Magnolias

Someone from this business manages this listing.

8,044 reviews

#17 of 533 Restaurants in Charleston$$$$, American, Seafood, International

+1 843-577-7771+ Add website

Hours

Sun

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Mon

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Tue

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Wed

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Thu

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Fri

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Sat

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

8,044 reviews

#17 of 533 Restaurants in Charleston

Travelers' Choice 2023

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, American, Seafood, International, Contemporary, Soups

“Seafood entrees and one vegetarian entree, and all perfectly prepared and del...”

“For our entrees we got salmon and the market fish - both delicious.”

“My husband had the salmon, and I had the acorn squash, which was phenomenal.”

Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups, Business meetings

“This is my new favorite place to go for a special occasion!”

Location and contact

185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401-2126

Downtown

+1 843-577-7771

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Does this restaurant serve Tuscan food?

Yes

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

American, Seafood, International, Contemporary, Soups

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night

FEATURES

Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

8,044 reviews

Excellent

5,683

Very good

1,584

Average

548

Poor

164

Terrible

Dave

Dayton2 contributions

Charleston Go To

Feb 2020 • none

I love Magnolias! Always on my list whenever I am in Charleston. The food is delicious low-country fare served in a beautiful setting. This trip we started with the Down South Egg Rolls. Egg roll wrapper stuffed with ham, greens, chicken and served with a spicy mustard and peach chutney. Absolutely delicious. Only complaint is the dish is just one egg roll cut into thirds for $9. For my meal I chose the blue crab bisque which was loaded with crab, creamy and delicious. Along with the bisque I had the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Corn and jalapeno bread filled with fried green tomatoes, bacon and pimento cheese served with a side of greens. The sandwich would have been a winner except the pimento and cheese was pimento, cheese and a lot of olives. As someone who is a purist the olives ruined the dish therefore my sandwich remained on my plate. Nowhere on the menu did it list olives as a part of the ingredients. In future visits I will now know to ask for an ingredients list before I order. One interesting part was our waiter never inquired why I did not eat my sandwich and why only on half had a bite out of it. But then again our waiter was efficient but definitely lacking on personality. The fried chicken is some of the best in Charleston along with the Shrimp and Grits.

Written February 25, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dakota

Huntersville23 contributions

You Just Have To

Mar 2020 • family

I have been here twice on two separate occasions, breakfast and lunch, each time has been phenomenal. I have ordered multiple items and they’re all full of flavor. The pricing is so low for the quality of food and making reservations is so easy. I love coming here and may go again before leaving town.

Written March 13, 2020

Christine

New York341 contributions

One of the Best Meals!!

Feb 2020 • none

The food in this restaurant is unbelievable. Please stop in and do yourself a favor. Make a reservation as well. Staff was super kind and knowledgeable, happy to guide us through the menu and very patient as we slowly savored every bite of food we ordered. The restaurant is on the "fancier" side, so would suggest wearing something more than casual inside, like we did (though we didn't get any complaints). Order the Fried Green Tomatoes appetizer. THIS. FOOD. IS. DELICIOUS.

Written February 8, 2020

Katie

35 contributions

Disappointing dinner

Feb 2020 • couples

After eating here several times with good results in the past was profoundly disappointed this evening. We ordered two starters, two main dishes, a dessert and two drinks. Nothing was remarkable. The cstch of the day, a flounder was very expensive a just a basic fried fish with a large pile of boring rice. When the server started pouring the red wine she spilled a good bit of it on the white tablecloth, laughed about it and left it there. As we had just sat down with no food yet it would have been easy to replace the tablecloth or put a fresh one over it. Also, was seated in the back room and could hear a female continuously yelling, apparently from the kitchen. Very offputting.

Written February 4, 2020

AFMG11

Charleston110 contributions

Really disappointed!

Oct 2020 • none

I have been eating at Magnolias for years. Last week I bought of group of 4 folks in from out of town. Two of us had the shrimp and scallops grits dish which was very dry, tasteless and starchy!! I ask for biscuits for the table ( there were 5 of us ) and the waitress bought out 2 very small biscuits the size of a half dollar with NO butter. I was so embarrassed as I had RAVED about this restaurant. DO better Magnolia's!!

Written October 5, 2020

Travis M C

Gaffney41 contributions

Absolutely Delightful Family Dining Experience

Jan 2020 • none

We were thrilled with our first visit to Magnolias. We took our children (ages 16 and 10) and, though there were few children in the restaurant, we felt right at home. The service was top-notch; our server went out of her way to accommodate our needs and desires. Between us, we had the shellfish over grits (their version of shrimp and grits, and the best I've had!), the salmon, the fried chicken breast, and fried shrimp. All were absolutely incredible, including the best mashed potatoes we've ever tasted. The only appetizer we tried was the pimiento cheese, which was excellent. For dessert, we had the brownie with ice cream and the pecan pie. Both were wonderful. I had an Irish coffee (made with Bailey's at my request), and it was perfect. The atmosphere I would describe as fine dining with a comfy, non-stuffy feel. No televisions, quite bar area, and warm lighting. The owner/manager even helped with a very convenient parking space. We are all eager to return at our earliest convenience. Highly recommended!

