Triangle residents know the sight well: stars bearing the INDY logo lining walls, windows and websites of local businesses. For two decades, readers have identified their favorite restaurants, bookstores, dentists, elected officials and more in our annual INDY BEST OF THE TRIANGLE readers' choice awards.
In this section, you’ll find the winners for Durham County — a roundup of so many of the people, places, and organizations that make the Bull City special. Whether you’re deciding where to eat dinner, where to see art, or where to take your car for a tune-up, our readers’ top picks have you covered. We hope you’ll spend some time perusing them all.
WINNERS! Thanks to everyone who nominated their favorites and congratulations to all of the finalists, who will receive our coveted star decal and a poster to display. Wake County winners were announced back in April (find them online if you missed it) and next up we’ll share your picks for Orange and Chatham Counties. And stay tuned for a special print edition in December rounding up the BEST of the BEST across the Triangle.
FOOD & BEVERAGE Be S t Al c oholi c c o c ktail S
The Velvet Hippo
Runners up: Alley Twenty Six, Kingfisher
Be S t Bagel
Isaac's Bagels
Runners up: Monuts, Everything Bagels
Be S t Bakery
Guglhupf Bakery & Restaurant
Runners up: Loaf, Ninth Street Bakery
Be S t Barbe c ue
Q Shack
Runners up: Picnic, QueDogs
BEST Beer Retail S tore
Beer Study
Runners up: Durham Beer Garden, Growler Grlz
BEST Bi S c uit S RISE
Runners up: Monuts, Bojangles
BEST Brewery (BREWED LO c ALLY)
Ponysaurus
Runners up: Fullsteam, Durty Bull
BEST Brun c h Re S taurant
Guglhupf Bakery & Restaurant
Runners up: Vin Rouge, Grub
BEST Hot Dog
QueDogs
Runners up: Kings, Alley Twenty Six, Dain's Place
BEST Burger
Bull City Burger
Runners up: Queen Burger, Alley Twenty Six
Be S t c atering
Dames Chicken & Waffles
Runners up: Succotash, Isaac’s Bagels
BEST c heap Eat S
Cosmic Cantina
Runners up: Queeny's, Dain's Place
BEST c hine S e Re S taurant
Shanghai
Runners up: Happy China, Hong Kong
BEST c offee S hop
Cocoa Cinnamon
Runners up: Joe Van Gogh, Bean Traders
BEST De SS ert S
The Parlour
Runners up: Guglhupf, Sweets by Shayda
BEST Draft S ele c tion
Beer Study
Runners up: Growler Grlz, DSSOLVR
BEST Ethni c Gro c ery S tore
Li Ming's
Runners up: Compare Foods, Al Taiba
BEST Food Tru c k
Chirba Chirba
Runners up: Lao Lao Food Truck, Gussy's Food Truck
BEST Indian Re S taurant
Viceroy
Runners up: Cheeni, Anjappar Chettinad Indian
BEST Italian Re S taurant
Gocciolina
Runners up: Mother and Son's, Cucciolo Osteria
BEST Japane S e Re S taurant
M Sushi
Runners up: Dashi, M Tempura
BEST Late Night Meal (PaS t 10 p.m.)
