Malagón

Spanish restaurant · Charleston

Malagón

Spanish restaurant · Charleston

5

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

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Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
Malagón by Olivia Rae James
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Malagón by null
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Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
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Malagón by null
Malagón by null
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Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
Malagón by null
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Highlights

Spanish tapas, wine, and market with authentic flavors  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403 Get directions

malagonchs.com
@malagoncharleston

$50–100

Reserve

Information

Static Map

33 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403 Get directions

+1 843 926 0475
malagonchs.com
@malagoncharleston

$50–100

Reserve

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reservations

Last updated

Aug 29, 2025

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@cntraveler

The 39 Best Restaurants in Charleston

"From the moment you enter Malagón Mercado y Tapería, it's evident that you're going to have to get used to being in a busy space. The bar is packed, the tables (mostly small and close together) are filled, and the team in the open kitchen are buzzing like a hive. Toss in a shoppable wall of Spanish groceries, and it's no wonder this galley-shaped restaurant in Charleston is constantly radiating with activity. Some of the Spanish standouts here are the clams with herbs and white wine, the charcuterie, the almond -stuffed dates wrapped in ham, and, when in season, the gazpacho. You may also want to go for one of the seasonal fish dishes; the restaurant often sources locally from famed fisherman Mark Marhefka of Abundant Seafood." - Stephanie Burt

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-restaurants-in-charleston
View Postcard for Malagón
@cntraveler

Charleston Is the Best Small City in the U.S. | Condé Nast Traveler

"Be sure to try the gazpacho at Malagón Mercado y Tapería."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/charleston-is-the-best-small-city-in-the-us-2022
View Postcard for Malagón
@eater

Critic Hanna Raskin Banned From Newly Opened Charleston Restaurant - Eater Carolinas

"Post and Courier critic Hanna Raskin won’t get to enjoy the croquetas de jamon or pollo adobado at Spanish taperia Malagón, because she is not allowed to dine there. She explained in a “review” yesterday that co-owner Patrick Panella informed her via email that she would not be “grant[ed] access” to the establishment." - Erin Perkins

https://carolinas.eater.com/2019/4/10/18303534/hanna-raskin-critic-charleston
View Postcard for Malagón
@eater

Chez Nous Owners Want to Transport You to Spain - Eater Carolinas

"The creative minds behind wine bar Bin 152 and dreamy restaurant Chez Nous will open their third Charleston establishment Malagón on March 5. Malagón is an ode to Spain — the wines are Spanish, the menu is Spanish, the retail is Spanish — the only thing the owners couldn’t source was Spanish water (if they had the storage room, they would have made it happen). Owners Fanny and Patrick Panella are excited to transport Charlestonians to Spain for a few moments with the opening of Malagón. The Panellas wanted to open a taperia to allow chef Juan Cassalett to have a space to explore Spanish cuisine. The menu ranges from pollo adobado to grilled half lobster to ham croquettes. The restaurant is in the former Artisan Meat Share space, so it’s a tight squeeze with a few tables and a long bar — it’s definitely cozy. Look for Malagón to open March 5 for lunch and dinner service at 33 Spring Street." - Erin Perkins

https://carolinas.eater.com/2019/2/25/18239950/malagon-tapas-charleston
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@postcardnews

From the Chez Nous team, this intimate Spanish tapería and market pours all-Spanish wines and serves classics like tortilla, pulpo, and croquetas. Endorsed by Condé Nast Traveler and local editors, it’s a spirited slice of Spain on Spring Street.

https://www.malagonchs.com/
Best Restaurants in Charleston SC (2025)
View Postcard for Malagón

Kaiwen Chen

Google
Overall I think the food here was good but not great. There were elements of each dish that I loved though. We got the ensalada to start, and it was too overdressed for my tastes, and greens themselves too bitter, resulting in just a very acidic bitter experience. The chorizo spread was great and I loved the rolls, but just wish I got more rolls. Pulpo was amazing, but the chickpeas were just fine. I did enjoy the chorizo wrapped with squid though, that one was probably my favorite. The chorizo was flavor packed and squid was a nice contrast.

