WINNERS! F
or two decades, readers have relied
determined by our readers, have some-
on INDY’s Best of the Triangle
thing for everyone—a greatest hits of
awards to help them navigate import-
food, bookstores, concert venues, parks,
ant decisions about how to spend their
local causes and more. We hope you’ll
time, where they spend their money,
take a look and check out some of the
and—perhaps most importantly—what
places, people, and activities that make
to eat and drink.
the community unique.
INDY stalwarts will note that, once
In the meantime, thank you for nomi-
again, we’re rolling out winners from our
nating all your favorites, and congrat-
highly anticipated reader poll one coun-
ulations to all of the finalists in Wake,
ty at a time. Here, we’re sharing win-
who will receive our coveted star decal
ners for all categories in Wake County.
and a poster to display. Stay tuned for
From the best restaurants, to yoga stu-
a special print edition in December
dios and hair salons, to museums, and
rounding up the best of the best across
preschools, we’ve got you covered with
the Triangle.
readers’ top picks. Thank you to NC Wills and Trusts for This year’s Wake County winners, as
sponsoring our Best of Wake ballot!
Presented by
30
ARTS
32
BUSINESSES
36
FOOD & DRINKS
38
HEALTH
40
PEOPLE & MISC.
42
PLACES
28 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
WINNERS! F
or two decades, readers have relied
determined by our readers, have some-
on INDY’s Best of the Triangle
thing for everyone—a greatest hits of
awards to help them navigate import-
food, bookstores, concert venues, parks,
ant decisions about how to spend their
local causes and more. We hope you’ll
time, where they spend their money,
take a look and check out some of the
and—perhaps most importantly—what
places, people, and activities that make
to eat and drink.
the community unique.
INDY stalwarts will note that, once
In the meantime, thank you for nomi-
again, we’re rolling out winners from our
nating all your favorites, and congrat-
highly anticipated reader poll one coun-
ulations to all of the finalists in Wake,
ty at a time. Here, we’re sharing win-
who will receive our coveted star decal
ners for all categories in Wake County.
and a poster to display. Stay tuned for
From the best restaurants, to yoga stu-
a special print edition in December
dios and hair salons, to museums, and
rounding up the best of the best across
preschools, we’ve got you covered with
the Triangle.
readers’ top picks. Thank you to NC Wills and Trusts for This year’s Wake County winners, as
sponsoring our Best of Wake ballot!
Presented by
30
ARTS
32
BUSINESSES
36
FOOD & DRINKS
38
HEALTH
40
PEOPLE & MISC.
42
PLACES
28 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
ncient A ubia N
Excavating Treasures of the Nile From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
www.ncartmuseum.org/nubia
October 17, 2026–January 10, 2027 Nubian artist, Sudan, Winged Isis Pectoral, 538–519 bce, gold, H. 211/16 × W. 611/16 in., Harvard University—Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, 20.276; Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Ancient Nubia: Excavating Treasures of the Nile is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, curated by Denise Doxey (Norma Jean Calderwood Curator of Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art).
In Raleigh additional support is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; Paula D. Burleson and Barry P. Harris IV; Dawn F. Lipson; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 29
WAKE
ARTS BEST ART GALLERY FOR PURCHASE
BEST LOCAL / REGIONAL PODCAST
Artspace
Basically Famous
BEST GALLERY FOR VIEWING
Runners-up: Ovies & Giglio, Her Seat At The Table
NC Museum of Art
BEST LOCAL BAND
Runner-up: The Centerpiece
Dallas Tetnus
BEST COMEDY CLUB/EVENT
Runners-up: Mipso, Bbait
Goodnights Comedy Club
BEST MUSEUM
Runner-up: Raleigh Improv
NC Museum of Art
BEST DRAG SHOW/EVENT GAG! Raleigh
Runner-up: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Runner-up: Glitter Hour
BEST RADIO STATION
BEST ELECTRONIC CONCERT VENUE
WKNC 88.1
The Ritz Runner-up: Lincoln Theater
BEST FILM THEATRE VENUE/ EVENT The Rialto
Runners-up: WUNC, That Station 101.5 HD2
BEST UNPLUGGED CONCERT VENUE Pine State Coffee Runners-up: Raleigh Wide Open, A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater
Runner-up: Alamo Drafthouse
BEST LIVE THEATRE COMPANY Theatre Raleigh
Best Gallery for Viewing: North Carolina Museum of Art PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
30 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
eat At
m of
101.5
FEB 12-28, 2027
APR 7-25, 2027
JUN 2-20, 2027
T
A.J.