Queeny's
Runners up: Cosmic Cantina, Alley Twenty Six
BEST Mexi c an Re S taurant
Mezcalito
Runners up: La Vaquita, Fonda Lupita
BEST Neighborhood Bar
The Velvet Hippo
Runners up: Growler Grlz, Queeny’s
BEST New Re S taurant
(within 12 month S)
QueDogs
Runners up: Aaktun Coffee- Restaurant and Bar, Anjappar Chettinad Indian
BEST Non-Al c oholi c Drink S (not coffee)
The Velvet Hippo
Runners up: Alley Twenty Six, Da Kine’s Kava
BEST Pizza
Pizzeria Toro
Runners up: Hutchins Garage, Tomato Jake's
BEST Wine Retail S tore
Wine Authorities
Runners up: LouElla Wine Beer & Beverage, Hope Valley Wine
BEST S eafood
SaltBox Seafood Joint
Runners up: M Sushi, Locals Seafood
BEST S mall Plate S /Tapa S
Mateo
Runners up: Juju Durham, Little Bull
BEST S outhern Food
Succotash
Runners up: It's a Southern Thing, Grub
BEST S u S hi
M Sushi
Runners up: Shiki Sushi, Sake Bomb
BEST Thai Re S taurant
Thai Cafe
Runners up: Thaiangle, Thai on Main
BEST Vegetarian Eatery
Pure Soul
Runners up: Viceroy, Banu Vegan
BEST Wine Li S t
LouElla Wine Bar
Runners up: Killer Queen, Delafia
BEST Wing S
Heavenly Buffaloes
Runners up: The House Restaurant, Tomato Jake's Pizzeria
PLAc ES BEST Wedding/Event Venue
Museum of Life and Science
Runners-up: Duke Chapel, Bay 7
BEST Al c ohol-Free Venue
Durham Farmer's Market
Runners-up: The Scrap Exchange Gallery, Duke Chapel
BEST ARBORETUM OR GARDEN
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
BEST Bike Trail
American Tobacco
Runner-up: Ellerbee Creek
BEST c o-Working S pa c e
Durham County Main Library
Runners-up: Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood, American Underground
BEST Dan c e Venue
The Fruit
Runners-up: The Velvet Hippo, Pinhook
BEST Golf c our S e
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
Runners-up: Hillandale, Treyburn CC
BEST Park
West Point on the Eno
Runners-up: Durham Central Park, Duke Park
BEST Hotel
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
Runners-up: Durham Hotel, 21c Museum Hotel
BEST Hotel Lounge
Rooftop at Durham Hotel
Runners-up: Washington Duke Inn, Unscripted
BEST Karaoke Pla c e/Event
Pinhook
Runners-up: Ruby’s, The House Restaurant
BEST Pla c e to take a Fir S t Date
Duke Gardens
Runners-up: The Velvet Hippo, Growler Grlz
BEST Pla c e To Take An Out-of-Towner
Duke Gardens
Runners-up: Durham Bulls Game, The Velvet Hippo
BEST Pla c e to People Wat c h
Durham Farmers Market
Runners-up: Downtown Durham, American Tobacco Campus
BEST S port S Bar
Bull McCabe's
Runners-up: The Boot Room, Durham Beer Garden
BEST S ummer c amp
Schoolhouse of Wonder
Runners-up: Carolina Friends School, Piedmont Wildlife Center
BEST Trivia Bar/Event
Hammered Trivia at Durty Bull
Runners-up: Tomato Jake's, Growler Grlz
BEST Pre S c hool/ Early Edu c ation Program
Schoolhouse of Wonder
Runners-up: Carolina Friends School, First Environments Early Learning Center
BEST c hef
PEOPLE & MIS c . Carrie Schleiffer - Alley Twenty Six
Runners-up: Ricky Moore - Saltbox Seafood Joint, Oscar Diaz - Little Bull et al
BEST DJ
DJ Ayo VIP
Runners-up: DJ RNB, Jorden the DJ
BEST Draft- S linger
Tom Fisher - Queenys
Runners-up: Bear Bennett - Growler Grlz, Heather Atkins - DSSOLVR
BEST Mixologi S t
Will Swart-Alley Twenty Six
Runners-up: Leslie Matista - The Velvet Hippo, Elise at Club Era
