The South's Best Winners 2018

Southern Living Editors

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.

1 of 16

See The Winners

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2 of 16 Robbie Caponetto

South's Best Tiny Town: Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina

See what sets Ocean Isle Beach apart from the rest. 

3 of 16 Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

South's Best Small Town: Aiken, South Carolina

See what sets Aiken apart from the rest.

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4 of 16 Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

South's Best City: Charleston, South Carolina

See what sets Charleston apart from the rest. 

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5 of 16 Andrew Thomas Lee

South’s Best BBQ Joints: Lexington Barbecue and Southern Soul Barbeque

See why there’s a tie between Lexington Barbecue and Southern Soul Barbeque.

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6 of 16 Rush Jagoe

South’s Best Food City: New Orleans, Lousiana

See what sets New Orleans apart from the rest.

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7 of 16 Robbie Caponetto

South’s Best Food Town: Oxford, Mississippi

See what sets Oxford apart from the rest.

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8 of 16 Deborah Jaffe

South’s Best Restaurant: L’Opossum

See what sets L'Opossum apart from the rest.

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9 of 16 Robbie Caponetto

South’s Best Desserts: Chez Fonfon

See what sets Chez Fonfon apart from the rest.

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10 of 16 Robbie Caponetto

South’s Best Brewery: Highland Brewing Company

See what sets Highland Brewing Company apart from the rest.

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11 of 16 Getty Images/Aurora Open

South’s Best Beach: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

See the what Southern beaches topped the list.

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12 of 16 Beall + Thomas Photography

South’s Best Resort: Blackberry Farm

See what Southern resorts topped the list.

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13 of 16 Robbie Caponetto

South’s Best Hotel: The Tennessean

See what Southern hotels topped the list.

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14 of 16 Robbie Caponetto

South’s Best Inn: Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill

See what Southern inns topped the list.

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15 of 16 Courtesy of Spoleto Festival USA

South’s Best Festival: Spoleto Festival USA

See what Southern festivals topped the list.

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16 of 16 Courtesy of Publix

South’s Best Grocery Store: Publix

See what sets Publix apart from the rest.

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