Read about Irish Bred Pub, Eight and Rail, Zazu Gastropub, Ma Fia’s Ristorante, and Café 123.
Characterized by diverse and delicious options, and distinctly Southern highlights, Opelika has something for everyone. From freshly made sushi to romantic Italian food, Opelika’s culinary scene is ready to suit all tastes.
For a downtown dining or cocktail experience, or simply to grab a beer with friends, these are our recommendations:
Dinner and Drinks:
Irish Bred Pub
With its distinctive green façade, you can’t miss the Irish Bred Pub, located in the heart of downtown Opelika. The IBP seeks to build community and create a space where people can gather in a comfortable atmosphere, to make new friends or catch up with old ones.
You can choose to accompany your drink from the menu, which includes martinis, Irish libations and wines, with the pub’s great food and signature Irish-influenced dishes.
The IBP also features Karaoke Night every Wednesday from 8 p.m. to midnight and other weekly events such as Trivia Night or live music, perfect for a night of entertainment.
To keep up with their upcoming events you can check their website or Facebook. This historic building in Opelika is also a good option to host events.
For the skimmers:
Irish Bred Pub
833 S Railroad Ave, Opelika
$$
Mon-Sat 11am-12am
Sun 12pm-5pm
Recommendation: Among their most popular dishes are Shepherds Pie, Guinness BBQ Burger, and Fish and Chips.
Eight and Rail
Eighth and Rail is Opelika’s live music venue. This place is a great option to hang out in their nice lounge and take in the music. They feature original music from the region, including local artists, and also artists from all over the country.
Besides enjoying the drinks and music, Eighth and Rail also serves freshly made sushi and their very popular cheesecakes!
Eighth and Rail has sofas and coffee tables, ideal for enjoying the relaxing atmosphere.
For the skimmers:
Eight and Rail
807 S Railroad Ave, Opelika
$
Sun-Mon Closed
Tues-Thurs 5pm-1am
Fri-Sat 5pm-2am
Recommendation: Try their cheesecake selection. You won’t be disappointed!
Zazu Gastropub
Zazu Gastropub is a restaurant that seeks a relaxed “fine dining” experience and nice drinks. Its gas lanterns and soft lighting along with the brick walls and wooden floors create a calm atmosphere, ideal for enjoying with friends.
Behind the industrial style bar, made of concrete and wood, Zazu serves local brews on tap, specialty cocktails, craft bottles and cans, and an extensive list of wines.
Zazu’s menu, created by the chef Graham Hage, consists of dishes made with fresh ingredients from local farmers and includes some Southern specialties such as the classic fried green tomato, baked Alabama oysters or the delicious sweet tea chicken and cornbread. Zazu also serves a Sunday brunch and desserts prepared from scratch.
The seasonal menu and the enjoyable ambiance make Zazu a culinary destination in the region.
For the skimmers:
Zazu Gastropub
112 S 8th St, Opelika
$$
Monday Closed
Tues-Sat 11am-10pm
Sunday 10am-2pm
Recommendation: The chef’s pick is braised boneless short ribs. We recommend the 8th Street old Fashion Cocktail and their Sweet Tea Chicken Sandwich
Ma Fia’s Ristorante
Ma Fia’s, with its cozy and intimate atmosphere, is conceived to be the perfect dining experience for your special occasion.
With an Old World charm, this ristorante offers flavorful, handmade Italian dishes prepared to order. Specialties include a variety of fresh fish, seafood, and artisanal pizzas. Ma Fia’s also has a front patio, in case you want to have lunch or dinner outside, or for having a drink with friends and family when the weather is nice. And don’t forget to try their cocktails. You won’t regret it!
This Italian restaurant, with its warm and friendly environment, is family owned and for families. After all, that is an important part of Italian food.
For the skimmers:
Ma Fia’s Ristorante
811 S Railroad Ave, Opelika
$$
Sun-Thur 11am-9pm
Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
Recommendation: We recommend their Pear and Gorgonzola Ravioli.
Café 123
Café One Twenty Three is a fine dining restaurant serving Southern American Cuisine with a classic French influence. This restaurant, the most expensive in our list, is located in the heart of the historic downtown Opelika, has a laidback luxury ambiance, designed for a special night out. The Executive Chef, Eron Bass, a native from Opelika, is in charge of the menu creation that features dishes such as Shrimp and Grits and the Brown Sugar Rub Ribeye, covered with his signature rub, caramelizing on the steak.
If you are looking for a nice culinary experience, this is your place. Their beer selection includes domestics, imports and crafts, and they also have a variety of wines and martinis.
Their Sunday brunch features classic Southern dishes, such as pecan fried chicken and waffle or the biscuits and Conecuh gravy.
For the skimmers:
Café 123
123 South 8th St, Opelika
$$$$
Monday Closed
Tues-Sat 6pm-10pm
Sunday Brunch 11am-2pm
Recommendation: Try the chef’s signature rub on their Brown Sugar Rubbed Ribeye or Brown Sugar Rubbed Back of Lamb.
Read about Sneak and Dawdle and Ampersand Wine Bar!
Drinks and Ambiance:
Sneak and Dawdle
If you are looking for a different drink experience in Opelika, Sneak and Dawdle specializes in craft cocktails and classic cocktails with a special twist.
With a dark atmosphere and a good mix of music, there is a little something here for everyone. Including mocktails, beers, or special cocktails, the bartenders can create the perfect drink for you. Just ask for the flavors that you like!
Concealed from the natural light, like a clandestine hideaway, Sneak and Dawdle has some elements of a speakeasy, but no password is needed. Just find the bear on the door to get in!
This comfortable lounge in the heart of Opelika keeps its entrance hidden.
Sneak and Dawdle doesn’t serve food yet, but soon you will be able to try some of the small appetizers available from The Hound (in Auburn), such as the Hound’s Spicy Po’ Cheese (housemade pimento cheese and saltines) or their Bacon & Bourbon Caramel Popcorn (bourbon-spiked caramel popcorn, bacon, and peanuts).
For the skimmers:
Sneak and Dawdle
717 1st Ave Suite B, Opelika
Sun-Tues Closed
Wed-Thur 5pm-midnight
Fri-Sat 5pm-2am
More information can be found on their website.
Ampersand Wine Bar
Ampersand Wine Bar, as its name suggests, is a wine bar in downtown Opelika. Located at S Railroad Avenue, this eclectic space guarantees a great time enjoying wines, cheeses, hot sandwiches and charcuterie.
Inspired by art deco and art nouveau styles, its decoration and ambient music, all in vinyl, make this wine bar an ideal place to enjoy an international wine experience in downtown Opelika. And they are dog friendly!
According to its owner, Nelson Marsh, Ampersand Wine Bar features “the country’s largest selection of wines-by-the-glass” with over 300 bottles.
Ampersand Wine Bar, which opened in November 2016 and specializes in small wineries, doesn’t have a menu. They let people sample wines until they find what they are looking for. If you want to try something different, this is the place for you.
For the skimmers:
Ampersand Wine Bar
Mon-Tues Closed
Wed-Sat 3pm-10pm
Sun 3pm-8pm
Recommendation: Their specialty wines are from France and Italy.
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