Southern Living announced the winners of its tenth annual South's Best Awards. In its 60th anniversary year, Southern Living once again turned to its trusted readers to name the South's very best destinations, accommodations, and culinary experiences. Full coverage of the South's Best Award winners will appear in the April issue of Southern Living, on sale March 20 and online now.

This year's survey reveals the South's Best Cities, Top Beach Getaways, Top Classic Restaurants, Top New Hotels, Top Legendary Restaurants, Top Barbecue Joints in Each State, and more. For the first time, the awards also recognize Top Golf Destinations, expanding to highlight cities and towns with bucket list-worthy courses.

Golden Isles, Georgia takes the winning spot in the Top Beach Getaway category, while Charleston, South Carolina remains the South's Best City, marking a decade at the top of the South's Best rankings thanks to its rich culture, celebrated culinary scene, and historic charm.

Highlights of Southern Living's 2026 South's Best Awards survey results are as follows:

South's Best Cities – Top 10

1. Charleston, SC
2. Savannah, GA
3. Asheville, NC
4. Nashville, TN
5. New Orleans, LA
6. Lexington, KY
7. Wilmington, NC
8. Chattanooga, TN
9. Greenville, SC
10. St. Petersburg, FL

Best Beach Getaways

1. Golden Isles, GA
2. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL
3. Destin, FL
4. Hilton Head Island, SC
5. Tybee Island, GA

Top Golf Destinations

1. Pinehurst, NC
2. Hilton Head Island, SC
3. Sea Island, GA
4. Kiawah Island, SC
5. Myrtle Beach, SC

Top New Hotels

1. The Flat Iron Hotel – Asheville, NC
2. The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort – Longboat Key, FL
3. The Gilmore – Nashville, TN
4. Embers Hotel – Blowing Rock, NC
5. Hotel Richemont – Charleston, SC

Top Classic Restaurants

1. FIG – Charleston, SC
2. Biscuit Head – Asheville, NC
3. Georgia Sea Grill – St. Simons Island, GA
4. Fleet Landing – Charleston, SC
5. Cap's on the Water – St. Augustine, FL

Top Legendary Restaurants

• The Olde Pink House – Savannah, GA
• The Old Mill and Restaurant – Pigeon Forge, TN
• Bern's Steak House – Tampa, FL
• Columbia Restaurant – Tampa, FL
• Angus Barn – Raleigh, NC
• Joe’s Stone Crab – Miami Beach, FL
• Mary Mac’s Tea Room – Atlanta, GA
• Poogan’s Porch – Charleston, SC
• Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room – Savannah, GA
• Bottega – Birmingham, AL
• The Bavarian Inn – Shepherdstown, WV
• The Loveless Cafe – Nashville, TN
• Commander’s Palace – New Orleans, LA
• Captain Anderson’s – Panama City Beach, FL
• Patti’s 1880’s Settlement - Grand Rivers, KY
• Hyman’s Seafood – Charleston, SC
• Michie Tavern – Charlottesville, VA
• The Smith House – Dahlonega, GA
• Crafted at Boone Tavern – Berea, KY
• 82 Queen – Charleston, SC
• The Bluebird Cafe – Nashville, TN
• Sea Captain's House – Myrtle Beach, SC
• Blue Heaven – Key West, FL
• The Pirates’ House – Savannah, GA
• Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks – Hilton Head Island, SC
• Hugo’s – Fayetteville, AR
• The Bright Star Restaurant – Bessermer, AL
• Blue Bonnet Cafe - Marble Falls, TX
• The Red Fox Inn & Tavern – Middleburg, VA
• Jack Fry’s - Louisville, KY
• City Grocery – Oxford, MS
• Cattlemen’s Steakhouse – Oklahoma City, OK

South's Best Barbecue Joints – Winner in Each State

• Alabama: Dreamland Bar-B-Que (Tuscaloosa)
• Arkansas: Wright's Barbeque (Johnson)
• Florida: Big John's Alabama BBQ (Tampa)
• Georgia: Southern Soul Barbeque (St. Simons Island)
• Kentucky: Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn (Owensboro)
• Louisiana: The Joint (New Orleans)
• Maryland: Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar (Baltimore)
• Mississippi: The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint (Ocean Springs)
• Missouri: Jack Stack Barbecue (Kansas City)
• North Carolina: Lexington Barbecue (Lexington)
• Oklahoma: Swadley's Bar-B-Q (Bethany)
• South Carolina: Lewis Barbecue (Charleston)
• Tennessee: Peg Leg Porker (Nashville)
• Texas: Franklin Barbecue (Austin)
• Virginia: Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que (Williamsburg)
• West Virginia: Rollin' Smoke BBQ (Charleston)