The South's Best Winners 2018
Southern Living May 2021 Cover
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
For the second year in a row, our editors launched a digitally crowd-sourced survey around the South's best places. From a family-owned brewery in Asheville, North Carolina, to an enchanting restaurant in Richmond, Virginia, to the most charming small town in South Carolina, it reminded us why we're so proud to call this region home.As we pored through more than 32,000 responses, we applauded first-time winners, commended the staying power of repeat recipients, and even considered settling a tie.So sit back, pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, and celebrate your favorites—which, we're delighted to see, are beloved by many of our editors too.
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South's Best Tiny Town: Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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South's Best Small Town: Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken, South Carolina
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards/Redux
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South's Best City: Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards/Redux
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South’s Best BBQ Joints: Lexington Barbecue and Southern Soul Barbeque
Georgia: Southern Soul Barbeque
Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee
See why there’s a tie between Lexington Barbecue and Southern Soul Barbeque.
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South’s Best Food City: New Orleans, Lousiana
New Orleans Brennan's Brunch Food
Credit: Rush Jagoe
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South’s Best Food Town: Oxford, Mississippi
The South’s Best Food Town: Oxford, Mississippi
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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South’s Best Restaurant: L’Opossum
Virginia: L’Opossum
Credit: Deborah Jaffe
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South’s Best Desserts: Chez Fonfon
Chez Fonfon
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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South’s Best Brewery: Highland Brewing Company
North Carolina: Highland Brewing Company
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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South’s Best Beach: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Credit: Getty Images/Aurora Open
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South’s Best Resort: Blackberry Farm
Tennessee: The Barn at Blackberry Farm
Credit: Beall + Thomas Photography
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South’s Best Hotel: The Tennessean
The Tennessean
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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South’s Best Inn: Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill
Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
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South’s Best Festival: Spoleto Festival USA
Spoleto Festival USA
Credit: Courtesy of Spoleto Festival USA
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South’s Best Grocery Store: Publix
South's Best Grocery Store 2018: Publix
Credit: Courtesy of Publix