This is the best restaurant in Alabama. Tyler and Jen Lyne’s food is absolutely exquisite. Every menu is thoughtful and carefully crafted. This is Michelin star worthy fare. Chefs Tom and Marcus crushed every detail and the presentation was wonderful. Our waitress Kenzie knew everything about the food served and the wine paired. The food is so conversationally provoking that I’d consider this the best dinner I’ve had in well over a year. And despite the fine dining experience, you get a lot of food and leave feeling full and complete. Our meal consisted of 5 savory dishes and 2 desserts. It is impossible to pick a favorite among them although the humble egg and caviar was equally delicious and technically impressive. The delightful meal will be embedded in our memory for a long time.

Celebrated a birthday at 1856 and it did not disappoint! The tasting menu was unique and delicious and do not skip the wine paring, it’s perfection! This is a true gem and an incredible experience all around.

Such an incredible experience! Watching students and professors and chefs and sommeliers all working together to create a culinary experience!

snuz

my girlfriend booked us a reservation here recently for a date. i absolutely love the place! its very cozy, the service is incredible, and our waitress, angel, was so attentive and charismatic. she, along with the rest of the staff, really made the experience. expect to be waited on hand and foot, valet service, have the chair pulled out for you, a handwritten note at your table, and a custom message on the dessert! for the two of us, after all of the added charges + tip, the bill came to about $400. this wasnt an issue as it is fine dining and this was the experience we were hoping for, but be prepared when booking! this is definitely the place to go in auburn if youre looking to impress. as a side note, the food is, of course, very different from a typical restaurant. be open-minded!

D. Claire Burns

The food, atmosphere and service were incredible! Every dish was a work of art! Indah and Sarah were excellent in their service and drink recommendations. I cannot recommend 1856 enough. If you are celebrating a special occasion in Auburn or just want a an incredible experience check them out! Everyone who works there has a bright future in the culinary arts and hospitality world!

Gary Zolle Stone

A fabulous dining experience from the first moment on. Great ambiance, with attention to detail from the whole staff, to delicious and creative offerings that Sarah presented for each course on the tasting menu. It is also such a wonderful concept to have a teaching restaurant with renowned chefs in residence to teach their craft to students. A unique dining experience that is on par with any Michelin star restaurant I have visited, with great wine pairings from Sommelier Thomas Price (as well as an extensive wine list), and a truly welcoming staff that from the front to the back deserve accolades for a job well done!

James VanderWier

We have been fortunate enough to have tasting menus around the US and the world. Several at Michelin star restaurants. To date, our experience at 1856 has been the best. Both service and food quality were on point! This was the first tasting that my wife actually ate everything from every course! Well done.

Laura Sellers, Auburn Homes

On my recent trip, I enjoyed indulging in the exquisite flavors of the risotto with succulent scallops and earthy mushrooms was an unforgettable experience. Each bite was a symphony of taste, perfectly harmonizing the rich creaminess of the risotto with the delicate sweetness of the scallops and the savory notes of the mushrooms. Equally delightful were the crispy fish n’ chips and the zesty satsuma tart, each dish expertly crafted to tantalize the taste buds. The attention to detail was impeccable, from the personalized handwritten note gracing our table to the napkin that perfectly matched my outfit. These thoughtful touches elevated the dining experience, making it truly one-of-a-kind and leaving a lasting impression of culinary excellence. I will definitely be back. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Russell Ledford

This was an absolutely amazing experience!! This is not just dinner…it’s plate after plate of delicious creations,OMG. Hands down the best dining experience I’ve ever had in my life.

Morgan Robinson

Delicious food in a unique atmosphere. During the school week, the teaching restaurant allows for students to learn more about the front of house and back of house environment with the hands on interactions. The food is delicious and the service is wonderful. We had the chicken schnitzel, braised short rib, and 1856 burger. We were also greeted with a welcome drink that changed color. I also had the winters legend drink which was so light and refreshing.

Claire Wilson

We had dinner here for our anniversary and absolutely loved it. The restaurant is stunning, the staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and the food is out of this world. We had a tasting menu filled with items we had never tried and now love. The presentation of each plate was beautiful. We requested to meet the chef to ask him a few questions and he accommodated our request which was an added bonus for the night. The view from the rooftop bar is breathtaking. Nothing like taking in Auburn University and Toomers Corner at this angle at night! We will definitely come back and highly recommend going to 1856!

