Thank you for a great experience during our lunch on a Friday afternoon. Despite the restaurant being packed with people, the three of us were seated immediately, and our waitress was pleasant and attentive. The food was excellent overall. We especially enjoyed the fried green tomatoes, with their crispy crust. I also had the pan seared sea scallops along with a cup of blue crab soup. The scallops were perfectly seared, and the brandied apple bacon cream sauce was rich and flavorful. Both dishes were worth ordering again, and I would definitely return. read more

Magnolias - Pan Seared Sea Scallops Appetizer, Blue Crab Bisque Soup - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I had dinner at Magnolias yesterday, and once again, it did not disappoint. Magnolias is one of my favorite restaurants in downtown Charleston. I arrived around 4:00 when they opened, which was perfect for a relaxing early dinner. I started with the collard green egg rolls, followed by the halibut with seasoned rice, shrimp, and vegetables corn, lima beans, and green beans. Everything was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed a beverage with dinner. The service was impeccable. I believe my waitress was Anna, and she was awesome attentive, welcoming, and made my solo dining experience just as enjoyable. The atmosphere was wonderful, with families and visitors enjoying downtown Charleston, and it was simply a great vibe. Whether you're a Charleston local or visiting the city, I highly recommend Magnolias for brunch or dinner. It continues to be one of my favorite downtown restaurants. read more

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Service - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Ambiance - 4/5 Came on a Thursday at 7pm as a party of 2 w/o a reservation and was seated immediately at a high top table. Fried chicken plate - perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Best greens I've ever had with the combination of spice, vinegar and ham hock. Crusted Halibut - Balanced and delicious. Filling meal despite feeling light with the fish, rice asparagus. Would recommend! read more

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Outstanding! Beautiful restaurant, great service with the attentive Brandi, lots of menu choices.... Yummy bread and butter Delicious watermelon caprese- sooo good, light and combination of flavor "Had what she's having" ( table next to us)...thought it was what I was looking at in the menu, so mistakenly ordered it-- realized my mistake as I took a bite of the BEST grits I've ever had ( and how I realized the mistake!!)- Brandi offered to bring me what I wanted --no thank you, this is SO SO good...grilled peaches, vegetables..market catch.Best mistake I made!! lol Hubby ordered the seafood bouillabaisse, it too was excellent and full of fresh seafood " very well done and everything was delicious "... No room for dessert. We can see why this restaurant is so successful. read more

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New pictures. Everything except the bouillabaisse was outstanding. It had no broth and was as dry as the desert. read more

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Who doesn't love a good southern restaurant with vibes that make you think of Steel Magnolias! While on my run when I was in Charleston I saw this restaurant and knew my sister and I had to try it. Upon entering the hostess were so sweet and got us sat immediately. We both knew walking in we wanted a steak. And the special that the chef had was steak skewers with Boursin mashed potatoes, black berries, corn and green beans. I was a little skeptical about the black berries with the savory items but to my surprise it was soooo amazing! I also tied the blue crab bisque! Talk about flavor! My hat is completely off to the chef. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the service received there. I will definitely be back! read more

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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. read more

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We came here on a Saturday night for a special occasion meal. We made reservations in advance and even doing so a week or so early required us to come at 8:00 pm. The place is popular, so highly recommend reservations. When asking locals about it, it's not somewhere they go, but acknowledge it is a solid choice and staple. The appetizers were decent. The deviled eggs were good and the scallops were as well. Nothing exceptional, but solid choices. For entrees we had a wide variety in our party. I had the fried catfish with red rice and cabbage. The dish was well portioned and fried but the red rice was cold and hard. The cabbage was good. A For dessert had I have pecan pie and it was just ok. All in all, it is a place you can tell people to for special occasions. It's a bit crowded and busy, so not very intimate. But still well maintained. read more

Magnolias - Pork chop entree. - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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If you're looking for quality southern comfort food this a great place. Hubby absolutely loved the pork chop and egg rolls! I got the vegetarian dish and the star was the fried green tomato! Also tried the fried Mac and cheese and they were ok. I think I pictured something different as they were not as cheesy as I was hoping but still ok. read more

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! read more

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Good place for dinner but we preferred High Cotton. I had the shrimp and grits here and it was just too rich for me. I ended up having some of my husband's steak instead which was good. Service was a little slow but they were pretty busy. I don't think I would come back next time we are in town. read more

