Readers throughout the community voted for their favorite businesses, services and venues. Now, we are excited to present the 2025 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 AND BEAUTY
BEST SALON
Gold: Bebe Ellis Salon
Silver: Sparkle Studio
Bronze: Jill’s Beach
BEST HAIR SALON
Gold: Bebe Ellis Salon
Silver: Sparkle Studio
Bronze: J&F Gemelli (tie)
Twisted Scizzors (tie)
BEST DENTIST
Gold: Wells Family Dental Group
Silver: Lane & Associates Family Dentistry
Bronze: Goodall Family Dentistry
BEST ORTHODONTIST
Gold: McNutt Orthodontics
Silver: Lane & Associates Family Dentistry
Bronze: Bovenizer & Baker Orthodontics
BEST DOCTOR
Gold: Avance Care
Silver: Cornerstone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
Bronze: Generations Family Practice
BEST OBGYN
Gold: Triangle Physicians for Women (tie)
Raleigh OBGYN Centre (tie)
Silver: Kamm McKenzie OBGYN
Bronze: Arbor OBGYN
BEST FUNCTIONAL AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Gold: Carolina Total Wellness
Silver: Avance Care
Bronze: Integrative Functional Medicine
BEST PERIODONTIST
Gold: Lane & Associates Family Dentistry (tie)
Dr. Paul Kazmer (tie)
Silver: Cary Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
Bronze: Tar Heel Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
BEST PEDIATRICIAN
Gold: Cornerstone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
Silver: Jeffers, Mann & Artman Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
Bronze: Cary Pediatric Center
BEST PEDIATRIC DENTIST
Gold: Cary Pediatric Dentistry
Silver: Southern Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Bronze: The Smiling Turtle Pediatric Dentistry (tie)
High House Pediatric Dentistry (tie)
BEST DERMATOLOGIST
Gold: Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics
Silver: Central Dermatology Center
Bronze: Cary Dermatology Center (tie)
Blue Ridge Dermatology Associates (tie)
BEST COSMETIC SURGEON
Gold: Lyle Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics Center
Silver: Cynthia Gregg MD Face & Body Specialists
Bronze: Zenn Plastic Surgery
BEST MED SPA
Gold: Azura Skin Care Center
Silver: Beem Light Sauna
Bronze: Thrive Skin + Wellness
BEST MASSAGE
Gold: Salon Serenity & Spa
Silver: Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Bronze: The Umstead Hotel and Spa
BEST SUNLESS TANNING
Gold: Jill’s Beach
Silver: Oak City Sunless
Bronze: Sun Tan City
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
Gold: North State Sport & Spine
Silver: The Joint Chiropractic (tie)
Gray Family Chiropractic (tie)
Bronze: Swank Chiropractic Sports Medicine & Wellness Center
BEST PSYCHIATRIST
Gold: Casey Mental Health Collaborative
Silver: Best Day Psychiatry and Counseling
Bronze: Avance Care
BEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER
Gold: Wynns Family Psychology
Silver: Horizon Integrated Wellness Group (tie)
Peak City Psychology (tie)
Bronze: Best Day Psychiatry and Counseling
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY
Gold: Total Motion Physical Therapy
Silver: Epic Physical Therapy
Bronze: BreakThrough Physical Therapy
SPORTS + FITNESS
BEST COACH/PERSONAL TRAINER
Gold: Romain Marriott
Silver: CrossFit Surmount
Bronze: Kim Bradley, Rex Wellness Center – Cary
BEST WELLNESS COACH
Gold: Gold’s Gym – Fuquay-Varina
Silver: Anytime Fitness
Bronze: Life Time Fitness(tie)
Planet Fitness (tie)
BEST FITNESS GYM
Gold: Life Time Fitness
Silver: Stretch Zone – Apex
Bronze: Planet Fitness
BEST CYCLE STUDIO
Gold: CycleBar (tie)
Hotworx – Apex (tie)
Silver: Spenga
Bronze: Orangetheory Fitness
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Gold: Cary Yoga Collective
Silver: Prana Yoga Holly Springs
