Had a great dinner with friends, nice ambiance and very friendly staff. I got the spring salad and a crab soup. I liked my dinner so much that I went back three days later to get the salad for lunch again, as well as the crème brûlée I'll be thinking about the salad for a while. read more

Magnolias - Spring salad with salmon - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

The focaccia chicken sandwich was the best sandwich I've ever had in my life. Will definitely be coming back. My husband also loved the surf and turf pasta read more

Magnolias - Chicken sandwich - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

We had an amazing first meal in Charleston at Magnolias! Here's everything that we got: - Complimentary bread & butter: Comes piping hot with a crunchy exterior and pillowy interior. - Boiled peanut hummus (pickled okra, hot pepper relish, Charleston flatbread): I was so intrigued by this appetizer. The hummus was nutty and creamy; the okra and relish provided a really fresh, acidic contrast. The flatbread was more of a cracker, but I wasn't mad at that haha. - Magnolias classic vegetarian (fried green tomatoes & melted pimiento cheese, whipped potatoes, sautéed green beans & spinach, warm asparagus, sweet corn & tomato salad, tomato butter): Often, vegetarian entrees at fancy restaurants seem like an afterthought, but that couldn't be further from the truth here. Absolutely delicious, loved the diversity of flavors and textures in this dish, large portion size too. - Southern pecan pie (bourbon caramel, vanilla bean ice cream, praline lace cookie): How could we pass up on pecan pie at our first Southern food spot in Charleston? This was pretty standard (the ice cream had strong vanilla bean essence, which was great); I wished the pie itself was warmer and the crust softer/flakier though. Ambiance is fancier, huge space with lots of seating. Service was fast and friendly. There are paid parking garages nearby. This spot is a classic for a reason, 10/10 would recommend. read more

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I tried for a hat trick of three outstanding five star Charleston Restaurants, but with this highly recommended low country restaurant, we've came up short. Don't get me wrong - This is a beautiful old restaurant- rightly filled with enthusiastic diners. However, on this 55 degree night I froze my collard greens off from the wall mounted mini-split air conditioning. The PEI mussels were disappointing because of the very small portion size. There were barely over 15 in the broth. Mussels are not expensive and you should get a nice portion. The low country bouillbase was good, but not great - I've had similar sea food de mer that was better. Shrimp and sausage over grits - good, but not great - a little salty. We ordered two fried chicken entrees - tender high quality chicken but this dish needs an extra push of spice to be great. read more

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

A must visit in Charleston. An upscale but very relaxed place. Service is well trained but relaxed and friendly. Then the food!!! Fried green tomatoes were decedent and upscale to me he point I might reorder them of the beautiful scallops. The house standard of Parmesan crusted flounder immediately showcased why it was always on the menu. Perfectly prepared. Although it was an ample serving, none was left. Not to be outdone, the same delicate touch and skill was applied to the rum butterscotch bread pudding. Don't wake up the next morning wishing you had ordered. Avoid that and mistake and get it now. It is a dessert you will remeber a year from now read more

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Stopped here for appetizers in early evening before heading to event. Tried 3 including the fried oysters,fried chicken livers and the southern style egg rolls. Have to say chicken livers were definitely our fave one! Great atmosphere and excellent service. Bread served as crusty and hot. read more

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Excellent! The ambiance, the service, the food and the Southern Hospitality! The blackened salmon was amazing and so were the green friend tomatoes! read more

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Thank you for a great experience during our lunch on a Friday afternoon. Despite the restaurant being packed with people, the three of us were seated immediately, and our waitress was pleasant and attentive. The food was excellent overall. We especially enjoyed the fried green tomatoes, with their crispy crust. I also had the pan seared sea scallops along with a cup of blue crab soup. The scallops were perfectly seared, and the brandied apple bacon cream sauce was rich and flavorful. Both dishes were worth ordering again, and I would definitely return. read more

Magnolias - Pan Seared Sea Scallops Appetizer, Blue Crab Bisque Soup - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I had dinner at Magnolias yesterday, and once again, it did not disappoint. Magnolias is one of my favorite restaurants in downtown Charleston. I arrived around 4:00 when they opened, which was perfect for a relaxing early dinner. I started with the collard green egg rolls, followed by the halibut with seasoned rice, shrimp, and vegetables corn, lima beans, and green beans. Everything was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed a beverage with dinner. The service was impeccable. I believe my waitress was Anna, and she was awesome attentive, welcoming, and made my solo dining experience just as enjoyable. The atmosphere was wonderful, with families and visitors enjoying downtown Charleston, and it was simply a great vibe. Whether you're a Charleston local or visiting the city, I highly recommend Magnolias for brunch or dinner. It continues to be one of my favorite downtown restaurants. read more

