Auburn Restaurants|Auburn, Alabama, United States

1856-Culinary Residence

Name: 1856-Culinary Residence
Telephone: 334-249-4275

A campus restaurant with more than enough class

VERIFIED LUXURY

Learn How We Inspect

For all that The Laurel Hotel and Spa does for future hospitality stars — Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management provides student training and education throughout the property — the efforts at signature restaurant 1856-Culinary Residence may stand out most. A fully integrated teaching establishment, 1856 (the year the university was chartered) centers around visiting chefs, a talented full-time kitchen staff and eager students who collectively deliver world-class meals on a daily basis.

From the greeting to the goodbye, things are executed with precision at 1856. Blazer-donning bartenders whip up drinks with a smile. Waiters are attentive without being overbearing. Rotating menus flutter from elevated steakhouse to French brasserie without missing a morsel. Few restaurants on college campuses around the country could even attempt a culinary experience to this degree.

Our Inspector's Highlights

1856’s dining room is filled with imposing windows. The natural light and potted plants give your lunch an airy feel. Come dinnertime, brown U-shaped booths, wood accents and an open kitchen make the space feel warm and intimate.
The culinary program is overseen by an esteemed lineup of chefs in residence. The Auburn restaurant has been under the gastronomic guidance of James Beard winner Joël Antunes, James Beard nominee Ford Fry and inventive chef Tyler Lyne.
Five- and eight-course tasting menus vary by the toque leading the kitchen at the time of your visit. Antunes’ summer 2026 menu, for example, was headlined by seared scallop, wagyu New York strip and buttermilk panna cotta. Should you want some wine to pair with your dishes, master sommelier Thomas Price knows just the pours.
Delivering a literal roof-to-table experience, 1856 uses a 4,400-square-foot rooftop garden maintained by Auburn University’s horticulture program to ensure that only the freshest radishes, herbs and other ingredients are featured.
Stop by on select Sundays for Tea on Thach. A Deep South take on afternoon tea, 1856 delivers savory sandwiches and specialty desserts done to themes such as Harry Potter, Mamma Mia! and the tastes of Seoul.

Things to Know

Depending on the calendar, the dining room can get quite festive. Make multi-course memories with a special Valentine’s Day outing. In springtime, count on Easter-themed meals. There’s a summer chef series to look forward to. And during the fall and winter, expect lavish Thanksgiving and Christmas spreads.
If you’re in a time crunch at lunch, consider the Kaizen, a meal consisting of a soup, an appetizer, a protein, a French baguette and a dessert that can be enjoyed in 40 minutes.
Because of 1856’s intimate surroundings — the dining room only has 46 seats — no children under the age of 12 are permitted to eat in the restaurant.

Amenities