Bronze: Dose Yoga and Smoothie Bar (tie)
YoBa Studio (tie)
Pura Vida Studio (tie)
BEST STRETCH STUDIO
Gold: Stretch Zone – Apex
Silver: StretchLab
Bronze: Hotworx – Apex (tie)
N Zone Sports (tie)
BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO
Gold: Fred Astaire Dance Studios
Silver: Club Pilates
Bronze: Stage Door Dance
MEDIA PERSONALITIES
BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Gold: Erica DeLong, G105
Silver: Mike Wheless and Amanda Daughtry, 94.7 QDR
Bronze: Kyle, Bryan & Sarah, Mix 101.5 WRAL
BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY
Gold: Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL (tie)
Don “Big Weather” Schwenneker, ABC11 (tie)
Silver: Debra Morgan, WRAL
Bronze: Dan Haggerty, WRAL
BEST LOCAL INFLUENCER
Gold: The Life Projects
Silver: Megan Nichols, NC Eat & Play
Bronze: Joseph William Interiors
ENTERTAINMENT
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Gold: Paragon Theaters of Fenton
Silver: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh
Bronze: AMC Theatres
BEST MUSIC VENUE
Gold: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Silver: Red Hat Amphitheater
Bronze: Lenovo Center
BEST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE
Gold: Durham Performing Arts Center
Silver: Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Bronze: Raleigh Little Theatre (tie)
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center (tie)
BEST BOOKSTORE
Gold: Barnes & Noble
Silver: Quail Ridge Books
Bronze: Mr. Mike’s Used Books
BEST PLACE FOR GAMES AND AMUSEMENT
Gold: Dave & Buster’s
Silver: Frankie’s
Bronze: Gamers Geekery & Tavern
CULTURE
BEST MUSEUM
Gold: North Carolina Museum of Art
Silver: North Carolina Museum of History
Bronze: Museum of Life and Science
BEST PARK OR RECREATION CENTER
Gold: Downtown Cary Park
Silver: Pleasant Park
Bronze: Pullen Park
BEST GARDEN
Gold: Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Silver: JC Raulston Arboretum
Bronze: Raleigh Rose Garden
HOSPITALITY
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL OR BED AND BREAKFAST
Gold: The Mayton
Silver: The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Bronze: The Carolina Inn
BEST WEDDING AND EVENT VENUE
Gold: Chandelier Event Venue
Silver: Donovan Manor
Bronze: The Oaks at Salem
BEST CATERING SERVICE
Gold: Salvio’s Pizzeria
Silver: City Barbeque
Bronze: Donovan’s Dish
FOOD + FARE
BEST BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH
Gold: First Watch
Silver: Brigs Restaurants
Bronze: Eggs Up Grill – Apex
BEST BARBECUE
Gold: City Barbeque
Silver: Danny’s Bar-B-Que (tie)
Smithfield’s Chicken ,N Bar-B-Q (tie)
Bronze: Daddy D’s BBQ
BEST BURGER
Gold: Corbett’s Burgers & Soda Bar
Silver: Abbey Road Tavern (tie)
Smashburger (tie)
Bronze: Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar (tie)
Cook Out (tie)
Salem Street Pub (tie)
BEST PIZZA
Gold: Di Fara Pizza Tavern
Silver: Salvio’s Pizzeria
Bronze: Anna’s Pizzeria
BEST STEAKHOUSE
Gold: Rey’s
Silver: Angus Barn
Bronze: Oak Steakhouse
BEST MEXICAN FOOD
Gold: Mi Cancun
Silver: Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Bronze: Los Tres Magueyes
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
Gold: Salvio’s Pizzeria
Silver: Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering
Bronze: Enrigo Italian Bistro
BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
Gold: Sassool
Silver: Neomonde
Bronze: Aladdin’s Eatery
BEST SEAFOOD
Gold: The Blind Pelican Seafood House
Silver: Cape Fear Seafood Company (tie)
42nd St. Oyster Bar (tie)
Bronze: Captain Stanley’s Seafood
BEST ASIAN FOOD
Gold: Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi
Silver: Sushi-Thai
Bronze: Taipei 101
BEST INDIAN FOOD
