Great place to eat, classy and emma, a waitress, is such a hardworking, kind, and genuine employee. I definitely recommend her for customer service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bob Kerr
Excellent service, fine brief wine list, nice selection of American/ European cuisine.
Alfonso Gay
Under new ownership and new chef. Not inexpensive but menu selection and overall quality a step up from the prior
elm elm
My daughter-in-law took us out for Mother’s Day on 5/11/2025 to Malias for their special Mother’s Day lunch. I had not been back to Malias for quite some time, but in the past, I had enjoyed some really good dinners there. However, time has really changed this place. Before we went, I tried to find an online menu for this “special” lunch with no luck. If I had found it, we would have never booked the reservation. The choices were not very enticing and it was difficult to make a decision. First of all, it was explained that we could choose one from the appetizer, the entrée and dessert for $40 or go a-la-carte for $15 per each chosen separately. We decided to go a-la-carte because nothing appealed. There were very little actual meat choices. When we arrived by the way, at 1:30 PM the place was more than half empty. As soon as we were seated the wait person brought two biscuits and the menus. I noted on the menu the biscuits come with butter and preserves which was not served with the biscuits so I had to wait until I could get their attention and finally the butter and jam were brought. Then, there were no utensils and we had to get their attention once again to get utensils. Reminder, the place was not busy but I think they only had two servers running around. We finally ordered and each got one appetizer because we decided we were not going to stay for the entrée. So, for $15 each, I ordered the mini quiches and my daughter-in-law ordered the burrata salad. The quiches were like eating cardboard…very dry and crumbly and basically tasteless. (I think they were frozen bought in bulk) The burrata salad came with barely any greens and was extremely stingy. To sum it all up, the service was not good, the food was terrible and costly to boot. Also, when we asked for the check, the server blew the candle out as she left to get the check and we were still sitting there. We will never go back. From there we went to La Parisienne and had a really great lunch for half the cost.
PS I just found out there is a new owner. I guess he does not believe in quality and just wants to cut corners. It was a very disappointing experience.
HAYES FUSION \u0026 COLINDUSTRIA
It’s such a shame because Aiken doesn’t have too many fine dining options, and this place used to be one of the few that stood out. Sadly, my last two visits have been a huge disappointment. The food quality was poor—definitely not up to the standard I remember. The portions were ridiculously and laughably small, leaving me wondering what kind of manager or chef is leading the kitchen.
To make matters worse, the service was subpar at best. It’s not what you expect from a restaurant with this kind of reputation. The staff seemed uninterested, and the overall experience was far from the welcoming, high-quality dining I once enjoyed here.
I really hope they can get back to what made them great, but until then, I won’t be returning. It’s disappointing, especially since there aren’t many fine dining options in Aiken to begin with.
M Benjamin
Going to keep this review short. It has totally changed in all facets since new ownership. We used to go here a lot in the past however we will not be back. Very unfortunate.
Michael s
Only one appetizer choice. Ordered the schnitzel with German potatoe salad. Got a piece of fried and oily piece of veal, mashed potatoes (not German potatoes). We have been going to Malia's since the early 90's. Very disappointed in the recent changes to the menu and my meal.
Abbie McCommon
My mom and I have been eating lunch at Malia’s, often once a month or more, since they first opened and had the clothing store in the front. It is our favorite restaurant.
Not anymore. The menu is limited and boring under the new ownership and what we had was horrible. The green jacket salad was completely tasteless, I’m pretty sure they forgot the dressing. The shrimp and grits were very bland and all I could taste was fish sauce. We got there right when they opened for the day and 2 tables were already seated. When we left an hour later, we were the only ones that had gotten food. The other table was looking very annoyed. After an hour, they still hadn’t received their food.
Change the name or something because this is a disgrace to the Malias name.
Joe Dunlop
Sincerely hope we caught Malia’s on an off night. Made a reservation and was seated at our time (7:15 pm) and ordered not long afterward. Took an hour or more for our food to arrive. My dinner was cold. Waitress was attentive and apologized, but it certainly wasn’t her fault. However the ambiance and atmosphere was very good and enjoyable.