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. read more

Magnolias - Fresh Catch - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Stopped in for lunch and had a great experience all around. Service impeccable - friendly and professional. Everything we ate and drank was delicious! Had a mocktail, a cucumber cooler gin drink, deviled eggs, and the southern egg roll to start. Then had the halibut and shrimp and grits as mains. Everything was extremely delicious! Special shout out to the egg roll which was super creative and we loved it -- never had anything like it before. How many times can you say that about a restaurant dish? Glad we gave this place a try and will definitely come back next time we are in town. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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Sitting down at this restaurant made me realize that the people of Charleston always dress nicely! Noted for next time! We ordered the watermelon caprese salad, parmesan crusted halibut, and an item on the special menu that I cannot recall at the moment. Complimentary bread and butter- delicious. no notes. who doesn't love bread and butter? Watermelon caprese salad- refreshing, high quality ingredients, harmonious. the mint pesto paired with heirloom tomatoes and mozz was simply to die for. I don't enjoy fruit in salads but my boyfriend said the watermelon was essential and that this dish was amazing overall! Parmesan crusted halibut- wow. if there is one thing you should order on this menu, it's this. I don't think I spoke once during this meal. every bite-I anticipated the next. the various flavors coming from the halibut, tomato, shrimp, rice, and corn...topped with the citrus beurre blanc was sensational. I would come back for this meal. my boyfriend wholeheartedly agrees. sangria- strong. blood orange margarita spritz- strong. delicious. Overall, we'd definitely come back. Our waiter was friendly. The food was sensational. The ambiance was warm. The drinks were strong. Our moods were changed for the better after leaving so I'd say this was a 10/10. read more

Magnolias - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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. read more

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Server was extremely friendly. Wished they had gluten free green tomatoes, as I have recently had to adopt the new lifestyle and have been craving them. The table loved their meals! read more

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. read more

Magnolias - Brussels Sprouts - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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! read more

Magnolias - Parmesan Crusted Founder - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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. read more

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The service was quick and attentive. The food was hot and fresh. A nice place to tuck into when it was raining today and didn't have to wait to be seated. read more

Magnolias - Magnolias Old fashioned and She Blue Crab Bisque Soup - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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. read more

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Had an amazing time at Magnolias in Charleston with my daughter. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The food was absolutely delicious--full of flavor and beautifully prepared--and the service was top-tier, attentive without being overbearing. We loved the warm, inviting atmosphere, and our window seat made the experience even more special. It was the perfect spot to relax, connect, and enjoy a wonderful meal together. Highly recommend--definitely make a reservation. We'll be back! read more

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Iconic restaurant!! Delicious SC food staples!! You must eat here at least once. There's a reason they have been around for so long. Pricy, but worth every penny. Thank you for a wonderful meal. read more

Magnolias - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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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. read more

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Our Sunday brunch was elegant and fabulous! Erin was our server, she was friendly and efficient. Everything flowing smoothly. We each had a Bloody Mary and started with the deviled eggs. They were very good. I had the half order of the Parmesan crusted flounder which was incredible! It was caked perfect a lightly fried crust with Parmesan. It was over a bed of rice with fine chopped veggies, asparagus and corn and small cherry tomatoes which were cut in half. It was also served with baked shrimp. The 1/2 portion was almost more than I could eat. My daughter had the crab Benedict which she said was amazing, it also had a fried green tomato on it.. so good! My husband said his fried chicken was very good and the collard greens and creamed corn complimented his dish. He said the fried chicken was very good but may have been slightly overcooked. Very nice ambiance, white tablecloths, flower vases on each table. The restaurant looked impeccable. read more

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Magnolias is a must any time someone is visiting me. I love to bring them here for a classic fried chicken dinner. I also usually get the fried green tomatoes which are a fabulous starter. The chicken is so tender is falls apart in your mouth with a crisp breading on the outside. You're definitely have leftovers. It gets busy so I recommend a reservation or getting your name down early. If your party is small enough you can usually grab a seat or two at the bar where they have full meal service. If you're visiting this one is a must. read more

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Great spot for a large group setting! Came here for my bachelorette with 13 people and they put us at two tables next to each other, so it was easy to talk to everyone. They were very accommodating and the food was delicious! read more

So many invited me to try this iconic restaurant in Charleston. So many were right! I went as a solo diner and ended up with some very friendly people who invited me to join them. I had their version of a tuna tartar. The marinade for me was a bit too sweet. Still great quality tuna. I had a burrata with a festival of tomatoes and greens with balsamic, almost a meal itself. I enjoyed a cup of clam chowder with smoky bacon. Their bread was outstanding and their list of wines by the glass was appreciated. I didn't have a main course due to the 75,000 calories I had already injested during the cruise.. My new friends gave me a ride back to the dock terminal. read more

Great menu and service! Get a seafood dish with wine! The menu is extensive with great options! Good location on East Bay.