Alexandra & Jeremy

Google
We've been meaning to try Malagon for some time. We are so glad we finally did! Every dish we had was either really good or excellent. Wines by the glass were good, though expensive, and offered too few options. Service was friendly and attentive, and the decor was definitely right out of Spain. We shared 5 tapas, 1 entree, and 2 desserts among 3 people, and all of us left full. The sourdough bread with Spanish olive oil was incredibly good. The buns served with chorizo spread, creamy goat cheese, and honey were very good and different, though we would have preferred a ground, spicier chorizo to the chorizo being pate-like. The special clams in garlic with artichoke hearts were wonderful. Roasted carrots in an almond and pepper sauce were interesting and good. The Bomba de la Barceloneta with a spicy sauce was excellent. Pork skirt steak with membrillo and pine nuts was delicious (but way overpriced at $53 for 5 oz of meat and nothing else on the plate). For dessert we chose an olive oil ice cream infused with bay leaf and some churros. The ice cream was like nothing we ever tasted before. It was so strong we were glad we split it, but it was so interesting and tasty. Churros were very light and good! We plan to go back. We were already talking about what we would order next!

Patricia Powers (P)

Google
We’ve enjoyed dinner at Malagón several times, but this was our first time trying lunch—and what a pleasant surprise! The restaurant was quiet, which made for a relaxed experience, and we hadn’t even realized they were open for lunch. We grabbed a sunny corner table near the wine cabinets, which gave us a cozy spot with lots of natural light. From the appetizer and small plates menu, we shared tuna carpaccio, zorza, octopus, and maja with Marcona almonds—every dish was absolutely delicious. Our server, Christian, was attentive and accommodating, even making sure I could get an iced cappuccino just the way I like it. If you haven't try this restaurant then start making a plan and book for lunch or dinner reservation.

Philip Clark

Google
Small intimate place, great wine selection and I am not a wine person but our server Lilly made a great recommendation. Pulpo was the main reason I wanted to go here. Everything was delicious (these guys must've put Barsa out of business)

R

Google
I recently had dinner with friends at this small but cozy spot. Despite its size, the atmosphere was relatively quiet, which made for a pleasant evening. The staff were friendly, and the menu and presentation were unique compared to what you might see elsewhere. Overall, we enjoyed our time, but a few things could be improved. The dessert was a bit disappointing, and the lighting inside felt too dim. A candle or some softer table lighting would enhance the ambiance. Additionally, the food felt a bit overpriced for what was offered. One suggestion: adding some non-alcoholic cocktails or beers to the menu would be a great touch! P.S. Make sure you have a reservation!

Joe Fitzpatrick

Google
We found Malagon on Yelp…..not disappointed. Small and cozy restaurant, many options both small and large plates, don’t over look the daily specials, we didn’t we had the Tomato Tartar and Arugula Salad. Felt right at home no rush to eat quickly. When ordering look around what others were eating and get an instant review. Highly recommend you make reservations.

Alexandra P.

Google
A gem of a restaurant. I’ve been here twice for birthday dinners and both experiences were wonderful. The tapas are easily shared & you are still full. My favorites are the shrimp, octopus & fried veggies. The paella was SO YUMMY, the four of us finished almost the whole pan. They basque cheesecake is my fav dessert option, but you really can’t go wrong with any dessert offering. The wine selections/recommendations were spot on as well. Will definitely be back.

Brandon Elz

Google
We had an amazing experience here, found this location on the seed oil scout (seed oil free location) and sure enough felt great after eating. Reminded me of my time over in Madrid, Spain. We had the fresh bread, patatas bravas, and octupus dish and everything was incredible. Service was great as well. Will come back next time in Charleston!
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Bizuayehu A.

Yelp
"Isastegi cider is a crisp, authentic taste of the Basque Country--tradition in every sip."
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Julia B.