Cat Miltenberger
New Ownership. Greeted by Wendy. Requested a table on the wall, host offered the PDR, we declined. Sat in the middle of the room across from the PDR - table for 2. Celebrating a birthday. Wait person greeted us, his name Nathan. Water glasses filled water was room temperature no lemons offered with waters Menus were already stacked on the table? The two items we were interested in were not available (Delmonico ribeye and New England clam chowder). We started with a glass of King Estate “Inscription” Pinot Noir and it was room temperature to warm. We ordered baked feta which is one of the menu favorites. The appetizer landed at the same time as the Caesar salad (We had waited over 30 minutes before the order arrived). The salad was over dressed and heavy on strips of Parmesan cheese. It did come with white anchovies as requested and it was layered very odd salad preparation. My dinner partner ordered another menu favorite the steak salad, She ordered it medium. I ordered a medium temperature filet and frites. We waited what seemed to be 45 minutes for our entree’s. As everyone around us, who came in after us, were already being served their entree’s. Our entrees landed and the steak salad was medium rare - cool (not hot) - the salad over dressed with a heaping layer of cheese on top. My filet was not even warm and frites were under cooked with a heavy dusting of “goat” cheese. After 15 minutes we were able to get our servers attention. We explained to him that the steak salad was undercooked. French fries were undercooked and coated in cheese. He apologized and asked if my dinner partner wanted to keep the salad? She looked at him puzzled and she said no. The proper thing would have been to pick up the salad and have the dish completely remade. Oh no, he brought her back just a plate w a piece of meat on it?! Frites now were over cooked and greasy. I was so upset with the lack of proper training. We asked to have her salad remade and brought back. We decided we had enough. I asked for the check, paid the $115 plus gratuity and left. Not impressed.
Our friend highly recommended we stop in and try the Chilean sea bass is sadly not on the menu. Delmonico ribeye not available. Clam Chowder not available subbed in a lemon chicken soup. No longer offers a bread service. The table was not set with flatware. Steak knives were an afterthought. We were given a palate cleanser of a lemon espuma & tea “Arnold Palmer”. A hand towel was offered but it was cold. We had to ask for spoons for the palate cleanser. I would highly recommend the wait staff be properly prepared and trained for front of the house service and how to fire off items with proper timing to ensure the guest experiences what the chef wants the guest to experience. Thank you
Food was good but limited menu due to recent ownership changes- we went to this restaurant last year and had an excellent experience. This year was a completely different experience and we were disappointed. No salad, limited appetizers limited menu, staff were inexperienced and not the same as last year.
Charlene Harley
Went to Malia’s during Masters Week. Reserved our lunch table ahead of time. We were expecting amazing normal high quality experience. Instead we were So disappointed. We Did Not Know restaurant ownership had changed. Waiter insulted my husband as he was taking our orders. He did not offer to get us beverages and then disappeared from the front dining room for a for long period of time. Long wait for a salad. No bread, no apps, what were bread plates for?
We all ended up with steak salad covered in a mountain of cheese we had to remove. Steak was great but that was only highlight of the meal. Not planning a return trip.
John Hekl
Have been twice. Once years ago for work and then last week with my wife. We did the baked Feta to start (very good), two cocktails apiece (very good), the chicken (pretty good) and salmon (very good). Also both did dessert, brownie and raspberry pie (very good and substantial portions should have only shared one).
It was great service, appropriate value for a nicer place, and great food. We had about a complete a meal as possible for two people and it was pretty reasonable.
Pork Butts
Delicious lunch with my wife and our friend.
J C
I had lunch today with friends. We have been there before and were very satisfied. Today I ordered clam chowder which was delicious. I also ordered 2 orders to go. One was shellfish and grits. It had 3 shrimp, 3 little scallops and a sausage link cut in half lengthwise. Topped with gravy with pieces of the sausage on top. $22. Not at all the dish expected. The other was a Caesar salad which instead of having bacon bits had 1 slice of bacon on top. The lettuce was not cut up. The taste was good. Definitely not the standard we have had before at Malia’s. The service from our waiter,on the other hand, was great.
