Best Bagel in the Triangle
Monuts
1002 Ninth Street, Durham
monutsdonuts.com
Finalists: New York Bagels & Deli (Raleigh), Bagel Bar (Chapel Hill), Bagel Bar (Durham)

Best Bakery in Durham County
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
guglhupf.com
Finalists: Loaf, Ninth Street Bakery, The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bake Shop

Best Bakery in Orange / Chatham County
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant
1800 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
guglhupf.com
Finalists: Weaver Street Market; Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering; Phoenix Bakery

Best Bakery in Wake County
La Farm Bakery
220 West Chatham Street, Cary
lafarmbakery.com
Finalists: Boulted Bread, Yellow Dog Bread Company, lucettegrace

Best Barbecue in Durham County
The Original Q Shack
2510 University Drive, Durham
theqshackoriginal.com
Finalists: Picnic, Backyard BBQ Pit, Blue Note Grill

Best Barbecue in Orange / Chatham County
Allen & Son, Chapel Hill
6203 Millhouse Road, Chapel Hill
Finalists: The Pig, Hillsborough BBQ, Allen & Son (Pittsboro)

Best Barbecue in Wake County
The Pit Authentic Barbecue
328 West Davie Street, Raleigh
thepit-raleigh.com
Finalists: Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue, Big Mike’s Brew N Que, Longleaf Swine

Best Biscuits in Durham County
Rise Biscuits Donuts (Downtown Durham)
401 Foster Street, Durham
durhamrisebiscutsdonuts.com
Finalists: Rise Biscuits Donuts (Southpoint), Monuts, Baby Scratch

Best Biscuits in Orange / Chatham County
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
1305 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
sunrisebiscuits.com
Finalists: Rise Biscuits Donuts (Carrboro), Neal’s Deli, LaPlace Louisiana Cookery

Best Biscuits in Wake County
Rise Biscuits Donuts (Cameron Village)
530 Daniels Street, Raleigh
risebiscuitsdonuts.com
Finalists: State Farmers Market Restaurant, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, Jubala Coffee

Best Bloody Mary in Durham County
Motorco Music Hall / Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham
motorcomusic.com
Finalists: Watts Grocery, Geer Street Garden, The Durham

Best Bloody Mary in Orange / Chatham County
LaPlace Louisiana Cookery
111 North Churton Street, Hillsborough
laplacehillsborough.com
Finalists: Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar, Postal Fish Company, Acme Food & Beverage Co.

Best Bloody Mary in Wake County
NOFO @ The Pig
2014 Fairview Road, Raleigh
nofo.com
Finalists: Jose and Sons, Person Street Bar, Parkside Restaurant

Best Bread in Durham County
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
guglhupf.com
Finalists: Loaf, Ninth Street Bakery, Baby Scratch

Best Bread in Orange / Chatham County
Weaver Street Bakery
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
weaverstreetmarket.coop/food/our-bakery
Finalists: Guglhupf Bake Shop, Chicken Bridge Bakery, The Bread Shop

Best Bread in Wake County
La Farm
4248 Northwest Cary Parkway, Cary
lafarmbakery.com
Finalists: Boulted Bread, Yellow Dog Bread Company, Stick Boy Bread Co.

Best Breakfast in Durham County
Elmo’s Diner
776 Ninth Street, Durham
elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Monuts, The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bake Shop, Saladelia Cafe & Catering

Best Breakfast in Orange / Chatham County
Elmo’s Diner
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro
elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, Breadmen’s, Neal’s Deli

Best Breakfast in Wake County
Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant
220 Wolfe Street, Raleigh
bigedscitymarket.com
Finalists: La Farm Bakery, Metro Diner, Nourish Raleigh

Best Brewery in Durham County
Ponysaurus Brewing Company
219 Hood Street, Durham
ponysaurausbrewing.com
Finalists: Fullsteam Brewery, Bull City Burger and Brewery, Durty Bull Brewing Company

Best Brewery in Orange / Chatham County
Mystery Brewing Company
437 Dimmocks Mill Road, #41, Hillsborough
mysterybrewing.com
Finalists: Steel String Brewery, Carolina Brewery, Top of the Hill Brewery

Best Brewery in Wake County
Trophy Brewing
827 West Morgan Street, Raleigh
trophybrewing.com
Finalists: Bond Brothers Beer Company, Brewery Bhavana, Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Crank Arm Brewing Company

