vertically down the side of the food menu was something I especially liked--it felt modern and fun! As for the food, we started with the fish dip. It was definitely smaller than anticipated, but the fried saltines were magical. I can't say I remember having friend saltines anywhere else. It added an indulgent bit of grease and salt to each bite while the pickled shallot added a tanginess. The fish roe and herbs added a burst of flavor and freshness too. This fish dip was fantastic honestly (and I'm from the east coast). The brussels sprouts were very tasty and classic in a way. They were the same old crispy sprouts that became popular years ago, but had a miso/umami flavor to them. I'd say this was the least unique/adventurous dish on the menu. There are only three bigger dishes and only the ham seemed to have protein as the star of the dish. I was hesitant to get the ham, but am so so glad I did. I don't normally eat southern food so I was nervous it would be too rich and heavy, but it was perfect to share. The red eye gravy truly perfected the dish - it was salty and savory yet not too heavy. It was fantastic on the cheesy grits. It was definitely a rich dish, but not overly so if shared. The glib son cocktail was a great savory, oniony cocktail, and I'm excited to try others. I can guarantee I'll be back for $8 classic cocktails during their happy hour (4-6pm on week days). I can't say I'd really recommend the American orange punch. It wasn't very flavorful. Overall, I will 1000% be back. I do think this spot is more so for apps and drinks before dinner. They have lots of snack items, but most menu items are quite small. I also hope they change their menu regularly because I can't imagine wanting these dishes 10 times a year. I'm so excited for this addition to fountain square and can't wait to see this restaurant get popular! read more

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Hospitality at its finest. It started with a warm welcome from Shannon at the hostess stand. Next up - a menu customized to my food allergy, include alerts about possible cross contamination. Alejandra was an attentive server. Two buck shuck oysters were delicious. Adored the whitefish spread with fried saltines. Tuna tostada was crunchy and spicy. And the lemon dessert had perfect hit of acid. A few surprises in between made for a spectacular experience. read more

Magdalena - Whitefish spread with fried saltines - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Nice ambiance and our bartender/server was friendly and helpful. My sister and I both really enjoyed our cocktails, though mine had more ice than cocktail. It looked nice but I felt a bit jipped. The oysters were fresh and tasty and I appreciated their take on a traditional mignonette, with theirs being served in a dropper. The fish dip with crackers was good, not amazing. The crackers really made the dip. We requested extra pickled onion and it really elevated the dip. We weren't impressed with the low country shrimp dip. It was actually slimy like it'd been cooked in okra juice. I asked about it and was told it was oils and herbs but the way it had coagulated created a slimy and very unappealing texture. Additionally, it was lacking in flavor and just tasted like the sea. Finally, the oxtail ragu dish was truly the star and absolutely delicious. I hope to return here to try other dishes. I like the vibe and want to go back later in the evening. read more

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Service and atmosphere were excellent, but the food was disappointing. The staff were wonderful- very attentive and friendly. Our water glasses stayed full and they checked on us often. The restaurant itself has a nice ambiance and feels like it should be a great place for dinner. Unfortunately, the food didn't deliver. The jambalaya only had 3 pieces of small dry sausage and the sauce was spicy but lacked depth of flavor. The gumbo also arrived not even lukewarm and was very bland. Another issue was the price compared to the quality of food. For the prices being charged, you expect meals that are full of flavor, and served properly, and that just wasn't the case during our visit. Because the service and atmosphere were excellent, I wished the kitchen matched the same level of quality. Based on this visit, I would rate the food 2 out of 5, but I hope they improve because the staff and setting make it feel like it could be much better. read more

As an oyster lover, I was super excited to try this restaurant and it didn't disappoint! There's not a ton of seating inside, so I'd recommend making a reservation online. They serve smaller portions, so our waitress recommended ordering a couple plates per person, which was accurate. We had had the oysters, snow crab claws, Brussels sprouts, focaccia, steak frites, cured salmon and bbq peek and eat shrimp. Overall the oysters and Brussels sprouts stood out the most! The creamy whipped ricotta and salty sprouts are a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, the tiny portion of steak was room temperature and the salmon was kind of fishy. In the future I'd stop by for drinks and appetizers because they have tons of fun cocktails on the menu! read more

Magdalena - Cured Salmon - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Any foodie needs to make this a place to go to. My husband and I are doing A to Z date nights throughout Indy and this is one place I was intimidated by the menu but it was highly recommended in the Indy Foodie facebook page. So we went and it was one of our top places! The vibe (with the chill music), the amazing staff (we had Alajandria and Zoria)and the food! The food and drinks were top notch. Everything we ordered was so good. The oysters were amazing. The surprising best was the skillet greens but the pork chops was amazing. Can't wait to come back. read more

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This just opened about a week ago and they are already rocking in. The service was top notch. Our drinks came out very quickly and our server was very knowledgeable about the drinks and gave great recommendations. We started out with happy hour drinks and got the margarita and Hotel Nacional. We then got Angel's on Horseback oysters which were also excellent. We can't wait to go back again! read more

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Me and my wife have really enjoyed Magdalena since it has opened in Fountain Square. Great drinks, I recommend the Negroni, food is always rotating so you never know what might be on the menu! Highly recommend. read more

