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    Magnolias

    4.4 (3.4k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:30 pm, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    By appointment only

    Magnolias Photos

    Business Info

    MAGNOLIAS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Dressy
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Magnolias

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    Reviews With Photos

    Blue Crab Bisque Soup - Magnolia's - May 2026
    Krista M.

    Magnolias is a Charleston staple, so I was really glad we were able to fit it into our trip, even if it was with a pretty late dinner reservation. By the time we sat down, we'd spent the entire day being foodies around Charleston, so I really needed to keep it on the lighter side. Before dinner, we split the Pimento Cheese appetizer, which was really good. The accompanying "flatbread" had a great crunch to it and paired nicely with the pimento cheese. For my meal, I ordered a cup of the Blue Crab Bisque and the Beets & Berries Salad. I couldn't resist trying the bisque, but honestly, I didn't think it was anything to write home about. The salad, however, was outstanding. For a salad, it had quite a lot of flavor! The combination of arugula, honey roasted nuts, radishes, whipped ricotta, and chipotle vinaigrette was refreshing and great. I especially enjoyed the whipped ricotta and the honey roasted nuts. Our server, Seth, was good but not particularly memorable. We were there toward the end of the night, so maybe everyone was just winding down. Overall, I'm really glad we were able to experience Magnolias because it's such a well known Charleston restaurant. The food was good, the atmosphere was lovely (we saw a couple celebrating their engagement), and I'm happy we were able to check it off the list. But, with so many incredible restaurants in and around Charleston, I'm not sure Magnolias would be at the very top of my list if (when!) I make it back.

    Fresh Catch
    Dana P.

    My family had dinner at Magnolias on a Tuesday night and I would definitely recommend a reservation. We had one and were seated right away. This is a fine dining restaurant with impeccable service. The bread service came from a local bakery and it was delicious. We had eaten ice cream an hour or two earlier, so most of us weren't too hungry. Well I was! My husband ordered a Caesar salad with chicken. My daughters shared a Caesar salad with grilled shrimp. They all enjoyed their food. My food was phenomenal! I had the fresh catch, which was flounder. It was such an interesting preparation with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, tart and salt. I loved the risotto, the fermented fruit, roasted tomatoes, squash and zucchini. The fish was perfectly prepared and tasted very fresh. It was fresh caught this morning (flounder). I highly recommend checking out this place.

    Seafood gumbo
    Linda B.

    Magnolia's was...meh. I had the crab bisque and had to send it back. It was waaayyy over-salted and floury-tasting. They exchanged it for the tomato soup, which was better. I'd eaten heavily earlier that day, so I got the scallop appetizer, which was pretty good. My friend had the seafood gumbo, which I tasted-- it was good, but nothing special. Our server, Nick, was attentive and funny. We finished with the crème brûlée and it ended us on a good note. It was delicious! The restaurant is elegantly appointed and it's highly recommended online, but I was expecting so much more.

    Boy
    Molly L.

    We came here on a Friday night and were overall impressed with this place. We ordered the Mac and cheese bites, the vegetarian plate, and the low country bouillabaisse. Although some dishes are seasonal, these happen to be entrees that are served year-round according to our server Both were quite delicious. The vegetarian plate had a wide variety of veggies -- from mashed potatoes, to wilted spinach, asparagus, green beans, and fried tomato's. There were only two medium pieces of fried tomato so I do wish they put more in the plate but oh well. My partner loved his bouillabaisse and apparently it's the southern rendition of a French dish that is one of their most popular dishes. It has lots of seafood in it. The meal also came with complimentary warm bread, which was nice. The pecan pie was very good, but the crust was kind of hard and there were fewer pecans than I'm used to and more caramel. The ambiance is more formal but people were dressed mostly casual (and chic if I might add). Dim lighting and if you don't want as much noise to carry I would ask for seating in the back because it's noticeably louder in the front. Overall the food is very good and prices are not as expensive for the quality. Our server was great!

    Menu
    Denise D.