Frank Hillyard

1856 was by far the most personalized, and incredible meal we have ever had. (I chose this for my celebration lunch for my graduation) From the personal card, to the natural blue tea, the little dessert and to top it all off, their gift (new this year for graduates who celebrate there) a descendant from the oak trees at Toomer's corner. They used one of the acorns to start this tree and I can grow it at home now. I was totally blown away. 1856, you blew me away! I loved everything! I chose Auburn for my dual Master's degrees, because of the feeling like you are family and this truly made me feel a part of the Auburn Family! Auburn for life! War Eagle!

christopher warren

1856 – A Southern Stage Worthy of the World’s Finest Tables Dining at 1856 is akin to discovering a perfectly pitched note in a symphony of culinary legends. As seasoned patrons of the world’s most exalted establishments—from the pristine precision of Le Bernardin to the architectural elegance of Per Se, the emotive balance of Jean-Georges, and the exquisite minimalism of Masa—our standards are drawn from the apex of global gastronomy. Yet within the heart of Auburn, 1856 delivered an experience as moving and masterful as any we’ve encountered. Led by Reese, whose quiet confidence and command—refined by her Fort Benning background—infused the evening with poised excellence, we encountered not only technical brilliance but a depth of service that was both intentional and human. From the first pour of butterfly pea tea, presented with poetic flourish and expert insight, we were drawn into a progression of courses that paid reverent homage to the greats. The plates echoed the style and soul of Michelin’s finest—without mimicry, but with inspired interpretation. Each dish spoke with a culinary fluency that suggested years of mentorship under master chefs, though here, it is student hands—guided by vision and discipline—that execute with such clarity and heart. Our table included a Forbes and Michelin-certified trainer and a luxury marketing consultant, individuals who’ve dined in rare air—where a seat commands $1,000. And yet, nowhere—at any price—have we experienced such comfortable perfection. The coffee service, a final act in this well-scored performance, was as refined and intentional as anything we’ve seen at Masa or Atelier Crenn. This is Auburn hospitality elevated to a global standard. It recalled that pivotal moment in The Bear when Ritchie steps into his own, not through ego but through empathy, realizing that true excellence lies in making someone’s night—because it might make their day. That ethos lives here. I gain a teary eye of pride as I write this, because—“I believe in Auburn and love it.” This is one more reason, as an Auburn man, that those words in our creed ring more true than ever. And so, with great pride in my alma mater, and in brotherhood with my fellow and future alumni, I implore you: take the journey. Experience what Auburn is offering the world through 1856. Support these rising stars—our future leaders of industry—who are quietly mastering the art of luxury service with soul. As Jerry Inzerillo has so often declared from the stage at Forbes award after Forbes award: “They are doing great things—absolutely great things.” Auburn is no longer just part of the conversation. It is shaping it.

Drew Woods

This is the best restaurant in Alabama. Tyler and Jen Lyne’s food is absolutely exquisite. Every menu is thoughtful and carefully crafted. This is Michelin star worthy fare. Chefs Tom and Marcus crushed every detail and the presentation was wonderful. Our waitress Kenzie knew everything about the food served and the wine paired. The food is so conversationally provoking that I’d consider this the best dinner I’ve had in well over a year. And despite the fine dining experience, you get a lot of food and leave feeling full and complete. Our meal consisted of 5 savory dishes and 2 desserts. It is impossible to pick a favorite among them although the humble egg and caviar was equally delicious and technically impressive. The delightful meal will be embedded in our memory for a long time.

Melissa Atkinson

Celebrated a birthday at 1856 and it did not disappoint! The tasting menu was unique and delicious and do not skip the wine paring, it’s perfection! This is a true gem and an incredible experience all around.

Valeri White

Such an incredible experience! Watching students and professors and chefs and sommeliers all working together to create a culinary experience!

Unbelievable experience! It is an expensive outing, but worth every dime! Anyone that lives or visits the Auburn area should go here at least once. The setting was gorgeous. Intimate, but not intimidating. I have never gone anywhere like this, and was nervous to be honest, but the staff was so friendly and welcoming, I felt at ease at once. The service was not rushed, but not slow either! The timing of each course was at our pace. Each course was explained and the wine pairing was perfect! The master sommelier was friendly and knowledgeable and Clinton, server is not the word, was more like a consierge, making sure everything about the experience was perfect. The food itself was beyond amazing, flawlessly made and stunningly presented. We truly felt like we were in another world. It's what I imagine a Michelin star restaurant experience would be like - and right here in Auburn!! Definitely recommend, definitely will be back. Thank you so much!

Excellent courses of food. Spectacular service. Great atmosphere. I enjoyed it a lot.

Great experience. Very upscale. The food was beautiful, fresh, creative and delicious. Fun cocktails too.