Best Brunch in Durham County
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
guglhupf.com
Finalists: Vin Rouge, The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bake Shop, Saladelia Cafe & Catering

Best Brunch in Orange / Chatham County
Elmo’s Diner
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro
elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Acme Food & Beverage Co. LaPlace Louisiana Cookery, Venable

Best Brunch in Wake County
Irregardless Cafe & Catering at The Glenwood
3300 Woman’s Club Drive, Raleigh
irregardless.com/catering
Finalists: Coquette, Parkside Restaurant, Metro Diner

Best Burger in Durham County
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 East Parrish Street, Durham
bullcityburgerandbrewery.com
Finalists: Only Burger, Dain’s Place, Town Hall Burger and Beer

Best Burger in Orange / Chatham County
Al’s Burger Shack
516 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
alsburgershack.com
Finalists: Wooden Nickel Pub, Buns, The Pickle Jar Café

Best Burger in Wake County
Chuck’s Burgers
237 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh
ac-restaurants.com/chucks
Finalists: She Players’ Retreat, Royale, Krafty’s Burgers and Brews, Metro Diner

Best Burrito in Durham County
Cosmic Cantina
1920 Perry Street, Durham
Finalists: Nanataco, Chubby’s Tacos, Taqueria La Vaquita

Best Burrito in Orange / Chatham County
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
carrburritos.com
Finalists: Cosmic Cantina, Fiesta Grill Restaurant, Ixtapa

Best Burrito in Wake County
Gringo A Go Go
100 North Person Street, Raleigh
gringoraleigh.com
Finalists: Original Flying Burrito, Chuy’s Baja Burrito

Best Caribbean or Cuban in the Triangle
COPA (Old Havana)
310 East Main Street, Durham
oldhavanaeats.com
Finalists: Cuban Revolution Restaurant & Bar, Oakwood Cafe, Carmen’s Cuban Café

Best Cheap Eats in Durham County
Guasaca
Erwin Square, #A-100, 2200 West Main Street, Durham
guasaca.com
Finalists: Pie Pushers, Saladelia Cafe & Catering, The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bake Shop

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Best Cheap Eats in Durham County
 Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas
Indy: You probably wouldn’t assume that a spot that gets so crowded on weekend nights, let alone one that our readers nominated for Best Latin American Restaurant in the Triangle, would also pass for cheap eats. You’d be surprised! At less than ten bucks for an empanada and two sides (or vice versa), we’re calling it cheap—especially because the tastiness of the food far surpasses the affordable price. Try the quinoa empanada with yuca frits and jicama-kale slaw, or the potato empanada with spicy bacon collards and maduros with cinnamon crème fraiche. Adding a house cocktail (we love the Bees Knees) will double the price of your meal, but after making such a savvy and economical dinner choice, don’t you deserve it? —Brian Howe

Best Cheap Eats in Orange / Chatham County
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
carrburritos.com
Finalists: Wooden Nickel Pub, Cosmic Cantina, Time-Out

Best Cheap Eats in Wake County
Mami Nora’s
2401 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh
maminoras.com
Finalists: Armadillo Grill, The Players’ Retreat, Mitch’s Tavern

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Best Cheap Eats in Wake County
Sultan’s Deli
Indy: It’d be easy to gloss over the Sultan’s Deli storefront among the chains in Apex’s Beaver Creek Commons. But seek out this no-frills Mediterranean spot (it’s a couple of doors down from Regal Cinemas, in between Five Below and Dollar Tree) and you’ll feast like a king on a pauper’s budget. Standouts include the Lebanese Kabob Platter, which includes baba ghanoush, tabouleh, a bulgur-tomato-parsley salad, crispy falafel, hummus, and grilled pita with either one or two chicken, lamb, or gyro meat skewers, or the juicy ground beef and lamb Kofta Sandwich, where the Middle Eastern-style meatballs are wrapped in griddled pita and dressed with lettuce, tomato, and tzatziki; be sure to ask for extra “cucumber sauce” for dipping. The $7.99 gyro lunch special is a popular pick and includes either beef and lamb shawarma, falafel, or chicken wrapped in a warm pita, and comes with fries, Greek salad, or rice, and a fountain drink. —Layla Khoury-Hanold

