Voting in our annual readers’ choice awards set another record this year, with more than 4,000 weighing in on the finest across 10 categories. Top picks span the mountains to the coast, so wherever you are, you won’t be far from the finest!
2025 Finest Downtown
Blowing Rock
2025 Finest Barbecue
Lexington Barbecue
2025 Finest Bakery
Scratchmade Snackery
2025 Finest Diner
Troy’s 105 Diner
2025 Finest Festival
Lexington Barbecue Festival
2025 Finest Toy Store
Sassafras
2025 Finest Landmark
Biltmore Estate
2025 Finest Theatre
Appalachian Theatre of High County
2025 Finest Library
Billy Graham Library
2025 Finest Made in NC Product
Texas Pete
See Past Winners
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Carolina’s Finest Award Winners 2024
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Carolina’s Finest Award Winners 2023
Carolina’s Finest selected by Carolina Country readers
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2022 Carolina’s Finest Awards
Reader picks for the best in doughnuts, holiday lights and eight other categories
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Carolina’s Finest Awards – 2021
See who our readers voted to be the best in barbecue, burgers and 8 other categories