2025 Best of The Best in Charlotte: VOTER’S CHOICE
Results from January-February 2025 online polls
FOOD + DRINK
Best Bagel: Poppy’s Bagels
Runner-Up: The Accidental Baker
Best BBQ: Midwood Smokehouse
Runner-Up: Noble Smoke
Best Brunch: The Artisan’s Palate
Runner-Up: Snooze A.M. Eatery
Best Burgers: Ace No. 3
Runner-Up: Harriet’s Hamburgers
Best Chef: Sam Diminich
Runner-Up: Christa Csoka
Best Chinese Food: Baoding
Runner-Up: Lam’s Kitchen
Best Deli/Market: Rhino Market & Deli
Runner-Up: Common Market
Best Family-Friendly Restaurant: Phat Burrito
Runner-Up: Mama Ricotta’s
Best Food Truck: El Veneno
Runner-Up: Nacho Average Truck
Best French Food: Café Monte
Runner-Up: Coquette
Best Fried Chicken: Haberdish
Runner-Up: Bossy Beulah’s
Best Girls Night Out: Merchant and Trade
Runner-Up: The Artisan’s Palate
Best Greek Food: Greco Fresh Grille
Runner-Up: Yafo Kitchen
Best Indian Food: Copper
Runner-Up: Curry Gate
Best Italian Food: Mama Ricotta’s
Runner-Up: Little Mama’s
Best Japanese Food: O-Ku
Runner-Up: Yakiko Hibachi Grill
Best Latin Food: Calle Sol
Runner-Up: Sabor Latin Street Grill
Best Mexican Food: Three Amigos
Runner-Up: La Victoria Mexican Restaurant
Best Middle Eastern Food: Yafo Kitchen
Runner-Up: Jasmine Grill
Best New Restaurant: Albertine
Runner-Up: DŌZO Japanese American Kitchen
Best Pizza: Bird Pizzeria
Runner-Up: Inizio Pizza
Best Place for a Date Night: The Artisan’s Palate
Runner-Up: Merchant and Trade
Best Southern Food: Haberdish
Runner-Up: Mert’s Heart & Soul
Best Smoothie/Juice Bar: Green Brothers Juice
Runner-Up: Clean Juice
Best Seafood: Fin & Fino
Runner-Up: Sea Level
Best Spanish Food: Barcelona Wine Bar
Runner-Up: Miro Spanish Grille
Best Steakhouse: Steak 48
Runner-Up: Beef ‘N Bottle
Best Sushi: YUME Ramen Sushi & Bar
Runner-Up: O-Ku
Best Thai Food: Thai Taste
Runner-Up: Deejai Thai
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Food: Oh My Soul
Runner-Up: Sanctuary Bistro
Best Vietnamese Food: Lang Van
Runner-Up: Pho Hua
Best Bartender: Cecelia Crook
Runner-Up: Alejandro Ibanez
Best Coffee Shop: Not Just Coffee
Runner-Up: Enderly Coffee
Best Craft Cocktails: Idlewild
Runner-Up: Humbug
Best Happy Hour: Caroline’s Oyster Bar
Runner-Up: Merchant and Trade
Best Irish Pub: The Workman’s Friend
Runner-Up: Rí Rá Irish Pub
Best Local Brewery: Resident Culture Brewing
Runner-Up: Vaulted Oak Brewing
Best Local Distillery: Great Wagon Road Distilling
Runner-Up: Muddy River Distillery
Best Nightclub: Trio
Runner-Up: Coyote Joe’s
Best Rooftop Bar: Aura Rooftop
Runner-Up: Merchant and Trade
Best Small Plates: Barcelona Wine Bar
Runner-Up: Chapter 6
Best Sports Bar: Duckworth’s
Runner-Up: Ed’s Tavern
Best Wine List: Foxcroft Wine Co.
