Digital · Oct 03, 2023

The Beauty of Botanic

The Opelika eatery is so much more than just a restaurant

Words by Paige Townley

Usually, a restaurant can’t be everything to everyone, but Botanic certainly comes close. Situated in Opelika, Alabama, Botanic is so much more than just a restaurant, even though it offers multiple spots to pull up a chair and savor a meal, grab a drink with friends, or even pick up a dish to go. It’s also a retail space where shoppers can peruse everything from produce and packaged goods to plants and provisions. It’s also a place where visitors can wander, visit with friends, be entertained by live music and live chickens, let their children play freely, and be inspired by the natural surroundings, all while feeding their bellies and their souls.

The unique destination is the brainchild of King Braswell and Stacy Brown. The couple had long dreamed about combining their passions into one spot. He had extensive knowledge and expertise in horticulture—he previously owned and operated Blooming Colors & Crepe Myrtle Café—and she had a successful background in the culinary world having founded and franchised the ever-popular Chicken Salad Chick. After the pandemic hit and they saw a shared desire by people across the board to build relationships, experience life together, and get out in nature, Botanic was born.

Botanic is completely built around the idea of community and connection with nature, all built around good food and good times. Every inch of the restaurant and property has been carefully curated to fit that purpose, resulting in beautiful spaces that are ideally suited for a variety of moments.

The Grille is the go-to spot for enjoying a dinner with family or friends—or even Sunday brunch as well—and it features a menu focused on sustainability supporting local farmers and vendors. The Market is stocked with signature coffees, teas, smoothies, pastries, and a wide range of grab and go items. The Patio Bar is Botanic’s entertainment space, where friends and family can gather under the live oaks to catch a live show and grab a beer or craft cocktail and small bites.

Beyond the multiple dining areas ideally suited to different occasions, Botanic also houses spaces for shopping as well. There’s the Garden Shoppe, where visitors can pick up a plant or two to take home and peruse a range of home décor items and handcrafted gifts. There’s also the Market, which sells everything from produce and packaged foods to gift baskets.

Learn more about Botanic or book your reservation at www.shopbotanic.com.