The South's Best Winners 2018

By 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.

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See The Winners

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

Robbie Caponetto

See what sets Ocean Isle Beach apart from the rest. 

3 of 17

South's Best Small Town: Aiken, South Carolina

Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

See what sets Aiken apart from the rest.

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South's Best City: Charleston, South Carolina

Peter Frank Edwards/Redux

See what sets Charleston apart from the rest. 

5 of 17

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

Andrew Thomas Lee

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

6 of 17

South’s Best Food City: New Orleans, Lousiana

Rush Jagoe

See what sets New Orleans apart from the rest.

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South’s Best Food Town: Oxford, Mississippi

Robbie Caponetto

See what sets Oxford apart from the rest.

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South’s Best Restaurant: L’Opossum

Deborah Jaffe

See what sets L'Opossum apart from the rest.

9 of 17

South’s Best Desserts: Chez Fonfon

Robbie Caponetto

See what sets Chez Fonfon apart from the rest.

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10 of 17

South’s Best Brewery: Highland Brewing Company

Robbie Caponetto

See what sets Highland Brewing Company apart from the rest.

11 of 17

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

Getty Images/Aurora Open

See the what Southern beaches topped the list.

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South’s Best Resort: Blackberry Farm

Beall + Thomas Photography

See what Southern resorts topped the list.

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South’s Best Hotel: The Tennessean

Robbie Caponetto

See what Southern hotels topped the list.

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

Robbie Caponetto

See what Southern inns topped the list.

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South’s Best Festival: Spoleto Festival USA

Courtesy of Spoleto Festival USA

See what Southern festivals topped the list.

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South’s Best Grocery Store: Publix

Courtesy of Publix

See what sets Publix apart from the rest.

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