Amazing dinner! The La bomba pork and potato was fantastic and the marinated lamb was to die for! Everything from mixed olives to cheesecake dessert was so delicious! The service was also a top notch. Great wine and after drink recommendations from Emma. Would definitely return next time we're in Charleston! read more

This is a tough review to write because I really wanted to love this place. Unfortunately, it would be really hard to recommend it; particularly to anyone who has been to Spain. My parents are Spanish immigrants and, although I was born here, I was raised in Spain until I was about six and then traveled to Spain to see family every year until I graduated from college after which I lived in Spain for a few years until I again moved back here. We still go back to see family regularly. I only mention this to highlight the fact that I am not a stranger to Spanish food and the delightful tapas of Spain. This restaurant, while it has many authentic Spanish items, is decidedly not Spanish in its execution. Our server was great. He did a fine job at being our server, but honestly, that was probably the best part of our experience. When he greeted us, the first words of his spiel were about how the restaurant serves its food "in the traditional Spanish tapas way." No, it most certainly does not. First of all, they don't offer you free bread. They have bread, but it's not the traditional crusty baguette "pan de barra" that you get all over Spain. Instead, they have a thick cut sourdough bread which tastes fine, but you pay $8.00 for four slices. In all of the literally hundreds of bars and restaurants I have been in in Spain (and Italy and France for that matter) nowhere has ever charged for bread, particularly not at a tapas joint. Secondly, the portions are small and outrageously priced. I've eaten enough boquerones to choke a killer whale in bars all over Spain. If you order them here, you will get three pieces (which add up to one and a half whole fish since they are split down the middle) and you pay $10 for them. They were presented very well but way too expensive. We put together a meat and cheese board and the portions of each, while still way overpriced, were pretty respectable. We had the chorizo, lomo, serrano ham and two cheeses. The cheeses were supposed to be on the firm side, but one of them, the Mahon, was dry and hard as a rock. We couldn't cut it with a knife without it splintering all over the place (there's probably still some behind the wine bottles that were next to our table). We had the grilled carrots which were cooked very well and tender, olives, and the octopus which had a nice char - but all at a much steeper price than they deserved. Third, while they do have a very extensive wine list (we paid $75 for a middling bottle of Albariño), they have no spirits (which might just be a liquor license issue) and they only feature one beer - which isn't even Spanish. No Aguila, no Estrella, no Mahou, nothing. They also offer one cider. To sum up, the pictures attached to this review (except the bottle of wine which is not pictured) set us back almost $300. No one in Spain has ever paid $300 for tapas unless they had a lot of people with them or they were ordering gambas rojas, percebes and angulas. The food may be imported from Spain (all of which anybody can get on-line), but the prices for what should be a casual appetizer snack are way out of line. Charging for bread? Get outta here. The bottom line: Yes the food is from Spain, but at these prices your money would be better spent actually flying to Spain and eating it there. It's not bad quality, but hard (if not impossible) to justify the bill. read more

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The food was outstanding; the service was attentive and the place is kinda cute. Problem is the size of the portions and the prices. Even the store articles are incredibly overpriced. Will think about going back because the prices don't make up for the small quantity of food. Sad because I wanted to like it; having a piece of Spain right at home. read more

One of the best meals I've ever had. The wine was delicious and the small plates were all perfect. I think the best thing that we ordered was the potato bomb. We regretted not getting two! The restaurant was pretty empty when we showed up for our reservation and within a matter of 15 minutes there wasn't a seat in the place. It was hustling and bustling and soon on a wait. I HIGHLY recommend Malagon and am so glad that we tried it while in Charleston! read more

Malagon - Spanish Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Wonderfully prepared small plate dishes - interesting wine list, and a relaxed vibe. Wait staff is attentive and gives you space to enjoy your meal. There is packaged food to buy, try all the potato crisps!! and the cheeses, cured meats etc. read more

Very underwhelming experience. Came in this place with high hopes and it did not live up to expectations. Service on the patio was challenging and not the best atmosphere outside(very dirty). The lamb was wonderful and everything else lacked. read more

