Located inside Baltimore’s The Ivy Hotel, Magdalena is a feast for the eyes and for the mouth. The lovely restaurant has quickly become an acclaimed fine-dining spot since opening in 2015.
At first glance, a striking mural of a Spanish woman, inspired by American portrait artist John Singer Sargent, welcomes you upon entering the restaurant. The decorative wall art continues throughout the Baltimore restaurant with intricate trompe l'oeil and folk art compositions.
Chef Mark Levy is at the helm of the kitchen that turns out inspired and seasonal international dishes — in fact, expect the sophisticated menu to change on a daily basis.
At first glance, a striking mural of a Spanish woman, inspired by American portrait artist John Singer Sargent, welcomes you upon entering the restaurant. The decorative wall art continues throughout the Baltimore restaurant with intricate trompe l'oeil and folk art compositions.
Chef Mark Levy is at the helm of the kitchen that turns out inspired and seasonal international dishes — in fact, expect the sophisticated menu to change on a daily basis.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Despite a kaleidoscope of competing designs, hues and textures, the interior design of Magdalena all meshes incredibly well together. It’s looks a bit like Baltimore — a melting pot of design and culture aptly named Charm City.
- More than 1,000 wine labels adorn the walls of Magdalena's intimate Wine Cellar.
- At Magdalena, the team works harmoniously to orchestrate attentive, cordial service. Servers know which farm was sourced to make the creamy butter or procure the fresh produce — they also drop helpful tidbits like the salmon is smoked in house and the baked rolled are homemade fresh daily.
- While it’s all very elegant, it’s also comfortable enough to drop in off the street without a reservation.
- Three sommeliers on staff spread their vino expertise, and the bartender makes superb custom cocktails. The team at Magdalena clearly shares a passion for serving exceptional, memorable food with gracious hospitality.
Things to Know
- The Baltimore restaurant serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Magdalena is closed on Sunday and Monday.
- While reservations aren’t required, they are certainly recommended. Call 410-514-0303 or visit Magdalena’s website to book your table.
- A smart casual dress code invites you be comfortable, with a stylish flair. Ladies will want to wear a skirt or sundress and gents will feel comfortable in khakis.
The Food
- Chef Levy’s menus often nod to the bounty of the Mid-Atlantic, and he modifies his offerings depending on the freshest, most interesting options available to him.
- For example, you might have impossibly tender scallops, sautéed in brown butter, with a medley of early spring vegetables including fingerlings, baby shitake mushrooms and succulent immature fava beans.
- Although the dinner menu is tightly edited, expect a wide range of cuisine, from excellent raw bar options to rack of lamb.
- Come dessert, opt for dishes like a spring rhubarb sundae or wild fennel panna cotta.
The Design
- Interesting light fixtures range from globes to rusty barn lights. Stunning ornamental floral arrangements punctuate the five separate dining spaces and help bring the natural world inside.
- Even the bathrooms earn a double take thanks to the Moorish-inspired wood panels from Morocco adorning ceilings.
- There are five separate dining areas in Magdalena, providing the restaurant with flexibility to host groups, large events and cozy intimate dinners.
- The intimate Tasting Room is festooned with colorful Moroccan hats and the Treasury Room holds an antique vault where wealthy aristocrats once locked away their sterling and crystal.
Amenities
Bar
Business casual
Dinner
Gluten-free options
Kid friendly
Outdoor seating
Private dining
Reservations recommended 
Valet parking
Vegetarian options
Getting There
