Magnolia Grill
Business Information
RestaurantsNew American
| MONDAY | : | CLOS | - | |
| TUESDAY | : | 6:00AM | - | 8:00PM |
| WEDNESDAY | : | 6:00AM | - | 8:00PM |
| THURSDAY | : | 6:00AM | - | 8:00PM |
| FRIDAY | : | 5:30AM | - | 9:00PM |
| SATURDAY | : | 5:30AM | - | 9:00PM |
| SUNDAY | : | CLOS | - |
Customer Reviews (89 reviews)
funnyornot
on Citysearch Nov 08, 2009So many people brag about this restaurant so I finally went for a try. Forgive my ignorance: reservation on the day is too late. Later I was told I should reserve 3 weeks in advance. Okay, my bad, but I was looking forward... (more)
Pharmalady
on Citysearch Jul 30, 2009We went to the Magnolia grill for our wedding anniversary, I have been there in the past and found the food to be delicious, and therefore we picked the place. We ordered the fresh tomato salad which was wonderful, but... (more)
LMar
on Citysearch Jun 02, 2009In town for business? Save yourself the hassle if you're visiting Raleigh and spend your money where it is appreciated. This is just a big fish in a tiny pond. Servers are rude and unaccommodating. When our 9 month... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Jan 05, 2009The food has always been good, worth the price - the desserts are great! Make sure you save room for some - even if you have to share. (Although it's better to order multiple things and sample them all!) My only complaint... (more)
milkstoo
on Citysearch Sep 07, 2008My bf made the reservation to surprise me and conversed w/ the chef prior to our arrival to confirm their knowledge of my intolerance/disease to be sure that this was not a problem. So, first, and most important to me,... (more)
raddspencer
on Citysearch Aug 21, 2008I am not a culinary expert nor do I have an educated or discerning palatte. I do however, know ridiculously good food when I eat it. I have never, ever, in all my life tasted anything as flavorful and unique as the dishes I... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Jun 11, 2008This is considered one of the best restaurants in the Triangle (actually I have seen reviews were it is considered one of the best in the nation!) The food is fantastic of course, and the atmosphere is quite nice as... (more)
fromdurhamandhateduke
on Citysearch May 22, 2008First, I would like to say that the person who wrote about water refills must be one of the dumbest people on the planet. Those are restrictions put in place by the CITY because of DROUGHT, sorry you have to bother... (more)
jrhaviland
on Citysearch May 09, 2008This might be one of the best dining experiences of your life. An amazing mixture of big flavors both in entrees and desert. A menu that integrates flavors and attitudes of the South with the diversity of cultures that... (more)
srdiner
on Citysearch Apr 28, 2008I have tried to go to this place multiple times and they have either turned me away or were closed! They wouldn't even let us sit at the bar. I don't know how a place can turn away profit at 8:30... (more)
Kewp
on Citysearch Apr 26, 2008My friends and I went there to get dessert and drinks on a week night. The first thing the waiter said to us was "if you want water, you have to ask for it because we won't fill it up for you unless you ask for it." His manner... (more)
efjenkins
on Citysearch Apr 18, 2008When my husband and I were choosing a restaurant to celebrate our anniversary, we picked Magnolia Grill based on a good meal we'd had with my parents despite the usual difficulty getting a reservation and long wait.... (more)
DukeMed
on Citysearch Mar 29, 2008: We choose this Restaurant based upon published recommendations. We were disappointed with everything except the Desserts which were deserving of the high rating. When we tried to express our concerns about the... (more)
winkel12
on Citysearch Feb 17, 2008You can call us foodies and enjoy eateries everywhere we travel. We were excited that we finally had a chance to go to the MG. While the physical plant was pleasing and the hostess extremely attentive we found some very... (more)
HK1974
on Citysearch Feb 16, 2008This rating is specifically for the Chef/Owner. What a horrible way to treat a customer who has been coming to his restaurant for 10 years. The food has always been wonderful and the service great. While the... (more)
grantholley