    FYI, dinner service starts at 4 pm. We had a reservation at 4:45 ( only one available). We went specifically for the fish of the day because they do such a fabulous job with fresh fish. We were told there was no fish of the day and expressed our disappointment. Crickets. So we ordered off the menu which we are very familiar with. Lo and behold I start hearing other servers describing wahoo and catfish dishes at great length. Our server returned and I asked why I'm hearing everyone talking about the fish of the day. He said I'm not allowed to tell them until 5 pm. WHAT???? You start charging dinner prices at 4 pm. At least you could have told me that and I would have sat and enjoyed my wine for 15 minutes. But nope, you did not disclose that until after I asked and our orders were placed. I'm just giving folks a heads up that may be making reservations. Wait until 5pm if you want to hear the specials. I'm giving four stars for food quality only. We have been coming here for 30 years. Made me very sad.

    Charleston Crab Cake Appetizer
    Brian G.

    We all really enjoyed our last lunch in Charleston here! The staff were very attentive in the restaurant was extremely clean. Everyone was very welcoming to us. Reach chose a different meal and really enjoyed them! Fresh sourdough bread prior to the meal was a nice treat.

    Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast
    Danielle F.

    Not my first time at Magnolia's, but my first time leaving a review. First tip: MAKE A RESERVATION. Magnolia's is extremely popular and right on East Bay so convenient to many hotels and pedestrian traffic. If you know you want to eat here, make a reservation! We love to get the blue cheese chips as a starter. The chips are made in house and are just so crisp and warm. The blue cheese crumbles add the salt and the scallions add a little acidity. For entrees we got the fried chicken (bone in with corn, potatoes, biscuit, and green beans), and the Carolina BBQ grilled cheese with waffle cut sweet potato fries. I will say that while these plates were delicious and filling, I've had better seasoned fried chicken and cheesier grilled cheeses in a number of places. Service is warm and friendly. The dining areas are either in the front of the restaurant, with high ceilings and lots of exposed brick, or you walk past the kitchen (careful on the slippery floors) and eat in a carpeted room with plush banquets. Tables are a little close, at times eye contact with the table next to me was unavoidable. And the dining rooms are lively with raised voices so you'll hear everything your neighbors have to say.

    Lowcountry Bouillabaisse half portion
    Leyang Z.

    4.5 stars to be exact. This is perhaps the most popular Southern restaurant in dt Charleston. Located in French Quarter, it is close to many sightseeing spots. The dining rooms expand at least two floors and there is a walk-in bar. I went there for a late lunch at ~2:15pm. At that time the restaurant was only ~60% full but I was told that "they are all booked" (note lunch ends at 3pm). A little weird, but I secured a seat at the bar. For food, I got the half-size Lowcountry Bouillabaise and side of collard greens. I never had Lowcountry Bouillabaise before. It was basically different kinds of seafood, including clams (3), mussels (4), shrimp (5), seasonal fish (lots of) and some andouille sausage, stewed with potatoes, corn, okra, pepper and onions. The seafood tasted fresh. Sausage was spicy and sweet. The broth was spicy and savory.The potatoes were diced into small pieces so they were "well-coated by the sauce". While I ordered half, this dish was still huge. I only ate 2/3 of it. The collard greens was sweet and not as smoky as the one in Atlanta. I also asked for some bread. Their baguette was warm, dense, slightly sour - just as good as the Bouillabaise. Service was worse than expected. First, even if the restaurant was not full, I waited for over 30min to get my entree and side; plus, I told the bartender several tmes I was ready to order before she heard it. Second, someone took away my water when I used the restroom. It was also strange that I was told the restaruant was "fully booked", though someone just walked-in for tables later. In general, it is worth visiting if you want to get some southern dishes. But view it as a tourist attraction instead of a place to experience excellent food and service.

    Burrata salad
    Aileen R.

    I heard so many great things about Magnolias that I had to try it. I was very happy I did. The restaurant has a very nice vibe of elegance. Our server was very nice and accommodating. We tried the burrata salad which was delicious and for our main dish we had the flounder dish which was very fresh and delicious. I didn't like the side dish so our waiter graciously substituted it was cream corn which was delicious. A definite go to restaurant when in Charleston.