Great place to eat, classy and emma, a waitress, is such a hardworking, kind, and genuine employee. I definitely recommend her for customer service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service, fine brief wine list, nice selection of American/ European cuisine.
Under new ownership and new chef. Not inexpensive but menu selection and overall quality a step up from the prior
My daughter-in-law took us out for Mother’s Day on 5/11/2025 to Malias for their special Mother’s Day lunch. I had not been back to Malias for quite some time, but in the past, I had enjoyed some really good dinners there. However, time has really changed this place. Before we went, I tried to find an online menu for this “special” lunch with no luck. If I had found it, we would have never booked the reservation. The choices were not very enticing and it was difficult to make a decision. First of all, it was explained that we could choose one from the appetizer, the entrée and dessert for $40 or go a-la-carte for $15 per each chosen separately. We decided to go a-la-carte because nothing appealed. There were very little actual meat choices. When we arrived by the way, at 1:30 PM the place was more than half empty. As soon as we were seated the wait person brought two biscuits and the menus. I noted on the menu the biscuits come with butter and preserves which was not served with the biscuits so I had to wait until I could get their attention and finally the butter and jam were brought.
Then, there were no utensils and we had to get their attention once again to get utensils.
Reminder, the place was not busy but I think they only had two servers running around.
We finally ordered and each got one appetizer because we decided we were not going to stay for the entrée. So, for $15 each, I ordered the mini quiches and my daughter-in-law ordered the burrata salad. The quiches were like eating cardboard…very dry and crumbly and basically tasteless. (I think they were frozen bought in bulk) The burrata salad came with barely any greens and was extremely stingy. To sum it all up, the service was not good, the food was terrible and costly to boot. Also, when we asked for the check, the server blew the candle out as she left to get the check and we were still sitting there. We will never go back. From there we went to La Parisienne and had a really great lunch for half the cost.
PS I just found out there is a new owner. I guess he does not believe in quality and just wants to cut corners. It was a very disappointing experience.
It’s such a shame because Aiken doesn’t have too many fine dining options, and this place used to be one of the few that stood out. Sadly, my last two visits have been a huge disappointment. The food quality was poor—definitely not up to the standard I remember. The portions were ridiculously and laughably small, leaving me wondering what kind of manager or chef is leading the kitchen.
To make matters worse, the service was subpar at best. It’s not what you expect from a restaurant with this kind of reputation. The staff seemed uninterested, and the overall experience was far from the welcoming, high-quality dining I once enjoyed here.
I really hope they can get back to what made them great, but until then, I won’t be returning. It’s disappointing, especially since there aren’t many fine dining options in Aiken to begin with.
Going to keep this review short. It has totally changed in all facets since new ownership. We used to go here a lot in the past however we will not be back. Very unfortunate.
Only one appetizer choice. Ordered the schnitzel with German potatoe salad. Got a piece of fried and oily piece of veal, mashed potatoes (not German potatoes). We have been going to Malia's since the early 90's. Very disappointed in the recent changes to the menu and my meal.
My mom and I have been eating lunch at Malia’s, often once a month or more, since they first opened and had the clothing store in the front. It is our favorite restaurant. Not anymore. The menu is limited and boring under the new ownership and what we had was horrible. The green jacket salad was completely tasteless, I’m pretty sure they forgot the dressing. The shrimp and grits were very bland and all I could taste was fish sauce. We got there right when they opened for the day and 2 tables were already seated. When we left an hour later, we were the only ones that had gotten food. The other table was looking very annoyed. After an hour, they still hadn’t received their food. Change the name or something because this is a disgrace to the Malias name.
Sincerely hope we caught Malia’s on an off night. Made a reservation and was seated at our time (7:15 pm) and ordered not long afterward. Took an hour or more for our food to arrive. My dinner was cold. Waitress was attentive and apologized, but it certainly wasn’t her fault. However the ambiance and atmosphere was very good and enjoyable.
New Ownership.