Runner-Up: Steak 48
Best Winery Within an Hour’s Drive: Veronét Vineyards & Winery
Runner-Up: Raffaldini Vineyards
Best Bakery: The Batchmaker
Runner-Up: Villani’s Bakery
Best Chocolate Shop: JF Chocolat
Runner-Up: The Secret Chocolatier
Best Cookies: The Batchmaker
Runner-Up: Honeybear Bake Shop
Best Cupcakes: Suárez Bakery
Runner-Up: The Batchmaker
Best Custom Cakes: Suárez Bakery
Runner-Up: The Accidental Baker
Best Dessert Menu: Supperland
Runner-Up: Restaurant Constance
Best Frozen Yogurt: TCBY
Runner-Up: Two Scoops
Best Doughnut: B.A. Donuts
Runner-Up: Reigning Doughnuts
Best Ice Cream: Two Scoops
Runner-Up: Seemingly Overzealous
SHOPPING + SERVICES + WELLNESS
Best Women’s Boutique: Vestique
Runner-Up: Boem
Best Men’s Clothing Store: OMJ Clothing
Runner-Up: Tabor
Best Place to Buy Custom Suits: OMJ Clothing
Runner-Up: Taylor Richards & Conger
Best Store for Charlotte Apparel: Glory Days Apparel
Runner-Up: 704 Shop
Best Bridal Boutique: Magnolia Laine Bridal
Runner-Up: Anjolique
Best Fine Jewelry Store: Windsor Jewelers
Runner-Up: Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry
Best Local Jewelry Designer: Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry
Runner-Up: Sarah Poursh Designs
Best Home Furnishings + Decor Store: Chinoiserie Squirrel
Runner-Up: Slate Interiors
Best Home Appliance Store: Queen City Homestore
Runner-Up: Plaza Appliance Mart
Best Place to Buy Charlotte-Made Products: CLT Find
Runner-Up: Paper Skyscraper
Best Local Gift Shop: Paper Skyscraper
Runner-Up: CLT Find
Best Charlotte Shopping Destination/Area: SouthPark Mall
Runner-Up: Atherton Mill
Best Craft Beer Bottle Shop: Salud Beer Shop
Runner-Up: Brawley’s Beverage
Best Wine Store: Winestore
Runner-Up: Foxcroft Wine Co.
Best Pet Supplies Store: Pet Wants
Runner-Up: Pet Supplies Plus
Best Auto Dealer: Audi Charlotte
Runner-Up: Hendrick Lexus Charlotte
Best Independent Bookstore: Park Road Books
Runner-Up: Trope Bookshop
Best Place to Buy CBD Products: Get Me Some Green Apothecary
Runner-Up: Greenlife Remedies
Best Local Plant Nursery: The Cactus Club
Runner-Up: Pike Nurseries
Best Residential Remodeling Company: GC Design Build
Runner-Up: T.G.A. Renovated
Best Home Builder: Classica Homes
Runner-Up: Copper Builders
Best Home Improvement Company: Moisture Loc
Runner-Up: T.G.A. Renovated
Best Interior Design Company: Stephanie Calderon Interiors
Runner-Up: Indigo Pruitt Design
Best Home Organization Company: Simplicity Organizers
Runner-Up: Prim Space
Best Landscaping Company: MetroGreenscape
Runner-Up: G&G Landscape Solutions
Best Kitchen and Bathroom Resources: T.G.A. Renovated
Runner-Up: Carolina Renovation Warehouse
Best Real Estate Firm: Northstar Real Estate
Runner-Up: EXP Realty
Best Realtor: Misty Hurd
Runner-Up: Sam Grogan
Best Plumbing Service: Carter Quality Plumbing
Runner-Up: WyattWorks Plumbing Charlotte
Best Window Resources: Sunburst Shutters
Runner-Up: Zen Windows
Best Heating and Cooling Services: Morris-Jenkins
Runner-Up: Travis Crawford Heating Cooling & Plumbing
Best Housekeeping/Cleaning Service: Maid Brigade
Runner-Up: Dust and Mop House Cleaning
Best House Painter: F2 Construction
Runner-Up: Valentine Painting
Best Staycation Hotel: JW Marriott Charlotte
Runner-Up: The Ballantyne
Best Moving Service: Make a Move
Runner-Up: Hilldrup
Best Assisted Living/Retirement Community: Southminster
Runner-Up: Windsor Run
Best Financial Advisor/Wealth Management Services: Indira Tinsley (Morgan Stanley)
Runner-Up: Tillman Insurance Advisors
Best Law Firm: Stewart Law Offices
Runner-Up: Price Petho & Associates
Best Place for Tax Preparation: Fisher, P.A.
