Magdalena is one of the best dining experiences I've had in Indianapolis hands down. The menu is seasonal and will change accordingly. The food is one of the best I've had in Indy. We ordered Murder Point oysters (which comes with house-made sauce), the Focaccia, ham and grits, and steak frites. The oysters were great, but the star of the dish was the home-made sauce. It left a tangy and vinegar feel that paired very well with the oysters. The focaccia was not overly charred as some restaurants, and the cheese butter for the break was great. The main entrees were the ham and grits and the steak frites. Steak frites came with their garlic butter that paired super well. The steak wasn't overly seasoned with butter or garlic, leaving the quality of the beef to speak for itself. The frites were perfectly fried and crispy, and the mushroom sauce that accompanied it was very full and fulfilling. My favorite was the ham and grits as it has changed the way I view grits in general. I didn't grow up with grits, and I dislike them at any restaurant (even fine dining). The grits here have made me reconsider. They were perfectly seasoned with a thick and creamy sauce. This is an item I would order again. Our server was Taylor, and she was amazing. She expertly made sure our meals were staggered such that there was always something on the table. Taylor was very attentive and had a keen eye to detail. The space was intimate and unsuspecting. It's definitely a place you'd look over if you're not paying attention! This was by far the best dining experience I've had in Indy, and we will definitely be back! read more

Magdalena - Oysters and Focachia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Wonderful experience for cocktails, small plates and desserts. The cocktails are creative with very knowledgeable bartenders. The featuring of argmagnac and calvados in drinks was especially intriguing. The food was all tasty as well. Seafood-centric southern small plates is how I would describe the food menu, although some land based southern items as well (fried chicken livers, country ham). The ambiance great as decor quite simple with some mid century modern. A retro, upscale, 70s vibe to the place as if taking a step back in time upon entering. After one visit, has solidified itself in rotation of top cocktail establishments in city due to the curated menu straying some from familiar liquors. read more

This is a great place! The cocktails and mocktails are delicious. It's sharables and the portions are perfect! The oysters are cleanly shucked. (Not unexpected grit like at some places) We had the brussels, the ham (SO GOOD!), the special which was a shrimp dumpling like dish, and even the olives had an herb like pesto on them that was tasty! Bailey and Jo(e?) were great with service! We had a food allergy and I even received a call ahead of time from Bailey and they took the time to write on the menu so that we knew where egg was in the dishes. Jo(e?) was knowledgeable on the drinks and the food alike. They were very kind and attentive and we will definitely be back!! read more

Fountain Square seafood place provides small plates and oysters. A cocktail centric drink menu as well. Small overall space but staffed well and attentive. read more

Amazing service, food, and ambiance. All of the food was phenomenal, but the oysters are top tier. Will definitely be back soon! read more

Magdalena - Pork chop & green beans - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Great small bites! Loved the French 75. Chatted with the owner and had impeccable service! Loved the cozy dining and menu choices in the Fountain Square area. read more

Magdalena - Great drinks and interesting small bites! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Becoming, if it already isn't, favorite restaurant in town! Family is from New Orleans and this place does a great job from ambience to flavors to service of recreating a Nola feel. Only critique from our most recent meal was the crawfish Monica and ham were extremely salty. Never had that happen before so definitely just a one off experience. Couldn't recommend this place more! read more

Unreal. Amazing. You have to go. We basically ate our way through the entire menu and loved every single bite. We started with the smoked whitefish dip, snow crab claws, wagyu bresaola, angels on horseback, and crispy brussels sprouts. Everything was a hit. The smoked fish dip was rich and perfectly paired with the fried saltines (yes, fried saltines--mind blown). The brussels? Perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. I'm not usually into oysters, but the brie and bacon combo on the angels on horseback completely won me over. And those kimchi collard greens? Such a unique twist--funky, tangy, and just so good. Since everything we tasted was gold, we continued with the: cucumber salad, chicken liver, dirty rice, cast iron city ham, stuffed collards, peel-and-eat shrimp, and hamachi collar. Every dish was better than the last. My absolute favorite? The stuffed collards--perfectly balanced, tender, and bursting with flavor. The cocktails? Incredible. The staff? Even better. From the second I walked in, I felt like I was being welcomed by friends. Joe, our server, was fantastic, with spot-on recommendations and top-notch service. The entire team worked together seamlessly, making the whole experience feel effortless. Honestly, 10/10 doesn't do this place justice. Run, don't walk, to Magdalena. You'll be planning your next visit before you even leave. read more

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Everything about this place is great! We've never been disappointed with a meal. I wouldn't recommend for super picky eaters. This is definitely a place for people with pallets for adventures. The service is always amazing. It's also very cute on the inside. Very inviting:) read more

