Best Bites

• 205 S College Street

1856-Culinary Residence is an elegant teaching restaurant named after the year of Auburn University's founding and anchoring the first floor of the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center. Students in the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management work under the guidance of visiting chefs to prepare and serve an à la carte lunch menu and the…

• 210 E. Glenn Avenue

Acre celebrates Southern hospitality and the fresh harvest provided by the local community. With sophisticated charm, repurposed architectural details, and a menu of stylishly modern food with roots deep in Southern soil, it's a delightful anachronism. Acre is good traditions for good people, a neighborhood place perfect for relaxing with friends, making…

• 410 S Gay Street Auburn, AL 36830

Alive with conversation and an energetic mix of generations, Amsterdam Cafe welcomes visitors in a relaxed and stylish setting. An Auburn tradition, the eatery's original location features special event space and two full bars. Amsterdam Cafe's menu offers a plate for every palate and consists of soul-pleasing selections that include family favorites…

• 241 S College Street Auburn, AL 36830

Inspired by a hilltop town of vineyards, palaces, and poets, Ariccia Cucina is a modern Italian escape located in the heart of Auburn. Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner 365 days a year, Ariccia has become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Guests can enjoy authentic Italian fare in the intimate dining room or al fresco on the patio…

• 800 Main Street

Brought to us from the creators of Waverly Local, Auburn Plaza Bar and Lounge is a lively bar and eatery located in Midtown. Featuring creative cuisine and cocktails, it's a fun place to hang out with friends and enjoy good food and drinks. Brunch is available on Saturday and Sunday. Serving lunch and dinner, their casual space spilling into the outdoors is…

• 1977 E. Samford Ave.

From the talented chef-owner who brought us Acre, Bow & Arrow is where South Texas barbecue meets Alabama potluck. Casual and authentic, Bow & Arrow serves up an assortment of smoked meats cooked over a live-fire Kudu grill, a selection of Southern sides, including hashbrown casserole, collard greens, and brisket beans; and an extensive selection of real…

• 436 Opelika Rd.

Treat your taste buds to a true Southern feast at Byron's Smokehouse, a local legend serving up the best BBQ in town since 1989! Mouthwatering pit-cooked pork, juicy chicken, sizzling sausage, and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Plus, they've got killer sandwiches, fresh salads, and all your favorite home-cooked sides. And don't even get us started on breakfast…

• 123 South 8th Street

A fine dining restaurant serving Southern and continental cuisine with a hip, vintage atmosphere in the heart of downtown Opelika. Located in the historic Haynie's Drugstore building, the ambiance and charm of this authentic 50s soda fountain and hangout remains but has been updated with original artwork, white linens, and modern fixtures. The café's menu…

• 540 Devall Drive

From the hearts and minds of those who created The Hound & The Depot, Corner Office is an eclectic breakfast and lunch cafe. It's the ideal spot for a refreshing lunch break, a productive study session, or successful work meeting. The atmosphere is carefully curated to provide a cozy and welcoming environment, offering you the perfect opportunity to pause…

• 124 Mitcham Avenue

Auburn's finest and freshest seafood! The Depot is a gulf-coastal brasserie with a globally inspired menu where sea meets land. Constructed in 1847, this fabled train depot rests in the heart of downtown Auburn. With a prominent role in the history of the city, the time-worn tracks of The Depot have seen the face of war and abandonment. Now over 150 years…

• 174 E. Magnolia Ave.

Hamilton's on Magnolia offers an intimate, casual atmosphere that's made it a favorite destination in historic downtown Auburn for over a decade. The menu consists of diverse, contemporary American selections. Appetizers, salads, and sandwiches are available throughout the day. Whether dining for pleasure, business, or hosting a special event, Hamilton's…

• 211 S College Street

Hey Day Market is a multi-concept food hall located at The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center in Auburn, offering a diverse range of dining experiences in a vibrant, communal setting. Featuring a variety of local eateries, Hey Day Market is the perfect spot for friends, families, and food enthusiasts to explore Auburn’s local food scene. Its unique…

• 124 Tichenor Avenue

The Hound is a family-owned restaurant and bar featuring over-the-top American classics, top shelf bourbon, and 28 craft beers on tap. They offer bacon from heritage breed pork as well as other organic and humanely raised meats. The atmosphere was designed to be warm and welcoming: think hunting lodge or an antler-pronged barn setting. Owners Matt & Jana…

• 127 E. Magnolia Ave

The Irritable Bao might be a funny name, but their food is seriously yummy. A tiny storefront in the heart of downtown Auburn, The Irritable Bao is known for long lines that snake all the way to Toomer's Corner and incredibly delicious authentic Chinese bao. The casual dining hot spot has a menu that changes daily. You can find it on Instagram or Faceook…

• 2300 Moores Mill Road

Awarded by diners as the #1 restaurant in Auburn by Trip Advisor, Lucy's is a modern American eatery offering a fresh, approachable spin on the classics. A light and bright California-style restaurant, its menu is ever-changing and filled with fresh seafood, locally-farmed meat and produce. Lucy's is all about shared plates, award-winning cocktails, and a…

• 1900 Pepperell Parkway

An Auburn-Opelika tradition since 1952, the secret recipe for Mrs. Story's famous homemade chili dogs reminds us that, thankfully, some things never change. Still in its original location on Pepperell Parkway, the owners of this 50s style walk-up are the third generation of the Story family to serve the freshest "fast" food in the area. Serving lunch and…

• 1151 Opelika Road

Niffer's Place opened in 1991 with good food for an excellent value in a fun atmosphere. Niffer's loves even the pickiest of eaters, offering everything from wings, nachos, huge salads, and 1/2 pound burgers to grilled chicken, steamed veggies, pasta, a kid's menu, desserts, and more. Full bar and patio dining available. Open daily for lunch and dinner…

• 2328 S College Street

Pannie-George's selection of meats and vegetables encompasses the rich tastes and textures of Southern-style cooking. Named after their grandparents, the owners and operators of this cafeteria-style restaurant have created a place where customers are "welcomed and treated like a respected member of Pannie-George's family." Traditional Southern selections…

• 1465 Patrick St.

Locals just call it The Local, where the menu comes from Southern roots and there's something for every member of the family. It's a creative dining experience with a variety of entrees and delicious appetizers, sides, and salads. The restaurant sources its produce form local grovers whenever possible, including tomatoes and squash from Mace Glasscock and…

• 112 S. 8th Street

Housed in what was previously a vacant commercial building in downtown Opelika, Zazu Gastropub is now a stunning, five-level restaurant striking in character with sand, old bricks, wide-plant flooring, flickering gas lanterns, and repurposed wooden beams from the Old Mill in Opelika. At Zazu, people can expect "fine dining" food in a relaxed, public house…