Runner-Up: Atypical Advisors
Best Tattoo Parlor: The Grey Ash
Runner-Up: Made To Last
Best Auto Repair: Al’s Auto Repair
Runner-Up: Shamrock Auto Care
Best Graphic/Web Design Firm: Yellow Duck Marketing
Runner-Up: NiceDay
Best PR Firm: Yellow Duck Marketing
Runner-Up: Anna Stallmann Communications
Best Ad Agency: Crimson Park Digital
Runner-Up: NiceDay
Best DJ: Carolina DJ Professionals
Runner-Up: Split Second Sound
Best Caterer: Best Impressions
Runner-Up: Porcupine Provisions
Best Photographer: Mike Anthony
Runner-Up: Poprock Photography
Best Event Rentals: Party Reflections
Runner-Up: Curated Events
Best Party/Event Planner: J. Leigh Events
Runner-Up: Third Rock Events
Best Videographer: The 5 and 2 Project
Runner-Up: Nowsay Media
Best Wedding/Special Event Venue: Alexander Homestead
Runner-Up: Sweet Magnolia Estate
Best Florist: Jade Floral Co.
Runner-Up: Proper Flower
Best Dry Cleaners: Springfresh Cleaners
Runner-Up: Q Dry Cleaners
Best Tailor/Alterations: Anna’s Alterations
Runner-Up: Myers Park Tailors
Best Travel Agency: Corporate Travel Management / CTM Vacations
Runner-Up: Jen Cron Dream Vacations
Best Public/Charter School: Providence High School
Runner-Up: Shamrock Gardens Elementary
Best Private School: Providence Day School
Runner-Up: Charlotte Latin
Best Summer Camp: Engineering Camp Charlotte
Runner-Up: Connick School of Irish Dance
Best After-School Care/Program: JTEAM Afterschool Program
Runner-Up: Eastway Regional Recreation Center
Best Tutor Service: Ballantyne Reading Academy
Runner-Up: Dynamic Learning Connection
Best College Planning Service: EWC College Consulting
Runner-Up: International College Counselors
Best Pet Boarding/Day care: Bed and Bark
Runner-Up: The Dog Wizard
Best Veterinarian: Rea Road Animal Hospital
Runner-Up: Carolina Pets Animal Hospital
Best Dog Trainer: Obedient K9 Academy
Runner-Up: The Dog Wizard
Best Physical Therapist: Origin Rehabilitation
Runner-Up: The Charlotte Athlete
Best Yoga Studio: Y2 Yoga
Runner-Up: The Coterie
Best Pilates/Barre Studio: The Bar Method
Runner-Up: Hilliard Studio Method
Best Cardio Workout Class: West Kept Secret
Runner-Up: MADabolic
Best Boutique Gym: West Kept Secret
Runner-Up: Lemonade Fit
Best Barbershop: Scissors & Scotch
Runner-Up: Caliber Men’s Grooming
Best Women’s Hair Salon: JMY The Salon
Runner-Up: Moss & Black Salon
Best Women’s Hair Coloring: Denise Antonacci Salon
Runner-Up: JMY The Salon
Best Manicure/Pedicure: Frenchies Modern Nail Care
Runner-Up: Aloha Nails Blakeney
Best Lashes & Brows: Le Petit Spa
Runner-Up: Contour Institute
Best Blowout: Moss & Black Salon
Runner-Up: JMY The Salon
Best Hair Removal: Providence Plastic Surgery
Runner-Up: Le Petit Spa
Best Place to Get Your Makeup Done: Moss & Black Salon
Runner-Up: LookLove
Best Med Spa: Carolina Facial Plastics
Runner-Up: The Skin Center by CPS
Best Day Spa: Le Petit Spa
Runner-Up: Spa by JW
Best Plastic Surgery Practice: Charlotte Plastic Surgery
Runner-Up: Providence Plastic Surgery
Best Facial Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Kulbersh (Carolina Facial Plastics)