Thank you to Eli and Shiva for a great bar experience. Fantastic cocktail menu and spirit selection. Cannot wait to come back!

WOW Fantastic tasting menu and associated wine pairing. Our sever was incredibly knowledgeable, the food was interesting and delicious, and you can’t beat dining while looking across the street at Samford Hall. We can’t wait to come back! Way to go Auburn for cultivating a dining experience like this one

I go often for lunch because it's quicker and no reservationis required. Food and experience are delicious.

If there were a sixth star for possibly the best restaurant you’ve ever experienced this would be it. Unbelievable creativity. Unbelievable taste. The price tag is actually a bargain considering the areas of the globe you will be sampling from. Truly an fantastic experience.

Just wonderful! The space is beautiful, and the service excellent. I had never done a tasting menu like this, and was afraid it might be a bit pretentious, but was extremely warm and gracious. The food was amazing! Each course delicious and beautifully presented.

A wonderfully innovative and delicious experience that is not to be missed! Auburn is beyond fortunate to have such culinary talent in their midst, now as part of the university curriculum itself. We brought my mother (who has fine dined all over the world) for her 83rd birthday - we were all impressed!

The staff at 1856 made our lunch feel like a celebratory experience. From the moment we walked in the door everyone welcomed us with a smile. The food was very tasty. We cannot wait to go again!

A really special experience. Cannot believe this place is 35 minutes from my house. What would cost you $300 + in NYC costs you $95 here....with a master sommelier to boot! A truly world class operation at our doorstep, courtesy of the university. I will support this place as much as I possibly can.

Wonderful service, very nice presentation, small restaurant, nice wine selection and the value is commensurate with the food and level of service.

Amazing experience. Will visit again in the future!

Excellent service, food and atmosphere! What a wonderful place to have a fine dining experience!! Our server, Sarah was pleasant and so knowledgeable! Thank you all, we had a great time.

Birthday lunch today and everything was great. Be sure to visit roof of The Lauren and you will be blown away by view and by the gardens,

1856 is the most impressive culinary experience we’ve seen, bar none…Paris, Berlin, London, Tokyo, Rome, NYC, Boston.

It is an experience you need to go to at least once.

+1

Such a great addition to Auburn eating out experiences. Educational, special, definitely recommend.

Best dining experience in Auburn, AL

Wow! Highly-recommended!

+2

Absolutely AMAZING! lunch. Stephen our waiter was OUTSTANDING!

It’s incredible that this exists in a town of this size.

Fantastic lunch! The Kaizen sampler was perfect. Wonderful combination of flavors across soup, appetizer, entree and dessert. Students learning in a professional setting, with excellent chefs and managers leading the way. Cheers!

+1

Reservations are required. The menus is rotating and always has new things. It is amazing

+3

Excellent experience, service and food. Simply amazing and right on campus

Had a wonderful experience and amazing service from Angel. One of the best tiki drinks we’ve had.

We visited 1856 - Culinary Residence for my husband's birthday. We had a party of 6, and stopped at the rooftop before for some drinks. When we arrived to the restaurant, we were greeted with a hand written birthday card to my husband. Additionally, everyone who stopped by the table made a point to wish him a happy birthday. Our server did a wonderful job explaining the concept and purpose of 1856 - Culinary Residence and its relationship to Auburn's Hospitality school and to Auburn University. Not only was the food plating done well, the food was also extremely tasty. There was a great variety of flavor in each dish we had. Overall, it was an awesome evening. Despite being a somewhat formal restaurant, they welcomed our cheerful banter and laughter at the table, adding an extra layer of joy to the night. It's exactly what you wish for when celebrating a loved one's birthday. Thank you to all, and War Eagle!

Great experience! It may seem pricey but really it is within the boundaries of what you are getting. Food was fresh....presented well....most of all delicious. They add small touches that you do not get from most restaurants....... It is like a well directed movie....even though the students are in the learning phase. Since I don't eat out weekly.....it is an experience for me to eat out.....and I totally enjoyed this experience. Off the way, they have Valet parking...... and it is totally wheelchair accessible!

High tea at the 1856 culinary residence is a master class in modern elegance, expertly supported by the best staff I have possibly ever encountered in a restaurant setting. Anna and Anggi were delightful to interact with, making sure every detail was perfect for my wife's birthday celebration. We came away stuffed with creative twists on classic accoutrements, already planning our next visit.

Tried out the new menu yesterday for lunch and it was fantastic. Was super convenient to be able to valet at the Laurel, as well! If you’re looking for a delicious meal, top notch service and good vibes all around… give it a try!

