Best of Asheville 2026: Nominate Your Favorites Before June 10

Photo by Ricky Beron on Unsplash

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  May 21, 2026

Every year, Best of Asheville gives people a way to officially recognize the restaurants, businesses, and people that make this area what it is. The 2026 nominations are open now, and if you have someone worth recognizing, the window to do it is June 10.

Nominations are open through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10 at BestOfAVL.com. The contest covers more than 200 categories across Asheville and Western North Carolina — restaurants, services, health and wellness, education, things to do, nonprofits, and more. Businesses can nominate themselves.

After nominations close, the top nominees in each category advance to public voting. Voting opens at noon on June 17 and runs through 5 p.m. on July 1. Winners are announced September 23 online and in the Best of Asheville magazine.

Think about the restaurant you recommend every time someone asks. The contractor who actually showed up. The nonprofit doing quiet work that most people don't know about. The hair stylist you'd follow across town. Those are exactly who this contest is built for.

Head to BestOfAVL.com and put in a name before June 10. If you're new to the area or still getting your bearings in WNC, this is also a good way to discover what locals actually think is worth your time — the winners list each fall is a solid starting point.

If you're thinking about making Western North Carolina home and want to know what it's really like to live here, give me a call. I'm happy to talk through what different communities offer and help you find the right fit.