ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Everybody has a favorite.

Maybe it is the restaurant you recommend when someone asks about the best place to eat. Maybe it is the hair stylist you would follow across town, the plumber who showed up when you needed help, or the nonprofit doing work that matters.

Best of Asheville gives people a way to recognize those businesses, people and places.

Nominations are now open for the Best of Asheville 2026 contest at BestOfAVL.com. The public can submit nominations through 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.

The contest includes more than 200 categories across Asheville and Western North Carolina, covering restaurants, services, health and wellness, education, things to do, nonprofits and more.

How the contest works

Best of Asheville starts with nominations. During this round, people can submit the businesses, people and places they think should be considered among the best in their category. Businesses can nominate themselves.

After nominations close, the top nominees in each category move on to public voting.

Voting begins at noon Wednesday, June 17, and ends at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. Winners will be announced online and in the Best of Asheville magazine at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Anyone interested in submitting a nomination can do so at BestOfAVL.com.