AUG 11-29, 2027
OCT 6-24, 2027
2027 SEASON ON SALE NOW t h e at r e r a l e i g h . c o m
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 31
G O OD VI B E S
E! N O Y R E V E FOR
, k n i r d a Grab , d n e i r f a make e! l i h w a y and sta
WAKE
BUSINESSES BEST AUTO DEALER
BEST DOG TRAINING
Fred Anderson Toyota
All Dogs Allowed
Runner-up: Leith Honda
Runner-up: The Collegiate Canine
BEST AUTO MECHANIC
BEST DOG WALKING
Tilden Car Care Center
Pack&Pride
Runners-up: AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care, People's Tire & Auto
Runners-up: Amanda's Best Friend, Peak City Puppy
BEST BARBER SHOP
BEST ELECTRICIAN
The Dominicans Barbershop
Dawson's Electric & Air
Runners-up: Professional Barbers of Cary, Arrow
Runners-up: Blanton's Air, Plumbing & Electric, Integrity Electric of NC
BEST CHILDCARE
BEST FLORIST
Temple Beth Or Preschool and Kindergarten
Teacup Floral
Runners-up: Schoolhouse of Wonder, Holly Springs School for Early Education
BEST CLOTHING CONSIGNMENT Father and Son Antiques Runners-up: Recovered Treasures, Revolver Consignment Boutique
BEST DANCE STUDIO ROTATING TAPS
LOCAL BREWS
WINE
THE BEERDED LADY 10 min from DT Raleigh
1350 Fifth Ave Suite #170 Garner, NC 27529
www. the beerded lady .com
32 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
CIDER & MEAD
GAMES
TRIVIA
EVENTS
OPEN DAILY MON 1PM - 7PM TUES-FRI 1PM - 10PM SAT 11AM - 10PM SUN 1PM - 8PM
@thebeerdedladync A FRIENDLY AND INCLUSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD BAR THAT WELCOMES YOU JUST AS YOU ARE!
Stage Door Dance Productions Runners-up: Tutu School Cary, The DanZe Zone
Runners-up: The English Garden Florist, Preston Flowers
BEST HAIR SALON Tone Hair Salon Runners-up: Alibi Collective, Southern Roots (Wendy Vaughan)
BEST HEMP/CBD SHOP Sherlocks Glass & Dispensary Runners-up: NC Hemp Shoppe, Elevate NC THCA
BEST DOG BOARDING
BEST HOME REMODELING OR RENOVATION COMPANY
Howling Moon Pet Care
The Bath Remodeling Center
Runner-up: Sunset Kennel
Runners-up: Living Stone Design + Build, Premier Renovations
BEST DOG GROOMING Pack&Pride Runners-up: City Pet Grooming, Howling Moon Petcare
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
BEST HVAC SERVICE Dawson's Electric & Air Runners-up: Blanton's Air, Plumbing & Electric, The Cool Guys Heating & Air
VOTED BEST MEDICAL SPA EVERY YEAR SINCE 2018
d,
ng &
lorist,
y
Lasers for ALL Skin Types Natural Looking Botox, Filler & PRF Body Contouring
Award-Winning Medical Spa specializing in Transformative, Safe & Effective Services
R
+ Build,
ng & & Air
VOTED BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
VOTED BEST SPA
PLASTIC-SURGEON OWNED + OPERATED SINCE 2002
bluewaterspa.com
919.769.6044
@bluewatersparaleigh
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 33
Justin Burleson WINNE R O F
Best Realtor®
BEST INSURANCE COMPANY
BEST PLUMBER
Amanda Hagood State Farm
Cary Plumbing Company
Runners-up: Matt Davis–State Farm, Farm Bureau
Runners-up: A&J Plumbing Services, Blanton's Air, Plumbing & Electric
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY
Roux MacNeill Studio
Inhabit Real Estate
Runners-up: Trig Modern, Pam Chatham Interiors
Runners-up: Avenue Properties, Raleigh Realty
BEST JEWELER / JEWELRY STORE BEST REALTOR Johnson’s Jewelers of Cary
Justin Burleson
Runners-up: Mint Condition Jewelry, J.M. Edwards Jewelry
Runners-up: Will Fitzgerald–Raleigh Realty, Rachel Weatherspoon – Capital to Coast Realty
BEST LANDSCAPING / YARD CARE Yardnique Runners-up: WingNut Yard Maintenance, Leo Landscaping
Thank you! You deserve an experienced professional who knows how to navigate the homebuying and selling process and keep your goals at the center of every step. My knowledge, resources and commitment to my clients have consistently earned 5-star reviews. See what my clients have to say, then let’s talk about how I can help with your next real estate move.