Best Chef in Durham County
Matt Kelly
Finalists: Phoebe Lawless, Carrie Schleiffer, Bo Peterson

Best Chef in Orange / Chatham County
Vimala Rajendran
Finalists: Andrea Reusing, Christopher McLaurin, Seth Kingsbury

Best Chef in Wake County
Ashley Christensen
Finalists: Cheetie Kumar, Oscar Diaz, Jeff Seizer

Best Chinese Restaurant in Durham County
Happy China
2505 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
Finalists: Neo-China Restaurant, Shanghai, Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant

Best Chinese Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
Gourmet Kingdom
301 East Main Street, Carrboro
thegourmetkingdom.com
Finalists: Jade Palace Restaurant, Red Lotus, Shanghai Dumpling

Best Chinese Restaurant in Wake County
Brewery Bhavana
218 South Blount Street, Raleigh
brewerybhavana.com
Finalists: Five Star Restaurant, Red Dragon, Taipei101

Best Chocolate in the Triangle
Videri Chocolate Factory
327 West Davie Street, Raleigh
viderichocolatefactory.com
Finalists: Escazu Artisan Chocolates, Matthew’s Chocolates, Special Treats

[page]

Best Coffee Shop in Durham County
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 West Geer Street, Durham
cocoacinnamon.com
Finalists: Bean Traders, Joe Van Gogh,The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bake Shop, Saladelia Cafe & Catering

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Best Coffee Shop in Durham County
Baby Scratch
Indy: We at the INDY still don’t even know what to do with ourselves since the downtown Durham Scratch, which was right around the corner from our office, closed. Sometimes our bodies just automatically launch themselves out the door, and we don’t remember until we get to the empty storefront (which we mentally refer to as Itch). It’s crushing. Then we just wander hopelessly, dazed, looking for coffee and tartines. But those of us who live in Lakewood can at least drop in at Baby Scratch and see some of our favorite Mama Scratch employees. While the food options are slimmer than they were at the flagship, the espresso drinks are just as good, and you’re more likely to be able to grab one quickly at Scratch than at the perennially bustling Cocoa Cinnamon nearby. —Brian Howe

Best Coffee Shop in Orange / Chatham County
Caffe Driade
1215 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
caffedriade.com
Finalists: Cup A Joe (Hillsborough), Open Eye Cafe, Joe Van Gogh

Best Coffee Shop in Wake County
Cup A Joe (Hillsborough Street)
3100 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
cupajoe.com
Finalists: Sola Coffee, Jubala Coffee, BREW Coffee Bar

Best Cupcake in Durham County
Smallcakes Durham
4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham
smallcakescupcakery.com
Finalists: The Cupcake Bar, Mad Hatter Cafe + Bake Shop, Favor Desserts

Best Cupcake in Orange / Chatham County
Sugarland
140 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
sugarlandchapelhill.com
Finalists: Weaver Street Market, Phoenix Bakery, Carolina Café

Best Cupcake in Wake County
The Cupcake Shoppe
104 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
thecupcakeshopperaleigh.com
Finalists: Sugarland, Bittersweet, Cupcakes d’Amour

Best Deli in Durham County
Lucky’s Delicatessen
105 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
luckysdelinc.com
Finalists: Parker & Otis, Mediterranean Grill and Grocery, Saladelia Café & Catering

Best Deli in Orange / Chatham County
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
mediterraneandeli.com
Finalists: Neal’s Deli (Carrboro), Southern Season, Bacon’s Meat Market (recently sold)

Best Deli in Wake County
Village Deli
500 Daniels Street, Raleigh
villagedeli.net
Finalists: The Butcher’s Market, Carroll’s Kitchen, Manhattan Café

Best Desserts in Durham County
The Parlour
117 Market Street, Durham
theparlour.co
Finalists: Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant; Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets; Mad Hatter Café + Bake Shop

Best Desserts in Orange / Chatham County
Weaver Street Market (Carrboro)
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
weaverstreetmarket.coop
Finalists: La Place Louisiana Cookery, Root Cellar Café & Catering, Insomnia Cookies

Best Desserts in Wake County
Hayes Barton Café
2000 Fairview Road, Raleigh
Finalists: lucettegrace, Bittersweet, Royal Cheesecake & Varieties

