NEW ORLEANS – (March 22nd, 2018) – New Orleans continues to garner accolades, earning the designation of this year’s “South’s Best Food City” by the readers of Southern Living. The magazine describes New Orleans as “arguably the most fascinating food destination in the country” and links New Orleans’ 300-year history to influencing our indigenous and unparalleled cuisine.  New Orleans’ placement was decided by the more than 32,000 Southern Living readers who voted on this year’s awards.

Other New Orleans favorites on the “South’s Best” list include The Joint for “Best BBQ,” Commander’s Palace for “Best Restaurant” and “Best Dessert,” Windsor Court for “Best Hotel,” nearby Houmas House Plantation for “Best Inn” and Abita Brewery for “Best Brewery.”

“For 300 years, New Orleans has provided dining experiences for food enthusiasts found no place else on earth,” said Stephen Perry, President and CEO, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are honored to be recognized for our culinary culture and offerings, which ranges from creole classic favorites to contemporary dishes reflecting new influences. This is a testament to our chefs who strive to preserve the culture that makes the Crescent City unique.”

This designation is the most recent accomplishment in a string of accolades, including being named The New York Times No. 1 Destination in 52 Places to Go in 2018, AARP’s No. 1 "Top U.S. Destinations for 2018," one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “18 Best Places to Travel in 2018,” among others.

“Being named the best food city in 2018 from Southern Living is an incredible honor,” said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). “Thanks to our amazing restauranteurs and all the restaurant workers in our city, we continue to dish up the best cuisine found anywhere.”

The full list of Southern Living’s “South’s Best” can be found here, and a list of New Orleans’ accolades can be found here.

About New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOCVB)
NOCVB is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Columbia, SC, Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada and China. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 58th anniversary in 2018. For more information, please visit www.neworleans.com; www.facebook.com/neworleans; www.twitter.com/VisitNewOrleans

New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC)
NOTMC promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year. Annually, NOTMC’s marketing campaigns include strategic digital and broadcast TV advertising, social media and public relations. Websites: neworleans.com; followyourNOLA.com; GoNOLA.com. Social Media: Facebook.com/NewOrleans; Twitter.com/visitneworleans; Instagram.com/visitneworleans; YouTube.com/gonolatv

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Media Contacts:
Kristian Sonnier, New Orleans CVB, 504-566-5045, ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com
Lea Sinclair, NOTMC, 504-491-5330, lea@notmc.com