Written January 3, 2020

Eileen E

Bucks County142 contributions

Sooooooooo Good!

Dec 2019 • none

We needed a lunchtime restaurant that would accept a reservation for 10, was in walking distance of the cruise ships, was fairly priced and offered gluten free selections. My family's 6 hour Caribbean cruise layover in Charleston just happened to coincide with our 1 day visit there. Initially I felt annoyance not only by the number of robo texts confirming my reservation but by fact that none of the 3 hostesses would allow this tired tourist to sit at the already set up table that was obviously meant for us. Policy I was told. Yeah Right!! I was told I could sit at the bar. So I did and ordered nothing. But I also had time to look around. What I saw was an airy, bright attractive restaurant with pictures, plants and white table linens.This was a room that successfully pulled off being both casual and quietly elegant at the same time. Once we were officially seated, our personable and knowledgeable waiter helped my annoyance evaporate. I wound up ordering 2 of their signature dishes - the incredibly scrumptious fried green tomato appetizer and the perfectly seasoned low country bouillabaisse. OMG!!! So delicious. In fact, by writing about them and remembering how good they were, I am actually torturing myself. If I ever return to Charleston, my first stop will be Magnolias.

Written January 7, 2020

Bethany B

97 contributions

Don't Notify Patrons of Closure

Jul 2021 • none

We tried to dine at Magnolia's on Friday and were rudely turned away, stating that only reservations were accepted. We had a reservation for Saturday, but were hoping to switch our plans. Fast forward to Saturday and an hour before we were supposed to eat at Magnolia's (we based our entire day's itinerary around the lunch reservation) we received a text that there had been a fire and that the restaurant was closed. While the fire is sad and unfortunate, a little bit more notice would have been helpful, because for the second day in a row, we were left without anywhere to eat lunch. After the text telling me that the restaurant was closed, I received another text telling me to be at the restaurant for the reservation and that I would be charged a fee if I didn't show up for my reservation! When I called the restaurant, no one answered and there was not any message alerting people about the closure or fire. Between the rudeness on Friday and the fact that we never could eat there, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant because they don't communicate with people who have or don't have reservations in a courteous manner. No apology, no compassion, no notification, but they won't give you a second glance without a reservation and will charge you if you don't come to your reservation.

Written August 8, 2021

Kevin U

Columbia292 contributions

Simply Spectacular

Apr 2021 • couples

We have been coming to Magnolia's since their opening in the early 90s. It was always a special occasion place when in Charleston. This trip we were.celebrating 40 years of marriage and we simply had to come again. We were NOT disappointed. We began with the warm crusty bread and herbed butter. This was followed by a simple but elegant caeser salad with crunchy chewy cornbread croutons. It was fresh and really good. Our entrees continued the theme: simply elegant. My filet mignon was fork tender and seasoned so well, but uniquely covered with melted pimento cheese. Mercy! Excellent slightly roasted tomatoes, perfect asparagus and herbed potato cake filled out the plate. My wife had grilled salmon over a sweet potato casserole and spinach. Again outstanding. The dessert was amazing. Layers of apples baked perfectly, still chewy in a cinnamon sauce and covered with a crisp chewy oatmeal topping, then a large scoop of Caramel ice cream. I've never had a better apple dessert. This is not cheap, but at $100 for this meal for two nothing was gouged or overpriced and Melinda's professional attentive service filled out the experience. We've been coming 30 years when in Charleston. We'll come again. It is simply spectacular.

Written April 15, 2021

Charleston B

Mount Pleasant2 contributions

I have eaten here many times and NEVER had a meal that has not been FANTASTIC!!

Dec 2019 • none

I am fortunate to have had many meals at Magnolias and they all have been FANTASTIC!! All have been been high quality, great tasting, cooked perfectly and would order again, and again!!! My favorites are any fish on the menu and their pimento cheese grits are pure heaven!!! Two things that normally disappoint me at restaurants are their hot coffee and iced unsweetened tea. Not the case here!!! Both very flavorful. I also feel that their prices are very good considering the high quality food they serve.

Written June 10, 2020

josephorbanus

Shickshinny58 contributions

Amazing Experience

Feb 2020 • none

My daughter took me to lunch while visiting the Charleston market. This was my first visit to Magnolias and it had the atmosphere of a five star restaurant with the prices of an Applebees. The manager walked around in a three piece suit and the servers were in white shirts & ties. White table clothes, cloth napkins and fresh flowers on the table. Our server was named Ian and he was knowledgeable, attentive, polite & provided service above and beyond. From the first bite you could tell that the food was fresh with a perfect flare of the south. This was my first but definitely not my last visit to Magnolias and I highly recommend everyone to stop in if they are in the area.