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! read more

Magnolias - Delicious scallops, recommend. Blue crab bisque and bouillabaisse - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Absolute perfection! Magnolias elevates traditional Southern cuisine to a whole new level. The fried green tomatoes were crispy, flavorful, and paired so well with the sauce, and the wine selection is incredible. The warm wooden decor and sophisticated ambiance made our evening feel so romantic and special. Exceptional service throughout the night. We will definitely be back! read more

We had a one day pit stop at Charleston so we wanted to try one of the more popular restaurants. Checked the reviews and to be honest they were extremely mixed ... so we had to see for ourselves. The service was amazing. Great recommendations and prompt service as well. The fried Green tomatoes are a must have, it is a signature dish and for all the right reasons. The fried chicken is crispy and tender. It is paired with a sweet collard greens side and jalapeño butter biscuits. Must have this dish. I had the shrimp n grits with andouille sausage. This was a good dish but not in the same category as that chicken. All the desserts were good and shareable. If you haven't been I recommend you try it yourself. You can't go wrong. read more

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Great southern food and experience! Stumbled upon this place walking around and immediately felt under dressed but they were very welcoming and prices are affordable considering it looks like fine dining. Our waitress was Kristy and she was hands down the nicest waitress! She gave us great tips on foods to order and they did not disappoint. Side note, I am not a fan of grits but their grits were actually very tasty. Needless to say, food was delicious! read more

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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The blackened catfish with the jambalaya, fried green tomato, carmelized onions, and scallions with a side of the tomato jam used to be one of my favorite dishes to eat in Charleston! A travesty they removed it for a catfish with grits and collards. The dish just isn't as delightful and layered with flavor anymore. read more

Magnolias - Blackened Catfish - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Great service at the bar. The cucumber cooler mocktail was very refreshing and delightful. The short ribs were tender, but under seasoned. read more

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I was just looking for some classic southern food and boy did I get it at magnolias. My husband and I ordered what felt like everything on the menu. My personal favorites were the fried Mac n cheese and the pecan pie. However, everything was amazing. I would definitely go back. I recommend this to everyone looking for classic Charleston. read more

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The place is made of legends and continues to deliver. My wife and I came here for dinner and every single thing we ordered exceeded our expectations. The absolute showstopper was the scallops. I have had scallops in many restaurants and this was the best I've ever had. The friend green tomatoes were also amazing! The catfish, which I rarely eat, was so light and crispy and hit with all my tastebuds! Our server, Willie, was wonderful. Hopefully when you come to magnolias, he can be your server too. This place had Charleston charm all over it. It was a gem and everyone should come here! read more

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We started our meal at Magnolias with the deviled eggs and the country egg rolls, and both were absolutely fantastic. Great flavors, well-prepared, and a great way to kick things off. For our entrees, my wife had the buttermilk fried chicken, which was excellent. I ordered the BBQ glazed pork chop, and while the sides were hot and well-seasoned, the pork chop itself was barely warm when it arrived. It was honestly lukewarm at best. Because it was already that cool, it quickly turned rubbery and unappetizing, and I ended up not eating it. What made it more disappointing was the response--or lack of one--from the staff. It was clear I had only taken one bite, and the rest of the plate was untouched, yet nothing was said when the table was cleared. Anyone with experience in the restaurant industry would recognize something was wrong, but our server said nothing. That made the experience feel like it was either common or something they simply chose to ignore. It is unfortunate because I really wanted to enjoy this place. The setting is beautiful, and the menu has a lot of potential. But the lack of attention to such an obvious issue left a bad impression and has me second-guessing a return visit. read more

Magnolias - Country Down South Egg Roll & Spicy Mustard Deviled Eggs - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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