Your votes are in. Congratulations to all of the RALtoday’s Best nominees. We’re excited to announce our roundup of local winners who truly shine and make Raleigh a better place to live.
From high-level dining experiences and accommodations to places to unwind and relax, here are your top choices in each of our categories.
Psst — Scroll to the bottom of this article for a map view.
Food & Beverage
Breweries + Distilleries
Your locally crafted haven of small-batch spirits with a focus on quality and community roots.
🏆 First place: Trophy Brewing & Taproom | With multiple locations through our area, fun events, and food trucks on site, this brewery is your No. 1 pick.
🥈 Runner Up: Raleigh Beer Garden
Honoree: Crank Arm Brewing Company
Brunch
Your favorite place for a mid-morning weekend indulgence.
🏆 First place: Flying Biscuit Café - Raleigh | It wouldn’t be Saturday morning without the benedicts, chicken and waffles, and biscuits and gravy this favorite serves up.
🥈 Runner Up: Irregardless
Honoree: PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails
Coffee Shop
Your go-to spot for the perfect latte, cold brew, or tea.
🏆 First place: Jubala Coffee | There’s not only delicious coffee at this go-to coffee house that roasts its beans on site, but scratch-made biscuits and hot pressed sandwiches.
🥈 Runner Up: NoRa Cafe
Honoree: Sola Coffee Cafe
Fine Dining
A place to savor exquisite dishes where every detail is designed to impress.
🏆 First place: Angus Barn | This steakhouse is your go-to for enjoying delectable entrees in a charming country-style space — be sure to stop by during the holidays for a plethora of lights and decorations.
🥈 Runner Up: Stanbury
Honoree: Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
Food Trucks
Your fave mobile food businesses offering diverse, convenient, and freshly prepared meals.
🏆 First place: Arepa Culture | Who doesn’t want to buy a from-scratch, Venezuelan-style arepa when they see this food truck coming? Bonus: All arepas are gluten-free.
🥈 Runner Up: Drew’s Brews
Honoree: Che Empanadas
Happy Hour
Your relaxing choice for the best deals on drinks and appetizers.
🏆 First place: Postino Village District | This cheery, chic wine bar offers $6 wines by the glass + $6 beers by the pitcher for happy hour — cheers to that.
🥈 Runner Up: Gussie’s
Honoree: Tap Yard Raleigh
Ice Cream + Desserts
A sweet spot for all ages, dishing out locally inspired ice cream made with fresh ingredients.
🏆 First place: Two Roosters Ice Cream | There’s nowhere else you’d rather grab a scoop of blackberry hibiscus or coffee bourbon ice cream from.
🥈 Runner Up: Howling Cow Dairy Education Center and Creamery
Honoree: Andia’s Ice Cream
Lunch Spot
Your midday choice for a good sandwich, soup, or salad for a quick light bite.
🏆 First place: Sassool | Fresh, delicious Lebanese food is what Raleigh wants for lunch. Bonus: Shop for pantry items and Mediterranean staples in the grocery store.
🥈 Runner Up: Village Deli and Grill
Honoree: Tazza Kitchen Village District
Outdoor Dining
The best rooftops and patios for enjoying a meal while soaking up the sun.
🏆 First place: Standard Beer + Food | The endless picnic tables and fan-favorite brunch make this your favorite place to gather for food and drinks on a nice day.
🥈 Runner Up: Whiskey Kitchen
Honoree: Hummingbird
Sports Bar
Where you head to for the next sports game, a wide menu of drinks, and game-day cravings.
🏆 First place: The Players Retreat | Game day just isn’t the same when you’re not indulging in sandwiches, chicken Retreats, and 200+ single malt scotch whiskey varieties at this cozy pub.
🥈 Runner Up: High Park Bar & Grill
Honoree: Village Draft House
Tap Rooms
A spot guaranteed to deliver a delicious, locally crafted beer.
🏆 First place: Trophy Brewing & Pizza | With multiple locations through our area, fun events, and food trucks on site, this brewery is your No. 1 pick.
🥈 Runner Up: Tap Yard Raleigh
Honoree: The Anchor Bar
Winery or Wine Bar
Your spot to enjoy crafted wine, offering a taste of the area’s unique flavors and traditions.
🏆 First place: The Raleigh Wine Shop | Shop, sip, and learn at this specialty wine shop that offers classes, private events, and a wine club.
🥈 Runner Up: Postino Village District
Honoree: Pelagic Beer and Wine
Community
Apartment Complex
Apartment complexes with features, designs, and amenities that make you feel at home.
🏆 First place: The Row Raleigh Apartments | This complex earned your No. 1 spot thanks to a resort-style pool, rooftop lounge, and on-site coworking rooms.
Dentist
Helping you smile brighter with gentle care and expert treatment.
🏆 First place: Cary Family Dental | Making patients feel comfortable is a priority at this family dentistry offering everything from cosmetic to emergency care.
🥈 Runner Up: Carolina Dental Arts of Glenwood South
Honoree: NAY orthodontics
Gym + Fitness Center
Your favorite place to pump iron and get a sweat in.
🏆 First place: Alexander Family YMCA | A pool, sauna, and all your classic gym essentials are available at this local YMCA that offers seasonal community events.
🥈 Runner Up: Oak and Iron Fitness
Honoree: Kerr Family YMCA
Home Service Provider
Your go-to for carpentry, flooring, and all things home improvement + repair.
🏆 First place: Air Experts | Turn to Air Experts for all your heating, cooling, and plumbing needs.
