magdalena — Restaurant in Indianapolis

I saved this spot in my "want to go" section of Google maps after a local review. We're usually on the early bird dinner schedule, which means when we are hungry, many places aren't open for dinner yet. I'm so glad we finally made it, though! My first impression of the menu was a tapas style dining experience. And I should've asked about the name, because Magdalena reinforced my miconception of a Spanish theme. But by the time I saw the cocktail menu, the Louisiana slant became more obvious. All preconceived ideas aside, the meal and hospitality were stellar! We asked a lot of questions and were met with a lot of good answers. We tried the oysters and pickled shrimp from the raw bar, butter and radishes, shrimp dumplings, and the fish and chips special from the main menu, and the cara cara posset dessert. Altogether too much food... but we wouldn't change a thing. The whole experience reminded us of some of our other favorite places where the quality and taste of the food exceeds the humble menu description.

It is a changing menu which means new things to discover on the regular.

Now for the drinks!!! My husband had a sazerac in New Orleans circa 2016 that changed his little life. He can't see a sazerac on a menu without ordering it. But this is the first one to live up to the hype. We also tried the French 75 that deserves an entire brunch dedicated to it. And the Alaska sour was like a mellow gin and lemon filtered through an egg white cloud.

Go. Eat. Drink. Enjoy. Tip...

We had a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. The service was attentive yet unobtrusive—our servers were always available when needed but never overbearing. They even offered to take a few group photos for us.

We ordered four dishes, each offering something unique. The miso-glazed turnips were my favorite—tender, deeply savory, and perfectly balanced with a subtle sweetness. The roasted broccoli with ricotta cheese and crispy sunflower seeds was another standout.

We also enjoyed the burrata with strawberries, which was beautifully fresh. It came with warm, soft bread that was perfect for scooping everything up.

The only dish that didn’t quite convince me was the tuna crudo. It did not have as much flavour as I expected, the seasoning was good though. To round out the meal, we had a couple of cocktails, each one expertly crafted and delicious—they really complemented the food without overpowering it.

Overall, a fantastic meal with memorable flavors, thoughtful service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I’d...

As a southerner with a fond love for southern comfort food, New Orleans culture, and all things delicious, my foodie husband and I found ourselves in awe of the excellence of Magdalena.

Tucked into one of the coolest neighborhoods in Indy, Magdalena offers an unparalleled cocktail menu that is only surpassed by the friendliness of the owner Nick and his crew. A visit isn’t complete without the cocktail named “Straight Up”, which is simply one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. Nick is an encyclopedia of knowledge on all things alcohol, making any cocktail or wine a truly curated experience.

Everything here is cooked with heart and southern soul, but not heavy and ready to put you a slumber — a true magical balance. The food is excellent to share with friends or for a refined date night. Kudos to Nick and his team for showing Indy something spectacular.

The seasonal influence of the menu makes it hard to recommend any one particular dish, but if you find chicken livers on the...