BEST LAW FIRM NC Wills and Trusts
Runners-up: Roofwerks, Artisan Quality Roofing
BEST VINTAGE STORE Cheshire Cat Antique Gallery
BEST LOCAL BOOKSTORE
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Quail Ridge Books
Bless Your Heart Boutique
Runners-up: Blackbird Books and Coffee, Reader's Corner
Runners-up: Altar'd State, Clothes Mentor
BEST NEW BUSINESS Sip and Shop Boutique Runners-up: XAOS Collective, Super Rad Retro Lounge
BEST PAINTER Southern Boys Painting Runners-up: Five Star Painting, Dave Hare Interiors
BEST PLACE TO BUY LOCALLY MADE CRAFTS/ART
919-609-5161 justin@nchouse2home.com nchouse2home.com premieragentsnetwork.com
Sip and Shop Boutique
34 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
Baker Roofing Company
Runners-up: Sterling Law Apex - Cara Gibbons, Triangle Smart Divorce
JUSTIN BURLESON
REALTOR®
BEST ROOFING CONTRACTOR
Runners-up: Bayleaf Market, The Cotton Company
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
Runners-up: Father and Son, Goodwill
es,
NY
gh apital to
R
dwill
STORE
s Mentor
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 35
WAKE
FOOD & DRINKS BEST ALCOHOLIC COCKTAILS
BEST CHEAP EATS
Aunty Betty's Gin & Absinthe Bar
Cookout
Runners-up: Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, The Haymaker
Runners-up: Char-Grill, Players Retreat
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
BEST RETAIL WINE
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
The Raleigh Wine Shop
Runners-up: Kabab and Curry, Everest Kitchen
Runners-up: The Beerded Lady, Taylor's Wine Shop
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
BEST SEAFOOD
Bella Monica
Cape Fear Seafood Company
Runners-up: Vic's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Daniel's Restaurant & Catering
Runners-up: Earp's Seafood Market, The Blind Pelican Seafood House
BEST LATE NIGHT MEAL (PAST 10 PM)
BEST SMALL PLATES / TAPAS Barcelona Wine Bar
Cookout
Runners-up: Madre, Vidrio
BEST SUSHI RESTAURANT
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
BEST CHEESE SHOP
Five Star Restaurant
Weaver Street Market
Runners-up: My Way Tavern, Lynwood Grill and Brewing
Runners-up: O-Ku, Taipei 101
Runners-up: Wegmans, The Raleigh Wine Shop
BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
BEST BAKERY Paul and Jack Bakery & Cafe
BEST CHINESE CUISINE
Gonza Tacos y Tequila
Runners-up: Waraji Japanese Restaurant, Sushi O Bistro & Sushi Bar
BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT
Runners-up: Stick Boy Bread Co., Boulted Bread
Taipei 101 Runners-up: Red Dragon, G.58 Cuisine
Runners-up: La Cocina Mexican Restaurant, El Jimador Mexican Restaurant
BEST BARBECUE
BEST COFFEE SHOP
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Prime Barbecue
Sola Coffee Cafe
The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop
Runners-up: Longleaf Swine, Lawrence Barbecue
Runners-up: Cup-A-Joe, Black & White Coffee
Runners-up: Person Street Bar, My Way Tavern
BEST BEER RETAIL STORE
BEST DESSERTS
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop
Hayes Barton Café & Dessertery
Big Cat on Brookside
Runners-up: State of Beer, Peace Street Market
Runners-up: Bittersweet, Paul and Jack Bakery & Cafe
Runners-up: Crooked Hammock Brewery, Mala Pata Molino + Cocina
BEST BISCUITS
BEST DRAFT SELECTION
Flying Biscuit Café
The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop
BEST NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Runners-up: Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken, Biscuit Belly
Runners-up: Raleigh Beer Garden, Tasty Beverage Co.
