This Year’s Diamond Award Winners

Readers throughout the community voted for their favorite businesses, services and venues. Now, we are excited to present the 2024 gold, silver and bronze Diamond Award Winners.

Browse the list to see if your favorites are there, and make a note of any new businesses you’d like to check out.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

HEALTH + BEAUTY

Best HAIR SALON

Gold: Von Kekel Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spa (tie); Bebe Ellis Salon (tie)

Silver: Salon Blu

Bronze: J&F Gemelli

Best MANI-PEDI

Gold: Pacific Nails Spa

Silver: Venetian Nail Spa

Bronze: Kiss My Nails

Best SPA EXPERIENCE

Gold: The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Silver: Blue Water Spa

Bronze: Massage Envy

Best PLACE TO GET A MASSAGE

Gold: Skin Sense

Silver: Massage Envy

Bronze: Cary Massage

Best MED SPA

Gold: Blue Water Spa

Silver: Salon Serenity & Spa

Bronze: Skin Sense

Best PLACE FOR SUNLESS TANNING

Gold: Jill’s Beach

Silver: Oak City Sunless

Bronze: Sun Tan City

Best DENTIST

Gold: Lane & Associates Family Dentistry

Silver: Sunrise Dental

Bronze: Lake Boone Dentistry of Raleigh

Best ORTHODONTIST

Gold: Bovenizer & Baker Orthodontics

Silver: NC Oral Surgery + Orthodontics

Bronze: Ritter & Brogden Orthodontics

Best FAMILY DOCTOR

Gold: Avance Care

Silver: Courtney Dancy, FNP-C, UNC Health

Bronze: Generations Family Practice

Best OB-GYN

Gold: Triangle Physicians for Women

Silver: Kamm McKenzie OBGYN

Bronze: Cary OB/GYN (tie); Wake Women’s Health (tie)

Best PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST

Gold: Thriveworks

Silver: North Raleigh Mental Health and Wellness

Bronze: Erin Bircher, Foundations4Change (tie); Wynns Family Psychology (tie)

Best CHIROPRACTOR

Gold: Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic

Silver: Osborne Chiropractic Clinic

Bronze: The Joint Chiropractic

Best PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Gold: Drayer Physical Therapy Institute

Silver: Beyond Physical Therapy

Bronze: Total Motion Physical Therapy

SPORTS + FITNESS

Best WELLNESS COACH

Gold: Erin Bircher, Foundations4Change

Silver: Suzanne Egan Coaching

Bronze: Amy Jackson Carroll

Best PERSONAL TRAINER

Gold: Tony Ambrosecchia

Silver: William Wagner, Phase II, Personal Training

Bronze: Alton Skinner (tie); SportsPlex Personal Trainers (tie)

Best FITNESS EXPERIENCE

Gold: Life Time Fitness

Silver: CrossFit

Bronze: Stretch Zone

Best YOGA AND PILATES STUDIO

Gold: Club Pilates at Fenton

Silver: YMCA of the Triangle

Bronze: Pura Vida Studio

Best SPORTING GOODS
AND GEAR PROVIDER

Gold: Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Silver: Dick’s Sporting Goods

Bronze: Academy Sports + Outdoors

Best CYCLING GEAR AND REPAIR

Gold: The Bicycle Chain

Silver: Trek Bicycle

Bronze: TLC for Bikes

ENTERTAINMENT & RELAXATION

Best RADIO PERSONALITY

Gold: Erica DeLong, G105

Silver: Ross Hayes, 106.1 Talk FM

Bronze: Amanda Daughtry, 94.7 QDR (tie); Madison, 96.1 BBB (tie)

Best LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR

Gold: David Crabtree, WRAL

Silver: Debra Morgan, WRAL

Bronze: Gerald Owens, WRAL

Best METEOROLOGIST

Gold: Don “Big Weather” Schwenneker, ABC11

Silver: Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL

Bronze: Kweilyn Murphy, ABC11

FAVORITE LOCAL INFLUENCER

Gold: Holly Boyd – Maketodayahollyday

Silver: Shannon Cox – @eviltwinn

Bronze: This is Raleigh – @thisisraleigh

Best MOVIE THEATER

Gold: Paragon Theaters Fenton

Silver: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh

Bronze: CMX CinéBistro Waverly Place

Best LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Gold: Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Silver: PNC Arena

Bronze: Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

Best LIVE THEATER

Gold: Durham Performing Arts Center

Silver: The Cary Theater

Bronze: The Carolina Theatre of Durham

BEST SPECIAL EVENT VENUE

Gold: Chandelier Event Venue

Silver: Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Bronze: Durham Performing Arts Center

BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE

Gold: Dog-Eared Books

Silver: Quail Ridge Books

Bronze: Mr. Mike’s Used Books

BEST PLACE FOR GAMES
AND AMUSEMENT

Gold: Frankie’s

Silver: Adventure Landing

Bronze: Chuck E. Cheese

BEST MUSEUM

Gold: Marbles Kids Museum

Silver: North Carolina Museum of Art

Bronze: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION

Gold: Fred G. Bond Metro Park

Silver: Pullen Park

Bronze: William B. Umstead State Park

BEST PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS

Gold: State Farmers Market

Silver: North Carolina Museum of Art

Bronze: Downtown Apex

BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL OR
BED AND BREAKFAST

Gold: The Mayton

Silver: The Umstead Hotel and Spa

Bronze: The Fearrington House Inn

FOOD & FARE

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

Gold: Torero’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Silver: M Test Kitchen

Bronze: Di Fara Pizza Tavern

BEST CARY RESTAURANT

Gold: Di Fara Pizza Tavern

Silver: Lucky 32 (tie); Salvio’s Pizzeria (tie)

Bronze: Sassool

BEST APEX RESTAURANT

Gold: Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

Silver: Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering

Bronze: The Provincial

BEST MORRISVILLE RESTAURANT

Gold: Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Silver: Mi Cancun

Bronze: Leo’s Italian Social (tie); Neomonde Mediterranean (tie)

BEST HOLLY SPRINGS RESTAURANT

Gold: Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi

Silver: Pimiento Tea Room

Bronze: The Blind Pelican

BEST FUQUAY-VARINA RESTAURANT

Gold: The Mason Jar Tavern

Silver: Vicious Fishes Brewery

Bronze: Garibaldi Trattoria

BEST OUTDOOR SEATING

Gold: Di Fara Pizza Tavern

Silver: Academy Street Bistro

Bronze:
Crosstown Pub & Grill

BEST BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH

Gold: Peck & Plume

Silver: First Watch

Bronze: Brigs Restaurant

BEST BARBECUE

Gold: City Barbeque

Silver: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Bronze: Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q

BEST BURGER

Gold: Five Guys

Silver: Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

Bronze: Abbey Road Tavern and Grill

BEST PIZZA

Gold: Di Fara Pizza Tavern

Silver: Salvio’s Pizzeria

Bronze: Marco’s Pizza

BEST STEAKHOUSE

Gold: Rey’s Restaurant

Silver: Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Bronze: Outback Steakhouse

BEST HEALTHY EATS

Gold: Sassool

Silver: Clean Eatz

Bronze: Pineapple Sol

BEST MEXICAN FOOD

Gold: a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library

Silver: Torero’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Bronze: Mi Cancun

BEST ITALIAN FOOD

Gold: Salvio’s Pizzeria

Silver: Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering

Bronze: Colletta

BEST SEAFOOD

Gold: The Blind Pelican

Silver: Cousins Maine Lobster

Bronze: Bonefish Grill (tie); Cary Crab House (tie)

BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD

Gold: Sassool

Silver: Baba Ghannouj Mediterranean Bistro

Bronze: Neomonde Mediterranean

BEST INDIAN FOOD

Gold: Cilantro India Cafe

Silver: Kababish Café (tie); Zeera Indian Restaurant (tie)

Bronze: Fusion 9 (tie); Naga’s South Indian Cuisine (tie)

BEST ASIAN  FOOD

Gold: Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi

Silver: Sushi-Thai Cary

Bronze: MC Cuisines

BEST BAKERY OR CONFECTIONER

Gold: Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe

Silver: La Farm Bakery

Bronze: Bestow Baked Goods

BEST ICE CREAM

Gold: Andia’s Ice Cream

Silver: FRESH. Local Ice Cream

Bronze: Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

BEST FOOD TRUCK

Gold: Tasty Tasty Truck

Silver: Cousins Maine Lobster

Bronze: Buoy Bowls

BEST CATERING

Gold: Donovan’s Dish

Silver: Salvio’s Pizzeria

Bronze: Catering Works

BOOZE & BREWS

BEST BREWERY

Gold: Bond Brothers Beer Company

Silver: Fortnight Brewing Company

Bronze: Vicious Fishes Brewery

BEST WINE BAR

Gold: Peak of the Vine

Silver: RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar

Bronze: Chatham Hill Winery

BEST COCKTAIL  BAR

Gold: SideBar

Silver: AVA Rooftop Bar

Bronze: Peak of the Vine

BEST BOTTLESHOP

Gold: Total Wine & More

Silver: Pharmacy Bottle + Beverage

Bronze: Black Dog Bottle Shop (tie); Bottle Theory (tie)