We came, we ate, we drank, we loved!!!! How much more can you say? We tried a little bit of all. Some we liked better than some, but overall it was a most delicious evening with good wine and delicious food. And, while I am not a fan of the seating, if I concentrated on our table, and our food, I could block out that 8 of us across the back bench were almost literally butt to butt. This goes down as one of those most perfect evenings.... read more

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Wow, such a great place!! Food, service, atmosphere - all the right things and all enjoyed by our party of four. The dimly lit interior makes it for a cozy and yet lively time. Our server was attentive all night, and able to give great suggestions for us to eat. The tapas style menu is perfect to share with your friends, and just have a great night of Spanish style food. Some favorites include the Sobrasada con queso (soft chorizo with goat cheese & honey on bread), Mojama (cured tuna belly), the Croquetas de Jamon (ham & béchamel croquettes), and La Bomba de la Barcelona (pork and tomato stuffed mashed potato bomb). So many great things here that it warrants future visits. Go and enjoy! read more

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What an amazing place. Five stars all around. Excellent wine, service, conversation, environment, and food. I'm a huge fan of tapas. It's a chance to try lots of little things that are usually of a high quality. It's also a place that doesn't frown at you for eating one thing and then ordering something else. In addition to the tasty tapas, there was also several full size meals like the steak. With so many tasty options, the only think you really need to wonder is when you can get reservations for the next time. In addition to the food, they have a spectacular wine list. I took the recommendation of my server and had a Spanish red wine blend. It was so smooth and subtle on my taste buds that I had to order a second glass. They also had beer, but only two choices. Go with the wine. The food was delicious. Check out the pics. read more

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Amazing lunch. The Vina Tondonia available by the glass is amazing, paired with the valdeon cheese and 5J Iberico. read more

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We had such high hopes. Small little place with great decor. It draws you in. It is Spanish tapas and a high quality wait staff. But... The tapas a tapas size, small. What you would expect. Except, most of the tapas are priced like a full plate. When compared to a non-tapas restaurant, to get the same quantity of food would be more expensive at Malagon. That's a bit reverse of tapas restaurants in Spain. But the worst part is that it was hit or miss. Crispy pork belly was simply charred and burnt. The clams (a $21 seafood entree) was the size of the tapas and the meat in the little necks was about the size of a large pea. Other items were fantastic. The marinated lamb and the innovative flan. All in all, it was nice to visit but won't go back. read more

We stopped in this small tapas and wine bar to relax and take a break. It was during post lunch, pre dinner so they were not overly busy and were able to be seated right away. Our server was a lovely gentleman who, after dropping off fancy corn nuts, was able to successfully recommend a wine we enjoyed. We also had a couple small plates to share (he noted that their menu plates are meant to be shared): salad, bread and anchovy and white asparagus. The asparagus was great, though the portion is tiny (three pieces) and the olive oil and sauce was great for their awesome, thick home made bread. Overall we really enjoyed it, though I think it worked well for what we wanted, a drink and a snack. I do not know that it would be great for a full meal. read more

Spanish tapas in Charleston! Went with two others on a Wednesday night, and we all loved every dish we ordered. The waiter was incredibly informative about all the menu offerings and appropriate portion ordering. He also served as a guide to their extensive Spanish wine selections. Do yourself a favor and order a bottle as they pair wonderfully with the food. For order recommendations, I'd suggest la bomba, potatas bravas, and the clams cooked in white wine and garlic read more

Malagon - Various dishes - Spanish Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This weekend, my boyfriend and I were having a getaway weekend in Charleston, SC. We went to several recommended and top rated spots and our last stop was the beloved Malagon. He has a special love for Spanish cuisine, and I especially love patatas Bravas (who doesn't?). I don't typically write Yelp reviews, as I am a former server with over 10 years in the business of restaurant work. I have a great respect for anyone in the serving profession, and typically tip over 20% for servers, whether it's in person, take out, delivery or bartenders. It's a difficult job and I have dealt with horrible customers. We ordered a diverse and rolling menu of tapas, which even included a double patatas Bravas for me. We had ordered a side of bread from a recommendation from a friend. Nothing came with it. Sure - whatever, maybe olive oil and balsamic or cheese is an option, so I asked if there was butter to be had: all Rebecca W had to offer was the insulting and sobering "we don't have butter". We spent time, money and energy here, and with no offer of any up sell, or nice bread accompaniment - just information of what wasn't available. Thanks Rebecca, we hope you find some butter, or ...olive oil...or anything. read more

