Southern Oak — Restaurant in Opelika

This spot is located inside a resort hotel. I had searched for brunch on Google, and this place popped up—so that’s what I expected. But when I arrived, I realized it was actually the hotel’s breakfast bar: an all-you-can-eat setup with their regular breakfast menu items.

I had chosen this place because a specific brunch cocktail caught my eye on their website—a grapefruit and vodka drink that sounded refreshing. Since it was around brunch time, it seemed like a great fit.

I opted for the breakfast bar because it included a make-your-own station for hash browns, eggs, or grits, in addition to what was already available. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety, especially given the small space The presentation was lovely, the staff kept everything well-stocked, and it definitely exceeded the typical hotel breakfast bar. Much of the food was locally sourced, and one standout touch was the honeycomb: a slab of it slowly dripping fresh honey into a dish for guests to scoop. Now that’s fresh.

I ordered a build-your-own omelet and hash browns, and also enjoyed lox with capers and red onions. The only gluten-free pastry option was a single piece of bread, which I only found out about from a staff member restocking the bar. You have to ask your server for it. They don’t toast it if you have allergies or celiac, to avoid cross-contamination—a good policy, though it meant I couldn’t enjoy a classic lox and bagel moment.

The omelet was good—not your usual hotel-sized serving. I could really taste the onions, though my daughter joked it was “too eggy.”

We were seated at a small table for two by a window overlooking the courtyard. Beautiful view, but a logistical hassle: every item from the kitchen came out separately, each on its own plate. There wasn’t enough table space, so we had to shuffle and consolidate our dishes while the server stood by holding the rest of our food.

My daughter ordered a mimosa, and I asked about that grapefruit-vodka cocktail. The waiter didn’t know what I was talking about, but luckily it was printed on the back of the menu. The bar itself wasn’t manned and was extremely dark. I’m not sure who made the drink, but it tasted like plain water—definitely a letdown.

Overall, it was okay. I appreciated their awareness of allergies and celiac disease, and I loved the focus on fresh, local food. But it wasn’t easy to find using Google—there was no mention that it’s inside a resort. While the directions were accurate, it took some navigating. There is handicap parking, but it’s a bit far from the entrance. I only found the elevator afterward, while exploring. When we first pulled up, a doorman opened the entrance and asked if we were in the right place place—but after parking, we had to open those heavy doors ourselves. Pro tip: if mobility is a concern, it’s best to get dropped off at the entrance.

The price is steep—$30 per person. While ease-dropping (🤫), I overheard a frustrated family upset because they were charged the full price for two children who only ate yogurt. Since it was considered “off the bar,” it counted as a full meal. Even hotel guests still have to pay. That part left...

The Marriott's Southern Oak has an awesome buffet breakfast with a lot of options: coffee, juices, scrambled eggs, Omelet bacon, conecuh sausage, cereal, grits, biscuits/gravy, lox, bagels, yogurt, muffins, French toast, waffles, fruits, and more. They also have options to order a la carte off their menu or get a Continental buffet (no meats or hot food) for $5 less. We wanted everything, and paying extra was worth it! The restaurant's atmosphere is warm and relaxed. The buffet had a beautiful spread, which their staff diligently replenished. Service was good. We enjoyed our morning at Southern Oak and highly recommend trying out...

Came for my daughter's graduation from Auburn. We were excited to celebrate.

....and let me start by saying that I like to leave good reviews...

but.....I am STUNNED by the fact that this restaurant has over a 4 star rating. IT WAS AWFUL AND OVER PRICED......and the menu was so, so very limited. Your choice was to buy a a $50 steak or nothing. And that is NOT an exaggeration. The menu was so limited.

The mash potatoes were cold, the mac-n-cheese was watery, the waitress was non-attentive....... It was like a BAD version of a Disney restaurant.

If you are looking for a 4+ star meal in the Auburn area.... ...