Magdalena, A Maryland Bistro

It is almost comical: the sincere disconnect between great customer service and just a horribly prepared dinner. The food descriptions were completely off target, the described cuisine was nowhere present. Every dish had an issue -either cold, undercooked, or just horribly misrepresented. Something needs to be amended in the food prep line because our experience was ruined by the most unexpected blows.

To be direct -no one should mess up a side dish like macaroni (and serve it cold)- and that was minor compared to everything else. Also to highlight, the soup described as a "stew"... it should not taste like a straight up vinegar BBQ sauce. Another example and inquiry: how do you undercook risotto? Everything was off and it was a waste of good money for mediocre dishes.(we grabbed better food at Turps after)

However, our waiter was gracious and impeccable; he was understanding even when we didn't have the heart to tell him our honest feedback about the state of our meals. Regardless - & oh my god I say sincerely- do not come here for anything more than cocktails until improvements are made to the menu descriptions & attention is paid to a tune up in proper presentation for dishes.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 4

Magdalena has a very nice wine list, but the food is good but not super good - the place we sat near the bar was dark and so was the bar and the focaccia bread was tooth breaking. I asked them to make us some fresh one and got some pushback the focaccia is like this...really? second batch was definitely better. Food was good but expensive - soup tasty but not wow. Risotto so so- King salmon well prepared overall- grilled oysters a ok. Their cocktail was creative and wines nice

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Lovely restaurant for a special occasion. Superb food, drinks, wine and presentation. Server Emma and sommelier Mr. Freshwater made the experience even better! Kudos!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Let me start by saying that I dined here for a corporate dinner, so I did not get to experience the full menu.

Delicious food! Amazing service! Expansive wine collection with options to choose from. Overall a great experience. Looking forward to going back to visit and experience outside of a corporate group setting to enjoy the actual menu. Definitely a visit worth taking!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our experience here was magnificent! For starters, our server Emma was so knowledgeable on the menu and even shared some really interesting history with us. She was kind, attentive and incredible at anticipating our needs. Even if the food was just okay, we’d still go back because of Emma! But we didn’t have to worry about that because the food was incredible. We got the risotto with scallops and coconut milk (great for our dairy free guest) and the roasted chicken. Both were wonderful. We will absolutely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Scallops, Selection of Ice Creams & Sorbets

The entree quality and taste left much to be desired - who leaves the scales on rock fish? I was sooo disappointed and my word - how long had the fish been left at room temp - it tasted reheated as well. The roasted oysters however, were quite delicious. The best part of the experience was Michael our waiter and it was my birthday smh...

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 5

It was very expensive considering the portion of food was so small. $64 for 2 tiny rack rib of lamb

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Went here for a business dinner (so can't say if it was worth someone else's $) but overall was very impressed. Delicious cocktails, great food and phenomenal service. Everyone from the valet onwards seemed genuinely interested in making sure we had a good time. Already thinking about what special occasion to return for.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Got the giardiniera and the bread. Best part of the meal. Oysters were good, fried catfish was mushy, bland. Main course took quite a while to come out—I counted at least 35 minutes. Short rib was well overcooked, not enough sauce, and the potatoes were charred too hard on the edges. Sea bass was even worse; charred into oblivion, no flavor.

Don’t like when servers leave empty plates, and ask how the food is when it’s been on the table for 12 seconds and you haven’t had a chance to eat it. Didn’t clear off the place setting between courses—figured that 35 minutes was ample time. Service was all in all subpar. Careless.

Perhaps I’m being harsh, but so be it. Wasn’t anywhere close to being worth the money. Very disappointed. Won’t be coming back.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

Magdalena made my partner and I felt very special for his birthday dinner. Michael is a great server with excellent energy. The jazz music and ambient lighting were very relaxing and romantic as well. Every ingredients in the dishes we received were cooked to perfection. The cocktails were sophisticated and refreshing. My partner and I will definitely come back in the future.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell MP, Salmon Fillet, Mocktail, Basque Cheesecake

Fantastic meal, every item we ordered was delicious. The special pumpkin soup was surprising and complex. The fried catfish bites were the lightest, most tender version, perfectly fried. Had the scallops and the bass. Both were perfect, one of the best scallop preparations I've had. Service was good, ambiance was low key and cozy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Scallops, Mocktail

My wife and I had an unforgettable dining experience at Magdalena in Baltimore. From the moment we walked in, we were struck by the elegant and intimate atmosphere. The blend of modern sophistication and classic charm set the perfect tone for a special night out. Our server, Michael, was exceptional—attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about every dish and wine pairing, and genuinely passionate about ensuring we had the best experience possible. He made us feel truly welcomed and elevated the entire evening with his impeccable service. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. Each dish was not just a meal, but an experience. Every course was beautifully presented, with flavors that were complex and harmonized perfectly. From the appetizers to the dessert, it was clear that every ingredient was of the highest quality, and the chefs are truly masters of their craft. The wine selection the new sommelier recommended paired seamlessly with our meals and added an extra layer of enjoyment. The ambiance at Magdalena also deserves high praise. The soft lighting, warm tones, and elegant decor made the space feel both cozy and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can truly relax and savor every moment of your meal. The staff, beyond Michael, were all courteous and professional, contributing to an overall smooth and enjoyable experience. , Magdalena is a gem in Baltimore's culinary scene, and we can't wait to return. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience.

I came with friends for a birthday celebration. Sadly, the service this night was very slow. From taking orders, to receiving our food. The kitchen was extremely slow. The food was delicious, and well presented. Appetizer-pumpkin soup and cauliflower, entree-Short ribs and dessert- donuts were absolutely AMAZING. We finally received the food and almost done, we realized that we never got our side accompaniments. ? it was taken off of the bill. The best part of the experience was the Sommelier. He was outstanding and helpful. Also the decor was very pretty.

What a phenomenal experience. The service started as we pulled up and continued through the entire dinner service. The food was exquisite! The flavors were original, Surprising, and delightful. You owe it to yourself to experience this chef’s table.

Parking: Free valet

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best service I have had a restaurant in Baltimore. The food was delicious and the special cocktails were based on baltimore jazz legends biographies. Perfect spot for a date night.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5