The Holy City has been named the South’s Best City: 2022 by Southern Living Magazine for the fifth year.

Recognized for its commitment to reinvention, historic sites, row homes, and cobblestone streets, Charleston landed the No. 1 spot with a special shoutout to Melfi’s, Chubby Fish, and Leon’s, joined by Waterfront Park and The Battery promenade.

Life was really different five years ago. In 2017, we were pre-pandemic, the city was preparing to experience the 2017 solar eclipse, and the Charleston metro area population rang in at around 775,000.

Through all of the change, the love and appreciation for our city has remained constant — and we’ve got five years of awards to show for it.

Let’s be honest: most people feel that Charleston is one of — if not the best — places to live in the South. We have relatively warm weather year round, like yesterday, when the high was 79 degrees, a phenomenal food + bev scene, and we’re surrounded by viewsof the city, the water, and hundreds of years of history.

But it’s a whole different feeling seeing our name at the top of the list. A form of confirmation, if you will.

So who else received a special shoutout?

The Ryder + Emeline hotels for their attention to engagement and sociability. The recognition includes each hotel’s respective bar or restaurant: Little Palm and Frannie & The Fox.
Chubby Fish, acknowledged for its atmosphere + servers.
Lo-Fi and Revelry Brewing as the city is appreciated for its flourishing beer + brewery scene. The article even included a callout to the Charleston Brewery District trolley.
Lenoir restaurant by award-winning chef + author Vivian Howard.

There are plenty of other local spots ranking in various categories for The South’s Best awards, including Lowcountry favorite Rodney Scott’s + Palmetto Brewing Co. Check ‘em out.