on Citysearch Jan 26, 2008I am re-posting this as a couple of friends of ours went and had the EXACT same experience a week ago. I think the owner must be the one posting such "Excellent" reviews....kinda sad. My wife and I are in our lower 30's,... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Jan 25, 2008First: The Tortilla Soup might be the best thing I've ever eaten. It is almost too good to be true. The entrees are excellent as well. After an amazing dish my first visit, I felt let down by the seabass I ordered the... (more)
Citysearch User
on Citysearch Jan 23, 2008Magnolia Grill has earned a reputation for being the best restaurant in Durham. It is packed with people every night. The crowd is eclectic-- from college students to retired professors. It is known for it's... (more)
resi73
on Citysearch Dec 05, 2007This restaurant has excellent food. It is a shame that in a liberal community such as Durham, they feel that it is appropriate to continue to serve foie gras. Chicago has banned foie gras and efforts are being made to... (more)
wildmeerkat
on Citysearch Nov 10, 2007Outstanding food! This is the only restaurant I ever want to eat for a special occasion. I have never been disappointed, each course is always magnificent, and the menu always changes. It is comfort food made in it's... (more)
claude54
on Citysearch Aug 18, 2007This is a restaurant that foodies will love. The core of the menu is southern staples ... pork, fresh seafood, greens, peas, breads, desserts ... yet, they are all done in a very upscale, unique way. No wonder the... (more)
grupo
on Citysearch Aug 05, 2007To make it short, I've eaten all over the U.S. It's a nice place but not good enough to be close to the top 50. Someone must be enjoying some good wine to say that!! (more)
buck44
on Citysearch Jul 12, 2007I have to think that the negative reviews of MG are written by competitors or whiney Northeastern Lynne Rosetto Kasper-wannabe Dukies . My wife and I live in Chapel Hill and go there for every birthday, anniversary,... (more)
foodangel5
on Citysearch Jun 12, 2007My husband and I went to Magnolia's for the first time last night. After reading a lot of the reviews on this site, I was a little nervous as to what we would be getting. I'm glad to say it's no where near as horrible as some... (more)
betht1958
on Citysearch Mar 08, 2007Still fabulous after all of these years! Not only was our server cute as a button and extremely knowledgeable about every dish (no small feat, as the menu changes daily and is very complex!) our table of 4 had different... (more)
ncsepo
on Citysearch Jan 18, 2007I've known about MG for several years and have heard good and bad things about it. My husband and I finally went to MG last weekend and were so very disappointed. Our request for a set of "clean" silverware apparently... (more)
ncnative
on Citysearch Jan 12, 2007My spouse and I went to Magnolia Grill this week and had another wonderful meal. We've been to MG several times and have been extremely pleased with the quality of the food, the presentation and the staff. I've read... (more)
juliepjohnson
on Citysearch Dec 21, 2006The food was very disappointing. My husband ordered pork and was presented with a big, fatty piece of meat he could hardly eat with a large bone in the center accompanied by red beans. I could have prepared something... (more)
grillfan
on Citysearch Dec 10, 2006I am a foodie. I worked at A Southern Season for two years, love to cook, and am passionate about fresh local ingredients and inventive cooking. For our first wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me with dinner... (more)
theatregirl
on Citysearch Nov 19, 2006Since moving here from Chicago I have been on the hunt for my favorite fine dinning restaurant. And my search ends here! Magnolia Grill was recommended to me by many new friends and it lived up to the hype in every way.... (more)
pandanellie
on Citysearch Oct 07, 2006My husband and I have been going to Magnolia Grill since the early 90's and it's our favorite restaurant. We've never had bad service and the food is always amazing. I have to wonder what the expectations are of the... (more)
jen1949
on Citysearch Sep 15, 2006I had gone there with my boyfriend to celebrate a special occasion after learning much about the hype surrounding the restaurant. The food was average but the ambiance and service were extremely disappointing.... (more)
towngown
on Citysearch Aug 21, 2006I recently dined at Magnolia Grille after hearing all the hype about the food and ambience. The restaurant is nothing like I imagined. While the flower arrangements were beautiful, the restaurant itself was... (more)