Yelp
We are always looking for authentic ethnic food and this restaurant is perfect in all areas. We were greeted quickly and in a very friendly manner. The food is amazing, we had the sourdough bread, anchovies and tuna to start. Next was the lamb that was perfection. Ambiance is great, soft music that doesn't overwhelm in the smaller space. It is a new favorite for us!
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Robyn K.

Yelp
Odd atmosphere. Very small inside and just did not feel "at home". Came here on my birthday for something different but it wasn't good. Overpriced dishes for the quality. Wanted to love it but didn't.
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Mario V.

Yelp
This place was small but the food was great, we had reservations and we heard those that didn't was well over an hour wait. We were sat within 5 minutes and immediately offered water and asked if we wanted something else to drink. We ordered wine and ordered several tapas for the evening. It did feel like it was loud inside with tables sitting very close to each other, but was not uncomfortably loud. We got the bomba, octopus (pulpo), patatas brava, and Sobrasada con queso. Everything was truly great with the exception of the Sobrasada, we felt like it was tasteless and wouldn't get it again. We would come back and like to try other tapas as there are many, too many for 1 visit.
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Lindsey B.

Yelp
I never expected this little hole in the wall restaurant to be so good! I came here for my aunt's birthday and we definitely celebrated in style. Their menu has so many great options with everything being tapas style, you had a bunch to pick from. Their cheese selection is amazing, but I think the winner for us was the roasted carrots. I would not say that I am a carrots, person let alone sautéed vegetables, but The juice that they were in and the way they were cooked was fantastic! We had a bunch to take home as well, and the server was able to portion them up in a way that they were salvageable in their own individual containers the next day.
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Stacey P.

Yelp
The first bartender told me that Malagon is an accurate representation of a cafw one would find in Spain. I marveled at the hanging ham, the tiled ceiling, and the cozy environment. It gives a nice ambiance. I sat at the bar and felt it was a good location for people watching and to watch the drinks being prepared. I arrived in the off-hours so I walked in with no wait, but I have heard it fills up fast. Malagon is a tapas restaurant which is best experienced with friends. It is hard to get a full experience with one person. I did my best. I ordered the shrimp first which was fine. I found them to be very buttery and garlic forward. I then moved onto the sourdough bread with goat cheese, honey, and a soft chorizo that could be spread like butter. Listen, I never want to know how any meat is processed in a such a way that it is spreadable because in the end it was utterly delicious. I could have ordered two more plates of those. I initially was concerned I would need more bread for everything but it ended up being a perfect ratio of items. The goat cheese was nice and goat cheesy, the honey light and sweet, and the chorizo super delicious. I ended with the jámon serrano. Sure, I wanted the Iberico but I didn't have that in my budget so I moved onto the serrano at the recommendation of the second bartender. It was delicious - salty, tender, cured ham. The little bread sticks offset the saltiness mellowing the dish. The service was solid. The mood was sedate. Everyone was kind. Malagon would be an excellent place to bring two or six people all have similar taste preferences in order to really explore the menu. I left full and content having just scratched the surface.
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Ryan E.

Yelp
Last night I had dinner with friends at Malagon. This is a small, beautiful spot that feels very inviting - something hard to come by these days. The service was also top notch as we were recognized and greeted with a smile by each team member during our visit. We ordered a variety of food each of which tasted fresh and was prepared very well! Wine options were plentiful and it was nice to see a restaurant here in the USA with a variety of vermouth options. I would highly recommend this restaurant!
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Nina C.

Yelp
We walked in to grab some small bites and drinks to celebrate our friend's bday. We got in fairly quick and snagged a table. Some wine and vermouth aperitifs which were good and a couple apps. The meatball app was quite big and shareable, filling was delicious. Shrimp reminded me of a gambas tapas style dish. Will have to come back and try more stuff next time with more time. Cheers!

Justin ..

