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  5. Mt. Vernon
Magdalena, Baltimore, MD

Magdalena

4.8
4.8
1101 Reviews
$31 to $50
Bistro
Top Tags:
Magdalena features thoughtfully created bistro fare inspired by the classic dishes of France, the comforts of England and the vast spirit of Baltimore.

The seasonally evolving menu highlights a playful yet sophisticated take on classics driven by the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay region. Ingredients are sourced close to home and relationships with local farmers and purveyors are at the heart of the culinary philosophy.

A cheeky cocktail program, revered whiskey collection, Wine Spectator awarded wine list, and regionally sourced craft beers complete a delightfully unmatched dining experience.

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2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today
Private dining

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (410) 514-0303
  • Website
    https://www.theivybaltimore.com/dine/restaurant/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Owned/operated by
    Black/African American
  • Executive chef
    Scott Bacon
  • Catering
    Magdalena and The Ivy Hotel are both available for buy-outs as well as private dining. If you are interested or curious about scheduling an event, please contact our Sales Department at (410) 528-8090 or sales@theivybaltimore.com.
  • Private party facilities
    If you are interested or curious about scheduling a private event, please contact our Sales Department at (410) 528-8090 or sales@theivybaltimore.com.
  • Private party contact
    Sales Department: (410) 528-8092
  • Location
    205 E. Biddle st., Baltimore, MD 21202
  • Neighborhood
    Mt. Vernon
  • Cross street
    North Calvert
  • Parking details
    Magdalena offers complimentary valet parking for its dinner guests during regular hours of operation. Valet parking can be found at the Biddle Street pull-off at the front entrance of the building located at 205 E. Biddle St.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 1,101 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Baltimore

    Best Overall

  • Baltimore

    Best Food

  • Baltimore

    Best Ambiance

  • Baltimore

    Great for fine wines

  • Baltimore

    Romantic

  • Baltimore

    Good for special occasions

1,101 Reviews

  1. Friend

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A nearly flawless dining (and wining) experience. Thank you!

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  2. formerciti

    Washington DC

    18 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    Steak, broccolini, french fries, salmon crocettes were delicious. Ambience was nice and the Servicers and all Staff including the Valet were excellent.

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  3. DineLancaster

    Philadelphia

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on November 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wow. Top to bottom one of the best meals we’ve ever had, hands down. Some highlights worth mentioning…the house made hot sauce (to accompany the oysters), and the house made bread were both superb. The pork belly had an amazing char but still melted in your mouth, and was absolutely delicious. The wagyu burger and venison were both prepared to perfection, and the pumpkin cheesecake (recommended) did not disappoint. Overall, highly recommend. So glad we went out of our way to visit, will definitely return again for another amazing meal. Thank you!

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  4. Hank

    Baltimore

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent customer service and the food was delicious. Will definitely return.

    Is this helpful?

  5. MartinG

    Oklahoma City

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Steak for two was wonderful. Great wine selection and cocktails. Mushroom tarting was excellent! Perfect atmosphere. It was our first time, but we’ll be back.

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  6. Vanessa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything we ordered, appetizers, Entree, dessert, and cocktails was delicious. It was a pricey night out but well worth it for the money.

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  7. AdairN

    Baltimore

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 3, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Our favorite restaurant in Baltimore! The staff is excellent but they were short staffed last evening. Next time they'll be back at it correctly.

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  8. Erich

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 28, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Beautiful interior and overall eye for detail. Food overall was very good but with a few misses. Thank you for making my first anniversary special!

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  9. Barney100

    Baltimore

    52 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on October 27, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4
    A talented chef and team, but several gaps for this expensive restaurant. Menu is very limited; four or five entrees, very heavy on meats. Service is slow, and there is obvious inattention to detail. It took twenty minutes before we got water; four requests before we got bread; music came and went with long gaps. All evidence that someone wasn't paying attention. Drinks are very expensive, and on the small side. Plenty of opportunity for improvement.

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  10. BradH

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our second time eating at Magdalena's. Love this place. Great menu.

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  11. KatyM

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Magdalena was wonderful! Impeccable service, delicious dishes. A perfect place for a small reunion. We never felt hurried. If I lived nearby, this would be my go-to restaurant for special occasions.

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  12. OpenTable Diner

    Poconos

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience4
    You pay for the environment and not the food. Very expensive for unremarkable food that can be had nearly anywhere. Very limited menu as well.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 14, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    Was ok. Food wasn’t as good as I imagined. Pork was overdone.

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  14. Phatman

    Baltimore

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every dish was super including bread and dessert.

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  15. GreggB

    Baltimore

    17 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A great trial run for us. We will return to confirm our like of it all.

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  16. AveryM

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a great meal! Wonderful combinations, beautiful space and great staff.

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  17. AnthonyC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fantastic food (creeping up on Michelin star level) for what we’re surprisingly affordable prices. The affordability of the restaurant and the hotel stand in stark contrast, so I’ll keep going to just the restaurant. I got two appetizers and a dessert; my wife got a entree with a side and a dessert. We both barely finished everything and loved every bite. The comp valet parking is a huge deal—even for someone like me less than a mile away but on the other side of 83.

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  18. PeterC

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a lovely dining experience. Food is great, service very attentive, and terrific ambience. One of my faves in Baltimore.

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  19. TiffW

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Can’t say enough about this beautiful establishment. The courtyard is stunning, food was impeccable and wine recommendation was delightful. Somehow, they knew it was my birthday as surprised me with a lovely dessert as well. I WILL be back when in Baltimore again!

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  20. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 3, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Beautiful decor, amazing ambiance, the lighting was perfect. Next time I’d love to sit outside. The food was incredible. The drinks were very good. My first drink was the 52 year cocktail and it was very nice. I could definitely taste the chocolate! The volcanic cocktail was the best. Such a cool idea with the stories behind these cocktails. Everything was awesome. Our server took a little long between drinks sometimes but it was understandable because we knew she had a lot of guests to help outside. She was lovely! Will definitely come back!

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  21. SabinaK

    Baltimore

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 30, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    For the most part the meal was good and the service was great. The most memorable were the mushroom tartine and the pork chop; the squash blossoms and the sundae were alright.

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  22. AyushB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice service, great food, great high-end atmosphere

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  23. RachelN

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Magdalena is pricy and fancy but not pretentious and actually enough food to eat! I would recommend this to anyone celebrating a special occasion.

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  24. AndrewR

    Baltimore

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was excellent, from the valet to our waiter. The outdoor courtyard where we ate felt like a quiet oasis in the city. The Icelandic cocktail with the "glacier rock" was fun. The Berkshire porkchop and crispy skin bass were delicious. Pricey but special.

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  25. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    great spot, secluded and quiet on a saturday night. pricey but quality.

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  26. DebuB

    Houston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Very good food and service if a bit pricey. Great cocktails

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  27. JasmineB

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The host was a GEM. Made me feel super special on my birthday and the waiter was wonderful and food was phenomenal. 10/10!

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a wonderful time and a delicious dinner! The service and the attention to detail were incredible, from the gentleman who parked our car to the congenial host who greeted us when we entered the restaurant, to the friendly and competent server who thought of everything we needed before we did. One member of our party has celiac, and I have every confidence that her dinner was entirely gluten-free. The atmosphere was the right amount of lively — without being loud. The sangria was wonderful; the gazpacho was the perfect starter on a hot day; every bite of the scrumptious stuffed squash blossoms surprised me with a new taste; and the cheesecake was out of this world. I tried a bite of my husband’s pork chop and then his chocolate semifreddo, and I want to go back as soon as possible to order those dishes before the fall menu arrives. The chef is, in a word, amazing.

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  29. Hungry4greatfood

    Baltimore

    65 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    65 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall3food5service4ambience2
    Our request for patio seating was ignored. I'd made the reservation weeks before for a party of 8, and called at 6 p.m. the same night as the 7:30 reservation. Was assured that we would have outside seating. When we arrived, we were taken into the very noisy room which we had experienced twice before, and did no want to eat there again. We were told that the patio was "first-come-first-served". Nothing could be done at 7:30 since all patio tables were taken. So into the very noisy room we went. This was a birthday party for my husband with six of our favorite friends. We almost had to shout at each other and barely could hear across the table. Furthermore, we ordered only one major course, no appetizers. We didn't eat until 9:30! Food was delicious, service was mediocre, but we will not be back any time soon.

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  30. LarryA

    Baltimore

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent, our waitress was excellent but sadly the restaurant fell short on time, our food was very late. they made up for it in the end which was truly appreciated. We will be back.

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  31. MariaW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always, excellent service. The setting is elegant but not stuffy. We have enjoyed the food at Magdalena for year - chef is very inventive. Great drinks. This is our place for special occasions.

