Restaurant: Botanic
In September 2022, Stacy Brown and her husband, King Braswell, opened Botanic, a vibrant community hub in Opelika offering unique experiences and services. On the 12-acre property, guests can dine at the farm-to-table restaurant The Grille, browse local merchandise at The Market. Visitors can also request landscaping services at, stroll through the on-site greenhouse and enjoy live music or bingo on weekends.
Braswell came up with the name, Botanic, while he was the owner of Blooming Colors and Crepe Myrtle Cafe. However, after they married, Brown and Braswell wanted to create something new together. They decided to take a piece of both venues and combine horticulture with the restaurant industry, creating what would ultimately become Botanic.
According to Brown, the unique experiences Botanic offers set it apart from competitors. The venue offers breakfast, lunch and dinner at different places on the property, while guests can shop, listen to live music and see live animals, including the beloved chickens.
"Everything is situated within a horticulture experience," Brown said. "We really attempt to connect all of our guests with all the things that are a little bit nostalgic. We say there is nothing here that could be replicated by technology, so we're very rooted in nature, the experiences and the connectivity of the guests, both to each other and our team. We really strive to make an experience that is beyond just having a meal."
Brown shares that the success of Botanic is a team effort, crediting executive chef James Jolly and his culinary team.
"I think everybody appreciates really delicious cuisine, and I'm proud to say we have an amazing culinary team that is always striving to reach the next level and top what they've already done," Brown said. "They all have a great path for creativity, and we encourage that."
Brown's favorite part about Botanic is watching the guests have unique experiences that she gets to curate.
"When you have a dream and you put it into play, you really do not know how it's going to be received," Brown said. "You have a vision of how you want that dream to be interpreted, but you have no control over that, and so this, to me, says the dream has been interpreted the way it was intended, and so that's extremely rewarding to everyone here."
Mexican: Acapulco's
The Auburn Plainsman has selected Acapulco’s Mexican Grill for best Mexican food in Auburn.
In business since 1989, Acapulco's Mexican Grill continues serving fresh, flavorful food to the Auburn community. Acapulco’s has quickly become an Auburn student meal staple with its affordable lunch menu and Taco Tuesdays.
The restaurant also offers a wide range of menu items, including tacos, enchiladas, nachos and fajitas to huevos rancheros and carne asada. From Monday to Friday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Acapulco’s offers a cheaper lunch menu with an array of meal options. Prices range from $6.75 to $10.95 before taxes and tips.
Along with lower prices, the restaurant is not stingy on serving sizes. One competitor, priced at $8.95, serves three chicken enchiladas covered in Verde sauce with lettuce, rice, tomatoes and sour cream on the side.
Taco Tuesdays are a weekly stable from open to close, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For $5.50, visitors can enjoy two beef tacos, rice and beans.
Dessert: Insomnia
Insomnia Cookies, located at 181 N. College St., is Plainsman's Choice for best dessert spot. Opened in 2020, the store was a first for Auburn and third in the state of Alabama. According to its website, the company was founded in a dorm room at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 by then-student Seth Berkowitz.
Since its opening, the business has offered freshly baked, late-night treats for Auburn residents and students. Insomnia Cookies offers nine classic cookies, such as snickerdoodle, peanut butter chip and chocolate chunk.
Insomnia Cookies also sells a collection of protein cookies launched in March. These flavors include loaded cookie butter deluxe and double chocolate cookie dough deluxe, with 11 grams and 10 grams of protein respectively.
Phillistene Felder, store manager at Insomnia Cookies, said that what sets the business apart from other dessert options in the area is their inclusive menu.
“I love the fact that we offer vegan and non-vegan options,” Felder said. “Our cookies are warm and delicious.”
In addition to cookies, the bakery sells brownies, ice cream, cookie cakes and cold milk.
Insomnia Cookies is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Wednesday, with hours extended until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Coffee: 7 Brew Coffee
In Auburn, coffee is to college students as water is to fish. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a rising senior, you might wonder what the best coffee shops in town are. The Auburn Plainsman has the answer: 7 Brew Coffee.
A drive-thru coffee shop, 7 Brew Coffee sits at the University Crossing Shopping Center on the corner of East University Drive and East Glenn Avenue. Students and community members from across Auburn and Opelika drop by the 7 Brew drive-thru for a quick pick-me-up before class or extra energy for doing homework and studying.
7 Brew offers a variety of drinks, including coffee, tea, smoothies, shakes and more. Its coffees are extremely customizable to account for all tastes. Customers can add extra shots, pick specific milks and flavors, choose different toppings and drizzles, change their drink’s sweetness level or get their drinks sugar-free. For those who want the high energy of coffee without the taste, 7 Brew serves its signature “7 Energy” drinks with different fruity flavors. Every month, the coffee shop also offers new featured drinks for customers.
As a drive-thru, 7 Brew Coffee does not have a sit-down area but instead has a walk-up window where customers can order their favorite drinks. The friendly atmosphere is palpable, as music plays through the drive-thru speakers, the baristas welcome guests and the ever-changing chalk art decorates the windows.
All in all, 7 Brew Coffee is a great place for students to enjoy quality drinks and upbeat energy.
This article is featured in The Auburn Plainsman's Summer 2026 print edition.
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Estela Muñoz, senior in journalism and Spanish, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2024. Muñoz previously served as Photo Reporter and Assistant Photo Editor. She is currently serving as the Photo Editor.
Amanda Machamer, senior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2025. Machamer previously served as a News Writer, Assistant News Editor and Assistant Content Editor. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief.
Sydney Gallardo, junior in journalism, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2025. Gallardo previously served as a News Writer, News Reporter and Assistant News Editor. He is currently serving as the Newsletter Editor.