slim06
on Citysearch Aug 20, 2006My wife and I ate at Magnolia on a Saturday night and had a bizarrely terrible experience. The restaurant is very loud with bad 80's flourescent lighting, exposed cheap-looking ceiling fans, and an acoustic tile... (more)
Contributor
on Citysearch Jul 09, 2006<b>In Short<br></b>Chef/owners Ben and Karen Barker masterfully create New Southern meals--a genre they helped define. Ben Barker's dishes resonate with simple, Southern-at-heart melodies. Entrees are... (more)
t123wood
on Citysearch Jun 25, 2006Never disappoints! everything about this place is exceptional. Food is out of the world, excellent wine selection and service. The ambience is not the best part and also it gets noisy, but you forget everything once... (more)
suef12
on Citysearch Jun 09, 2006The food is good. The atmosphere is OK. We have eaten here often over the last few years. The last time we ate there I found a hair deeply embedded in my entree. It was disgusting, to say the least.They gave me a free... (more)
gizmoguy
on Citysearch Apr 22, 20061) The MG serves by far the best food in the triangle, and this is from a 18 year resident who has tried it all. ALL the hype is deserved. 2) The service is great! Any one who had a bad service experience probobly had absurd... (more)
kim p.
on Judys Book Mar 17, 2006When it first opened, I thought it was just average, but it's really improved over time. They serve simple bistro food, and they do a good job. They don't have an enormous menu but what they do, they do well. The service... (more)
lduse
on Citysearch Jan 27, 2006We have eaten at Magnolia Grill on many occasions. We find the food outstanding, complex and creative....wonderful! The ambiance isn't exceptional, nice but not amazing...we really eat there for the food, the... (more)
angus_mcmanus
on Citysearch Dec 14, 2005An echo of a previous reviewer: I was gruffly and rudely received when I called for reservations and was concerned this would bode ill for the dinner. Not to worry, as the staff as congenial, the food was delicious,... (more)
gourmetgirl86
on Citysearch Nov 24, 2005The presentations were visually appealing, most of the dishes were delicious. The main dishes seemed over-salted, but the desserts--which they are famous for--were amazing. (more)
donnellm
on Citysearch Oct 30, 2005This place is a great place to go for any special occassion. No, the service is not the fastest but fast-food service is not what you're looking for here. An experience that you can get no where else is exactly what you... (more)
resasu
on Citysearch Oct 29, 2005The BEST meal we've had since leaving DC and landing in RTP. Excellent balance of flavors, textures, visual appeal, and portion size. We left very satisfied and not stuffed. Fabulous service, food, and ambience.... (more)
L G.
on Judys Book Sep 30, 2005George the entrepeuner and owner of multiple reseraunts in the triangle area has created a delightful and sophisticated lunch and dinner venue.A lovely french bistro with a fairly inexpensive wine selection.... (more)
dgilesnc
on Citysearch Sep 19, 2005This restaurant is all about GREAT FOOD!!! Ben Barker the chef is truly a food genius. The flavors of the foods served are simply azing. Although the restaurant is simple, it is nice. The wait staff is always... (more)
g_barker123
on Citysearch Sep 14, 2005This restaurant is amazing. The food is to die for and the service is perfection. The back waits are very speedy and courtious. I hope to return there soon even this saturday. (more)
gwjones
on Citysearch Aug 24, 2005Wonderful experience tonight....we had family in from California and were looking for a unique dinner with casual ambience. Our family were extremely impressed, the exterior of the building is very unassuming,... (more)
jarchill
on Citysearch Aug 13, 2005This was a huge disappointment for me and all of my family. At the prices we were charged, we were expecting great food, but it was averaage at best. The hen had a tart lemon flavor, the grouper had a strong "fishy" taste,... (more)
aguilakarla
on Citysearch Mar 09, 2005Although the food was very tasty, it was absolutely not enough to bring me back to Magnolia Grill. I could not think of a better word other than 'snotty'. I have been to countless fine dining restaurants and the service... (more)