Runner-Up: Dr. Jack Scheuer (Charlotte Plastic Surgery)
Best Acupuncturist: Carolina Sports Clinic
Runner-Up: Wendy Swanson
Best Tanning Salon: Organic Bronze Bar
Runner-Up: Bronzed & Boujee
Best Chiropractor: Carolina Sports Clinic
Runner-Up: Integrative Chiropractic Matthews
Best Mental Health Therapist/Counseling: ModernMind Counseling & Wellness
Runner-Up: Bright View Counseling
Best Hearing Services: Levine Hearing
Runner-Up: Premier Audiology & Hearing Aid Center
Best Fertility Services: Reach Fertility Center
Runner-Up: Carolinas Fertility Institute
Best Dermatologist: Paviol Dermatology
Runner-Up: Charlotte Skin & Laser
Media + Culture + Entertainment
Best Author: Jamie Weatherly
Runner-Up: Tina Martin
Best Charlotte Influencer: Miranda in Charlotte
Runner-Up: Dana Brooke
Best Charlotte Instagram Account: Dana Brooke
Runner-Up @dailydreclt
Best Charlotte X Account: @axioscharlotte
Runner-Up: @queen_city_news
Best Charlotte TikTok Account: @merenator
Runner-Up: @queencitytrends
Best Company to Work for: Choate Construction
Runner-Up: Autism Strong Foundation
Best DIY Studio/Class/Workshop: Holt School of Fine Art
Runner-Up: Splatter Charlotte
Best Family Attraction: Carowinds
Runner-Up: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Best Golf Course: Cedarwood Country Club
Runner-Up: Quail Hollow Club
Best Charity Event/Fundraiser: Safe House Project’s Annual Hope Gala
Runner-Up: Unlocked Handbag Bingo
Best Festival: BuildStrong Festival for Autism
Runner-Up: BOOM Charlotte
Best Holiday Event: Southern Christmas Show
Runner-Up: Jingle Bowl
Best Pop-Up Event: Hunnid Dollar Art Fair
Runner-Up: Girl Tribe Pop Up
Best Karaoke Spot: Jeff’s Bucket Shop
Runner-Up: Seoul Food
Best Live Performance Venue: The Amp Ballantyne
Runner-Up: Middle C Jazz
Best Local Band/Musician: David Taylor & The Tallboys
Runner-Up: Val Merza
Best Live Entertainer: Harvey Cummings
Runner-Up: Lynsea
Best Performing Theatre Group: Moving Poets
Runner-Up: Three Bone Theatre
Best Visual Artist: Dammit Wesley
Runner-Up: Amy Moffatt
Best Art Gallery: SE CLT Gallery
Runner-Up: Shain Gallery
Best Museum: The Mint Museum
Runner-Up: Charlotte Museum of History
Best Public Art: The Firebird
Runner-Up: Rail Trail Lights
Best Local Podcast: Be Powerful with Liz & Lee
Runner-Up: All That to Say Podcast
Best Radio Show: The Maney & LauRen Morning Show
Runner-Up: The Bob and Sheri Show
Best Local Sports Show: Charlotte Sports Live (Queen City News)
Runner-Up: Mac & Bone (WFNZ)
Best Local TV News Team: Queen City News
Runner-Up: WSOC
Best Newsletter: Axios Charlotte
Runner-Up: The Charlotte Ledger
Best Reporter: Shevaun Bryan
Runner-Up: Robin Kanady
Best Weather Forecaster: Brad Panovich
Runner-Up: Elissia Wilson
Best Athlete: Bryce Young
Runner-Up: LaMelo Ball
Best Sports Team: Charlotte FC
Runner-Up: Carolina Panthers
Best Sporting Event: Charlotte FC
Runner-Up: Jumpman Invitational
Best Sports Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Runner-Up: Truist Field