BEST Lo c al A c tivi S t Group
Bike Durham
Runners-up: NC Triangle Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Durham Association of Educators
BEST Non-Profit TROSA
Runners-up: Independent Animal Rescue, Hope Animal Rescue
BEST Kid S Non-Profit
Emily K Center (Emily Krzyzewski Center)
Runners-up: Schoolhouse of Wonder, Piedmont Wildlife Center
BEST Rea S on to Love Durham c ounty
Community
Runners-up: Diversity, Nida Allam
BEST Lo c al Band
Sylvan Esso
Runners-up: Bangzz, Zealotrous
BEST Lo c al Influen c er
Naomi Dix
Runners-up: Bull City Political Nerd, Lynn MagikCraft Swain
BEST Politi c ian
Nida Allam
Runners-up: Mayor Leo Williams, Nate Baker
BEST Rea S on to Leave Durham c ounty
Housing prices
Runners-up: to vote in a swing electoral district, Crime
Be S t U S e of Publi c Money
Durham Public Schools
Runners-up: HEART Program, Durham County Library
Bigge S t Wa S te of Publi c Money
Charter Schools & Private School
Tuition Vouchers from the GA
Runners-up: Sheriff's Training Facility, Tesla Charging Stations
HEALTH Be S t Barber S hop
Rock Paper Scissors
Runners-up: Great clips (homestead), Dennis BEST Mens Hair Salon
Be S t c hild c are
Schoolhouse of Wonder
Runners-up: Bright Horizons RTP, KIN Childcare
Be S t c hiropra c ti c Pra c ti c e
Carolina Pain & Performance
Runners-up: Precision Chiropractic - Dr. David Martin, Complete Chiropractic Sports & Wellness
Be S t Dental Pra c ti c e
Durham Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Runners-up: Bull City Smiles, Sunrise Dental Renaissance Parkway
Be S t Dermatologi c al Pra c ti c e
Triangle Dermatology
Runners-up: Duke Dermatology, Regional Dermatology
Be S t Gym
Duke Health and Fitness Center
Runners-up: YMCA Lakewood, Courage Fitness Durham
Be S t Hair S alon
Rock Paper Scissors
Runners-up: H2O Hair Salon And Spa, Culture Hair Studio
Be S t Holi S ti c Medi c ine
Duke Integrative Medicine
Runners-up: Magiccraft Bull city Magic, Meridian Health Solutions
Be S t Ma SS age Therapi S t
Hayley at Auroraflow
Runners-up: Michael Barriskill- Mindful Massage, Graham Wolfson Bull City Pilates and Massage
Be S t Pediatri c Pra c ti c e
Duke Pediatric Primary Care
Runners-up: Regional Pediatrics, UNC Pediatrics at Southpoint
Be S t Phy S i c al Therapy Pra c ti c e
Bull City Physical Therapy
Runners-up: The Obstacle Doc, Bull City PT
Be S t S pa
Blue Water Spa Brier Creek
Runners-up: Auroraflow, H2O Hair Salon And Spa
Be S t Dog Veterinary Pra c ti c e
Eno Animal Hospital
Runners-up: Urban Tails Veterinary Hospital, Southpoint Animal Hospital
Be S t c at Veterinarian
Eno Animal Hospital
Runners-up: Urban Tails Veterinary Hospital, Southpoint Veterinary Hospital
Be S t Women' S Health Pra c ti c e
Chapel Hill OBGYN
Runners-up: Durham Women's Clinic, Waypoint Counseling & Maternal Wellness
Be S t Yoga S tudio
Blue Point
Runners-up: Virge Yoga, The Yoga District
BUSINESSES BEST Attorney
Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
Runners-up: Payne Family Law & Mediation- PA, Nicholson Pham
BEST Auto Me c hani c Wasp Automotive
Runners-up: Massey Brothers Automotive, Lonnie's University Auto Center
BEST c BD/Head S hop
MagikCraft Bull City Magic
Runners-up: Carolina Hemp Hut, Sherlocks Glass & Dispensary
BEST c lothing c on S ignment
Rumors
