INDY’s Best of the Triangle

INDY Best of the Triangle 2026

The Triangle’s original and most anticipated readers poll!

Orange & Chatham Best of the Triangle winners are announced!

Orange & Chatham County readers have waited long enough—it’s time to reveal the local winners of the 2026 INDY Best of the Triangle Readers’ Choice Awards for Orange/Chatham!

For over two decades, readers have nominated and voted for their favorite businesses, people, and places across categories like food and drink, arts and culture, and more.

Below, you’ll find the community’s picks for what makes these counties special—from standout restaurants and venues to local organizations and services.

We hope this guide inspires you to discover something new or revisit a favorite. Thank you to our readers for supporting local, and congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners.

If your business or organization has landed a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place spot and you would like to commemorate your achievement with an INDY Best Of window decal, please click here.

Visit our listings online:

Or flip through the print version:

Durham Ballot is NOW OPEN!
Readers–it’s time again! The Durham County ballot is open from 4/22-6/1.

It’s your turn to make your voice heard. Show your support for Durham’s local businesses, people, and places you love by voting for your favorites. Your picks help spotlight what makes Durham vibrant.

What’s Next?
Durham ballot closes on 6/1. Winners will be announced on 7/1. Then, it’s time to gear up for the Wake–available from 7/22-8/26. Please find all relevant dates below. Please contact your INDY sales rep or [email protected] if you have any questions about dates or structure of the contest.

If you would like to receive further information on INDY’s Best of the Triangle, sign up here
Vote now, support local, and help crown this year’s Best of the Best of the Triangle!

Winning “Best of the Triangle” has been a coveted honor for the last 25 years. The INDY Best of the Triangle Readers’ Poll is a year-round by the county–Wake County, Durham County, and Orange/Chatham Counties. At the end of the year, the winners of each region will go head-to-head to claim the title of “Best of the Best of the Triangle”

In order to streamline the contest for both our readers and the businesses participating, we eliminated the traditional Nominating Round. Each county will have ONE voting period, resulting in 1 Winner and 2 Runner Ups for each category.

When a county-specific ballot opens, please choose the relevant category and cast your vote.

When the Ballot opens, please nominate your favorite businesses and places so the nominations will show on the Ballot.

Please find all relevant dates below. Please contact your INDY Sales rep or [email protected] if you have any questions about dates or structure of the contest.

So, spread the word, and don’t forget to support local!

Voting Window

Orange & Chatham

Durham

Wake

Triangle-wide

Voting Window

1/21 – 2/28

4/22 – 6/1

7/22 – 8/26

9/30 – 11/11

Winners announced

April 22

July 1

September 23

December 9

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Below please find a list of commonly asked questions. If your question is not listed below please reach out to [email protected].

How do I get my business included?

You can nominate your business for its relevant categories here. You can, and should, encourage friends, family, and patrons to nominate your business and all of your favorite places across the triangle area.

I am interested in advertising in one of these special editions, what should I do?

Advertising rates and placements can be requested from your indy sales rep or by emailing [email protected].

How can I promote my business in this contest?

Use your newsletters, social media, and other customer facing channels to promote both your nomination and vote. Links to creatives can be found here, and the link to vote can be found here.

I am interested in sponsoring the Best Of Readers Poll.

Please reach out to [email protected] for more information.

Are there scams that I should be aware of?

Businesses that made it onto the finalist ballot will likely receive phishing attempts via whatever public-facing communication channel you use. Any offer to sell you a plaque, poster, sign or any other “Best of the Triangle”-related product should be handled as a scam. INDY Week provides window decals to all finalists, and winners receive a poster to proudly display. If you are a previous finalist or winner and have not received these for previous years, please contact [email protected].

I won in a past year but never received my sticker.

Please contact [email protected] with your business’ name and the year that you won.

I want to make sure that I receive updates on Best of the Triangle.

You can sign up for Best of announcements throughout the year here.