The Depot - Seafood restaurant in Auburn - 124 Mitcham Ave, USA

The Depot restaurant in Auburn, AL is one of my favorite restuarants in Auburn, AL. The Depot is a modern grilled gulf-coastal brasserie in Auburn’s Historic Train Depot. With a globally inspired menu by Executive Chef & Co­-Owner, Scott Simpson, The Depot is elevating the cuisine in Auburn. The Depot is the first restaurant in the State of Alabama to receive the prestigious James Beard Smart Catch Leader Award for their commitment to serve sustainable and responsibly harvested seafood. Six year winner of the Wine Spectator Excellence award, The Depot features an internationally recognized wine program featuring award-winning varieties from around the globe. The food echoes from the past also honoring Alabama’s southern heritage and is cooked simply and spectacularly. Simple and spectacular, these are the principles of the Depot. I have always had a wonderful experience at this restaurant.

"The Depot" restaurant is an absolute gem that truly shines in the realm of culinary experiences. From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted by a server whose warmth and kindness set the stage for an exceptional evening🫶 They graciously entertained my curiosity, patiently answering my numerous questions, making me feel genuinely welcome🤗 This visit held particular significance as it was my mother's birthday, and I was determined to ensure it was a memorable occasion😁 The staff at "The Depot" not only met but exceeded my expectations, orchestrating a perfect celebration. Their thoughtful gesture of a handwritten letter to my mother demonstrated an unparalleled level of dedication and care, adding a personal touch that left us all deeply moved😊 And then, the food, oh, the food! It was nothing short of extraordinary😍 Each dish presented an exquisite fusion of flavors and culinary artistry, leaving our taste buds dancing with delight. The quality and creativity of the cuisine were simply outstanding, a testament to the expertise of the chefs❣️ In sum, "The Depot" is a dining establishment that transcends the ordinary, where the server's kindness and the restaurant's commitment to creating unforgettable moments combine to make it a true culinary haven👍 If you seek a place where impeccable service, heartfelt gestures, and gastronomic excellence converge, "The Depot" is a must-visit destination. It transformed my mother's birthday into an occasion she will cherish forever🔥

The owner's statement here is on point, plating up Auburn's finest. No argument about that, but compared to my fine dinning experiences, this is at the most 3 stars. I liked the train depot vibe though. The wine menu is limited, mostly domestic Nappa Valley type of line up, very little imports and wine pairing. Only 3 appetizer items? A tiny 4 bite $14 Harvest salad which I thought was half sized, the crab dip, and the oyster rockefeller. The seafood was fresh, good size oysters, standard vinegar, horseradish, seafood sauce dipping. Clean. The famous crab dip, to me was too salty and lack depth, overpowered the crab meat taste. The duck breasts with Asian flair my friend ordered shouldn't be on the menu, the sauce was overly reduced, and the meat was overly done for duck. The steaks on the other hand were OK, temperature was right. But the meat quality is far from what it should be. The Waygu New York Strip cut that I had was no where near the marbling and tenderness a Waygu should be, it is just a normal New York Strip to me. Finally the service was mostly ok but the servers got confused over the steaks because the sizes were all over the place. The 12oz Waygu that I had was a same size as the 16oz Rib Eye that my friend ordered and the other 12oz Waygu was more like 16oz. For the area, not much to choose from so this is probably the best you can get.

This place is great. It's a bit pricey, but the food is worth it, and I am only mentioning it so you're prepared. The train passed by while I was there, and it was awesome to see, and it right outside the window, there is no missing it.

The Oysters were so fresh and the food was on point. There is a great attention to detail in plating. The sauce, seafood and accompaniments were well thought through and complimentary. Delicious food, well staffed and an enjoyable experience all the way around.

Fresh is by far the first thought, but man the prices are a bit much. We had to sit at the bar and the server was helpful and attentive. The train depot atmosphere was fun. When I went to school there it was still dilapidated, so it's nice to have some business in that space. Had the stone crab claws and shrimp which was very protein filling. Your entre comes with nothing else so you'll be tacking on for simple salads as well (and I mean small and simple). Wife had the crispy fried parmesan grouper and collard greens which she said even though her initial thought was that it was a weird pairing said it was on par and complementary. A couple with us got 2 different servings of oysters, but a dozen depending on the type is going to run you $30, don't go for an eating contest on these. But having said that, they were plump and super fresh like pulled out of the sea that morning. Good draft beer selection and cocktails, the Azalea drink was stellar.

I love the very warm southern hospitalities that me and my coworker received dining at The Depot. All the staff members are so friendly, our waitress was the sweetest. She gave us great recommendations with a smile on her face all the time. Most of the food we ordered were seafood, every dish is made with locally sourced, seasonally grown and delicious ingredients. My coworker ordered a waygu beef burger which is not pictured here but he said it’s the best beef burger he’s had in his life! The spicy blue crab dip and the gulf seafood bowl are two of the dishes I highly recommend! Portions are huge compare to restaurants here in NYC. I think the dip can be easily shared by 4-6 people. There gulf seafood pasta has a CRAZY amount of various kinds of FRESH seafood, generous chunks of different types of white meat fish, scallops, shellfish in a delicious flavorful home made sauce! It’s a perfect dish if you like pasta and want to try a little bit of some of the seafood they have at the restaurant.

Beautiful atmosphere in a historic train depot. Service was outstanding. We had the crab dip which was phenomenal as well as the trout and steak medallions. My only complaint for dinner was the risotto is not your typical risotto. Texture was off and it is full of veggies.