Malagon - Spanish Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

What an experience! Brought a friend here for her birthday and have raved about it ever since. Our waitress gave us the best recommendations for food and wine and was so friendly. All of the staff was so nice and food came out very quickly. Everything we tried was amazing and would recommend for any nicer dinners where you're looking to try some of Charleston's best tapas! read more

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Great food, excellent service. Manager was very kind. Nice to have something different during my trip.

We were recommended Malagon by the host at Chubby Fish since we couldn't get in that night. They were accommodating at Malagon with fans/ bug candles since we could only sit outside (there was no room inside). We got 5 of the small plates (wrinkly potatoes with aioli, squid & chickpeas, rabbit, beef, and peppers). The potatoes were crispy and the sauce was amazing. The squid and chickpeas were great but there were not many chickpeas on the plate. The rabbit and beef were AMAZING and I recommend those the most out of everything. Our main was the paella and it was sooooo good with the scallops, no complaints at all. Definitely recommend the wait for the paella. Only giving 4 stars because the servers seemed a bit annoyed. read more

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Highly recommend! If you're wanting Spanish tapas this place is a must! Book your rsvp and enjoy a glass of red wine, tapas and paella! read more

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We checked Malagon's menu online, on their own website, on our way down south from Montreal. We were anxious to compare it to another Spanish restaurant that we know well in Charleston. We specifically ordered the Paella for two, shown on their online menu for $42 for a shrimp and chicken version. Upon arriving, we were told that only chorizo and artichoke paella was available- not the most interesting but it would have to do. The paella was ok by non-Spanish standards. For me, as a Spaniard, it was but a bit too salty; the aioli that came with it was little drops dotted on top of the paella but lacked any taste; certainly no garlic was discernible in its composition. The wine list was extensive but fairly pricey for a tapas place. We were pleasantly surprised however, at an excellent red from the northeast of Spain at a reasonable price. Now, the punch line. When we got the bill, the paella was not $42 but $85 for two, double the price listed on their own website's menu! The waitress, reacting to our surprise, sent someone who was apologetic and mentioned something about third party menus being the culprit. Obviously, they were aware of the problem. We had, however, consulted Malagon´s own menu on their own website. We did not want to make a fuss so we left. I then wrote the restaurant´s contact person. This person sent a rude, arrogant, condescending, response, falsely accusing us of mistreating the staff. Au contraire: the staff was the best part of the establishment. The disappointment at feeling misled, not to mention the completely bizarre response from management, left a bad taste that will be remembered long after the credit card statement is paid. ¡Que lastima! read more

Amazing experience - would definitely go again. This review would be 5 stars were it not for 1 dish - the $45 special of the day which was a grouper on sun choke purée which was a little smelly and way too salty - leaving it a little difficult to consume. But FIRST let's start with the high points which are absolutely worth going out of your way to experience ... service, the staff was friendly and attentive (we had two little ones with us and the staff did not even bat an eyelash in accommodating them - unlike some other comparable fine dining restaurants), ambiance -elegant, cozy, keeping the food as a the main focal point - no Instagram photo gimmicks here. And now for the food, we ordered the closet thing to a house white wine ( a spanish white available by the glass) and it was beautiful, crisp, not a hint of sourness you can get with white wines you sometimes get by the glass at other restaurants, the bitter green salad which was a nice contrast to some the more savory tapas / dishes we had, the torta, the Octopus (lemony and sooo good) and the wrinkly potato's which were absolutely a revelation and the star of the show -( who knew the potato's could be sooo good) which were accompanied by a home made red paprika sauce and a green cilantro garlic pesto .... Divine!! We also had the bread and olives - which were also very good - especially with the wine. The only thing that was a miss was the grouper special which was sadly to salty it almost seemed pickled (not what was explained to us). Since this was not a regularly featured item on the menu -we are thinking it might have been a "fluke" - pun intended!!! Check it out - we will be back :) read more

