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North Carolina may be famous for pulled pork, hush puppies and devotion to distinctly regional barbecue sauces, but the state’s newest culinary bragging right comes with homemade pasta and a legendary wine cellar.
Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands has been named the top fine-dining restaurant in the United States in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards. The longtime Northern Italian restaurant finished ahead of celebrated dining rooms in New York City, Las Vegas and Miami Beach—and placed No. 16 in the world.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near the Georgia border, Highlands has a population of just over 1,000 year-round residents, though its restaurants, shops and waterfalls draw a much larger seasonal crowd. Ristorante Paoletti has been feeding that crowd since 1984, serving regional Italian cooking in a warm, family-run setting.
Tripadvisor highlighted the restaurant’s bread, crisp calamari, generously portioned pasta specials and classic tiramisu, along with a wine collection that has become one of its calling cards. Ristorante Paoletti currently holds a 4.7-out-of-five rating based on nearly 2,000 reviews on the platform.
The annual rankings are drawn from the quality and quantity of restaurant reviews and ratings submitted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, followed by an editorial review process. Winners fall within the top one percent of Tripadvisor listings.
“Food is at the heart of how we experience a destination, and these awards recognize the restaurant and culinary experiences travelers consider among the very best,” Laurel Greatrix, chief communications officer of Tripadvisor Group, said in a statement. “From cooking classes with locals to incredible food tours and restaurants, these are the kinds of experiences that can become a highlight of a trip—or even a reason to take one.”
The South performed particularly well on this year’s U.S. fine-dining list: Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana in Hilton Head, South Carolina, came in second, followed by Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina in New York City. The Nashville outpost of Bourbon Steak ranked fourth, while restaurants in Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Kentucky also cracked the top 10.
Globally, Fogón Asado in Buenos Aires took first place for its interactive, open-fire tasting experience devoted to Argentina’s asado tradition. But America’s finest fine dining, at least according to Tripadvisor users, is tucked into a tiny North Carolina mountain town. Better reserve that table before leaf-peeping season.