Both food quality and ambiance, top tier. Service was stellar as well. We walked in, no reservations, around 5 pm on a Saturday and sat at the bar. I think they did a great job redecorating the space and brightening it. The drinks are crafted with care and expertise. "Army Navy" is my new cocktail of the summer; super balanced, not too sweet, gin based I think. Delicious. Everyone's cocktails were fantastic (I tried each one lol). We shared several different dishes, from cacio e pepe frites (divine!!!), a charred broccolini dish over a delightful purée with whisper of sumac - unreal. Those two stood out but every single thing we ate and drank was quality. Infused with love, and desire to put forth a product that you remember. I really, really wish this spot all the success. You need to check it out next time you're in the area. Can't wait to come back. Wish we had one on the North side. read more

wow - truly disappointing! I ordered 3 items & explained bring this 1st - then 2nd & 3 rd! I received 2 - 1 st - 3 rd second & 1 st last ! wtf! waiter seemed to be busy doing something? Ordered a 4 th dish - terrible - frozen corn! in Indiana ? truly awful - as we exited my friend stated - well we do not have to go there again ! Truly a bad experience. read more

My number one recommendation in Indianapolis! The owner, Nick, is the soul of hospitality, and the food, cocktails and wine list are consistently amazing. The entire team's service is excellent, though I have to give special props to Noel and Kip at the bar. Sound quality is unusually good - I love visiting with friends because you can actually hold a conversation, and the music is different every visit but always perfect for the vibes that day. read more

Had such a wonderful time for my birthday! Katherine was so knowledgeable and friendly as a server, and brought us out complimentary champagne and a small bite. Every item and cocktail was delicious, and the ambiance is beautiful. 10/10 from start to finish. read more

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After Thunderbird went out of business, I think everyone was anxiously waiting to see what would replace it. I think Magdalena is a perfect addition to Fountain Square. First, the service is amazing. The staff are super friendly and answer any questions you might have. You don't feel rushed but still attended to during your time there. I would highly recommend a reservation, especially on a weekend, but we were able to get seated within 10 minutes without one (we promised to leave for our show before the next reservation showed up). I am normally hit or miss with seafood, and I have learned that I personally would rather just eat sushi. Despite this, the flavors here were what made it worth it. They are very unique and tasty but I don't see myself being a regular here. Maybe just for the drinks and small appetizers. The oysters were great, but there was one type that I was not a fan of and a couple were gritty. The presentation of everything was BEAUTIFUL. The interior has been completely overhauled from Thunderbird and is a nice mix of modern and rustic. The exposed brick and old wooden rafters definitely give a unique ambiance to the restaurant. The bathrooms were also immaculately redone. The drinks will run you between $10 and $20 each but are 100% worth it. There is a very unique blend and mix of drinks, including non-alcoholic drinks/cocktails. All in all, if you are a seafood fan, definitely stop here. The seafood tower is a great deal and will fill up two people, but everything else on the menu is tapas/shareable style. I give the service, ambiance, and drinks 5 stars but I personally can't see myself getting food here regularly due to personal preferences/price. But don't let that stop you from trying it. The flavors were great, but the food itself, or at least what I tried on the tower, isn't for me. Definitely worth a try to see if you like it though! The menu rotates seasonally, so I will return to try it in the future. I wanted the steak currently on the menu (4/2025) but unfortunately did not have time to get it. read more

Excellent oysters and seafood. The whipped tuna dish with fried saltines is incredible. Great gin cocktails too!

Service was sharp and friendly. Ambiance was inviting and different than other spots in town. Cocktails were reasonably priced and delicious but the best of all was the food. Everything we ate was very good. The whitefish dip with warm fried saltines was my favorite as it was salty, crunchy, savory and unique. Highly recommend this place. read more

Magdalena - Whitefish dip with fried saltines and oysters - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Magdalena is a great addition to Fountain Square! We ordered several of the small plates to sample the menu. The Brussels sprouts were a crowd favorite, very flavorful. We also loved the ceviche paired with the seasoned saltines. read more

Service, food and ambiance were all 11/10, super happy to have this spot in the fountain square neighborhood. read more

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Magdalena is one of the best dining experiences I've had in Indianapolis hands down. The menu is seasonal and will change accordingly. The food is one of the best I've had in Indy. We ordered Murder Point oysters (which comes with house-made sauce), the Focaccia, ham and grits, and steak frites. The oysters were great, but the star of the dish was the home-made sauce. It left a tangy and vinegar feel that paired very well with the oysters. The focaccia was not overly charred as some restaurants, and the cheese butter for the break was great. The main entrees were the ham and grits and the steak frites. Steak frites came with their garlic butter that paired super well. The steak wasn't overly seasoned with butter or garlic, leaving the quality of the beef to speak for itself. The frites were perfectly fried and crispy, and the mushroom sauce that accompanied it was very full and fulfilling. My favorite was the ham and grits as it has changed the way I view grits in general. I didn't grow up with grits, and I dislike them at any restaurant (even fine dining). The grits here have made me reconsider. They were perfectly seasoned with a thick and creamy sauce. This is an item I would order again. Our server was Taylor, and she was amazing. She expertly made sure our meals were staggered such that there was always something on the table. Taylor was very attentive and had a keen eye to detail. The space was intimate and unsuspecting. It's definitely a place you'd look over if you're not paying attention! This was by far the best dining experience I've had in Indy, and we will definitely be back! read more

Magdalena - Oysters and Focachia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana