The South’s Best Food Cities 2019

By Hannah Hayes

As always, the competition proved fierce for Best Food City in this year’s South’s Best survey. Between power players like Charleston and underdogs like Birmingham, this year’s winners may have surprised our editors in how they ranked, but not in the caliber of their food scenes. New Orleans' tricentennial celebration last year reminded us that no other city in America can compare to its storied history in hospitality, and Nashville's continued explosion has brought in more women-helmed kitchens from Henrietta Red to Cafe Roze and Chaatable. Although they may be less lauded nationally, Richmond and Louisville have quietly been on the come-up. Both are now home to vibrant ecosystems where restaurants, coffee shops, cocktail bars, bakeries, and breweries interact and play off each other’s strengths. And of course perennial favorites from international food capitals like Atlanta and Austin to locavore destination Asheville made return appearances. See which cities made the list, and which spot might dethrone Charleston next year. Travel and Culture Editor Hannah Hayes tells you where to explore in each one.

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1. Charleston, South Carolina

Peter Frank Edwards

Where to go: Xiao Bao Biscuit, Black Tap Coffee, Short Grain Food Truck, 167 Raw, The Grocery, and Martha Lou’s Kitchen

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2. New Orleans, Louisiana

Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

Where to go: Upperline, Molly’s Rise and Shine, Midnight Noodle, Simone’s Market, Bacchanal Fine Wine and Spirits, Couvant, Cure, Mosquito Supper Club, Turkey and the Wolf, Tan Dinh, and Marjie’s Grill

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3. Savannah, Georgia

Robbie Caponetto

Where to go: The Grey, AlleyCat Lounge, Foxy Loxy Cafe, Wyld Dock Bar, Back in the Day Bakery, and Green Truck Pub

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4. Nashville, Tennessee

Andrew Thomas Lee

Where to go: Henrietta Red, Bolton’s Chicken and Fish, Cafe Roze, Chauhan Ale and Masala House, Bastion, Rolf and Daughters, Folks, and City House

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5. Atlanta, Georgia

Andrew Thomas Lee

Where to go: Staplehouse, Lee’s Bakery, Miller Union, Food Terminal, Kimball House, Bread and Butterfly, Spiller Park Coffee, and Tiny Lou’s

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6. Asheville, North Carolina

Robbie Caponetto

Where to go: Hole, Rhubarb, Benne on Eagle, Chai Pani, All Souls Pizza, Little Jumbo, Cúrate, and Burial Beer Co.

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7. Austin, Texas

Wynn Myers

Where to go: Veracruz All Natural Taco Truck, June’s All Day, Micklethwait Craft Meats, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, Radio Coffee and Beer, Joann’s Fine Foods, Launderette, and The Continental Club

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8. Birmingham, Alabama

Robbie Caponetto

Where to go: Johnny’s, Chez Fonfon, Highland’s Bar and Grill, The Atomic Lounge, Post Office Pies, Niki’s West, Woodlawn Cycle Cafe, Shu Shop, Eagle’s Restaurant, and The Garage Café

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9. Richmond, Virginia

Courtesy of Comfort

Where to go: Maple & Pine, Comfort, Sub Rosa Bakery, Perly’s, Stella’s, Lamplighter Coffee Roasters, and The Roosevelt

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10. Louisville, Kentucky

Courtesy of Gralehaus

Where to go: Holy Grale and Gralehaus, Garage Bar, Bar Vetti, Decca, Please and Thank You, Con Huevos, and The Silver Dollar

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