Honestly, I was so looking forward to this restaurant as it is by the same people as Chez Nous which is simply one of the best restaurants in town; but we were disappointed. It started with the fact that when we walked in, with a reservation, mind you, that they tried to tell us they didn't have a table for us since there was unexpected rain. Now, I couldn't remember if I had specifically reserved inside or not; only because not all restaurants give you the option, truthfully; if I am given the option, I choose inside because I am a human mosquito smorgasbord and sitting outside is honestly unbearable for me. When we said we weren't leaving as there were several tables with no one at them and they finally sat us, and then apologized that indeed we had reserved an indoor table, they did nothing else to recompense for their error. Next, the food, was good - but honestly, nothing truly awesome. Sorry I didn't take pictures, we were with another couple and the space was quite tight, but we had Le bombe - the mashed potato with the pork inside, the patatas bravas (which they serve with the sauces on the side) honestly a bummer, because that's what makes them so good, otherwise, they are just fried potatoes; the goat cheese and chorizo on bread, which was quite tasty, and two dinner specials, the lamb and the wreckfish (because you have to order it if it's on the menu). Both were good, but not the best I've ever had of either. The chocolate dessert was pretty delicious. It is a cute spot, very small and tight, a lot like chez nous and it has that mercado aspect to it as well. All in all, if you are looking for tapas in Charleston, there are other options I would go to first. read more

SO GOOD. Let me start by explaining that I am from Spain, and have a hard time finding legitimate Spanish restaurants that stick to the authenticity of Spanish food from SPAIN -- I've been to great restaurants that have a Spanish influence, but too often it's a fusion of food from Spain and other Spanish speaking countries. And despite sharing a common language, all the countries have completely different cuisines from each other! So to find a spot that is LEGIT food from Spain; was very exciting! And the food was delicious! I love the intimate setting, featuring items you'd truly find in a Mercado in Spain; the hanging ham legs, and the overall feel of it. We ordered the paella, tortilla de patata, sobrasada, bomba, pimientos padron, gambas a la plancha, chicharrones, freshly baked bread, a bottle of cava, and another of Tempranillo. I CANNOT WAIT TO COME BACK! If you need translation of any of the items feel free to reach out!! read more

