Dining Out

The South’s Top Culinary Towns

By: The Local Palate

Explore hidden gems all over the South with our in-depth city guides and articles on some of our favorite culinary towns, which hold unmissable restaurants and experiences. From small town charm and nostalgic flavors to luxurious dining experiences– these culinary towns have it all.

Discover our 20 favorites from last year, or nominate a town here:

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Please note, nominated towns must have a population size under 450,000. Any town that was previously featured in 2024 is not eligible to be featured in 2025. Towns will be selected by examining all aggregated data from our editorial research team. Nominations will run from February 16-February 24.

Our Top 20 Culinary Towns of 2024

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Lafayette, Louisiana

Known as the heart of Acadiana, Lafayette is our top-voted culinary town and is packed with a wide variety of flavors. From its bold, world-famous Cajun cuisine to fancy cocktails in stylish lounges– this town is a must-visit for foodies.

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Alpharetta, Georgia

Alpharetta is a lively, vibrant town with dazzling community spirit and an even more dazzling culinary scene. This town is a host to cozy cafés with melt-in-your-mouth pastries, Italian menus with wines that bring the vineyard to the table, and charming farmers markets filled with fresh produce.

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Charlottesville, Virginia

Filled with historical sites and captivating parks, Charlottesville is a hotbed of global flavors. From delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine to traditional Turkish bites, this town’s flavors are internationally influenced.

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Columbia, South Carolina

The capital city of South Carolina, Columbia’s cuisine is unique with its balance of tradition and innovation. With gourmet plates, hand-crafted cocktails, and luxurious spins on classic Southern dishes, this town is unmissable for those who want a classy, contemporary bite.

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Auburn, Alabama

Explore traditional and reimagined Southern bites and unforgettable experiences in the classic college town of Auburn, Alabama.

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Boerne, Texas

Boerne, a hamlet located just 30 minutes northwest of San Antonio, is a major draw for visitors enjoying the Texas Hill Country.

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Cary, North Carolina

Once known as an upscale commuter’s neighborhood with easy access to Raleigh, Cary is now its own worthwhile dining, shopping, and vacationing destination.

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Chattanooga, Tennesee

Located on the banks of the Tennesse River, Chattanooga is an exciting city with a fabulous array of dining options. Experience elaborate breakfast bites, nostalgic burgers, and upscale dining with a Southern spin with Chattanooga’s culinary sphere.

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Bentonville, Arkansas

The charming small town spirit shines through in Bentonville with its mouth-watering bites that have that home-cooked, made-with-love feeling. Menus are filled with locally sourced ingredients, refined recipes, and meals that are guaranteed to nestle themselves in your memory.

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Ellicot City, Maryland

Dive into Asian American culture and cuisine, from small business to national chains, in Ellicott, Maryland.

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Florence, Alabama

You may not know the Shoals in Alabama, but you know its sound. Legends like The Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin shape Florence, Alabama.

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Huntington, West Virginia

Huntington, West Virginia, nestled into Appalachia is full of culinary gems with an expansive range of iconic and innovative dining.

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Lexington, Kentucky

Soaked in Southern charm with picturesque fields and plenty of equestrian races, Lexington has plenty of culinary experiences in store for those who visit. Enjoy craft beers, juicy steaks, and sweet ice cream cones throughout this darling town.

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Lockhart, Texas

Lockhart has long been celebrated as the Barbecue Capital of Texas, a legacy that started in the 19th century.

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Macon, Georgia

Smack dab in the middle of Georgia is Macon, a growing city and culinary gem that’s having an exciting moment in the food scene.

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Oxford, Mississippi

A classic small town, Oxford’s charm will win over anyone, especially those who love world-class dining. There’s options for every palate, with made-from-scratch breakfast nooks, satisfying soul foods, and elegant finer dining.

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Pensacola, Florida

Though often left out of Sunshine State culinary conversations, Pensacola shines bright as a cuisine capital with a strong variety of dining options.

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Roanoke, Virginia

Nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke, Virginia’s culinary scene shines as brightly as its iconic landmark star.

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St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the United States—aka the Nation’s Oldest City.

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Wilmington, North Carolina

The riverfront town of Wilmington attracts visitors from far and wide for its beautiful beaches, quaint atmosphere, and lively riverwalk that’s filled with top-notch culinary options. With great coastal allure, this city is certainly a spot for those who love fresh seafood.

Voting for your favorite culinary towns of 2025 will go live in July, 2025!

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