Written February 28, 2020

J E

Fredericksburg11400 contributions

Excellent Low Country Experience!

Jul 2021 • couples

While researching places to visit and eat in Charleston and making reservations (which was done a couple of months ahead of our trip), I saw that Magnolias and Fig were two places that came very highly rated. I wanted to do Fig, but they use a silly system of not allowing far out reservations, to keep guests constantly having to check back… poor! So, I reserved Magnolias for our last night’s dinner. We were immediately greeted and sat. The place is beautiful! Our server, Willy was very helpful and extremely knowledgeable about their wine list, the menu and the area… he should be, he’s been at Magnolias for 25 years! He was friendly and helpful as well. Starting with their table bread was aw, as they combine butter and cream cheese, along with some chives to make this spread, and it’s tasty! Moving on to deviled eggs… they were beautifully presented! With crab on top and lots of whipped goodness piled on! They tasted amazing! Their wedge salad was really good and had the proper amount of dressing on it as well! I love wedges with a balsamic drizzle, in addition to ranch and chunks of blue cheese… the greens were fresh and so were the tomatoes… yum! They have a very nice wine list, loaded with lots of popular favs that everyone knows, as well as many favs that wine lovers appreciate, such as Patz & Hall, Schrader, Nickel and Nickel, Far Niente, etc… even half bottles of Cakebread chardonnay! We definitely picked a couple of bottles during our dinner! Entrées were very tough to pick, as so many sounded amazing! And then, Willy described each with great detail and passion, that made it tougher. He described the rice that comes with the Flounder so well that I had to get it and it was definitely the best rice I’ve ever had… I ate it all! The fish was prepared perfectly as well! Their shrimp & grits were done perfectly as well, just as you’d expect from a tried & true Low Country joint! We weren’t able to save room for dessert, but that was fine with us... Maybe next time. BTW… you NEED reservations… I was told they had an average of 280 covers on weeknights and 320 on weekends and were NOT ACCEPTING ANY WALK-INS! They did have a bar, so maybe they allow walk-ins there? Overall, this was an excellent meal!

Written July 15, 2021

WiseManTravels

Vermont296 contributions

Too steep

Feb 2020 • couples

Magnolias is an excellent restaurant but too steep considering the offerings. The salmon dinner included a perfectly cooked piece of fish but a small portion and it was not an attempt at haute cuisine. The seafood bouillabaisse was excellent. The vegetarian “selection of the day” appeared to be a collection of fried green tomatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, tomato butter and some other side menu selections. It was anything but a coherent vegetarian dish. This gave the appearance that the chef is not well versed in vegetarian cuisine preparations. In this day and age, high quality plant-based dishes are a necessity even in traditional restaurants like Magnolias. Finally, be prepared to spend a fair amount of money for two entrees, a glass of water and one glass of house wine. Our bill for that fare including a 20% tip almost hit $100. Service was top notch as with any restaurant of this caliber.

Written February 10, 2020

together24married21

Saint Albans57 contributions

Magnolia's apps are on point!

Sep 2019 • none

It was a gorgeous night in Charleston (the whole week & a half was), so, when our city carriage ride was over we took a quick walk over to Magnolia's Restaurant in the French Quarter. Had reservations set up and we were seated in the middle of the dining room. Nice view of everything all around - elegant yet simply stated restaurant. Very welcoming, you can be dressed up or dressed down to their more casual, low country vibe. So, the food! We went for it on the appetizers with housemade pimiento cheese, fried green tomatoes, down south egg rolls and the fried mac & cheese with bacon jam!! It all was delicious. Then shrimp & scallops over grits, smoked double thick pork chops, grilled filet of beef, mashed potatoes, collard greens, potato cakes, tasso ham and they did not disappoint. The food was on par along the decor and service, right down to the restrooms! Get ya some down home comfort at Magnolias in Charleston, SC. You won't regret it, just forever savor the food memories!

Written March 1, 2020

nutrinut

Geneva305 contributions

A real let down

Oct 2020 • none

Perhaps we would have had a better meal at 7 PM then at 9 PM when we could geta reservation. We were served the dregs of the kitchen. The teaser salad was one of the most unremarkable ones we've ever had, limp, tasteless. The chicken dish- the waitress assured us, was written up in a magazine. It was tough, perhaps overcooked, served with a massive pile of potatoes and gravy. The collard greens on the plate hadn't been adequately drained, so the supposed crispy chicken was quickly becoming soggy. The waitress served a beer with out a glass, she promised a special glass for the kind of beer ordered. We ended up snagging a wine glass from another table. The waiter, kind and friendly, was very busy trying to close up, and therefore less attentive to us. We had to grab any waitress that walked by to get things we wanted for the table. Biggest advice, don't get a reservation after say 8 PM, maybe the food will be better earlier and the waitresses a little more attentive.

Written October 17, 2020

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MAGNOLIAS, Charleston - Downtown - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor