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Magnolias, Charleston, SC

Magnolias

4.6
4.6
8822 Reviews
$31 to $50
Southern
Top Tags:
Igniting a culinary renaissance upon opening in 1990, Charleston's most popular restaurant is located at the site of the city's original Customs House (circa 1739). Led by chefs Don Drake and Kelly Franz, Magnolias remains a forerunner in upscale Southern cuisine, blending traditional ingredients and cooking techniques with a modern flair for artful presentations.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Low Country, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Monday - Saturday starts at 11:30am Dinner starts at 4:00 pm daily Sunday Brunch starts at 10:00am
  • Phone number
    (843) 577-7771
  • Website
    http://www.magnoliascharleston.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Kelly Franz
  • Private party facilities
    Magnolia's private upper level dining rooms can be reserved for parties of 16 to 140 guests.
  • Private party contact
    Pat Pettus: (843) 937-4012 ext. 241
  • Location
    185 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Charleston
  • Cross street
    between Cumberland & Queen Streets
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Charleston CARTA to and from Visitors Center can be picked up 1/2 block from the restaurant on the quarter hour. There are also local cab companies and Charleston's famous Rickshaws that will transport guests to their hotels.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 8,822 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6
4.6 based on all time ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

8,822 Reviews

  1. MJ2019

    Charleston

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Reviewed on January 13, 2020

    overall5foodserviceambience
    There Buttermilk Fried Chicken plate is the absolute best! All their food is delicious but def recommend the chicken. Great cocktails, and staff.

    1 person found this helpful

  2. TonyG

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Reviewed on January 5, 2020

    overall5foodserviceambience
    The best meal I have had in Charleston (including Husk). The dining room is dominated by wood finishes including exposed ceiling beams and large posts. The lighting is on the darker side but the table itself has more than adequate light to see each other and our food. Very attentive service by our server and all the assistants. If we wanted something different or extra, it was not hard to get that. And her recommendations were right on spot. The food was delicious - the essence of southern. The fried chicken was crispy, but not oily, and the meat was tender and juicy. Great sides as well. I will return.

    2 people found this helpful

  3. SoJoFo

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on December 26, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Spectacular service Delicious seafood and apps!

    1 person found this helpful

  4. MaryD

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on December 14, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    One of the better restaurants in Charleston for fine dining.

    1 person found this helpful

  5. ChrisM

    Unspecified

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on November 29, 2019

    overall3foodserviceambience
    Not sure what is so special about this place. Food is not that great and it is very expensive

    Is this helpful?

  6. ChristineB

    Charleston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Reviewed on November 25, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Very busy restaurant with outstanding food and an extensive menu. Make reservations or you may have a long wait!

    2 people found this helpful

  7. MarieC

    Western NC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on November 14, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    No better dining in Charleston! Consistently delicious & the best service anywhere.

    1 person found this helpful

  8. heatherl

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on November 11, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Great atmosphere, and always very delicious food! Great option for a taste of Charleston.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Nan33950

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Reviewed on November 3, 2019

    overall1foodserviceambience
    Food was mediocre at best, and our waiter wore a soiled shirt- not a very good image.

    1 person found this helpful

  10. StephanieP

    New York Area

    24 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    24 reviews

    Reviewed on October 30, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Delicious, southern influenced cuisine in a friendly environment. Excellent service.

    Is this helpful?

  11. WallyCleaver

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Reviewed on October 30, 2019

    overall3foodserviceambience
    Food fair, fried chicken was very dry, other dishes were fine

    Is this helpful?

  12. odat80

    Richmond

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Reviewed on October 24, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    I have had the pleasure of eating at Magnolias on several occasions when in Charleston. The food is creative and extraordinary. The service is wonderful as well as the ambiance. It's always a winner.

    1 person found this helpful

  13. PowellF

    Miami

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on October 14, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Always great food, great service, and great atmosphere! You just can't go wrong!

    Is this helpful?

  14. Erin

    Charleston

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Reviewed on October 5, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    I've been coming here for many years. Magnolias is always wonderful. Excellent food and staff. A go-to for one of the best in Charleston.

    Is this helpful?

  15. FrancisC

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on October 3, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    The chicken liver appetizer was delightful and plenty to share. I thoroughly enjoyed the seafood on grits and my partner loved the fried chicken with all the fixins!

    Is this helpful?

  16. JenniferS

    Charleston

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on September 26, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Food was good but pricey. Although there was a kids menu I would not reccomend going with children as we seemed to get some snarky looks for bringing them.

    Is this helpful?

  17. Redwine

    Austin

    95 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    95 reviews

    Reviewed on September 26, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Great place for lunch very good food nice service.

    Is this helpful?

  18. WayneT

    Romania

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Reviewed on September 23, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    The food is OK, Service excellent. Atmosphere stuffy and prices too high, so lunch is a better option than dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  19. BetsyF

    Charleston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on September 21, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    My favorite Charleston restaurant! Great for special events or just for a good night out!

    Is this helpful?

  20. Sophie

    Charleston

    47 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    47 reviews

    Reviewed on August 30, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Magnolia's is a Charleston standard. Always good!

    Is this helpful?

  21. Karmar

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Reviewed on August 28, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Magnolia's was a very enjoyable dining experience for my family - food was great, plentiful and very nice server - i would recommend it!

    Is this helpful?

  22. LouisG

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Reviewed on August 26, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Local gem. Excellent location close to the Market. Excellent service with fantastic local specialties. Fried Green Tomatoes, Crab cakes with an excellent vegetable medley were wxcellent.

    Is this helpful?

  23. KrystalS

    Charleston

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on August 12, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Excellent food and service. Highly recommended. The Fried Green tomato sandwich was out of this world!

    Is this helpful?

  24. JerryS

    New Orleans

    75 reviews

    1.0

    75 reviews

    Reviewed on August 11, 2019

    overall1foodserviceambience
    Everything reads like you will have a fine dining experience. You will not. The food is ordinary, the place is crowded and noisy. the service is slow. Clearly they have given over fine dining to satisfy tourists that are passing by. Don't believe the reviews. this place is not what it looks like.

    Is this helpful?

  25. ChrisH

    Fort Lauderdale

    18 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    18 reviews

    Reviewed on August 8, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Amazing food!!!! A nice spin on all the classics. Loved everything! The shellfish and grits is beautiful but make sure that you do not eat much that day if you plan to order as it is very,very rich!

    Is this helpful?

  26. Traveller

    Baltimore

    63 reviews

    5.0

    63 reviews

    Reviewed on August 5, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Have been a few times, which in a city like Charleston with so many to chose from, says a lot. Every time there has been excellent. Will definitely be back.

    Is this helpful?

  27. mikez1

    Charleston

    50 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    50 reviews

    Reviewed on August 3, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    great seafood and grits and we have been many times and will return

    Is this helpful?

  28. BLLB

    Richmond

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Reviewed on July 29, 2019

    overall3foodserviceambience
    Great bar and front dining area. Very nice decor. Back dining room was less vibrant. Food was overall good, the filet was not great but the fried chicken was delicious. Alice our waitress was fantastic, however.

    Is this helpful?

  29. LynnW

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on July 23, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Great place for brunch, the banana pudding french toast was delicious!

    Is this helpful?

  30. JenniferJ

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    13 reviews

    Reviewed on July 16, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    OMG this is a must. The food is delish. The Fried Green Tomato appetizer is sublime. We went for Brunch and I'd love to try their dinner menu as well. We had the Huevos Rancheros and Shrimp with Sausage (Shrimp & Grits). I can't wait to come back!

    Is this helpful?

  31. JessicaK

    Unspecified

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on July 15, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    The best restaurant in Charleston! We ate at twelve restaurants on our trip and Magnolia's was everyone's favorite. Everything on the menu is amazing!

    Is this helpful?

  32. DanielaP

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on July 13, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Love the cornbread! Everything else was delicious too but the cornbread , grilled with honey. We're from out of town but would love to come back to this place. Service is on point and the ambience is relaxing.

    1 person found this helpful

  33. UWSgirl

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Reviewed on June 27, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Great Dinner at Magnolias! Loved the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and they have the best Pecan Pie!

    Is this helpful?

  34. Shan350

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on June 13, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Great place for dinner. Fried green tomatoes were awesome.

    Is this helpful?

  35. LouD

    New York Area

    120 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    120 reviews

    Reviewed on January 28, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    The Food Was Outstanding, The Service Exceptional, Good Atmosphere, Very Attentive, You Cannot Get A Bad Meal, I Would Come Back Next Time I Am In The Area. Lou D

    Is this helpful?

  36. RichardP

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is one of the very best restaurants in Charleston.

    Is this helpful?

  37. RichardG

    Coastal Georgia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My favorite restaurant in Charleston. Certainly better than some more recent heralded hyped places.

    Is this helpful?

  38. Transam

    New York Area

    26 reviews

    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on August 10, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This very well may be my favorite food in Charleston!

    Is this helpful?

  39. Jimmmy

    Denver

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent meal with low country cooking. We had soup, down south egg roll, Parmesan encrusted Mahi-mahi, creamy deviled egg and crab cake/petite filet-all excellently prepared. Cocktails were unique and tasty. Best meal of our trip .

    Is this helpful?

  40. AloniaT

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 8, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff and food was lovely! Thanks for everything!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Magnolias is rated 4.6 stars by 8822 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Magnolias

185 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Additional information

  • Cross street
    between Cumberland & Queen Streets
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Charleston
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Monday - Saturday starts at 11:30am Dinner starts at 4:00 pm daily Sunday Brunch starts at 10:00am
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Low Country, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Charleston CARTA to and from Visitors Center can be picked up 1/2 block from the restaurant on the quarter hour. There are also local cab companies and Charleston's famous Rickshaws that will transport guests to their hotels.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Kelly Franz
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.magnoliascharleston.com/
  • Phone number
    (843) 577-7771
  • Private party facilities
    Magnolia's private upper level dining rooms can be reserved for parties of 16 to 140 guests.
  • Private party contact
    Pat Pettus: (843) 937-4012 ext. 241

Featured in

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