Gold: Zeera Indian Restaurant
Silver: Swagat Indian Cuisine
Bronze: Biryani Maxx Indian Cuisine
BEST BAKERY/CONFECTIONER
Gold: La Farm Bakery
Silver: Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe
Bronze: Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates
BEST ICE CREAM
Gold: FRESH. Local Ice Cream
Silver: Andia’s Ice Cream
Bronze: Goodberry’s Frozen Custard
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Gold: Cousins Maine Lobster
Silver: Buoy Bowls
Bronze: Bulkogi (tie)
Gussy’s (tie)
BOOZE + BREWS
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
Gold: Esteamed Coffee
Silver: Crema Coffee Roaster & Bakery
Bronze: Fount Coffee + Kitchen
BEST WINE BAR
Gold: Peak of the Vine Lounge
Silver: RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar
Bronze: Wine 100
BEST COCKTAIL BAR/LOUNGE
Gold: Peak of the Vine Cellar
Silver: Neat & Sweet Lounge at Scratch
Bronze: SideBar
BEST BREWERY
Gold: Bond Brothers Beer Company
Silver: Southern Peak Brewery
Bronze: Vicious Fishes Brewery
BEST SPORTS BAR
Gold: Di Fara Pizza Tavern
Silver: Rudy’s Pub & Grill (tie)
Sports & Social (tie)
Bronze: My Way Tavern
BEST DISTILLERY
Gold: Aristotle Spirits
Silver: Olde Raleigh Distillery
Bronze: Durham Distillery
BEST ROOFTOP BAR
Gold: Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Silver: Ava Rooftop Bar
Bronze: TapStation
SHOPPING
BEST FLORIST
Gold: Plant Therapy
Silver: Preston Flowers
Bronze: Kelly Odom Flowers
BEST RESALE AND CONSIGNMENT
Gold: Petersons’ Consigning Design
Silver: J ‘Adore Boutique (tie)
Dorcas Thrift Shop (tie)
Bronze: Adore Designer Resale Boutique
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
Gold: Swagger
Silver: Bless Your Heart
Bronze: Rose and Lee
Gold: Gentlemen’s Corner
Silver: Alexander Eton
Bronze: Kannon’s Men’s Clothing (tie)
Ashworth’s Clothing (tie)
BEST HOME FURNISHING STORE
Gold: HomeGoods
Silver: Arhaus
Bronze: Petersons’ Consigning Design
BEST GARDEN CENTER
Gold: Garden Supply Company
Silver: Fairview Garden Center
Bronze: Logan’s Garden Shop
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Gold: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
Silver: Holland’s Jewelers
Bronze: Johnson’s Jewelers
REAL ESTATE
BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM
Gold: The Ragan Realty Team
Silver: Nancy Grace, Keller Williams Legacy
Bronze: Gaskill Realty
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
Gold: Nancy Grace
Silver: Melissa Ragan
Bronze: Rocio Rojas
BEST BUILDER/DEVELOPER
Gold: Rufty Homes
Silver: Loyd Builders (tie)
Greenfield Communities (tie)
Bronze: KB Home (tie)
Triple A Homes (tie)
BEST LIVE-WORK-PLAY COMMUNITY
Gold: Fenton
Silver: Wendell Falls
Bronze: Brier Creek Country Club
BEST NEW HOME COMMUNITY
Gold: Wendell Falls
Silver: Montvale at Copperleaf
Bronze: Destin
BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Gold: Carolina Preserve
Silver: Glenaire
Bronze: Del Webb Active Adult Communities (tie)
Overture Centennial (tie)
Searstone Retirement Community (tie)
HOME SERVICES
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
Gold: Joseph William Interiors
Silver: The Right Space
Bronze: Amy Huber Designs
BEST LANDSCAPING SERVICE
Gold: Mr. Mow It All
Silver: RB Landscaping (tie)
Jay’s Lawn & Landscape Co.(tie)
Bronze: Scholarship Landscaping
BEST BUILDER
Gold: Rufty Homes
Silver: Loyd Builders
Bronze: Paragon Building Group
BEST HOUSEKEEPING
Gold: Best Clean Ever
Silver: Go 2 Girls
Bronze: Dust and Mop
BEST HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
Gold: Mr. Handyman
Silver: Alan’s Home Improvements
Bronze: Michael & Son
BEST OUTDOOR SPACES (FIREPLACES AND POOLS)
Gold: Jay’s Lawn & Landscape Co.