The buzz about this restaurant opening has intrigued me for months. When we came on their first day, we realized it was ~absolutely~ worth the wait! With an ambiance singing 'upscale, historic', and a lovely light jazz accompaniment, the details are sleek and highly refined- All while still retaining that charm of the south we all can't get enough of. The talented chefs work their magic on your tastebuds, indulging you in the decadence of a southern muse- offering unique dishes like the Salt Baked Celeriac Root (trust me), variations of classic seafood dishes like the Low Country Ceviche, and of course, Oysters! Their expertly curated bar staff will transport you to another era with their timeless creations; classics that Time and the Midwest forgot, like the Hotel Nacional and Grasshopper. Truly though, my heart is with the seasonal gooseberry and sherry based cocktail, La Lena. All of their crew is highly seasoned, previously working at some of the most prestigious spaces in the city. You can relax knowing you're in good hands here! Jo, Alyvia, Nole, Nick, Baylee, and even Chef Pax, all went to great lengths to provide personable, authentic service that really left a lasting impression. The passion at this spot is electric and will definitely be the reason I return! read more

This place is a great new place! I have been a couple times, and there is nothing that isn't top notch. From walking in the door and being welcomed like a friend, the service is 2nd to none, and THEN you get to the food and drink. such a great place to have a nice bite to eat and superb drinks! This is my new go to place! You won't be dissapointed. read more

Great service, great cocktails, great ambiance, food was decent; oysters were a hit! TL;DR: go here with a date for drinks, stay for the good vibes! read more

Our server Miranda was so attentive...we tried four different classic cocktails at our table, half dozen oysters and the occasion bread which so fresh. The oxtails were very tender, flavorful and rich. The lemon dessert was a nice finish. We'd never had a "crispy rib" but these too were tender and so enjoyed. The music playlist, ambience and vibe was perfect! Prior to the reservation on TUES i enjoyed learning more about the res restaurant on social media. Will welcome the return of the beef wellington on Sunday's I saw posts about! read more

If you haven't been here yet, I wonder what are you waiting for. This is one of the best restaurant in the city if not in the state. The menu is very creative and has a Louisiana accent to it. The cocktails are exquisite with very creative combinations. read more

Magdalena - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The food at this place is not good. Now that the punchline is out of the way, let me explain: Sazerac Cured Salmon: This dish had a mix of flavors that didn't seem to enjoy each other's company, so you tasted everything in isolation. In addition, the fish was perhaps not the best quality because that dish hasd a VERY fishy taste. I'd have expected the restaurant to use a better quality fish, but I'd say it was 3/10, so perhaps they tried. Cucumber Salad: I had one bite, and that was enough for me. As much as I'd like to be able to explain the different flavors and dilate upon each of them individually, all I can say is that the dish had cucumbers, and it didn't taste like much. In my view, the buttermilk is not a very good addition. 2/10 Wagyu Bavette and Fries: The steak was...raw, and cold. When I took the first bite, I thought to myself that perhaps this would have been better served as a steak tartar, but it didn't taste nearly as good as even a mediocre tartar, and it was supposed to be a steak, so that thought died pretty quickly. I took one bite, and put the fork and the knife down. Someone from the staff spotted that the steak was untouched, and they inquired about how it was. I told them that it's raw, and cold, and that's really all I could say. They offered to 'fire it up', and I don't know what to make of that. I have been to steakhouses where sometimes the steak wasn't prepared as desired, and it's usually a simple fix in that it was replaced by a steak that was done properly, and that's the end of that. This one, however, was beyond saving. I did not complain to the staff at all: if they hadn't inquired, I would have been happy to pay for the untouched steak and get the hell out of there, but once they inquired, I had to tell them the truth. To their credit, they did take the steak off our cheque, I appreciate that very much. As for the non-food stuff: the service was good, and the ambience is decent. Indianapolis is not really a foodie city in that the average restaurant food quality is fairly mediocre, and I have been to plenty of places with 'good' reviews that serve ordinary food, so it's not surprising that I had a forgettable experience. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone who likes food. read more

We had such a great experience at Magdalenas! I have a few allergies and the restaurant took them extremely seriously. They made sure my menu clearly identified what I could or could not eat - which was beyond appreciated! In addition to that, the entire staff was so attentive and engaging. We started with the fish dip - which was SO good. The toasted saltines are such a unique twist. We'll be craving those for the rest of our lives. The oysters were delicious and fresh. My husband said the fried chicken liver was incredible - he loved the breading. We also shared the steak frites which was cooked perfectly! My husband was surprised he was full after eating "small plates" - so for anyone wondering, yes they are "small plates" but you get a good amount of food on each plate. We will definitely be back and recommend Magdalena's to everyone!! 10/10 experience! read more

Friendly staff and clean space. However, it felt "unfinished" as if there was a deadline to open. Regarding flavor, the chicken livers were just average. The "ceviche" I would unfortunately describe as simply "saltines (very salty!) and shrimp in a cup." The flavor was also nowhere to be found. The drinks were great, but I would not return. read more