BEST BREWERY
BEST ETHNIC GROCERY STORES
Lynwood Brewing Concern
Grand Asia Market
Runners-up: Trophy Brewing Co., Crooked Hammock Brewery
Runners-up: Desi Dukaan, Patel Brothers
BEST BURGER MoJoe' Burger Joint Runners-up: Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, Neuse River Brewing
36 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
BEST FOOD TRUCK Utensilz Optional
O-Ku
Dram + Draught Runners-up: Tree Time THC Seltzers Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, Tap Yard Raleigh
BEST PIZZA Oakwood Pizza Box Runners-up: Trophy Brewery & Pizza, Vic's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Runners-up: Cousins Maine Lobster, Arepa Culture NC
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
Fiction Kitchen Runners-up: Irregardless, Element Gastropub
BEST VEGETARIAN EATERIES The Fiction Kitchen Runners-up: Irregardless, Element Gastropub
BEST WINE LIST The Raleigh Wine Shop Runners-up: Angus Barn, Sixty Vines
BEST WINGS Wings Over Raleigh Runners-up: Trophy Brewery & Pizza, Ba-Da Wings
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 37
WAKE
HEALTH BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
BEST PEDIATRICS
Blue Water Spa
Western Wake Pediatrics
Runners-up: Cary Holistic Health, Carolina Integrative Clinic
Runners-up: Oberlin Road Pediatrics, Duke Primary Care Heritage Pediatrics
BEST CAT VETERINARY
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
Bayleaf Veterinary Hospital
Dino Nowak - Renu Health and Fitness
Runners-up: VetMobile, Hidden Valley Animal Hospital
BEST CHIROPRACTOR Fonke Chiropractic and Decompression Center
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE
Runners-up: Peak Health Center, Garner Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Spark Physical Therapy and Performance
BEST DENTIST
Runners-up: Raleigh Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Pro Motion Physical Therapy
Wells Family Dental Group
Blue Water Spa
BEST DERMATOLOGIST
Runners-up: The MedSpa at Wake Plastic Surgery, Salon Serenity Spa
Runners-up: Oak City Dermatology, Midtown Dermatology
BEST DOG VETERINARY
The Fountain Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Runners-up: Birch Therapy, Peri & Pause
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Runners-up: Shiloh Animal Hospital, Northwoods Animal Hospital
CorePower Yoga
YMCA Runners-up: Renu Health and Fitness, Oak and Iron Fitness
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST Umstead Runners-up: Cary Massage, Massage Daze LLC - Allie Beck
themeadowsraleigh.com 38 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
BEST WOMEN’S HEALTH PRACTICE
Care First Animal Hospital at Oberlin
BEST GYM
Best Wedding Venue in Wake County!
BEST SPA
Runners-up: Britt Dental Center, Dr. Paula Stapleton–Stapleton Dentistry
Blue Ridge Dermatology
Thank You for voting us
Runners-up: Justin Berger - O2 Fitness, Aaron Cziraky-Cziraky Training LLC
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
Runners-up: Zin Yoga & Wine, YogaSix Glenwood South
cs, atrics
nd
tness, C
Physical rapy
e Plastic
ACTICE
d Pause
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 39
WAKE
PEOPLE & MISC. BEST ADULT NONPROFIT
BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP
Triangle Native American Society
Livable Raleigh
Runners-up: Healing Transitions, Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub (RUMAH)
Runners-up: Progressive Democrats of Wake County, CITYBUILDER
BEST BARTENDER - DRAFT SLINGER
BEST LOCAL CAUSE / NONPROFIT IMPACT AWARD
Cailin Peterson–Clouds Brewing
Livable Raleigh
Runners-up: Eddie Arriola–The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop, Alison– The Hop Yard
Runners-up: The Great Raleigh Cleanup, Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub (RUMAH)
BEST CHEF
BEST MIXOLOGIST
Scott Crawford
Bailey Gray
Runners-up: Anita Khalek, Bobby McFarland
Runners-up: Jason Lanier, Greg Dreyer
BEST DJ Luxe Posh Runners-up: Miss Ashley, Bunn DJ Company
BEST KEPT SECRET Dix Park Hammocks Runners-up: Cheshire Cat Antique Gallery, Copperline Plant Company
BEST KIDS NONPROFIT Schoolhouse of Wonder Runners-up: SAFEchild, Community of Hope Ministries
40 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
BEST USE OF PUBLIC MONEY Affordable Housing Runners-up: Public Schools, Public Parks
WORST WASTE OF MONEY Corporate tax cuts Runners-up: MLB Stadium, Lenovo Center renovations
UP
Livable Raleigh thanks Indy readers for voting us the best in Wake County!