Best Distillery in the Triangle
Durham Distillery
711 Washington Street, Durham
durhamdistillery.com
Finalists: Pinetop Distillery, Fair Game Beverage Company Wine and Spirits, Graybeard Distillery

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Best Distillery in the Triangle
Mystic Farm & Distillery
Indy: There are several excellent distilleries in the Triangle, but for the whiskey aficionado, there’s one that’s not to be missed: Sourced almost entirely from North Carolina ingredients and distilled on a solar-powered, twenty-two-acre farm in Durham, Mystic offers a booze-forward but not too harsh bourbon—the harshness is tempered by a hefty wheat bill—called Heart of Mystic that stands out both as a rugged base for any whiskey cocktail and neat (or with a splash of still water, or with a rock) in a glass. This is not to be confused with the first product Mystic brought to market, Mystic Bourbon Liqueur, which uses this bourbon as base for a honey-infused concoction. Nor should it be confused with Soul of Mystic, the unaged white lightning whiskey. Those are both fine, though the liqueur is a little too sweet for my liking. (If you cut it with straight bourbon, it becomes more palatable.) But the bourbon itself, aged in barrels for several years, is as good as, if not better than, any you’d find in Kentucky.
After all, as Jonathan Blitz (an attorney who cofounded Mystic) will tell you, before Prohibition, North Carolina had one of the best distilling scenes in the country. All of the ingredients are here: good water, good agriculture, seasonal changes that cause the barrels to expand and contract just like you want them to. After Prohibition and the decades of ridiculously restrictive alcohol laws that followed, we just need to catch up again. The more distilleries like Mystic that pop up, the quicker that’ll happen. —Jeffrey C. Billman

[page]

Best Donut in the Triangle
Monuts
1002 Ninth Street, Durham
monutsdonuts.com
Finalists: Duck Donuts, Rise Biscuits Donuts (Cameron Village), Early Bird Donuts

Best Draft Beer Selection in Durham County
Beer Study / Starpoint Brewing
2501 University Drive, #4, Durham
beerstudy.com
Finalists: Growler Grlz, Pour Taproom, The Glass Jug Beer Lab

Best Draft Beer Selection in Orange / Chatham County
Beer Study
106 North Graham Street, Chapel Hill
beerstudy.com
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, Wooden Nickel Pub, Mystery Brewing Public House

Best Draft Beer Selection in Wake County
Raleigh Beer Garden
614 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
theraleighbeergarden.com
Finalists: House of Hops, Bottle Rev (Apex), Krafty’s Burgers and Brews

Best Food Truck in the Triangle
Chirba Chirba Dumplings
chirbachirba.com
Finalists: Buoy Bowls, Pie Pushers, Frankly The Best Hot Dogs

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Best Food Truck in the Triangle
Mr. A’s Beignets
Indy: Since 2015, Mr. A’s Beignets has been serving up “three squares a day” from its signature yellow truck on North Salem Street in downtown Apex. The squares in the equation are not meals but rather an order of three square doughnuts—though you could certainly make a meal out of them if you were so inclined. The beignets are fashioned after the classic French dish of fried fritters made with choux pastry, deep-fried till golden, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and served warm. Owner Arlton Cangelosi is a New Orleans native, so it’s no wonder that these beignets stack up to the ones dished out at famed NOLA joint Café Du Monde. Pair them with a cup of chicory coffee for a taste of the Big Easy in Apex. Pro tip: the beignets are easy to devour, but don’t make the rookie mistake of inhaling the powdered sugar. —Layla Khoury-Hanold

Best French Restaurant in the Triangle
Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough Road, Durham
vinrougerestaurant.com
Finalists: Rue Cler, Coquette, Royale

Best Fries in Durham County
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 East Parrish Street, Durham
bullcityburgerandbrewery.com
Finalists: The Federal, Heavenly Buffaloes, Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub

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Best Fries in Durham County
Saint James Seafood
Indy: For all their starchy splendor, French fries are an ignoble food. Even when piled with toppings from chili to cheese to truffle oil, fries are usually meant to be eaten with your hands, in all their greasy glory. You wouldn’t expect one of Durham’s higher-end establishments to serve such an uncouth treat, but that’s exactly what’s on offer at Saint James Seafood. Their fries unexpectedly check all the boxes. Served hot and crispy? Yep. Not too thick? Oh yeah. A moderate dusting of tasty spices? Got it. These fries fare particularly well with the restaurant’s menu of tropical cocktails, adding an excellent salty balance to the drinks’ smooth sweetness. It might not be worth a trip to Saint James just for the fries, but if you’re there, don’t miss them. —Allison Hussey