Malagón: The Hidden Gem Tucked away on a quiet block just off King Street in downtown Charleston, Malagón is inconspicuous, and my fiancée and I nearly missed it. Once inside, we were greeted with a warm welcome and politely asked where we would like to sit. We chose the bar. While browsing the simply arranged menu and deciding which Spanish wine to imbibe, we couldn't help but admire the authentic décor and charming ambience. Artfully framed oil paintings. Jamón hocks on hooks. Wooden trays of fresh-baked bread. Cellophane bags of dried pasta. Walls of tinned and jarred delicacies. Glass displays of chilled charcuterie and cheese. Rows upon rows of bottled Spanish wines and soda pops. Spotless wine glasses suspended by their feet on steel frames. Tastefully dim light fixtures. Soft melodies insinuating the babble of the open kitchen. We eventually opted for the La Rioja Alta "Viña Alberdi", a tart tempranillo blend, as well as the Buile & Giné "Giné Giné" (which we pronounced like Forest Gump calling for his beloved), a sweet and robust Carignan/Garnacha blend. To start, we ordered the Tomato Salad, the Gambas a la plancha, and the Chicharrones de Cádiz. While sipping our wines and awaiting our first round of tapas, we had a lovely chat with a young lady server, who informed us about Malagón's sister restaurant, a French bistro located just a block down the street called Chez Nous. We inquired about the name Malagón, which sounded to me like some obscure geometrical shape, and the server informed us that it is in fact a name in the owner's ancestry. The first dish to arrive was the tomato and tuna salad with guindilla peppers. It was lemony and refreshing, doused in oil. The tomatoes were ripe and juicy. The tuna was steamed and succulent, and the pickled peppers were crisp, tart and mildly sweet 'n' spicy, like a pepperoncini. The next dish was the gambas: grilled, head-on shrimp dusted with sea salt and plated with oil and a lemon wedge. These shrimp were cooked to perfection and quite satisfying, but we thought perhaps the dish would benefit from a chef's-choice dipping sauce on the side, for those who desire a little more bite from their crustaceans. The next dish was the chicharrones--ah, the blessed chicharrones. These were my personal favorite. Slightly crispy yet succulent cubes of pork belly dusted with cumin, skewered with tooth picks and served with a lemon wedge. Equally as good with or without lemon juice, the server told us, and she was spot on. They are sautéed in a pan to preserve the tenderness of the belly fat, and it works, because they positively melt in your mouth. Hungry for more, we ordered a few slices of the fresh-baked sourdough along with the Jamón Serrano and the Alt Urgell. The Jamón is a dry cured Spanish ham charcuterie and the Alt is a semi-soft, robust cows milk cheese from Cataluña. The sourdough was still warm and pillow-y, a perfect bed for the thinly sliced and salty jamón. The cheese was exceptionally pungent and funky, smelling of yeast and sweat, and upon witnessing our stunned reactions the server recommended chasing the cheese with their one and only beer, the Edmund's Oast Cervesa De Malagón, a blonde ale made specially for the restaurant. Spot on once again! The ale gently extinguished the funk of the cheese and brought forth its subtle smoky flavors. Realizing that up to this point we had been rather meat-and-bread-heavy, we decided to order some vegetables to finish on a healthy note. We ordered the Espárragos Blanco con Anchoas, a plate of white asparagus spears drizzled with aioli and topped with bits of anchovy, and the Berenjena Crujiente, a dish of crispy eggplant chips with honey. The asparagus was shockingly tender and mild, with none of the stringiness and bitterness typically associated with the vegetable. We believe it was also dusted with chili powder, which gave it just the right amount of spice. The plate came with only four or five spears, and the anchovy pieces were rather small. The eggplant chips were salty but mostly sweet and wafer-thin--a perfect dessert. Finally we capped off the dining experience with some liquids: a sherry for my cherie and an espresso for me. My fiancée enjoyed her sherry and the espresso was as good as any I've ever shot and gave a boost to boot. We relished our pleasant conversations with the servers, who had amiable attitudes and were highly knowledgeable and forthcoming. Spanish tapas restaurants are all the rage these days. Just in the last few years, we've seen a sharp rise in the number of taperías in the Charleston metropolitan area. Some of them are quite good--Estadio, for example, which has a lively vibration, wonderful wine selection, and albóndigas (meatballs) that will blow your mind. But if you're looking for exceptional tapas and service, in a calmer, more intimate setting, Malagón Mercado y Tapería outshines the stadium. read more

Malagon - View from the bar. - Spanish Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Nope Puff pastry with pork was extremely salty I was a salty bitch after that Never again read more

Great service, nice quaint atmosphere. Food was superb. As a vegetarian, I was concerned about my choices, but the staff was knowledgeable in assisting me to find the best options for me. read more

We had a great date night here over the weekend. We sat outside, enjoyed a variety of wines, and ate lots of delicious food! Our server was great- very kind and attentive. We also loved getting to sit out in the new patio area. Everything we ate was very tasty-- we love sharing tapas, and I would highly recommend Malagon if you do too :) Excited they are now open for lunch! read more

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Honestly one of the best dinners I've had in Charleston. The service was incredible--our waiter provided awesome suggestions, was open to answering all of our questions, etc. The tables were close but I personally loved that--felt like a sweet family restaurant. Everything was incredible, but the octopus and churros were just.... read more

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This place I had my eye on for a while and for the most part it delivered. I'd highly recommend the meatball, the octopus and the mushrooms. They were super packed with flavor and my tastebuds were buzzing. I also tried the marinated lamb and the cauliflower. I'd say the lamb was a bit too salty that I couldn't taste the other flavors as much. The cauliflower was decent too but didn't blow me away like the other dishes did. Next time I want to come back and try the wine and charcuterie. read more