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Outstanding! Beautiful restaurant, great service with the attentive Brandi, lots of menu choices.... Yummy bread and butter Delicious watermelon caprese- sooo good, light and combination of flavor "Had what she's having" ( table next to us)...thought it was what I was looking at in the menu, so mistakenly ordered it-- realized my mistake as I took a bite of the BEST grits I've ever had ( and how I realized the mistake!!)- Brandi offered to bring me what I wanted --no thank you, this is SO SO good...grilled peaches, vegetables..market catch.Best mistake I made!! lol Hubby ordered the seafood bouillabaisse, it too was excellent and full of fresh seafood " very well done and everything was delicious "... No room for dessert. We can see why this restaurant is so successful. read more

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Service - 5/5 Food - 5/5 Ambiance - 4/5 Came on a Thursday at 7pm as a party of 2 w/o a reservation and was seated immediately at a high top table. Fried chicken plate - perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Best greens I've ever had with the combination of spice, vinegar and ham hock. Crusted Halibut - Balanced and delicious. Filling meal despite feeling light with the fish, rice asparagus. Would recommend! read more

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Magnolias is a Charleston staple, so I was really glad we were able to fit it into our trip, even if it was with a pretty late dinner reservation. By the time we sat down, we'd spent the entire day being foodies around Charleston, so I really needed to keep it on the lighter side. Before dinner, we split the Pimento Cheese appetizer, which was really good. The accompanying "flatbread" had a great crunch to it and paired nicely with the pimento cheese. For my meal, I ordered a cup of the Blue Crab Bisque and the Beets & Berries Salad. I couldn't resist trying the bisque, but honestly, I didn't think it was anything to write home about. The salad, however, was outstanding. For a salad, it had quite a lot of flavor! The combination of arugula, honey roasted nuts, radishes, whipped ricotta, and chipotle vinaigrette was refreshing and great. I especially enjoyed the whipped ricotta and the honey roasted nuts. Our server, Seth, was good but not particularly memorable. We were there toward the end of the night, so maybe everyone was just winding down. Overall, I'm really glad we were able to experience Magnolias because it's such a well known Charleston restaurant. The food was good, the atmosphere was lovely (we saw a couple celebrating their engagement), and I'm happy we were able to check it off the list. But, with so many incredible restaurants in and around Charleston, I'm not sure Magnolias would be at the very top of my list if (when!) I make it back. read more

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Who doesn't love a good southern restaurant with vibes that make you think of Steel Magnolias! While on my run when I was in Charleston I saw this restaurant and knew my sister and I had to try it. Upon entering the hostess were so sweet and got us sat immediately. We both knew walking in we wanted a steak. And the special that the chef had was steak skewers with Boursin mashed potatoes, black berries, corn and green beans. I was a little skeptical about the black berries with the savory items but to my surprise it was soooo amazing! I also tied the blue crab bisque! Talk about flavor! My hat is completely off to the chef. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the service received there. I will definitely be back! read more

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My husband and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner at Magnolia's as we visited Charleston for the weekend. This was the 2nd time we'd been to the restaurant and we enjoyed it just as much as the first time. We started with the fried green tomatoes which were delicious. I ordered a golden beet salad which was okay. Honestly, I was a bit underwhelmed by it and think it could have used something crunchy or a bit more flavor. For my entree, I got the wahoo fish which was a special for the night and thought it was delicious. My husband ordered the duck and said it could have used a bit more flavor. They brought out a special hot sauce for him to try which gave it a bit more flavor and kick. The bread pudding for dessert is a must try. Service was great. Overall, food was probably a 4, but the ambiance and service were great and it still feels like a pretty solid special occasion dinner spot. read more

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New pictures. Everything except the bouillabaisse was outstanding. It had no broth and was as dry as the desert. read more