Runners-up: Scrap Thrift, Plato's Closet
BEST Dan c e S tudio
Ninth Street Dance
Runners-up: Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Davis Dance Company
BEST Dog Boarding
Eno Animal Hospital
Runners-up: Camp Bow Wow, The Pet Wagon
BEST Dog Grooming
Elliotte's Pet Spa
Runners-up: Eno Animal Hospital, Woof Gang
BEST Dog Training
Pawsitive Empowerment
Runners-up: Whole Dog Institute, Coneflower Canines
BEST Dog Walking
Kate's Critter Care
BEST Dog S itting
Go Dog
Runners-up: Kate's Critter Care, Bull City Pet Sitter
BEST Ele c tri c ian
Dynamic Electric (Sarah Fulcher)
Runners-up: Streamline Services, Obsidian Electric LLC
BEST Flori S t
Ninth Street Flowers
Runners-up: Bowerbird Flowers, Covenant Creations Flowers
BEST Game S tore
Atomic Empire
Runner-up: Guildhall games
BEST HVA c c ompany
Alternative Aire
Runners-up: Streamline Services, Comfort Monster Heating & Air
Be S t In S uran c e c ompany
Mike Embree Insurance Agency
BEST Jeweler/Jewelry S tore Jewelsmith
Runners-up: Hamilton Hill, John David Jewelers
BEST Land S c aper
TROSA Lawn Care
Runners-up: Agape Lawn Co., Bland Landscaping
BEST Lo c al Book S tore
Regulator Bookshop
Runners-up: Golden Fig Books, Letters Co-op
BEST Men' S c othing S tore
Scrap Thrift
Runners-up: Jos A Bank, Ascend Collection
BEST New Bu S ine SS (WITHIN 12 MONTHS)
Aaktun Coffee- Restaurant and Bar
Runners-up: Daughters Coffee and Books, Club Era
BEST Painter S
Zarazua Painting
Runners-up: Hansell Painting, Brush Up Painting
BEST Real E S tate c ompany
Inhabit Real Estate
Runners-up: Fathom Realty, Jason Dalton & Associates
BEST Realtor (INDIVIDUAL'S NAME)
Dara Shain
Runners-up: Marie Brockenbrough, Jarrett Jost
BEST Pla c e to Buy Lo c ally
Made c raft S /Art
Durham Farmers Craft Market
Runners-up: Cecy's, The Artisan Market at 305
BEST Vintage S tore
TROSA Thrift Store
Runners-up: Gibson Girl, Durham Vintage Collective
BEST Women' S c lothing S tore
Scrap Thrift
Runners-up: Vert & Vogue, Rose & Lee
indy BeSt of the Triangle 2025: Durham county
ARTS Be S t Art Gallery (ART FOR SALE)
Durham Art Guild
Runners-up: 5 Points Gallery, The Artisan Market at 305
Be S t Art Mu S eum
Nasher Museum of Art
Runners-up: 21 C, Historic Tuba Collection
Be S t S c ien c e/Hi S tory Mu S eum
Museum of Life and Science
Runners-up: Museum of Durham History, Vincent and Ethel Simonetti Historic Tuba Collection
Be S t c omedy c lub/Event
Mettlesome
Runners-up: Durty Bull, The Monti
Be S t Theatre c ompany
Durham Regional Theatre
Runners-up: Bulldog Ensemble Theater, Redbird Theatre Company
Be S t Mu S i c Fe S tival
Festival for the Eno
Runners-up: Biscuits and Banjos, Slingshot
Be S t Drag S how/Event
Vivica C. Coxx Music Bingo at The Velvet Hippo
Runners-up: Club Era House Cast, Cult Your Nights
Be S t Ele c troni c c on c ert Venue
The Fruit
Runners-up: Motorco, Rubies at Five Points
Be S t Unplugged c on c ert Venue
Pinhook
Runners-up: The Fruit, Sharp 9
Be S t Film Theatre Venue/ Event
Carolina Theatre
Runners-up: Carolina Theatre-Full Frame Film Festival, Shadowbox Studio
Be S t Lo c al/Regional Pod c a S t Embodied
Runners-up: Artist Soapbox, Scene on Radio
Be S t Mural
Pauli Murray
Runners-up: DSSOLVR, Celebrate by Michael Brown (108 E. Main St.)
Be S t Radio S tation WUNC
Runners-up: WXDU, That Station