This hidden gem is a true delight. Just off the beaten path for a more low key ambiance, everything was perfect from host's greeting to the end. It was packed for the entire two hours we enjoyed. The food was absolutely amazing and the menu is well thought out for portion sizes and different food types. It was helpful to enjoy every type of group on the menu! A very nice break from a few days oysters and fried chicken... I definitely will be back! read more

Would definitely recommend a reservation as seating is limited, but the food and staff were amazing. Very impressed by the food and wine selection offered. Looking forward to returning and trying other items. read more

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Great food. Pork belly, rabbit, asaragus with anchovies. Very good. Server was super attentive and made the experience that much better. read more

I never write reviews but I had to share about my wonderful experience at Malagon. We had an outdoor reservation for 7:15pm and it had been raining on and off all day. We really wanted to dine here so I called and spoke to Justin about the available indoor reservation at 8:45pm. He worked with us to make sure we wouldn't miss out! We were moved to the 8:45pm slot because of rain but when space opened earlier he called to let me know. He and our server Christian made it an incredible experience for us. It was such a cozy spot - great ambiance and I can't say enough about the food. We tried a lot of it and everything hit! Table favorites were the braised beef cheeks, la bomba, and the crab rice. We almost didn't get dessert but we're glad we did. The churros were amazing and you can't go wrong combining them with the pan con chocolate or the cheesecake. I will definitely go back next time I'm in Charleston! read more

Our waitress Emma was incredible. The best server we have had in Charleston, attentive, personable, and very knowledgeable of the menu. She gave the best recommendations on both the wine and food. The only thing that would knock this experience down is how close the tables are to one another. Great restaurant. We had the la bomba, bread and chorizo item (can't remember the name), tortilla, and the beef cheek. The beef cheek was the best we have had thus far. Also, the wine selection is great. Overall great experience. read more

Let me tell you something....the cheese cake here blew Juniors in Brooklyn out of the water.....the tapas weren't the tapas I had in Spain but out freaking standing....the wait staff was friendly and you should probably get your ass here....excellent. oh...I had beer but wine seems to be their thing. Cheers. read more

I was so excited to try this place as I love Spanish food. The service was mediocre, they would leave and not come back forever. It was 4 of us and we ordered many tapas. Just for 4 slices of bread and a tiny bit of olive oil was $8. The tapas were 50% good and 50% not good. We were all excited to try the paella and they made it a "vegetarian" paella so we didn't get it... won't be coming back. read more

Malagon is in the old Artisan Meat Place some street parking is available along with a few pricey private lots. We were the first guests to arrive yesterday afternoon. Immediately we ordered the crispy potatoes covered in aioli a wonderful choice along with the small plate of cured ham. Next up we got the soft chorizo on goat cheese with a slight honey drizzle on crispy bread. The show stopper was the big dish of crispy fideo noodles w squid ink and squid enough for two to share easily. After all that food we still managed to get the chocolate ganache w/ sea salt and olive oil you spread onto the beautiful bread. Edmunds Oast brews a beer specially for this place , so make sure try it ! read more

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It's the next best thing to being in Malaga Everything was delicious and very well plated Friendly servers Wonderfully cozy setting Can't wait to come back and try more small plates read more

I've only been to Charleston twice, and I have made sure I had a meal here both times. Simply phenomenal food and service. Go with friends. Two or more. Way too many great dishes to try with just one other person. read more

This hidden gem!!! Holy cow! I was not expecting this place from the reviews I've read. We didn't realize we were walking into a quaint European wine bar with some of the most elevated food in the scene. The "choose your meat and cheese" Charcuterie did not disappoint. What was beyond though, the Beef Cheeks were phenomenal and not just because we were there for Phish. The food was unbelievable and the experience was unexpected. I can't rave about this place enough! read more

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One of the absolute best spots in Charleston, and the best place for tapad in SC. Highly recommend the braised beef cheek, sobrasada, and pan y chocolate! read more