Yelp
Went to lunch with my wife (Wednesday) and was excited because when we walked in you were greeted by a deli case of Spanish goodies. The side wall filled with different Spanish wines and Spanish ingredients. The decor was very homey from the light fixtures to watch the service staff was wearing. We started off our lunch with the wrinkle potatoes warm bean salad and bread everything complemented each each other very well. We also had the La Bamba, which was a fried mashed potato bowl with ground pork and a spicy tomato sauce, as well as their secreto which was a perfectly cooked pork steak. Everything tasted amazing our server Christian was very helpful and guided us through our lunch. Highly recommend this place.
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Carly C.

Yelp
I can easily and confidently rate this place a 5! I only have positive things to say about my experience. To start, the restaurant itself is tucked away right off king. It is very small and cozy inside and we sat at the bar! The lights are dimmed and there are tons of wine bottle and other market items just made the place feel comfortable. The entire staff is friendly and helpful. Every single dish we got was insane. We started with an amazing orange wine which I can rave about for hours. Some must order items: La bomba Marinated lamb w/ and order of bread for dipping! Although I found some items to be slightly pricey, after having eaten there the price is more than justified for the amazing quality. Truly an amazing dining experience!! A must go place!
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Meg S.

Yelp
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!
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Megan M.

Yelp
I would argue that Malgón has the best bread service in Charleston. We stopped in for appetizers and wine. Our server was great and the patio was suuuuper cute. Blankets were provided on the patio as well, which was the perfect touch on this chilly evening. I've dinned here a few times and this is easily one of my favorite spots in Charleston.
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Jay J.

Yelp
The food was exquisite. Each of my friends ordered meals that ranged from "pretty good to VERY good". What we ordered: -Pork Belly (not what I expected but still good) -La Bomba (stole the show) -Lamb (delicious) -Fried Vegetables (fried squash. Very good) -Tortilla omelet (our least favorite but decent) -Basque Cheesecake (highly recommend!!) I would give this place 5 stars if: -Our server, Lindsey G, would have informed us that the still water she offered was $8.50 - wow. Can we not be served regular water out of courtesy? -Our server, Lindsey G, was friendly. All 3 of us witnessed her pensive facial expressions. We felt like she didn't like us, her eyebrows were often furrowed and her responses were tense?? We felt like she didn't want to be there. At such a high end restaurant, the service should be impeccable. Instead, we left with the thought that we were imposing on Lindsey's time. The food, I recommend. The server, Miss Lindsey G, I hope she gains training on her soft skills
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Emma P.

Yelp
Argh! This is a hard review to write as we really wanted to love Malagon. We saved it for our last dinner in Charleston and honestly I found it pretty disappointing. The restaurant is on the smaller side and the decor is pretty nice, it's quite dark and rustic. We reserved a place at the bar thinking it would be a fun place to sit, but it ended up being us sat on stools at a countertop looking at lots of bottles of wine and no action. Also the stools were backless which didn't make for the most comfortable dining experience. Our server was quite sweet, but the service was pretty minimal. They do have a wide range of Spanish (only Spanish!) wine which were price in the $50-$150 range I believe, but they only had one beer on offer and a small selection of bottled sodas which I though was poor. We ordered our tapas all at once and they arrived all at once, which was fine but did make our dinner feel quite rushed which wasn't what we wanted. Food prices are on the expensive side. What we ordered: Bread, $8 for TWO slices, yes it was good bread but seriously what a ripoff/ price gouge. You can't eat tapas without bread, and they didn't offer us any extra once we had eaten our two slices. Lomo, this was quite a generous portion, it was good. Marinated Lamb, salty AF. I like lamb and I like salt but this was not great. 'You can dip your (overpriced) bread in the oil' our server said, hmm I did and it wasn't pleasant. La Bomba. Basically an oversized and overpriced croquette. It was just okay. Octopus. The octopus was tender, it came with one new potato split in pieces. This was a small portion and while it was okay it didn't taste particularly Spanish, the smoked paprika was barely there. Yeah, so that was our Malagon experience - overpriced small portions that didn't hit the spot for me and we left feeling hungry.
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Mary Beth B.