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A friend recommended Magnolias for dinner and it did not disappoint. We arrived around 5:00 and did not have reservations but they were able to seat the two of us right away. We sat in the back of the restaurant (I'm guessing up front was the reserved area.) but the atmosphere was still pleasant and elegant. Matthew was our server and we really appreciated his service and recommendations. Started out with Lemon Drop Martinis and Fried Green Tomatoes (based on Matthew's suggestion). Neither of us had Fried Green Tomatoes before and we found them to be delicious! The sauce that was on the plate was soooo good - I wanted to lick the plate! Hubby had the Buttermilk Fried Chicken dinner and the chicken was very flavorful and he really enjoyed it. He said the gravy didn't have as much flavor as he prefers but overall like his dinner. I had the Shrimp and Scallop Scampi which I thoroughly enjoyed! Huge portions for both meals. It came with a Grits cake which I nibbled on - not my favorite but it helped with the richness of the shellfish. I would highly recommend Magnolias for a nice dinner option when in Charleston. read more

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We came here on a Saturday night for a special occasion meal. We made reservations in advance and even doing so a week or so early required us to come at 8:00 pm. The place is popular, so highly recommend reservations. When asking locals about it, it's not somewhere they go, but acknowledge it is a solid choice and staple. The appetizers were decent. The deviled eggs were good and the scallops were as well. Nothing exceptional, but solid choices. For entrees we had a wide variety in our party. I had the fried catfish with red rice and cabbage. The dish was well portioned and fried but the red rice was cold and hard. The cabbage was good. A For dessert had I have pecan pie and it was just ok. All in all, it is a place you can tell people to for special occasions. It's a bit crowded and busy, so not very intimate. But still well maintained. read more

Magnolias - Pork chop entree. - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Great southern experience and food. Always nice staff and great atmosphere. I take family here when visiting.

We came here on a Friday night and were overall impressed with this place. We ordered the Mac and cheese bites, the vegetarian plate, and the low country bouillabaisse. Although some dishes are seasonal, these happen to be entrees that are served year-round according to our server Both were quite delicious. The vegetarian plate had a wide variety of veggies -- from mashed potatoes, to wilted spinach, asparagus, green beans, and fried tomato's. There were only two medium pieces of fried tomato so I do wish they put more in the plate but oh well. My partner loved his bouillabaisse and apparently it's the southern rendition of a French dish that is one of their most popular dishes. It has lots of seafood in it. The meal also came with complimentary warm bread, which was nice. The pecan pie was very good, but the crust was kind of hard and there were fewer pecans than I'm used to and more caramel. The ambiance is more formal but people were dressed mostly casual (and chic if I might add). Dim lighting and if you don't want as much noise to carry I would ask for seating in the back because it's noticeably louder in the front. Overall the food is very good and prices are not as expensive for the quality. Our server was great! read more

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Not my first time at Magnolia's, but my first time leaving a review. First tip: MAKE A RESERVATION. Magnolia's is extremely popular and right on East Bay so convenient to many hotels and pedestrian traffic. If you know you want to eat here, make a reservation! We love to get the blue cheese chips as a starter. The chips are made in house and are just so crisp and warm. The blue cheese crumbles add the salt and the scallions add a little acidity. For entrees we got the fried chicken (bone in with corn, potatoes, biscuit, and green beans), and the Carolina BBQ grilled cheese with waffle cut sweet potato fries. I will say that while these plates were delicious and filling, I've had better seasoned fried chicken and cheesier grilled cheeses in a number of places. Service is warm and friendly. The dining areas are either in the front of the restaurant, with high ceilings and lots of exposed brick, or you walk past the kitchen (careful on the slippery floors) and eat in a carpeted room with plush banquets. Tables are a little close, at times eye contact with the table next to me was unavoidable. And the dining rooms are lively with raised voices so you'll hear everything your neighbors have to say. read more

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My family had dinner at Magnolias on a Tuesday night and I would definitely recommend a reservation. We had one and were seated right away. This is a fine dining restaurant with impeccable service. The bread service came from a local bakery and it was delicious. We had eaten ice cream an hour or two earlier, so most of us weren't too hungry. Well I was! My husband ordered a Caesar salad with chicken. My daughters shared a Caesar salad with grilled shrimp. They all enjoyed their food. My food was phenomenal! I had the fresh catch, which was flounder. It was such an interesting preparation with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, tart and salt. I loved the risotto, the fermented fruit, roasted tomatoes, squash and zucchini. The fish was perfectly prepared and tasted very fresh. It was fresh caught this morning (flounder). I highly recommend checking out this place. read more

