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Five stories behind Kentucky towns topping America’s best-of lists

Stories by Lexington Herald-Leader journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories highlights Kentucky towns and businesses recognized on national best-of lists for housing, food, hospitality and culture.

Southern Living names both Paducah and Henderson among the friendliest towns in the South. Red’s Donut Shop in Paducah lands on a list of the best doughnut shops in the region, noted for hand-cut doughnuts and a long family history.

A Louisville restaurant, North of Bourbon, gets a spot on The New York Times’ list of top restaurants in the country, recognized for its take on New Orleans cuisine.

Midway’s Holly Hill Inn becomes a semifinalist for a national James Beard Award, and Newport earns praise as one of the nation’s best historic small towns.

Read the stories below.

Close-up on a baker icing the donut with chocolate sauce at a factory. Stock image. By andresr

NO. 1: SOUTHERN LIVING NAMES A LONGTIME KENTUCKY DOUGHNUT SHOP ONE OF THE BEST IN THE SOUTH

It has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 50 years. | Published June 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

Lawrence Weeks, Honeywood executive chef, poses for a portrait in the restaurant in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 2: FOR THE FIRST TIME, KENTUCKY EATERY MAKES NYT 50 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE NATION

The chef previously worked at a Lexington establishment. | Published September 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

Clarks River is photographed in Paducah, Ky., on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 3: SOUTHERN LIVING SAYS 2 KENTUCKY SPOTS ARE AMONG THE ‘FRIENDLIEST TOWNS’ IN THE SOUTH

The publication reviewed 20,000 reader responses for the ranking. | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Meredith Howard

Squash casserole for Holly Hill Inn’s first Poetry Dinner based on George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From.” By Kevin Nance

NO. 4: CENTRAL KENTUCKY RESTAURANT KNOWN FOR SOUTHERN CHARM IS UP FOR A PRESTIGIOUS DINING AWARD

It’s not the first time the popular chef has received this honor. | Published January 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Brian Simms

Newport on the Levee and the Purple People Bridge seen from Mt. Adams Sunday, May 26, 2023. By Cara Owsley/The Enquirer

NO. 5: A KENTUCKY SPOT IS AMONG THE NATION’S ‘BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWNS,’ RANKING STATES

It was once known as “Sin City” and a hotbed for Prohibition-era gangsters. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Aaron Mudd

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.