ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Best of Asheville 2026 winners were announced Wednesday after community members cast more than 255,000 votes recognizing local businesses, people, places and organizations across Asheville and Western North Carolina.
The annual community choice awards program is presented by Asheville Media Group, the parent company of 828newsNOW, in partnership with Lusso Realty.
This year’s contest drew 255,868 votes, with 1,834 businesses nominated and 394 winners recognized.
Best of Asheville includes an open nomination period, a public voting round and an annual magazine featuring the winners. The contest began with public nominations of local businesses, people, places and organizations across the region. The top nominees in each category advanced to the voting round.
Categories covered restaurants, shops, breweries, nonprofits, professional services, health and wellness, home services, arts and entertainment, local attractions and more.
“Best of Asheville is driven by the community,” said Tom Davis, market president for Asheville Media Group. “Each nomination and vote represents someone taking the time to recognize a local business, organization or person they believe stands out in Western North Carolina.”
Winners are available online at BestOfAVL.com and are featured in the 2026 Best of Asheville magazine.
The magazine is available at select Ingles and Harris Teeter locations while supplies last. Current pickup locations include:
- Ingles, 915 Merrimon Ave., Asheville
- Ingles, 29 Tunnel Road, Asheville
- Ingles, 1865 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
- Ingles, 575 New Leicester Highway, Asheville
- Ingles, 780 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
- Ingles, 153 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville
- Harris Teeter, 136 Merrimon Ave., Asheville
- Ingles, 301 Long Shoals Road, Arden
- Ingles, 352 Airport Road, Arden
- Ingles, 2901 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher
- Harris Teeter, 636 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville
- Ingles, 140 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville
- Ingles, 201 Barber Blvd., Waynesville
- Ingles, 1572 Sand Hill Road, Candler