Magnolias - Fresh Catch - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

4.5 stars to be exact. This is perhaps the most popular Southern restaurant in dt Charleston. Located in French Quarter, it is close to many sightseeing spots. The dining rooms expand at least two floors and there is a walk-in bar. I went there for a late lunch at ~2:15pm. At that time the restaurant was only ~60% full but I was told that "they are all booked" (note lunch ends at 3pm). A little weird, but I secured a seat at the bar. For food, I got the half-size Lowcountry Bouillabaise and side of collard greens. I never had Lowcountry Bouillabaise before. It was basically different kinds of seafood, including clams (3), mussels (4), shrimp (5), seasonal fish (lots of) and some andouille sausage, stewed with potatoes, corn, okra, pepper and onions. The seafood tasted fresh. Sausage was spicy and sweet. The broth was spicy and savory.The potatoes were diced into small pieces so they were "well-coated by the sauce". While I ordered half, this dish was still huge. I only ate 2/3 of it. The collard greens was sweet and not as smoky as the one in Atlanta. I also asked for some bread. Their baguette was warm, dense, slightly sour - just as good as the Bouillabaise. Service was worse than expected. First, even if the restaurant was not full, I waited for over 30min to get my entree and side; plus, I told the bartender several tmes I was ready to order before she heard it. Second, someone took away my water when I used the restroom. It was also strange that I was told the restaruant was "fully booked", though someone just walked-in for tables later. In general, it is worth visiting if you want to get some southern dishes. But view it as a tourist attraction instead of a place to experience excellent food and service. read more

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This was a wonderful restaurant The food is very very creative flavorful and well portioned Service was very good. One hiccup I was sharing the entree and the server failed to bring an extra plate We had to wait, a bit too long. However Everyone loved their meal Fried chicken so moist crunchy and flavorful. Collared greens so good mashed potatoes too Fish of the day was halibut so delicious . Fried oysters superb and pecan pie best ever. Not inexpensive but quality and quantity is worth it. read more

If you're looking for quality southern comfort food this a great place. Hubby absolutely loved the pork chop and egg rolls! I got the vegetarian dish and the star was the fried green tomato! Also tried the fried Mac and cheese and they were ok. I think I pictured something different as they were not as cheesy as I was hoping but still ok. read more

We all really enjoyed our last lunch in Charleston here! The staff were very attentive in the restaurant was extremely clean. Everyone was very welcoming to us. Reach chose a different meal and really enjoyed them! Fresh sourdough bread prior to the meal was a nice treat. read more

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Short walk from our hotel (Mills House) on a busy street. White linens on the tables. High level service. When we made our Tuesday dinner reservation the day before, there was nothing available before 8:30pm. But when I checked on Tuesday afternoon several slots had opened up and we were able to move ours up to an earlier time. The food was very good. It is a bit on the pricier side but earns it: fresh, quality ingredients and all expertly cooked and nicely plated. Delicate and balanced seasoning, and very tasty but subtle sauces. Especially enjoyed the combination of Brussels Sprouts on a bed of pureed parsnips. We had the flounder and the Gumbo for our entrees. And while they didn't look very substantial, we were quickly full. The ciabatta and parmesan butter that we couldn't resist may have had a little to do with that. read more

Magnolias - Brussels Sprouts - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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New Yorkers went to Charleston and looking for some southern cooking! Second time to Charleston and second time to Magnolias. Friendly and polite service, made ordering easy. Food consistently delicious and presentable. Art on the walls is bright and modern while the wood floors are traditional and together create a comfortable feel. A really wonderful restaurant. We had fried green tomatoes and kale hush puppies to start, then grouper, catfish, gumbo and flounder for entrees. We were all so happy with our choices! read more

Magnolias - Parmesan Crusted Founder - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Good place for dinner but we preferred High Cotton. I had the shrimp and grits here and it was just too rich for me. I ended up having some of my husband's steak instead which was good. Service was a little slow but they were pretty busy. I don't think I would come back next time we are in town. read more

Quaint upscale restaurant. Great service and good food and drinks. Southern style food but elevated. Great place for girls night out or a date night! read more

Magnolias - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Sitting down at this restaurant made me realize that the people of Charleston always dress nicely! Noted for next time! We ordered the watermelon caprese salad, parmesan crusted halibut, and an item on the special menu that I cannot recall at the moment. Complimentary bread and butter- delicious. no notes. who doesn't love bread and butter? Watermelon caprese salad- refreshing, high quality ingredients, harmonious. the mint pesto paired with heirloom tomatoes and mozz was simply to die for. I don't enjoy fruit in salads but my boyfriend said the watermelon was essential and that this dish was amazing overall! Parmesan crusted halibut- wow. if there is one thing you should order on this menu, it's this. I don't think I spoke once during this meal. every bite-I anticipated the next. the various flavors coming from the halibut, tomato, shrimp, rice, and corn...topped with the citrus beurre blanc was sensational. I would come back for this meal. my boyfriend wholeheartedly agrees. sangria- strong. blood orange margarita spritz- strong. delicious. Overall, we'd definitely come back. Our waiter was friendly. The food was sensational. The ambiance was warm. The drinks were strong. Our moods were changed for the better after leaving so I'd say this was a 10/10. read more