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  32. Julian

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    What a lovely place to celebrate a special occasion or go out for a nice meal. Magdalena helped me enjoy the best meal I have had in Baltimore. Every item on the menu is carefully assembled with special ingredients and flavors, and even the sides are a delicious treat. We went out with our toddler on a weekday night when it was less crowded. The staff did everything possible to accommodate us and even helped hold our fussy daughter to give us a few minutes of enjoyment. I plan to be coming back. Considering the quality of the food and their high level of service, Magdalena is a real bargain and a treat.

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  33. OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Our ribeye steak and sides were not hot. We had to have them reheated which took away from the way we wanted the steak which was medium. The drinks and service was good, great ambiance.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Experience as expected. Phenomenal! Food was great, presentation was amazing, flavor tones were perfect.

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  35. TomM

    Baltimore

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wow! What a magnificent restaurant. Menu, food, service, ambience were all wonderful. I’ve eaten there twice before (even held my retirement dinner there). There is no better dining experience in Maryland.

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  36. Stan

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent and priced reasonably for the quality. Service was friendly and attentive. Cocktails were pricier than expected.

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  37. Will

    Baltimore

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was great and the food was delicious. I'll be back.

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  38. mbahr

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Scrumptious drinks and wonderful meals. The wait staff were fantastic.

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  39. Tony

    Hawaii

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time and enjoyed literally ever single morsel of food and every sip of our cocktails. The interior space is clean and nicely decorated with booths for 2 and tables for parties of 3-4 or 6-8. There is also outdoor space inside the hotel that could be arranged for larger groups. We had the Amish fried chicken with pickled okra garnish and the artisanal cheese board for appetizers. The portions of each appetizer were perfect for our table of 3 to each get a good taste of each flavor combination. The breading on the chicken was perfectly crisp and crunchy without any excess oil or sogginess. The okra pickle was a nice hint of brine. Their house-made buttermilk ranch was also nice. The cheese board was well thought-out. There were 8 chips for 3 flavor combinations; we used some of the house soda bread to finish up the spread. The combinations were gouda + blackberry compote, ricotta + green olive, and bleu cheese + peach compote. The bleu was creamy and subtle and didn't overpower everything else. For my entree, I had the pork chop. It was the best fine dining pork chop I've had in my life. The sear was nice, the inside was perfectly cooked. Every bite was tender and flavorful and the jus was delicious. The accompanying slaw was not exceptional, but it did not need to be. Our party also had the catfish and sea bass. No complaints. The skin on the sea bass was crisp and delicious. I skipped dessert, but I'm told that the cheesecake and affogato were also delicious. The cocktails also deserve praise. I had Citron di Menthe, which could be a risky choice but the balance of flavors was right without allowing the mint to overpower. My second cocktail was Apis Patella which was tart and lemony but not overly sweet. Finally, the service was very good. Our server was attentive without being intrusive. Our sparkling water was kept full. Our orders and courses were spaced nicely. We had a great time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    1 person found this helpful

  40. Bbryan1

    Baltimore

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was one of the best meals we have had in Baltimore. Highly diverse menu with some unusual foods that were always delicious. Nothing overdone or oversauced. Just full of flavor. Loved every moment. It was too noisy in the Treasury room with every table taken, but once it thinned out, that too was no problem.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners

  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

Magdalena is rated 4.8 stars by 1101 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 5 times today
Google Map for Magdalena

205 E. Biddle st., Baltimore, MD 21202

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    North Calvert
  • Neighborhood
    Mt. Vernon
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Magdalena offers complimentary valet parking for its dinner guests during regular hours of operation. Valet parking can be found at the Biddle Street pull-off at the front entrance of the building located at 205 E. Biddle St.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Owned/operated by
    Black/African American
  • Executive chef
    Scott Bacon
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    https://www.theivybaltimore.com/dine/restaurant/
  • Phone number
    (410) 514-0303
  • Catering
    Magdalena and The Ivy Hotel are both available for buy-outs as well as private dining. If you are interested or curious about scheduling an event, please contact our Sales Department at (410) 528-8090 or sales@theivybaltimore.com.
  • Private party facilities
    If you are interested or curious about scheduling a private event, please contact our Sales Department at (410) 528-8090 or sales@theivybaltimore.com.
  • Private party contact
    Sales Department: (410) 528-8092

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