    Delicious scallops, recommend. Blue crab bisque and bouillabaisse

    Beautiful interior. White cloth tables, nice and spacious feeling. Our waiter was friendly and timely, didn't feel rushed nor did we have to wait for anything either. We had the blue crab bisque it was ok, nice and creamy but not savory like I was expecting, had a touch of sweetness to it I never had it before so probably was suppose to taste like that We also had the bouillabaisse with lots of seafood! The base was flavorful used the fresh baked bread to sop it up! We didn't need to ask for more bread, the waiter offered us more. The highlight was the scallops! It doesn't look the best but it was cooked perfectly set on top Johnny cakes with a delicious cream sauce and some sauteed spinach!! Wow, spectacular!

    Scallops
    Inez L.

    Service was great. Table for four was really small. Should have been a table for two. Ordered fried green tomatoes and boiled peanut hummus for appetizers. They were just ok. Group ordered the halibut special, that was great. Had mahi mahi, that was very good. Also had scallops, which were cooked just right just didn't love the sauce. Overall good restaurant, just had better in the area. Could be just food preferences.

    Brussels Sprouts
    Celina C. N.

    Short walk from our hotel (Mills House) on a busy street. White linens on the tables. High level service. When we made our Tuesday dinner reservation the day before, there was nothing available before 8:30pm. But when I checked on Tuesday afternoon several slots had opened up and we were able to move ours up to an earlier time. The food was very good. It is a bit on the pricier side but earns it: fresh, quality ingredients and all expertly cooked and nicely plated. Delicate and balanced seasoning, and very tasty but subtle sauces. Especially enjoyed the combination of Brussels Sprouts on a bed of pureed parsnips. We had the flounder and the Gumbo for our entrees. And while they didn't look very substantial, we were quickly full. The ciabatta and parmesan butter that we couldn't resist may have had a little to do with that.

    Parmesan Crusted Founder
    Maria C.

    New Yorkers went to Charleston and looking for some southern cooking! Second time to Charleston and second time to Magnolias. Friendly and polite service, made ordering easy. Food consistently delicious and presentable. Art on the walls is bright and modern while the wood floors are traditional and together create a comfortable feel. A really wonderful restaurant. We had fried green tomatoes and kale hush puppies to start, then grouper, catfish, gumbo and flounder for entrees. We were all so happy with our choices!

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    17 days ago

    Great lunch! Beautiful restaurant and the service was amazing. Will visit again next time.

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    Magnolias Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Magnolias

    What is the dress code?

    Business casual. It’s a white tablecloth environment. Superior food, service, and environment. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we do.

    How can I reserve a table for 3 tomorrow at 8 PM?

    Go to their reservations on the Resy website / app https://resy.com/cities/chs/magnolias and make one if they have availability. Can always call the restaurant too.

    Is there a handicap accessible entrance for a wheelchair?

    Yes, it is wheelchair accessible. You'll have to hold the doors open but the floor is smooth upon entry so there shouldn't be any issues

    Can you split an entree?

    Yes. My husband and I split the pasta. We got a pizza too.

    Is shorts ok?

    We were there on a Sunday morning... The majority of customers were business casual… 

    Any gluten free options?

    I am not 100% sure. But I believe they do have gluten free options.

    What is the dress code for men and women at dinner?

    I wore a polo shirt and shorts with Birkenstock shoes. While there were people really dressed up, many people were similarly dressed as us. We were on vacation and that was the best that I had. Delicious meal that was well worth going to.

    Is there a military discount offered?

    Not to my knowledge.

    Is this place open? Their website says they had a fire and will open in December but I also see the hours were recently updated.

    Yes, it is open.

    Is this place reservation only or is walk in/wait ok?

    two week sago, the server told me they have been so busy, they're hardly ever able to take walk ins.

    Are reservations required?

    If you don't have a reservation, chances are you will be sitting at the Bar which tends to get crowded. So yes, reservations are required. I have always made reservations when going there.

    Are small dogs welcome for patio dining?

    There is NO PATIO and thus no patio dining. Eat here anyway and take a doggie bag home with you!

    Do we need reservations?

    I would, but on Resy, you have to give a CC ($25) to hold your reservation and if you cancel within 48 hours, its non refundable

    How are they handling Covid and masks?

    Masks are required to enter the restaurant, all employees wore them, I believe hand sanitizer was at the entrance

    HI! Do they offer a kid's menu?

    Yes, they do! The kids menu consists of a selection of smaller sized entrees from the "adult" menu as well as the typical kid's food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and macaroni and cheese. My toddler got the kid's fried shrimp and corn platter for… 

    Are the seafood dishes made with any other animal products (bacon, sausage, chicken stock, etc?

    Good news, I asked the same question as I wanted the shrimp and grits. No chicken stock nor meat products, no problem ! They are very accommodating and we just loved our… 

    What does it cost to park in the lot next door?

    It's free with validation!

    Is there a private quiet area for a small dinner party?

    Yes, there is. It is back a bit so nice and quiet as well.

    Shorts ok for men for dinner or are long pants more appropriate?

    I wore shorts when we visited in February. They were more stylistic shorts though.

    View All 21 Questions

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    absolutely loved this restaurant. The atmosphere alone makes it worth visiting -- it's an old…read morechurch transformed into a modern space with such a unique vibe, especially with The Art of War inscribed across the ceiling. We started with the Moroccan meatballs, which were so good I forgot to even take a picture before digging in. I ordered the lamb burger with fries, and everything was cooked perfectly -- the burger was flavorful and juicy, and the fries were amazing too. My friend got the fried chicken and said it was the best he's ever had. I tried some myself, and the seasoning was incredible. Highly recommend this place if you're looking for great food and a really cool atmosphere!

    I came to Church and Union for lunch during my stay in Charleston this past week, and…read moreunfortunately, the experience was pretty disappointing. The biggest issue was the service. My friend and I sat at our table for about 20 minutes without anyone acknowledging us. I finally flagged down a waitress, who apologized and explained they were short staffed. She took our drink order, and then a different server came over later to take our food order. I ordered the Mediterranean wrap with no onions, but it came out with onions anyway. Our server was nowhere to be found, so I started picking around them and eating the wrap. A few minutes later, she came back with the corrected wrap, but by then I'd already started eating the first one. The flavors of the wrap were actually good, but the texture of the chicken was awful. It was so off putting that it honestly made me nauseous. I only managed a few bites before I was done, and no one ever asked if everything was okay or why I had barely touched my meal. That said, the restaurant itself is beautiful. The atmosphere is what really stands out. It feels like you're dining inside a church, and I believe it actually is a restored church. Between the stained glass, the artwork, and the writing on the walls, it's a really unique and impressive space. I'd probably come back for drinks because the bar looked like it had a great vibe, and the bartender seemed to be providing excellent service. Next time, I'd definitely sit at the bar, but I don't think I'd order the food again.

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    Chicken Sandwich
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    Wine Blending By Kessler

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    What a wonderful afternoon spent with Eric and the Classes by Kessler at the beautiful Grand…read moreBohemian Hotel in downtown Charleston. Brought my daughter and her friends here to celebrate her upcoming wedding and the experience was absolutely wonderful. Eric is incredibly knowledgable about wine, made the entire experience both educational and fun. Even the girls in the group who don't really drink wine ended up having a great time and created a wine blend that they truly enjoyed! Plenty of wine to taste and enjoy while you are creating your personal blend. You leave the class with a custom made bottle that you created with a personalized label that you designed (need to send the label design a few days before your class and they have it printed and ready for your bottle the day of the class). Go early and enjoy the beautiful hotel and art gallery before your class begins. This is a must do experience if you are in Charleston, you won't regret it.

    I had the pleasure of visiting The Grand Bohemian downtown Charleston,SC for a wine blending class…read morewith Eric, the sommelier. His expertise with the red wines offered us the best wine blending experience. The blending room was adorned with beautiful art and was adjacent to the wine bar! The beautiful chandelier's lighting was amazing. Afterwards, we had fine dining upstairs in Eleve'. The meal was nothing shy of amazing! And we had the pleasure of meeting several members of management including Mr. Brown. It's always a pleasure when you see managers checking to make sure their guests are receiving the best dining experience.

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    Gorgeous chandelier

    Magnolias - southern - Updated August 2026

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