ts of
ROFIT
eanup, RUMAH)
eyer
Y
c Parks
Best Local Activist Group Best Local Cause/Nonprofit Impact Award Livable Raleigh endorses these City Council candidates in this fall’s election.
At-Large: Sana Siddiqui 4 At-Large: Josh Bradley 4 District A: Whitney Hill 4 District B: Megan Patton 4 District C: Jared Ollison 4 District D: Jane Harrison 4 District E: Christina Jones 4
Livable Raleigh is an all-volunteer non-profit organization with the mission to educate, inform, and engage Raleigh residents about issues that impact the quality of life in Raleigh.
www.LivableRaleigh.com
facebook.com/LivableRaleigh
Instagram.com/LivableRaleigh
Scan QR code for our 2026 election information.
@livableraleigh.bsky.social
YouTube.com/LivableRaleigh
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
September 23, 2026 INDYweek.com 41
intervie ws comme ntary sigh & soun ts ds
DURHAM PRIDE PARADE LIVESTREAM only at
indyweek.com 12-2pm Saturday, Oct. 3
WAKE
PLACES BEST ALCOHOL-FREE VENUE
BEST GOLF COURSE
Raleigh United Mutual Aid Hub (RUMAH)
Raleigh Golf Association
BEST ARBORETUM OR GARDEN
BEST HOTEL
North Carolina Museum of Art
The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Runners-up: Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Raleigh Rose Garden
Runners-up: Heights House Hotel, Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown
BEST CAMPS
BEST HOTEL LOUNGE
Schoolhouse of Wonder
The Longleaf Hotel and Lounge
Runners-up: Falls River Music, Camp JCC
Runner-up: The Willard Raleigh
BEST DANCE VENUE
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH
Legends Nightclub
NC State Fair
Runners-up: Club Era, Neptunes
Runners-up: Moore Square, Downtown Cary Park
BEST DOG PARK Enjoy 100+ community groups marching alongside thousands of community members gathered in-person and online to advocate for our rights and to celebrate our existence, love, history, and community!
Oakwood Dog Park Runner-up: Dix Park
Runner-up: Heritage Golf Course
BEST WEDDING / EVENT VENUE The Meadows at Firefly Farm Preserve Runner-up: Main Street Kitchen + Bar at Sip and Shop Cafe
Thank you to our sponsor
Best Place to People Watch: NC State Fair PHOTO BY DON ROCHA
42 INDYweek.com September 23, 2026
INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE 2026 WAKE COUNTY Presented by NC Wills & Trusts
Wake County's best law firm. That's what you said. Thank you to our clients, their families, and the INDY Week readers who voted NC Wills and Trusts the winner of best law firm in Wake County in the 2026 Best of Wake competition. We plan to keep earning it, one family at a time!
Flat-rate pricing
Attorney contact throughout
In person or virtual
You'll know the cost before we begin. No hourly billing, no surprises.
You work directly with our attorneys through each step in the process, from initial consultation to signing.
Three Wake County offices, or the whole process from your living room.
Estate Planning, made easy. A will or trust shouldn't feel like a mystery. We explain your options in plain English, and draft a plan that fits you and your family. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, probate, asset protection, special needs and Medicaid planning, and deed preparation.
Schedule your consultation
NC Wills & Trusts Rolesville · Raleigh · Holly Springs
willsandtrustsnc.com or call (919) 706-1599