Greeted by Wendy.
Requested a table on the wall, host offered the PDR, we declined.
Sat in the middle of the room across from the PDR - table for 2.
Celebrating a birthday. Wait person greeted us, his name Nathan.
Water glasses filled water was room temperature no lemons offered with waters
Menus were already stacked on the table?
The two items we were interested in were not available (Delmonico ribeye and New England clam chowder). We started with a glass of King Estate “Inscription” Pinot Noir and it was room temperature to warm. We ordered baked feta which is one of the menu favorites. The appetizer landed at the same time as the Caesar salad (We had waited over 30 minutes before the order arrived).
The salad was over dressed and heavy on strips of Parmesan cheese. It did come with white anchovies as requested and it was layered very odd salad preparation.
My dinner partner ordered another menu favorite the steak salad, She ordered it medium. I ordered a medium temperature filet and frites. We waited what seemed to be 45 minutes for our entree’s.
As everyone around us, who came in after us, were already being served their entree’s.
Our entrees landed and the steak salad was medium rare - cool (not hot) - the salad over dressed with a heaping layer of cheese on top. My filet was not even warm and frites were under cooked with a heavy dusting of “goat” cheese. After 15 minutes we were able to get our servers attention. We explained to him that the steak salad was undercooked. French fries were undercooked and coated in cheese. He apologized and asked if my dinner partner wanted to keep the salad? She looked at him puzzled and she said no. The proper thing would have been to pick up the salad and have the dish completely remade. Oh no, he brought her back just a plate w a piece of meat on it?! Frites now were over cooked and greasy.
I was so upset with the lack of proper training. We asked to have her salad remade and brought back. We decided we had enough. I asked for the check, paid the $115 plus gratuity and left.
Not impressed.
Our friend highly recommended we stop in and try the Chilean sea bass is sadly not on the menu.
Delmonico ribeye not available.
Clam Chowder not available subbed in a lemon chicken soup.
No longer offers a bread service.
The table was not set with flatware. Steak knives were an afterthought.
We were given a palate cleanser of a lemon espuma & tea “Arnold Palmer”.
A hand towel was offered but it was cold.
We had to ask for spoons for the palate cleanser.
I would highly recommend the wait staff be properly prepared and trained for front of the house service and how to fire off items with proper timing to ensure the guest experiences what the chef wants the guest to experience. Thank you
We miss the old Malias.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was good but limited menu due to recent ownership changes- we went to this restaurant last year and had an excellent experience. This year was a completely different experience and we were disappointed. No salad, limited appetizers limited menu, staff were inexperienced and not the same as last year.
Went to Malia’s during Masters Week. Reserved our lunch table ahead of time. We were expecting amazing normal high quality experience. Instead we were So disappointed. We Did Not Know restaurant ownership had changed. Waiter insulted my husband as he was taking our orders. He did not offer to get us beverages and then disappeared from the front dining room for a for long period of time. Long wait for a salad. No bread, no apps, what were bread plates for? We all ended up with steak salad covered in a mountain of cheese we had to remove. Steak was great but that was only highlight of the meal. Not planning a return trip.
Have been twice. Once years ago for work and then last week with my wife. We did the baked Feta to start (very good), two cocktails apiece (very good), the chicken (pretty good) and salmon (very good). Also both did dessert, brownie and raspberry pie (very good and substantial portions should have only shared one).
It was great service, appropriate value for a nicer place, and great food. We had about a complete a meal as possible for two people and it was pretty reasonable.
Delicious lunch with my wife and our friend.
I had lunch today with friends. We have been there before and were very satisfied. Today I ordered clam chowder which was delicious. I also ordered 2 orders to go. One was shellfish and grits. It had 3 shrimp, 3 little scallops and a sausage link cut in half lengthwise. Topped with gravy with pieces of the sausage on top. $22. Not at all the dish expected. The other was a Caesar salad which instead of having bacon bits had 1 slice of bacon on top. The lettuce was not cut up. The taste was good. Definitely not the standard we have had before at Malia’s. The service from our waiter,on the other hand, was great.
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