Better options for the money. Service was great but the food was okay. They could trim the weeds around the building, especially the ones back where you park. read more

We enjoyed a wonderful, intimate dinner at this New Orleans inspired restaurant that included raw oysters and their Crawfish Monica spaghetti, which was a perfect dish. The drinks from the bar demonstrated that they take their cocktails as seriously as their food. We enjoyed an Old Fashioned, a Negroni and the New Crush (house cocktail consisting of Gin, Sauternes, Mango and Lemon). From the start, the service was more like being served by an entire family. From the hostess to the waiters to the owner, they were all involved in making our experience special. They didn't simply ask how our meal was, they enhanced our experience with stories, suggestions and even a lagniappe (a little something extra in New Orleans). Prices were up there but the quality, service and overall experience far exceeded most other restaurants at this price point. We will definitely be back. read more

On a cross country trip, we discovered this gem of a restaurant, Magdalena. As a long time pescatarian, I am always seeking high-quality seafood restaurants, and this restaurant fit the Bill. We got there on a rainy Saturday afternoon around 3:30 and sat at the bar. They offer a happy hour from 3 to 5 on Saturdays and cocktails are half price. We tried the hotel national which is a rum and lemon drink and the champagne cocktail both were made with care and expertise by the very competent bartender/waiter. All of our food selections were on point. We had the SAZERAK cured salmon, the grilled peach Burrata, smoked whitefish dip, minced pea salad, and my husband had the chicken schnitzel. My favorite was the cured salmon, which had the most delicious and interesting sauce on top. All the food was unique and expertly prepared. The owner, Nick chatted with us for a long time about his restaurant, his story and traveling to Iceland. He was very genuine and could not have been nicer to us. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting a special dining experience.! read more

Is Magdalena the new front runner for best restaurant in Indianapolis? Yes. It's a New Orleans style Americanized tapas restaurant that takes its culinary prowess seriously. Never in a million years did I think whipped carrots would shine as a standalone dish but it was excellent. The oysters are among the best you'll find in central Indiana and they always have multiple kinds to offer. The drinks are perfectly curated to enhance your meal. The bartenders and staff are bar none some of the best we have encountered anywhere. My wife and I have been back every weekend since our first visit and they are consistent on food and service. I think what we love best is that Magdalena takes such risks on their food but it's a very approachable atmosphere. The ramp spaetzle was about as perfect as a dish can get. This is a great place for a date, a drink at the bar, or just for some oysters. Could not recommend a place as highly as Magdalena. read more

Excellent food, excellent service! So great to see Fountain Square getting upgraded with a place like Magdalena. We kind of ordered the whole menu, and everything was fire. Great place for a date or to bring some friends and share some plates. Will definitely be going back. read more

Our favorite new spot. Best oysters we've ever had! Food & drinks were all high quality, freshly made & served. Top notch from the food, ambiance, to the service! Our server Taylor gave us such a unique experience. She answered all of our questions & provided quality service & was very personable. Can't wait to come back & visit! read more

Absolutely exceeded all expectations!! Our waiter/bartender Cole was fantastic. Drinks were amazing and everything he recommend was ohhh soooo good!! At a time when customer service and great food for the price is limited, this place made us feel like we were back out exploring and having a great date night. if you eat here.... YOU. WILL. NOT. BE. DISAPPOINTED. So tasty!! read more

I can't remember the last time I had service this good. Everyone was so kind and helpful. And the food was even better. We loved the BBQ shrimp and the black eyes peas with pickled collards and kimchi. Oysters were great too. read more

Incredible spot for cocktails and tapas-esque food menu. Shrimp dumplings came in the most delightful sauce, would have ordered it alone as a soup. Unique place, needed this in Indy. read more

One of the best experiences ive had! Service was exceptional, food was outstanding, ambience was delish. 10/10 we will be coming back any time we are in indy. read more

The service was wonderful!! The food was Amazing! We ordered several dishes (tapas style) The red snapper was absolutely delicious, it was cooked perfectly, it was stuffed with lemons and herbs, and was so flavorful! The Brussels sprouts and smoked salmon had lovely sauces that were flavorful with lots of fresh herbs. The persimmon pudding with fresh whipped creams and merengue was delicious. We had a delicious champagne for a birthday toast! It was a perfect night out for a celebratory dinner! But don't wait for a special occasion, just go! read more

Great experience! Friendly and attentive service, very helpful with custom menus for our diet restrictions. The food was all delicious, with a trendy southern coastal style. "Order five plates for two people" was the instruction, and that was about right, sort of a tapas share-everything approach. Nice bar too. The ambiance is metropolitan, not too noisy for good conversation. Plenty variety for gluten-free and other diets. A new place in Fountain Square which I'm sure will be a hot spot soon. read more

everything was perfect and delicious! our server, Taylor, rocked! we had the cast iron ham with red eye gravy and some small plates. definitely don't skip dessert! read more