Best Fries in Orange / Chatham County
Al’s Burger Shack
516 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
alsburgershack.com
Finalists: Wooden Nickel Pub, Tyler’s Taproom , Buns

Best Fries in Wake County
Chuck’s Burgers
237 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh
ac-restaurants.com/chucks Finalists: Capital Club 16, Carolina Ale House, The Station

Best Frozen Treats in the Triangle
The Parlour
117 Market Street, Durham
theparlour.co
Finalists: Locopops, Fresh, Treat Ice Cream & Coffee

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Best Frozen Treats in the Triangle
Andia’s Ice Cream
Indy: It’s easy to lose track of time ogling the chalkboard menu at Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream in Cary. The ice cream is made in small batches, so flavors rotate often; you’ll find classics like the award-winning French Vanilla, crowd-pleasers like Malted Twix and Cotton Candy, and flavors that point to owner Andia Xouris’s Greek roots like rose pistachio or baklava, featuring a cinnamon nutmeg-infused base folded with chopped walnuts and pieces of layered phyllo dough pastry. Baklava scoops also star in the Baklava Sundae, where they’re topped with honey, hot fudge, and a piece of baklava. Other treat-yo’-self-worthy frozen confections include the Donut Sundae, where your scoop of choice is sealed into a warm, glazed doughnut using a special machine, then finished with sprinkles and chocolate and caramel sauces; and ice cream sandwiches, where scoops are sandwiched between thick chocolate chip cookies, half dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with toppings such as M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and nuts. —Layla Khoury-Hanold

Best Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurant in the Triangle
Primal
202 N.C. Highway 54, #107, Durham
primalfoodandspirits.com
Finalists: Saladelia Cafe & Catering, Fresh Levant, The Mad Hatter’s Café & Bake Shop

[page]

Best Greek Restaurant in the Triangle
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
410 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
mediterraneandeli.com
Finalists: Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen & Bar, Kipos, Saladelia Café & Catering

Best Guacamole in the Triangle
Gonza Taco y Tequila
7713 Lead Mine Road, #39, Raleigh
gonzatacoytequila.com
Finalists: Dos Perros, Jose and Sons, Totopos Street Food & Tequila

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Best Guac in the Triangle
Goat Cheese Guacamole at Cantina 18
Indy: You’d expect the guacamole at Cantina 18 to be good—the chef-driven menu at the Southern-inflected Southwestern eatery comes from Jason Smith of the fine-dining restaurant 18 Seaboard, after all. But this goat-cheese guac is ridiculously good. It starts with perfectly ripened avocados that are mashed until the texture strikes a balance between smooth and chunky. Minced pickled jalapenos bring the heat, tempered by chopped cilantro and lime juice, while quartered cherry tomatoes and black beans add heft, transforming it into a salsa-guac hybrid. But what makes the guacamole here so irresistible is the unconventional addition of Holly Grove Farms’ goat cheese, whose creaminess complements the buttery avocado while acting as a tangy foil to the dip’s richness. —Layla Khoury-Hanold

Best Hot Dog in the Triangle
Snoopy’s
3600 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
snoopys.com
Finalists: The Cardinal Bar, The Roast Grill, Frankly The Best Hot Dogs

Best Indian Restaurant in the Triangle
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
431 West Franklin Street, #415, Chapel Hill
curryblossom.com
Finalists: Garland, Viceroy, Sitar

Best Irish Pub in the Triangle
Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub
427 West Main Street, Durham
bullmccambesirishpub.com
Finalists: Hibernian Pub (Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh), Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, James Joyce

Best Italian Restaurant in Durham County
Gocciolina
3314 Guess Road, Durham
gocciolina.com
Finalists: Mothers and Sons Trattoria, Pizzeria Toro, The Boot

Best Italian Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
411 West
411 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
411west.com
Finalists: Pizzeria Mercato, Pancuito, Pazzo