Magnolias - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Stopped in for lunch and had a great experience all around. Service impeccable - friendly and professional. Everything we ate and drank was delicious! Had a mocktail, a cucumber cooler gin drink, deviled eggs, and the southern egg roll to start. Then had the halibut and shrimp and grits as mains. Everything was extremely delicious! Special shout out to the egg roll which was super creative and we loved it -- never had anything like it before. How many times can you say that about a restaurant dish? Glad we gave this place a try and will definitely come back next time we are in town. read more

Had an amazing time at Magnolias in Charleston with my daughter. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The food was absolutely delicious--full of flavor and beautifully prepared--and the service was top-tier, attentive without being overbearing. We loved the warm, inviting atmosphere, and our window seat made the experience even more special. It was the perfect spot to relax, connect, and enjoy a wonderful meal together. Highly recommend--definitely make a reservation. We'll be back! read more

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Iconic restaurant!! Delicious SC food staples!! You must eat here at least once. There's a reason they have been around for so long. Pricy, but worth every penny. Thank you for a wonderful meal. read more

Magnolias - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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I heard so many great things about Magnolias that I had to try it. I was very happy I did. The restaurant has a very nice vibe of elegance. Our server was very nice and accommodating. We tried the burrata salad which was delicious and for our main dish we had the flounder dish which was very fresh and delicious. I didn't like the side dish so our waiter graciously substituted it was cream corn which was delicious. A definite go to restaurant when in Charleston. read more

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The service was quick and attentive. The food was hot and fresh. A nice place to tuck into when it was raining today and didn't have to wait to be seated. read more

Magnolias - Magnolias Old fashioned and She Blue Crab Bisque Soup - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Our Sunday brunch was elegant and fabulous! Erin was our server, she was friendly and efficient. Everything flowing smoothly. We each had a Bloody Mary and started with the deviled eggs. They were very good. I had the half order of the Parmesan crusted flounder which was incredible! It was caked perfect a lightly fried crust with Parmesan. It was over a bed of rice with fine chopped veggies, asparagus and corn and small cherry tomatoes which were cut in half. It was also served with baked shrimp. The 1/2 portion was almost more than I could eat. My daughter had the crab Benedict which she said was amazing, it also had a fried green tomato on it.. so good! My husband said his fried chicken was very good and the collard greens and creamed corn complimented his dish. He said the fried chicken was very good but may have been slightly overcooked. Very nice ambiance, white tablecloths, flower vases on each table. The restaurant looked impeccable. read more

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Magnolias is a must any time someone is visiting me. I love to bring them here for a classic fried chicken dinner. I also usually get the fried green tomatoes which are a fabulous starter. The chicken is so tender is falls apart in your mouth with a crisp breading on the outside. You're definitely have leftovers. It gets busy so I recommend a reservation or getting your name down early. If your party is small enough you can usually grab a seat or two at the bar where they have full meal service. If you're visiting this one is a must. read more

Magnolias - Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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Service was great. Table for four was really small. Should have been a table for two. Ordered fried green tomatoes and boiled peanut hummus for appetizers. They were just ok. Group ordered the halibut special, that was great. Had mahi mahi, that was very good. Also had scallops, which were cooked just right just didn't love the sauce. Overall good restaurant, just had better in the area. Could be just food preferences. read more

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Magnolia's was...meh. I had the crab bisque and had to send it back. It was waaayyy over-salted and floury-tasting. They exchanged it for the tomato soup, which was better. I'd eaten heavily earlier that day, so I got the scallop appetizer, which was pretty good. My friend had the seafood gumbo, which I tasted-- it was good, but nothing special. Our server, Nick, was attentive and funny. We finished with the crème brûlée and it ended us on a good note. It was delicious! The restaurant is elegantly appointed and it's highly recommended online, but I was expecting so much more. read more

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Fantastic dinner at Magnolias! I had the catch of the day which was wahoo and it was wonderful! We also had the bread pudding for dessert which was delicious! Would highly recommend! Great food and service! read more

Magnolias - Southern Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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