Yelp
I saw some reviews stating this was not Spanish food and I beg to differ. I mean certainly, it's not in SPAIN - but it is obviously spanish inspired and damn good! We went for a late lunch and sat at the bar. The space is small and lovely. Sitting at the bar, we had the best service. We ate: Gilda - I adore Gilda and this did not disappoint. I could have eaten 50 more. Olives - I always, every time, order olives to start and these were good. Mojama con almendras marcona - this was so different and yummy. It's cured tuna belly with Marcona almonds. A wonderful dish and great with their bread. Calamar con mercilla - this was a star - the squid and chickpeas were a great combination. Jamon Iberico - this was also a star - something to only get imported. We had some kind of lamb meatball too - for me, it was overseasoned and too salty, but my husband loved it! With all this fabulous food, I had a wonderful Rose - the server helped me pick it, but I can't remember the name. I also bought imported sherry vinegar from their little shop. Overall a wonderful tapas lunch. People who complained about the portion sizes should google the definition of tapas!
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Paula C.

Yelp
Ambience 5/5, service 5/5, food 5/5. My new favorite restaurant in Charleston! Everything was so perfect and so delicious. The vibe was so European and I didn't even feel like I was in Charleston. The food was delicious and great portion sizes for a tapas place. And the selection was perfect. Our server was excellent and recommended the squid calamari and lamb which were both outstanding. The patatas bravas were delicious and the famous bomba was so good we ordered it twice! Will definitely be back.
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Cypress B.

Yelp
What a lovely dinner we had at Malagon! This was our second visit to Malagon and we love this restaurant even more! The restaurant is small but the food were so amazing! Fyi, they don't have high chair if you are planning to bring your little ones. We had the gem lettuce salad With garlic and sherry vinegar so fresh and refreshing, the fried fish was flavorful and ahmazing! Their grilled wagyu flat iron steak cooked to perfection, la bomba~pork stuffed mash potato with tomato and aioli (such a bomb) is a must to try! Crispy pork belly with cumin tasted amazing with splash lemon juice, half roasted chicken with paprika and oregano was lovely, and for dessert we had churros and cortado! My plate all cleared and my belly was happy! Truly recommend this place! P.s: my camera was failed on me cue the blurry pictures!
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Germain L.

Yelp
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.
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Jerry B.

Yelp
Since moving down to Charleston, I have been to Malagon probably about 5 times already. Full disclosure, I've only been living here for 2 weeks! First time I came to Malagon, I was with a friend who has been living here in Charleston for over 6 years and was baffled at how she was just experiencing this amazing restaurant for the first time due to my arrival. But I myself, wasn't ready nor prepared for this food experience or 5+ star service that was given. From the moment I walked into the restaurant , I was greeted by this charming, charismatic, kind, yet handsome man with a very distinctive French warm accent. I told him I was a party of two and told him I didn't mind dining at the bar. The feel of the restaurant was small and intimate but inviting. The waiters and waitresses dress in unison and the flow of the restaurant was energetic. My waitress "Emma" greeted me in a timely manner, because as a New Yorker(I) myself can be impatient but have to remember to be patient and just enjoy the experience. She was so sweet and kind with her southern draw was very endearing. As I waited for my friend, enjoyed the atmosphere and ate some sourdough bread with olive oil. You can never go wrong with that combination. Once my friend arrived, it was on! I ordered so much that I can't even begin to go through each dish. And because it's Spanish tapas, it's meant to share and be shared that you end up ordering everything. And when I say you won't be disappointed, you will not be. Chef Juan who is Colombian, who has truly done something special At Malagon left me coming back for more! Thank you for creating such an amazing menu and to your team for executing your vision throughly. Mid way through the every bite, my friend and I was checked in on by another handsome man with blonde hair in a slick back man ponytail who was also just as kind and gracious as the first Gentleman. Thank you for the amazing hospitality again. Last but MOST Importantly ! DO.YOURSELF.A SERVICE.AND.GET.THE CHEESSECAKE! I tried to take a piece back to NYC for my mom(it made it from CHS TSA to my gate in CHS).
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S L.

