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The South’s Most ‘Tasteful’ Small Towns

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Famous for its warm hospitality and home-cooked meals, the south welcomes visitors with open arms. Although traditional southern cuisine often consists of pan-fried chicken, black-eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread and sweet tea, restaurants throughout the south are also on the cutting edge of innovative recipes known for their presentation and flavor. Even though these towns are small in size, restaurants here offer big tastes with each bite.

Natchez, Mississippi

Known as the “Biscuit Capital of the World,” Natchez is home to world famous chefs that are blending unique flavors with Natchez’s rich history. Chef Regina Charboneau’s newest restaurant and wine bar is Regina’s Kitchen. She hosts hands-on cooking classes and teaches her famous biscuit recipe daily. A couple of other honorable mentions for best biscuits is Biscuits and Blues and Carriage House. The Heritage School of Cooking is three generations of Natchez women sharing African American recipes and lessons. Natchez also boasts a winery and a brewery. Don’t miss Fat Mama’s Tamales which serves famous “Knock You Naked” Margaritas. You can take your craft cocktail to go and walk along the bluff 200 feet above the Mississippi River.

Dunwoody, Georgia

Dunwoody is an up-and-coming hub for dining, shopping, business and culture located just ten miles north of Atlanta. From wine bars to patio dining, Dunwoody blends an intimate community feel with big city amenities. In an effort to showcase the charming and unforgettable restaurants that abound in Dunwoody, Georgia, the town created “Dunwoody Market Trail.” Alon’s Bakery and Market is reminiscent of specialty markets in Europe and is known for high-quality, made-from-scratch selection of breads, European-style cakes, pastries and freshly prepared foods. Café Intermezzo presents an over-the-top menu of Italian pastries, desserts and beverages. Fogo de Chão is an upscale Brazilian steakhouse that specialized in all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside plus an extensive salad bar.

Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville has fast become one of the most delicious destinations on the East Coast, with celebrated restaurants such as The Anchorage that feature new concepts and continue to push boundaries. Chemist Lori Nelson and Chef David Porras are performing true science experiments every day at newly opened Oak Hill Cafe, with unique selections ranging from Orange & Miso Ice Cream with black sesame and roasted sesame oil to Radish & Roe, featuring a pumpkin seed creme, spheres of pear, bits of plums, thinly sliced radishes topped with pale green tomatillos and a center of paddlefish roe. There are more than a dozen new exciting restaurants opening this year including Home Team BBQ and Gather Food Hall.

Franklin, Tennessee

About 30 minutes outside of Nashville, Franklin is home to Southall, one of middle Tennessee’s most innovative and sustainable farms which will unveil a luxury inn, spa and cottages in 2021. It will be a true utopia for biodiversity, heritage farming, seed saving, aquaculture, agricultural innovation and preservation of Ark of Taste ingredients, led by Tyler Brown and team.  Even before the project is fully complete, guests can experience the incredible bounty of the lands and the crops being grown through a special family-style dinner series called The Rambling. Franklin boasts lots of amazing restaurants like Red Pony, Gray’s on Main, 55 South and Cork & Cow.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville’s food scene continues to rise. Locally acclaimed chef John Fleer just opened his third restaurant, Benne on Eagle at The Foundry Hotel where he pays homage to the hotel’s historic The Block neighborhood with dishes like braised rabbit, fried catfish and waffles and crispy quail with hot water cornbread. Homegrown also opened up a location in West Asheville serving up downhome southern cuisine while White Labs Kitchen & Tap has pizza made from dough that rises for 72-hours. And there is talk that S&W Artisanal has plans to open a Greek version of Eataly.

Duck, Outer Banks, North Carolina

The little town of Duck has garnered quite a reputation as one the most charming beachside vacation destinations located on the picturesque shores of the Outer Banks. From upscale coastal cuisine to the best-kept secrets where locals eat, you’ll be sure to find a restaurant in Duck to enjoy. Sanderling Resort offers fine cuisine in each of its three restaurants where the menus are rooted in local farms and waters. Cravings Steaks & Seafood serves prime steaks and fresh local seafood, while Aqua Restaurant features such specialties as Scottish Salmon Filet or Seafood Pasta with shrimp, mussels and grilled marinated artichokes. Overlooking the Currituck Sound from the Waterfront Shops, the Blue Point features a menu that leans toward local and sustainable seafood.

New Iberia, Louisiana

New Iberia, a small town in the center of Cajun Country, is the perfect destination for foodies. The nearby Tabasco Factory on Avery Island offers factory tours, Tabasco infused dishes at Restaurant 1868 and a cooking class. Embark on a Tabasco Food Tour which will take you to Legnon’s Boucherie, where you will sample their famous boudin and cracklins. For a sweet treat, head to Fudge It, a downtown bakery. Preservation Bar and Grill, an intimate social restaurant and bar, specializes in the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you prefer home cooking, Brenda’s Diner serves Creole food in a 1990 ambiance, complete with gospel music. Stop by Duffy’s Diner for their fried seafood basket and Bon Creole with its walls of stuffed animals and overstuffed po-boys. The area is home to one of America’s largest Lao populations, and Jane’s Seafood and Chinese Restaurant offers the perfect combination of Asian dishes.

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