The 8 course menu is great value. Nearly every dish was solid and the service is excellent. It is cool that the chefs rotate.

We just experienced the best food, atmosphere, and service we've ever had. Myself, 15 year old son, and husband went in after a long day of Auburn orientation wearing shorts and tee-shirts. We were treated as if we were wearing formal wear. The meal was an event, not dinner.

We had the best birthday lunch here! The service, setting, and food were all incredible. All of our dishes were perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. We had a great time learning about the rooftop garden and how its flowers and vegetables are incorporated into every dish. There was a handwritten note on our table welcoming us to the restaurant and our server brought out a beautiful selection of desserts for my mom's birthday. The dessert dish was personalized with a happy birthday message in white chocolate - such a nice touch! This unique fine dining experience is a wonderful addition to Auburn; we hope to be back for dinner soon!

If it was possible, I would give more than 5 stars for service. Food was excellent. Great experience all around!

Nylah Easterling

Had a wonderful experience and amazing service from Angel. One of the best tiki drinks we’ve had.

Sebastian

The 8 course menu is great value. Nearly every dish was solid and the service is excellent. It is cool that the chefs rotate.

Christina Kluttz

Tried out the new menu yesterday for lunch and it was fantastic. Was super convenient to be able to valet at the Laurel, as well! If you’re looking for a delicious meal, top notch service and good vibes all around… give it a try!

Amy Welch

We just experienced the best food, atmosphere, and service we've ever had. Myself, 15 year old son, and husband went in after a long day of Auburn orientation wearing shorts and tee-shirts. We were treated as if we were wearing formal wear. The meal was an event, not dinner.

*Update: I came here again recently, and I saw significant improvement! I was so pleased. I got the sampler (last image). The coconut soup had a genuine coconut flavor that was absolutely incredible, and it was the perfect temperature. The chef that was on duty was smiling and communicating well with the students. Awesome job! *Original Review: There is a lot of potential here! I would like to see improvement on the dishes temperature wise, taste wise, and presentation wise. The soup came out nearly cold. It had minimum flavor and did not offer a true coconut taste despite being called a coconut soup. I did enjoy the texture though! The salad did not have much flavor despite all of the toppings. The Strawberry Sundae was not terrible, but I felt the appearance could have been way better. The presentation was overwhelming. I did enjoy watching the team cook the dishes, but I didn’t see much communication nor inspiration, and that affected the outcome of the dishes. I did like the flower drink A LOT! It was quite nice and refreshing!

Emily Church

*Update: I came here again recently, and I saw significant improvement! I was so pleased. I got the sampler (last image). The coconut soup had a genuine coconut flavor that was absolutely incredible, and it was the perfect temperature. The chef that was on duty was smiling and communicating well with the students. Awesome job! *Original Review: There is a lot of potential here! I would like to see improvement on the dishes temperature wise, taste wise, and presentation wise. The soup came out nearly cold. It had minimum flavor and did not offer a true coconut taste despite being called a coconut soup. I did enjoy the texture though! The salad did not have much flavor despite all of the toppings. The Strawberry Sundae was not terrible, but I felt the appearance could have been way better. The presentation was overwhelming. I did enjoy watching the team cook the dishes, but I didn’t see much communication nor inspiration, and that affected the outcome of the dishes. I did like the flower drink A LOT! It was quite nice and refreshing!

Lovely experience overall, each dish was beautifully prepared and delicious. Service was friendly, and felt very personalized. Now for the removal of one star. While I understand it’s a teaching restaurant and I think that’s absolutely amazing, I do think there are some opportunities for refinement in the service sequence. As someone with a fine dining background, I may be a bit more “picky” than the average guest, but some things really stood out that I couldn’t really overlook. Firstly, water service was lacking, we sat with empty glasses for some time and actually had to ask our server for a refill. When explaining the tasting menu items, the server did also make some mistakes and incorrectly described multiple of the food items. Lastly, I was surprised that we were not offered coffee or tea service when dessert came out. Other than those minor notes, I thought the experience was beautiful, very well worth the price. All the ingredients were fresh, delightfully paired and again, service was very friendly. Would definitely come back!!

+2

First time visiting 1856, and the restaurant's aesthetic was fantastic. We loved the layout and the ability to see the kitchen. The staff was fantastic, our service was great. The staff was very cheerful and attentive and provided some great background on the setting, the overall collaboration between 1856 and the other providers like the horticulture and coffee spots. The food on the other, was sub-par at best. The menu was not quite what I expected in terms of the progression of meals. There was also a small mix up with my wife's ask and my allergies and substitutions. The short rib was delicious, but the rest of the meal was not what was expected with the presentation and cost. I am hoping this may have been due to a change in menu as of this past Tuesday, but was not impressed leaving.

