What can we say…we love food. Here are five more restaurant recommendations from admissions staff.
Ariccia Cucina Italiana
Auburn offers so many wonderful, delicious restaurants that it can sometimes be difficult to choose just one. If you are looking for a place that not only excites your taste buds but also your ear buds, be sure to visit Ariccia Cucina Italiana. Ariccia is named after Auburn’s abroad campus in Ariccia, Italy and features a jazz lounge called Piccolo 241 Jazz and Cocktails. Fresh pasta made in-house daily, wood-fired pizzas, an impressive wine list…you can’t go wrong. Try the focaccia. I cannot say it enough times, try the focaccia! It melts like butter, and you will not be disappointed. You’ll love listening to live jazz played by local artists in Piccolo. The aperol spritzes and the blue notes are always on pitch, and don’t forget about the affogato or tiramisu for a nice sweet treat. Delizioso! -Virginia Elliott
Auburn Plaza Bar and Lounge
Plaza Bar is relatively new to the Auburn area, having opened just over a year ago. You can find this spot just across from Niffer’s Place on Opelika Road in the new Midtown community, formerly where the Plaza Motel was located for those alumni that may remember. Plaza Bar is our favorite place to go to for delicious “pub” food. I would say that it falls into the definition of a gastropub. There is a great bar with weekly drink specials and features, but we love going here for the great food. Surprisingly they have the BEST gumbo in town! There are not many places you can even find gumbo in our area, so it is a treat to be able to get this any time we stop in. They also have a delicious creation called “soul rolls,” which is an “egg roll-like” appetizer with collards, bacon, smoked pork, and cream cheese with a mustard BBQ dipping sauce. They are out of this world good! They have cheesy tots, Alabama boiled peanuts, and a delicious house-made onion dip. We often order one of each of these appetizers and share amongst the table tapas-style. Plaza Bar is also the home of “The Original Warburger,” which was created by a friend, Auburn-alumni group during their college tailgating days, and is now a feature item on the menu. They are yummy! All beef patty, sweet onions, Wickle’s Dirty Dill pickles, French’s mustard, and house BBQ sauce. There is nothing on the menu that we have tried and did not like. They really did a great job with curating the menu and the ambiance of this restaurant/bar. There is also a pet-friendly outdoor patio seating area that faces the downtown of the Midtown community. Super cute spot and I highly recommend you try it out! -Merideth Davis
Big Blue Bagel
It is never a question…I always make sure to stop by Big Blue Bagel at least once when I am in town for a Tiger Melt, bagel chips, and jalapeno cream cheese. The Tiger Melt is a toasted, open-faced chicken salad bagel sandwich with a slice of Colby jack cheese melted over the top, and hands down my favorite bagel sandwich!
Located downtown on College Street within walking distance of campus, Big Blue Bagel, with its unmistakable blue awning, has been an Auburn breakfast and lunch staple since 2000. Some popular items include fruit on a bagel and the breakfast sandwiches. The line can be long at certain times of the day, but it is worth the wait! -Heather Rodgers
Byron’s Smokehouse
Byron’s has been an Auburn staple since Glen and Stephani Gulledge opened the restaurant in 1989. It is by far the best place to go in Auburn if you are wanting a southern style barbecue meal. You absolutely cannot beat their barbecue and southern sides. The only argument you might get is that their breakfast is even better than their barbecue. My personal favorite is the chipped barbecue sandwich and okra but the Brunswick stew and cornbread are a close second. If the full parking lot is any indication of how great the food is, you know you will be in for a treat. -Rebecca Estes
Taco Mama
An Auburn favorite and a staple of the downtown scene, Taco Mama is the perfect spot for lunch or dinner any time of the year. When the weather is nice, the patio is an ideal place to hang out, catch up with friends, and even people watch. It has a hole-in-the-wall vibe with some of the best tacos and margaritas around. My personal favorite is the Yo Mama burrito with a side of the cilantro-lime rice and a skinny margarita. If you’re looking for great food and a great time, Taco Mama is the place to be! -Ansley Phillips
