1856 Culinary Residence

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A French Table in the Heart of Auburn

1856 Culinary Residence has established itself as a serious dining destination in Auburn, Alabama — no small feat in a region where this caliber of French-influenced, farm-to-table cooking is rare. The restaurant earned Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence in 2023, a recognition that speaks directly to the depth and curation of its wine program alongside the kitchen's ambitions.

French Craft, Local Roots

The farm-to-table philosophy here is not decorative. French technique applied to locally and regionally sourced ingredients is the guiding principle, whether at lunch or dinner. That commitment to provenance gives the menu a grounded, seasonal character that shifts with what the land offers — a natural fit for the French culinary tradition, which has always placed the quality of raw ingredients at the center of the plate.

The Wine Program

The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence is not handed out lightly. It signals a wine list of genuine breadth and thoughtful pairing potential — a list that complements French cuisine with the seriousness the food deserves. For guests who care about what's in the glass as much as what's on the plate, 1856 delivers on both counts.

Auburn rarely appears on lists of American fine-dining destinations. 1856 Culinary Residence is quietly changing that.