Southern Living names ‘Friendliest Places in the South.’ See who made it on the Coast
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- Southern Living named Vestige in Ocean Springs a 2025 Friendly Place in the South
- Vestige earned a 2024 James Beard finalist spot and a 2025 hospitality nomination
- Owners plan to expand with Ashiro, a casual Japanese eatery in Ocean Springs
One of the 2025 Friendly Places in the South awaits locals and visitors on a shady street in South Mississippi.
Southern Living revealed this year’s picks on Tuesday and the list, in no special order, included hotels, shops, restaurants, gas stations and even a town.
One of this year’s Friendly Places is Vestige in downtown Ocean Springs, known for its James Beard finalist chefs, its exquisite tasting menu — and its friendly Southern welcome.
The restaurant came close to winning the James Beard Award for Best Restaurant in the United States in 2024, finishing among the top five finalists.
Owners Alex Perry, a native of Ocean Springs, and his wife Kumi Omori, who hails from Japan, followed that achievement with a James Beard nomination for Outstanding Hospitality in 2025.
Friendliness is a way of life in the South and warm greetings are practically expected, Southern Living said when announcing the winners. Vestige and the other winners were nominated by readers and Southern Living editors.
The chefs prepare a tasting menu that features seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced fish and produce.
They are about to expand their space and their offerings by opening Ashiro, a more relaxed Japanese restaurant named for Omori’s hometown in Japan. It will share space in The Collective on Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs with an independent book store, coffee shop and wine shop.
The other Southern Living Friendliest Places in the South are:
- The town of Tupelo, Mississippi
- Andy’s Flour Power Cafe & Bakery, Panama City Beach, Fla.
- Bottega, Birmingham, Ala.
- Camellia Grill, New Orleans
- Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens, Spartanburg, S.C.
- Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream, Lexington, Ky.
- Eureka Springs, Ark.
- H-E-B, multiple locations
- Hotel Emma, San Antonio, Texas
- Refuge Coffee Co., Clarkston, Ga.
- Shanghai Chinese Restaurant, Bristol, Va.
- St. Albans, W.V.
- Su Su’s Popcorn and Candy Cafe, Nacogdoches, Texas
- T.B. Sutton General Store, Granville, Tenn.
- The Book and Cover, Chattanooga, Tenn.
- The Friendly Market, Morehead City, N.C.
- The Laurel Hotel and Spa, Auburn, Ala.
- Wawa, multiple locations
- Whist Greetings & Gifts, Asheville, N.C.