Robert Gulledge

First time visiting 1856, and the restaurant's aesthetic was fantastic. We loved the layout and the ability to see the kitchen. The staff was fantastic, our service was great. The staff was very cheerful and attentive and provided some great background on the setting, the overall collaboration between 1856 and the other providers like the horticulture and coffee spots. The food on the other, was sub-par at best. The menu was not quite what I expected in terms of the progression of meals. There was also a small mix up with my wife's ask and my allergies and substitutions. The short rib was delicious, but the rest of the meal was not what was expected with the presentation and cost. I am hoping this may have been due to a change in menu as of this past Tuesday, but was not impressed leaving.

Food is so so , pretentious without being great. Wine pairings are also mediocre. Not worth the price honestly. The nice thing is that Auburn students work there. But the management is poor.

It is a teaching restaurant. However, it is overpriced. The chefs lack imagination. The food was disappointing particularly for the cost. I had the hamburger at $29. Simple entree, right? Worst in Auburn. Wait staff was the high water mark. No draft beer so the management decided to pour a 12 oz can of beer into a 15oz class. The funny part of this is in the same building there is a very good brewery the restaurant could contract to supply draft beer. 1856 is exactly the reason institutions should not own businesses. An entrepreneur will have his business on the cutting edge and it will be done their way. I grow organic local vegetables, I sell to several chefs in Auburn. My suggestion to 1856, go to acre, Lucy's, Vintage, ZaZu, Hound, learn how to compete.

Listen, there's nothing wrong with hiring or training aspiring culinary art Majors in your restaurant. However, charging the prices you charge for the food and drinks to come out wrong... CONSISTENTLY.. because the staff (students in training) don't have any experience, is ridiculous and wrong. Every single thing we orded came out with some issue of its own. Again, it's admirable that you're employing students. It's a disgrace you're charging $30 a cocktail and $80 a plate for them both to be messed up. The only silver lining is that the students were very polite and professional even though they didn't really know what they were doing.

My recent visit to 1856 - Culinary Residence Restaurant was, in a word, abysmal. This unforgivably pretentious and inhospitable “fine dining” establishment. Is nothing more than a mediocre dining experience draped in self-importance. We were well aware that this was a fine dining prix fixe restaurant and that it might not be ideal for children, but having traveled extensively with the family, including dining at top-tier restaurants/ Michelin star restaurants across the US and Europe, we assumed there would be some modicum of flexibility. We were gravely mistaken. From the moment we sat down, it became clear that the management's inflexibility was not just a policy but a point of pride. Despite our polite requests for a simple substitution or even just a small plate of something basic for our 8-year-old daughter, we were met with a stone-cold refusal. The audacity of this place knows no bounds—they wouldn’t even let us bring in outside food for her! Our daughter sat there, visibly upset and hungry crying while we endured course after course of bland uninspired, pretentious food that she couldn’t eat. They even suggested we go outside in the middle of our meal, feed our daughter with outside food and then come back to finish our meal. This restaurant has the pretense of a Michelin star establishment without anything to show for it. The food definitely wasn't worth the discomfort and frustration of staying any longer. Ultimately, we couldn’t endure it any longer. We left in the middle of the meal to find somewhere else where we could feed our child, who was understandably distressed. The only saving grace was our waitress- she was great very welcoming. She really tried to help. In all our years of dining out with our child, we’ve never encountered such a lack of empathy or hospitality. A restaurant that values its ego over the comfort and satisfaction of its patrons, especially a child, is not one worth visiting. Avoid 1856- Culinary Residence restaurant at all costs unless you enjoy paying exorbitant prices for mediocre food and being treated like an inconvenience. This place is nothing more than a hollow shell of pretension, with no substance to back it up. Auburn has so many great restaurants- skip this one - your palate and your wallet will thank you.

J

Listen, there's nothing wrong with hiring or training aspiring culinary art Majors in your restaurant. However, charging the prices you charge for the food and drinks to come out wrong... CONSISTENTLY.. because the staff (students in training) don't have any experience, is ridiculous and wrong. Every single thing we orded came out with some issue of its own. Again, it's admirable that you're employing students. It's a disgrace you're charging $30 a cocktail and $80 a plate for them both to be messed up. The only silver lining is that the students were very polite and professional even though they didn't really know what they were doing.