14 Amazing Sweets to Savor in Auburn-Opelika
Auburn-Opelika has many desserts that will satisfy your sweet tooth
The Bean – Cinnamon Roll
A place where people love to study, socialize, and savor coffee and homemade desserts. Satisfy your sweet tooth with any dessert at the Bean, but the homemade cinnamon roll is arguably Auburn’s best. It is rolled fresh daily and covered in thick and fluffy icing.
Pro tip: order a half dozen of this Auburn-Opelika delicacy to take and treat your friends, family, or coworkers.
O Town Ice Cream – Summer Swing Strawberry
O Town Ice Cream is the Opelika story being told through ice cream. 31 flavors that are unique to Opelika such as “Chunky Monkey Park, Spring Villa Vanilla, Railroad Tracks, and Summer Swing Strawberry.” Summer Swing Strawberry, named after the Summer Swing Concert Series, that takes place at Monkey Park every Tuesday night in the summertime. Summer Swing Strawberry is the perfect treat, and taste of Opelika.
Pro tip: Enjoy your ice cream outside and play games such as jumbo connect 4 and Jenga.
Acre – Peanut Butter Pie
Acre’s Peanut Butter Pie is the gold standard of desserts. The popular Peanut Butter Pie was inspired by Executive Chef, David Bancroft’s grandmother, Mama Jean. It is filled with creamy peanut butter, decorated with peanut butter cookies, and topped with a drizzle of chocolate ganache. It is completed with a tableside torch of banana meringue, which creates a memorable experience for the entire table.
Pro tip: Skip dinner and order the dessert board for a taste of this staple plus three other season desserts.
Bow & Arrow – Memaw’s Éclair
Bow & Arrow, where Texas meets Alabama. David Bancroft was born in Alabama but raised in Texas so Bow and Arrow is the best of both. Slow smoked meats, such as brisket, pork, and turkey mixed with Mexican favorites like fajitas, tacos, and enchiladas dominate the menu. Sounds amazing, right? Be sure to save room for dessert though because Memaw’s Éclair is “A truly wonderful gift to us all.” Memaw is David Bancroft’s mother-in-law, and her éclair is served like a casserole featuring a combination of graham crackers, layers of Cool Whip and French vanilla pudding and finished with homemade fudge.
Pro tip: Order your own. You won’t want to share.
Lucy’s – Lemon Meringue Pie
Lucy’s, the modern American neighborhood eatery boasts “Good Vibes Only.” Lucy’s Lemon Meringue Ice Cream Pie divine. Featuring layers of lemon curd, Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream, a Georgia pecan crust, and topped with a torched meringue. The best part is that it is all house made.
Pro tip: Lucy’s is also known for its beautiful cocktails, Enjoy!
Ariccia Cucina Italiana – Tiramisu Cheesecake
Ariccia Cucina Italiana serves incredible, authentic Italian food, such as house made focaccia, wood fired pizzas, and delicious pasta dishes. The entrees are divine, but the Tiramisu Cheesecake is delicious. It features layers of coco, creamy cheesecake, and espresso-soaked lady fingers. The Tiramisu Cheesecake is the best way to end a meal at Ariccia Cucina Italiana.
Pro tip: Located in the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.
Botanic – Chocolate Cake
Botanic, a one-stop shop for all things food, drinks, treats, gifts, and gardening, creating is an unforgettable experience all around. There is a space for every moment at Botanic. Meet friends for a drink and live music, sip coffee in a corner of the Market, meander through the Greenhouse for gardening inspiration, or gather for dinner at the Grille to enjoy a farm-to-table meal. The Grille’s chocolate cake is plate-licking good, and the perfect end to a visit to Botanic.
Pro tip: Even though Botanic offers online reservations, be sure to call for their full availability!
Hey Day – Gelato
Hey Day Market is a food hall and gathering place, where campus and community come together. Nine vendors serve a variety of creative menus, with a full-service bar, coffee roastery, and taproom. Saint Bernardo Gelato, one of the nine vendors, serves house-made gelato that satisfies any sweet tooth. Flavors range from chocolate and vanilla to banana caramel and cookie butter.
Pro tip: Saint Bernardo also provides a gelato cart available to rent for your next event.
The Waverly Local – Coconut Cake
Head down Highway 280 to Waverly, Alabama and the Waverly Local will be waiting for you. It is a seasonally inspired, simple Southern restaurant located in one of Alabama’s first Ford dealerships. The coconut cake is a must-try at the Waverly Local and is a delicacy that can only be found here.
Pro tip: Plan to go when there is live music!
The Hound – Bread Pudding
The Hound is a family-owned restaurant known for its bacon and bourbon. Additionally, a trip to the Hound wouldn’t be complete without a taste of their bread pudding. It features a housemade custard with a signature bourbon caramel drizzle. It is served with a chocolate and toffee salted cracker and vanilla ice cream.
Pro tip: It’s hard not to fill up on appetizers and entrees at the Hound, so be sure to take friends who like to chow down and share!
Zazu – Bread Pudding or Seasonal Hot Fruit/Cobbler
Zazu is a spot located in the heart of downtown Opelika, known for its casual and unique five-story dining room, Zazu Gastropub offers gourmet dishes in a pub-like atmosphere. The restaurant is lined with wood floors complemented by exposed brick walls and illuminated with Edison bulbs on every level to add warmth to the restaurant. Be sure to save room for dessert because Zazu’s classic bread pudding is made from a recipe used since the opening of the restaurant.
Pro tip: Zazu's lunch menu features different items than the dinner menu.
Vintage 2298 – Blueberry Cheesecake
Vintage 2298 is new to the Auburn-Opelika food scene. Vintage 2298 is known for its Southern fare with coastal roots, and tasty Blueberry Cheesecake. Owner and Chef Randall Baldwin opened the restaurant in honor of his mother, Nancy McGhee Baldwin. His mother's love for the kitchen has influenced his dreams of becoming a chef.
Pro tip: Be on the lookout for the archway into the kitchen. It honors his mother becasue it is like the one that hung in her kitchen.
Well Red – Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Well Red was inspired by a passion for coffee, wine, and books and it creates a community space that allows you to take a break in your day.
Pro tip: Their bacon cheddar biscuit is to die for if you’re more of a savory breakfast person.
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