🥈 Runner Up: H2D Concrete Specialists
Honoree: Hughey Mechanical
Local Influencer + Celebrity
Your passionate leaders and trendsetters who are driving community awareness.
🏆 First place: Ovies & Giglio Podcast | North Carolina sports fans have probably already downloaded the latest episode of this beloved podcast.
🥈 Runner Up: Get 2 Know Raleigh
Honoree: Bobbie Denise
Local Nonprofit
Local organizations going above and beyond to fuel positive community impact.
🏆 First place: A Place at the Table | Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can cafe has a mission to provide community and good for all, regardless of means.
🥈 Runner Up: Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC
Honoree: Grants For Stamps
Medical Center
Facilities offering a range of healthcare services, including diagnostics and specialized care.
🏆 First place: Blue Water Plastic Surgery Partners | After a successful plastic surgery practice in Beverly Hills, Dr. Michael Law returned to Raleigh to offer his skills to his home town — book everything from body contouring to facial rejuvenation.
🥈 Runner Up: Southern Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center
Honoree: HER Body PT
Photographer
High-level creatives who knock how to capture compelling images through artistic vision.
🏆 First place: Richard Barlow Photo | From weddings to headshots to food photography, this award-winning photographer will deliver beautiful images every time.
🥈 Runner Up: Relevant Media Solutions
Honoree: Tom Waldenberg Photography
Real Estate Agent + Group
Nominate the real estate agent or group that helped secure your dream home.
🏆 First place: Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston | Buy or sell your Raleigh dream house with this trusted real estate firm.
🥈 Runner Up: Jim Allen Group | Coldwell Banker HPW
Honoree: Gaskill Realty
Spas + Salons
The best option for hair care or a spa-day to unwind and treat yourself.
🏆 First place: Blue Water Spa | This medical spa offers injectable services, laser hair removal, and body treatments to help you look your best.
🥈 Runner Up: Hush Hair Lash Brow
Honoree: The Skin Lab By Jessi
Sports Medicine
Expert care for athletes of all levels—helping you recover, perform, and stay in the game.
🏆 First place: Raleigh Orthopaedic Clinic| The Raleigh Orthopaedic team has years of orthopedics experience and the care needed to bring you back to functional, joyful movement and athletic performance.
🥈 Runner Up: BreakThrough Physical Therapy
Honoree: EmergeOrtho
Veterinary Clinics
Where pets are treated like family—offering gentle, comprehensive care for your furry pals.
🏆 First place: Oak Heart Veterinary Hospital & Emergency at South Saunders | Your pets are in good hands at this emergency vet service and veterinary hospital.
🥈 Runner Up: Care First Animal Hospital at Oberlin
Honoree: Bayleaf Veterinary Hospital
Entertainment & Retail
Arts + Craft Store
From projects to crafts, find everything you need to create and make memories together.
🏆 First place: Jerry’s Artarama | Get all the supplies you need for your next project at this store selling paint, canvasses, framing, and more.
🥈 Runner Up: Rebus Works
Bookstore
Your curated selection of literature, cozy reading nooks, and a community for curious minds.
🏆 First place: Quail Ridge Books | Your next page-turner is waiting at this local gem offering book clubs and author events.
🥈 Runner Up: Blackbird Books and Coffee
Honoree: Page 158 Books
Golf Course
A little birdie told us that this is your favorite golf course.
🏆 First place: Lonnie Poole Golf Course | This NC State course offers 18 holes, scenic greens, and a challenging yet fun game.
🥈 Runner Up: North Ridge Country Club
Honoree: Brier Creek Commons
Museum
The places to explore history, culture, art, and science through curated exhibits.
🏆 First place: North Carolina Museum of Art | We could wander in the outdoor sculpture park forever — immerse yourself in art, culture, and education at this No. 1 choice in museums.
🥈 Runner Up: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Honoree: Marbles Kids Museum
Music Venue
A vibrant hub for live performances showcasing local and touring artists.
🏆 First place: Red Hat Amphitheater | Catch your favorite musical artist’s tour at this amphitheater’s outdoor stage.
🥈 Runner Up: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Honoree: The Ritz
Party Venue
A dedicated space designed for hosting celebrations, events, and gatherings.
🏆 First place: ParTee Shack - North Raleigh | Make your next party a mini golf party with this spot’s fun mini course, arcade games, and duckpin bowling.
🥈 Runner Up: Home for Entertaining
Pet-Friendly Venue
Your favorite place to eat, drink, play, or stay with your furry friend.
🏆 First place: The Players Retreat | It’s not just your No. 1 sports bar — it’s also one of your favorite place to bring puppy pals (though they should probably stay away from the scotch).
🥈 Runner Up: Boxcar Bar + Arcade
Honoree: Foxcroft Food & Wine - Raleigh
Theater + Performance Venue
Your venue of choice for live artistic performances and award-winning shows.
🏆 First place: DPAC | Watch 200+ different performances a year at Durham Performing Arts Center — the season tickets might just be worth it.
🥈 Runner Up: Raleigh Little Theatre
Honoree: Martin Marietta Center for the Perfoming Arts
Vintage + Resale Shops
Where to shop sustainably and stylishly with handpicked pieces that celebrate the past.
🏆 First place: MODE Consignment Boutique | Find your favorite brands at this chic secondhand boutique that’s helping the environment, one Agolde jean at a time.
🥈 Runner Up: TrunkShow
Honoree: Nice Price Books & Records