BEST LOCAL COFFEEHOUSE

Gold: Esteamed Coffee

Silver: Coffee & Crepes (tie); Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts (tie)

Bronze: Brew Coffee Bar

SHOPPING

BEST FLORIST

Gold: Preston Flowers

Silver: The Flower Cupboard

Bronze: Flowers On Broad Street (tie); Lavender Lane Flowers and Gifts (tie)

BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Gold: Fenton

Silver: Crossroads Plaza

Bronze: Beaver Creek Crossings

BEST FURNITURE AND HOME
DECOR STORE OR FIRM

Gold: Arhaus

Silver: Pottery Barn

Bronze: Cooper’s Furniture (tie); Max Hugo Interior Design (tie)

BEST GARDEN CENTER

Gold: Garden Supply Company

Silver: Campbell Road Nursery

Bronze: Fairview Garden Center

BEST JEWELRY STORE

Gold: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

Silver: Holland’s Jewelers

Bronze: Kay Jewelers

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

Gold: Swagger

Silver: Bless Your Heart Boutique

Bronze: The Gatorbug

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

Gold: The Gentlemen’s Corner

Silver: Ashworth’s Clothing

Bronze: Alexander Eton

BEST RESALE AND
CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING

Gold: J’Adore Boutique

Silver: Petersons’ Consigning Design

Bronze: Plato’s Closet

BEST DESIGNER SHOE STORE

Gold: DSW

Silver: Monkee’s (tie); Rangone Firenze (tie); Nordstrom (tie)

Bronze: Main & Taylor

HOME SERVICES

BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM

Gold: M&M Team Realty

Silver: Navigate Realty

Bronze: Compass

BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

Gold: Nancy Grace, Keller, Williams Legacy

Silver: Kristin Zwahr Leonard, Navigate Realty

Bronze: Rocio Rojas, Fathom Realty

BEST LIVE, WORK, PLAY COMMUNITY

Gold: Fenton

Silver: Downtown Cary

Bronze: Downtown Apex

BEST NEW HOME COMMUNITY

Gold: Carolina Preserve (tie); Lochmere (tie)

Silver: Sunset Oaks

Bronze: Sweetwater

BEST BUILDER

Gold: Rufty Homes

Silver: Loyd Builders (tie); Thompson Home Creations (tie)

Bronze: Blue Heron Signature Homes

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER

Gold: Max Hugo Interior Design

Silver: Joseph William Interiors

Bronze: ReDefine Design + Staging

BEST LANDSCAPER

Gold:  Mr. Mow It All (tie); Just My Style Landscape Services (tie); 
Ritter Garden Design (tie); Tobacco Road Lawn & Landscaping (tie)

Silver: Genesis Outdoor Living 

Bronze: Yardnique

BEST HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE

Gold: Best Clean Ever

Silver: Go 2 Girls

Bronze: The Maids

PROFESSIONAL & EDUCATIONAL

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Gold: Cary Financial Planning

Silver: Edward Jones

Bronze: Will Dyson, Ameriprise Financial Services

BEST LAW FIRM

Gold: Cary Estate Planning

Silver: Mann, McGibney & Jordan

Bronze: Brady Boyette

BEST LOCAL TRAVEL AGENTOR AGENCY

Gold: DWB Vacations

Silver: Shaina Meck, Magical Vacation Planner (tie); VIP Travel Designs (tie)

Bronze: Robin Bandong, Outlander Travel

BEST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
OR DETAILING SERVICE

Gold: Christian Brothers Automotive

Silver: Creech Import Repair

Bronze: Atlantic Tire & Service (tie); Getz Automotive (tie)

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL

Gold: Grace Christian School

Silver: Thales Academy

Bronze: Cary Christian School

BEST VETERINARIAN

Gold: Town & Country Veterinary Hospital

Silver: PetSound Animal Hospital

Bronze: Swift Creek Animal Hospital

BEST PET PAMPERING
OR DAYCARE SERVICE

Gold: Pupsi

Silver: PetSound Animal Hospital

Bronze: K9 Resorts (tie); Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming (tie)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION*

Gold: Children’s Flight of Hope

* Beginning with our 2022 Diamond Awards, 5 West began honoring a local nonprofit doing good work for our community. This year, we are recognizing Children’s Flight of Hope, an organization that provides air transportation to specialized medical care for children in need.