Silver: Wildflower Landscape Architecture
Bronze: Cornell Crest Landscaping
BEST MOVERS AND STORAGE
Gold: Movin’ On Movers
Silver: Moore Than Moving (tie)
Trosa Moving & Storage (tie)
Bronze: Big Brother Moving
BEST HOME FLOORING
Gold: Kimi’s Carpets Plus
Silver: Lee’s Hardwood Floors
Bronze: Terry’s Floor Fashions
BEST KITCHEN AND BATH FIXTURES/ACCESSORIES
Gold: Kitchen & Bath Galleries
Silver: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Bronze: Lowe’s
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
BEST FINANCIAL SERVICES AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Gold: Maria Litzinger, Edward Jones (tie)
Fidelity Investments (tie)
Silver: Cary Financial Planning
Bronze: Hunter Street Investment Advisors
BEST LOCAL BANKING INSTITUTION
Gold: State Employees’ Credit Union
Silver: Fidelity Bank
Bronze: Wells Fargo
BEST LAW FIRM
Gold: Cary Estate Planning
Silver: Gantt Family Law
Bronze: The Banks Law Firm
BEST LOCAL ACCOUNTANT OR TAX ADVISOR
Gold: Brilliant Numbers
Silver: Cary Financial Planning
Bronze: Watson & Davis (tie)
Rachel A. Brown (tie)
BEST TRAVEL AGENCY
Gold: DWB Vacations
Silver: MousePros Travel Agency
Bronze: Taylor’s Travel (tie)
AAA – Apex (tie)
AUTOMOTIVE
BEST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR
Gold: Frantz Automotive Center
Silver: Black’s Tire & Auto Service – Apex
Bronze: Precision Tune Auto Care
BEST CAR WASHING AND DETAILING
Gold: Oak City Auto Detailing
Silver: Tidal Wave Auto Spa
Bronze: Zips Car Wash (tie)
Spiffy (tie)
Sam’s Xpress Car Wash (tie)
Heroes Car Wash (tie)
BEST NEW CAR DEALERSHIP
Gold: Autopark Honda
Silver: Hendrick Toyota of Apex
Bronze: Leith Honda
BEST USED CAR DEALERSHIP
Gold: Whipple Auto Sales
Silver: Matthews Motors
Bronze: Weaver Motorsports
EDUCATION
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
Gold: Grace Christian School
Silver: Resurrection Lutheran School
Bronze: Cardinal Gibbons High School
BEST PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION
Gold: Cary Ballet Conservatory
Silver: Cary Ballet Company
Bronze: Cary Arts Center
BEST PRESCHOOL
Gold: Resurrection Lutheran School
Silver: Oak Village Academy
Bronze: Primrose School at The Park
BEST TUTORING SERVICES
Gold: LearningRx
Silver: Mathnasium
Bronze: Triangle Learning Academy
PETS
BEST VETERINARIAN
Gold: Town and Country Veterinary Hospital
Silver: Harmony Animal Hospital Pet Resort & Spa
Bronze: Lake Pine Animal Hospital (tie)
Swift Creek Animal Hospital (tie)
BEST PET PAMPERING SERVICE
Gold: PetSmart (tie)
West Street Dog (tie)
Silver: Groomingdales
Bronze: Triangle Pet Resort
BEST PET BOARDING AND DAYCARE SERVICE
Gold: Pupsi Inc.
Silver: Triangle Pet Resort
Bronze: Harmony Animal Hospital Pet Resort &