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ORANGE & CHATHAM
The often-imitated but never duplicated Best of the Triangle awards are back. For two decades, readers have relied on the INDY ’s Best of the Triangle readers’ poll to help them navigate important decisions about how to spend their time, where they spend their money, and—perhaps most importantly—what to eat and drink.
Here we’re sharing the winners in Orange and Chatham counties—a who’s who of the area’s best restaurants, pet care businesses, shops, recreational activities, and more. Whether you’re trying to find the best wings, a new dentist, your next art gallery visit, or a local cause you can get behind, we’ve got you covered with our readers’ top picks. We hope you’ll take a look and check out some of the places, people, and activities that make the community unique.
In the meantime, thank you to our readers for nominating your favorites—we couldn’t pull off Best of the Triangle without you! And congratulations to all of the finalists in Orange and Chatham, who will receive our coveted star decal and a poster to display.
Stay tuned for Durham and Wake county winners throughout the year and, in December, a special print edition rounding up the best of the best across the Triangle.
ORANGE & CHATHAM
ARTS
BEST ART GALLERY FOR PURCHASE
My Muses Card Shop & Muse Art Gallery
Runners-up: WomanCraft Gifts, FRANK Gallery
BEST ART GALLERY FOR VIEWING
My Muses Card Shop & Muse Art Gallery
Runners-up: FRANK Gallery, Lapin Bleu
BEST COMEDY CLUB/EVENT
The ArtsCenter/Once Upon A Time In Carrboro
Runners-up: Black Sheep Comedy, Yonder -- Josh Rosenstein
BEST DRAG SHOW / EVENT
Franny Starlight
Runners-up: Speakeasy Queer Cabaret, Pittsboro Pride: Drag Show & Dance Party
BEST ELECTRONIC CONCERT VENUE
Cat's Cradle
Runners-up: MOSAIC at Chatham Park, Local 506
BEST FILM THEATRE VENUE/ EVENT
Chelsea Theater
Runners-up: Silverspot, The Lumina Theater
BEST LIVE THEATRE COMPANY
Playmakers
Runners-up: The ArtsCenter, Stone Soup Theatre Company
BEST LOCAL/REGIONAL PODCAST
Wize Woman STORIES by Delia Quigley
Runners-up: Hometown Holler, The Whammy Douglas Radio Hour
BEST LOCAL BAND
Watchhouse
Runners-up: Tan and Sober Gentlemen, Bill Moore and His Secret Admirers
BEST MUSEUM
The Ackland
Runners-up: My Muses Card Shop & Muse Art Gallery, Orange County Historical Museum
Runners-up: MEDSPA 501, Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
BEST WOMEN’S HEALTH PRACTICE
Chapel Hill OBGYN
Runners-up: For Women, UNC Midwives
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Franklin Street Yoga
Runners-up: Loving Kindness Yoga School, YogaSix Chapel Hill
Orange County Sportsplex
Runners-up: FIT Carrboro, O2 Fitness
BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST
Runners-up: Kathryn Kager - Massage and Bodywork, Jeff Wells - Wellsport
Runners-up: Carrboro Pediatrics & Internal Medicine, Avance Care Pediatrics
Thank you to my clients who took the time to vote for me and trust me to help them live their best lives. Grateful to represent Orange and Chatham Counties for a seventh year. This fall, cast your final “Best of the Triangle” vote for me.
AKAI HANA
PEOPLE & MISC. ORANGE & CHATHAM
BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP
Siembra, NC
Runners-up: Friends of Bolin Creek, Chatham County Democrats
BEST LOCAL CAUSE / NONPROFIT IMPACT AWARD
Beautiful Together Animal Sanctuary
Runners-up: Carrboro In Motion, B3
BEST MIXOLOGIST
Zach White (Belltree)
Runners-up: William Clark (Atlas), Addie Campbell (Atlas)
BEST USE OF PUBLIC MONEY
Orange County Public Library
Runners-up: Chapel Hill Public Library, WCOM (Carrboro)
WORST WASTE OF MONEY
Anything supporting ICE
Runners-up: Changing the UNC logo, Closing Weaver Street in Carrboro studies
Best Local Activist Group: Siembra, NC PHOTO BY ANGELICA EDWARDS, 2025
PLACES
BEST ALCOHOL-FREE VENUE
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
Runners up: Cat Tales Cat Cafe, Chapel Hill Public Library
BEST ARBORETUM OR GARDEN
North Carolina Botanical Gardens
Runners-up: American Indian Cultural Garden at UNC, Coker Arboretum
BEST CAMP
Carolina Friends School Summer Programs
Runners-up: Camp Chestnut Ridge, The ArtsCenter
BEST DOG PARK
Gold Park
Runners-up: Southern Community Dog Park, Homestead Dog Park
BEST GOLF COURSE
UNC Finley Golf Course
Runners-up: Occoneechee Golf Club, Cedar Grove Gold Course
BEST HOTEL
Carolina Inn
Runners-up: Fearrington Inn, The Colonial Inn
BEST HOTEL LOUNGE
Carolina Inn
Runners-up: The Colonial Inn, The Graduate by Hilton
BEST PLACE TO PEOPLE WATCH
Weaver Street Market (Carrboro)
Runners-up: The Plant, Carrboro Farmers' Market
BEST WEDDING / EVENT VENUE
The Parlour at Manns Chapel
Runners-up: Coco Bistro, North Carolina Botanical Garden
