To many residents' chagrin, the media's love affair with the Holy City continued in 2021 (despite the ongoing pandemic). Below is a list of all the awards, accolades, and honors that were bestowed upon Charleston, its businesses, its restaurants, its people, and more.
FYI – You can click on the award name to learn more.
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- # 1 Top City in the U.S. – Travel + Leisure
- # 1 Seller of PBR in America: Recovery Room
- # 2 Best Small City in the U.S. – Condé Nast Traveler
- # 2 High School in the Country: Academic Magnet High School – U.S. News & World Report
- # 2 Best City to Retire: Wallethub
- # 2 Top Island in the Continental U.S.: Kiawah Island – Travel + Leisure
- # 2 Top Island in the U.S.: Kiawah Island – Condé Nast Traveler
- # 3 Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S.: Halls Chophouse – TripAdvisor
- # 3 Best Resort in the South: The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina – Condé Nast Traveler
- # 5 Best Midsize City for Soccer Fans: Wallethub
- # 5 Best Weekend Getaway in the South – U.S. News & World Report
- # 6 Best City to Start a Career – Wallethub
- # 6 Best Resort in the South: The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina – Condé Nast Traveler
- # 8 Most Luxurious Summer Destinations in the U.S.: Isle of Palms – HomeToGo.com
- # 9 Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S.: Circa 1886 – TripAdvisor
- # 10 Best Midsize College City in America – Wallethub
- # 12 Best Resort Hotels in the Continental U.S.: John Rutledge House Inn – Travel + Leisure
- # 14 Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S.: 82 Queen – TripAdvisor
- # 15 Best Coastal Town in the US: Folly Beach – Big 7
- # 18 Happiest City in America – Wallethub
- # 25 Best Fine Dining Restaurant in the U.S.: Peninsula Grill – TripAdvisor
- # 28 Best Place to Get Married – Wallethub
- # 38 Best Pizza in the United States: D'Allesandro's Pizza – Big Seven Travel
- Best Doughnuts in South Carolina: BKeD SHoP – Food & Wine
- Best in the South Awards: Winner in the Style Category – Brackish (Garden & Gun)
- Best in the South Awards: Runner-up in the Home Category – Emily Daws Textiles (Garden & Gun)
- Best Metro for Single Millennials – Porch
- Best Sandwich in South Carolina: Pork Chop or Fish Sandwich at Dave's Carry-Out – Food & Wine
- Gold List of Best Hotels & Resorts in the World: The Dewberry – Condé Nast Traveler
- Large Business of the Year Torch Award: Charleston Animal Society
- One of the 101 Most Incredible Hotels in the World: Post House – Fodors
- One of the 22 Best Places to Go in 2022 – Condé Nast Traveler
- One of the 30 Most Charming Small Cities in the USA – Travel Mag
- One of the The South's Best Bakeries: Handy + Hot – Southern Living
- One of Wine Spectator's Restaurant Award Winners:
- Charleston Grill
- Circa 1886
- Crave Kitchen & Cocktails
- Halls Chophouse
- Magnolias
- Peninsula Grill
- Savi Cucina + Wine Bar
- Water's Edge
- Wild Common at Cannon Green
- Zero Restaurant + Bar
- Condé Nast Traveler's 2021 Hot List: Emeline – Condé Nast Traveler
- The Most Beautiful Place in South Carolina: The Angel Oak Tree – Condé Nast Traveler
- Travel + Leisure today released their annual “It List”: Emeline – Travel + Leisure