Yelp
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.
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Victoria B.

Yelp
Okay wow I was blown away by this quaint tapas restaurant!!! I felt like I was transported to Spain the moment I walked through the door. The decor and ambiance were sooo charming and they even sell goods important from Spain to take home and make/eat yourself!! Service was wonderful and we felt well attended to. The sourdough bread with olive oil was chewy, flavorful, and well portioned. Next we had the pork stuffed potato bomb, which was packed with flavor. The octopus was tasty and well done. The tuna was perfectly seared and paired well with onions. The star of the show was the lamb with fig and almond paste. I literally had a dream about it last night. My dad was just as impressed as I was and we even had enough to take home!
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Ashley L.

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

Yelp
Made reservations about a month in advance for this place, which I highly recommend since it's a small restaurant I LOVE the octopus. It was perfectly cooked, seasoned and didn't have a rubber texture. Everything else was good too. They even gave pine nuts which were yummy
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Nick C.

Yelp
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.
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Jessica A.

Yelp
I came here for dinner on a Saturday evening. I made a reservation the day before via Resy and 5:00pm was the only time available. I was told the food was delicious and they are a popular spot, so reservations are a must! We were seated in the outdoor private, which felt secluded and quiet. We were on a busy street, but we were so far from the road that I forgot that a busy street was nearby. The server was knowledgeable and accommodating. For starters, I had the Spring Salad with asparagus, snowpeas and dressing. I wasn't a huge fan. For our tapas, we ordered the Marinated Lamb, La Bomba, and the Potatoes. The tapas were good. The Marinated Lamb was my favorite. It was melt-in-your-mouth type meat and I loved that. The LaBomba was pretty filling. The Potatoes came w/ aioli sauce and spicy salsa. You get a small serving of each, so I recommend ordering a lot of food. Frankly, I don't think I ordered enough! For parking, I recommend the nearby Hyatt parking deck. It's not expensive ($8 for 2 hours) and there's ample spots available. We didn't find any street parking available.
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Gabriela D.

Yelp
Atmosphere makes you feel like you are traveling abroad and stopped in to your favorite place in Spain. Each menu item is worth trying! One of my favorite spots in CHS!
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FoodLover F.

Yelp
The wine was average but very pricey for the tiny pour they give you. The chorizo and goat cheese with honey on bread was frigging amazing..... we loved it The pork belly covered in cumin was tasty, but boring, after the incredible clever chorizo dish. It's just chunks of cut up diced sized pieces of chorizo with a few toothpicks stuck in them. Service was nice We flew in today from San Francisco and after walking up King street to try to find a restaurant, we found this near our Airbnb and popped in around 8:30 pm. and it wa pretty busy on a Tuesday night

Rajini H.

Yelp
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 :)
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Bryan M.

Yelp
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.
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Nelson S.

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

Yelp
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.
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Jacquelene H.

Yelp
Had a delicious meal at Malagan! We came when it was pretty close to their closing time, and the employees were super accommodating. It is a super cute atmosphere and very quaint. Our waitress Whitney was super helpful and friendly. We ordered a bottle of wine that was delicious and shared some food. My favorite was the chorizo and goat cheese toast (not pictured) and the octopus. Next time I'm back in Charleston I would definitely come back!

Daniel B.

Yelp
Server, Emma, was very helpful in us choosing dishes we'd like and enough but without over-ordering. As for the food, the dishes ranged from solid to outstanding in our party of four's opinion.
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Anthony T.

Yelp
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.
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Olivia M.

Yelp
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!
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Jillian W.

Yelp
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.
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Daniel P.

Yelp
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!
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Roi_Amber Y.

Yelp
Small intimate Tapas restaurant just off of King Street. Great ambiance for a romantic meal with a dim setting and cute European vibe. If you have minimal familiarity with Tapas it can be a bit overwhelming, luckily the waiter we had was knowledgable about the menu, patient, and very helpful in making recommendations when we had questions and were choosing between items. The dishes came out quickly and filled up our table which gave us plenty of options of food to try and explore all flavors. We ordered the following: - Fuet (dry cured pork sausage spiced with nutmeg--recommended by the waiter) very good starter! - Olivas mixtas--mixed olives - Bread--house made sourdough with Spanish olive oil--Excellent! - Gambas a la plancha--Grilled Shrimp with sea salt. They were smoky and salty crunchy char outside - Padròns--roasted peppers with sea salt--salty, smoky. Mild heat, a surprisingly large portion relative to the other dishes - Tortilla española--potato and onion omelet with aioli--savory, rich flavor, the chive cream was a nice touch - Carrilleras de ternera al vino Tinto--red wine braised beef cheeks--charred crunchy outside tender juicy inside. Savory and so flavorful! Favorite of the night. This was an experience meal and we would recommend it if you are looking for a meal that will be at least a two hour event. The staff was excellent, the vibe is great for a date, getting some friends together, or doing something a little different that of course incorporates delicious food. Definitely worth checking out!
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Gabrielle Z.

Yelp
Malagón is incredible and a must-dine if you're looking for a small, hidden gem in Charleston! It's a small restaurant but the patio is really nice to sit at and enjoy on a mild summer evening. Malagón is a market and tapería with offerings focus exclusively on Spanish cuisine. The market offers canned seafood, Spanish wine, Spanish cheese, charcuterie, and other Spanish gourmet items. The tapería menu has both regional Spanish small and large plates Must order at the tapería: Iberian Ham (so incredibly tender with a sweet and smoky flavor) Asparagus with Anchovies Octopus Mushrooms Squash Blossoms (in the summer) Bread Malagón is the sister restaurant of Chez Nous, which is a block and a half away -- they are an amazing and quaint restaurant that features delicious food and wine from Southern France, Northern Italy, and Northern Spain. Malagón is located in the neighborhood of Cannonborough in Charleston, SC You can book a table through Resy
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Ron N.

Yelp
We went to Barcelona 20 years ago and have been hunting for authentic Tapas restaurants since then. This restaurant is the best we have found. I wish I had taken pictures of the menu because of their details. We had a mushroom dish that was excellent. The asparagus dish was also very good. There are pictures from other reviewers. Served with 3 white stalks with a cheese sauce. The lamb with Paprika, Zorza de Cordero was a substantial serving in a tasty sauce. Clearly the selections screamed for bread so we ordered a $6 side for 4 fresh large cuts of bread. We passed on the wine but the list looked impressive. We ended the meal with a cafe con leche latte. The evening was a wonderful experience and we will be back.
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Rachelle S.

Yelp
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.

Victoria F.

Yelp
Everything was great. The food, our server, the ambiance. Worth the price and a very nice menu truly tasting like authentic Spanish tapas. A little gem.
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Jim B.

Yelp
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.
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Haley B.

Yelp
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.
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Nick F.

Yelp
5 stars all around! Quality food with diverse flavors. Efficient and professional service. Fun Atmosphere. We loved our time on the patio. Stefan was an amazing host and Lindsey was a wonderful server. Can't wait to come back and try more of the menu. The paella was perfection! Every detail was unique and enjoyable -- from their clever menu, to their plate choices, and even the neat sardine containers they use present their checks.
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Gabriela B.

Yelp
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.
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Vincent M.

Yelp
This was my first time in Charleston and our group hadn't put much thought into dinner. Tapas sounded like a good idea so our group headed out. Malagón had a quite extensive menu which accommodated the group. The prices varied a bit, so you can easily end up with an expensive bill. We were able to balance indulging in a few unique things and some more affordable items. It's a neat little space suitable for small groups or intimate dining.
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Corey B.

Yelp
One of our favorite restaurants in Charleston. It has really authentic Spanish cuisine, and a great atmosphere for fine dinning. Great date location!
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Sonia C.

Yelp
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!