Best Italian Restaurant in Wake County
Bella Monica
3121 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh
bellamonica.com
Finalists: Caffe Luna, Gravy, Vic’s Italian Restaurant

Best Japanese Restaurant in Durham County
Dashi
415 East Chapel Hill Street, Durham
dashiramen.com
Finalists: M Sushi, Kanki, Shiki Sushi

Best Japanese Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant
206 West Main Street, Carrboro
akaihana.com
Finalists: Oishii, Spicy 9 Sushi Bar & Asian Restaurant, Fusion Fish

Best Japanese Restaurant in Wake County
Waraji Japanese Restaurant
5910 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh
warajijapaneserestaurant.com
Finalists: Kanki, Sushi Thai, City Market Sushi

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant in Durham County
Elmo’s Diner
776 Ninth Street, Durham
elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Bull City Burger and Brewery, Pompieri Pizza, Hope Valley Bar & Grill

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
Elmo’s Diner
200 North Greensboro Street, Carrboro
elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Italian Pizzeria 3 (IP 3), Mystery Brewing Public House, Root Cellar Café & Catering

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant in Wake County
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
4208 Six Forks Road, #100, Raleigh
thecowfish.com
Finalists: Neomonde, Carolina Ale House, Parkside Restaurant

Best Late-Night Meal in Durham County
Cosmic Cantina
1920 Perry Street, Durham
Finalists: Heavenly Buffaloes, Dashi, Alley Twenty Six

Best Late-Night Meal in Orange / Chatham County
Time-Out
201 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill
timeout247.com
Finalists: Cosmic Cantina, Wooden Nickel Pub, Northside District

Best Late-Night Meal in Wake County
The Players’ Retreat
105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
playersretreat.net
Finalists: The District, Gallo Pelon Mezcaleria, XOCO Raleigh

Best Latin-American Restaurant in Durham County
Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas
112 West Main Street, Durham
lunarotisserie.com
Finalists: Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken, Dos Perros, Blue Corn Café

Best Latin-American Restaurant in Orange / Orange County
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
carrburritos.com
Finalists: Fiesta Grill Restaurant, Lucha Tigre, Ixtapa

Best Latin-American Restaurant in Wake County
Gonza Tacos Y Tequila
7713 Lead Mine Road, #39, Raleigh
gonzatacoytequila.com
Finalists: Mami Nora’s, Centro, so.ca cocina latina

[page]

Best Locally Made Craft Beer in the Triangle
Trophy Wife Session IPA, Trophy
656 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh
trophybrewing.com
Finalists: Bier de Garde (Ponysaurus), Glean (Brewery Bhavana), Six Impossible Things (Mystery Brewing)

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Best Locally Made Craft Beer in the Triangle
Crank Arm BMX Barleywine
Indy: Asking me to pick my favorite local beer is a bit like asking Jim Bob Dugger to pick his favorite child. At some point, you can’t even keep all their names straight, let alone figure out which one you prefer—and anyway, it all depends on what style you’re into at any given moment. Bond Brothers in Cary slays the IPAs. Durty Bull in Durham makes incredible sours and a stellar hazy IPA. You can’t really go wrong with anything at Ponysaurus or Trophy Wife or Lonerider. And look at all the well-deserved awards Lynwood Brewing Concern has taken home! And so on.
So how to pick just one? In the end, it comes down to preference. It’s not my everyday beer, but when the occasion is right, there are few beverages that hit the spot quite like a barleywine. And, for my money, no brewery in the Triangle makes a better barleywine than Crank Arm in Raleigh.
Boozy, hoppy, aged in rye whiskey barrels (this year’s variety, at least), and currently on tap in the West Davie Street brewery—and also available in bottles at shops around the area; I recently scored a couple at Beer Study in Durham—this robust beer is not for the beginner, nor for the faint of heart, nor for the chuggers, and definitely not for the designated driver, but it is perfect for those suds-lovers who savor complexity. —Jeffrey C. Billman

Best Locally Made Liquor in the Triangle
Conniption Gin, Durham Distillery
711 Washington Street, Durham
durhamdistillery.com
Finalists: Krupnikas (The Brothers Vilgalys Spirits Company), Lassiter’s North Carolina Rum (Lassiter Distilling Company), Oak City Amaretto

Best Locally Made Wine, Cider or Mead in the Triangle
Bull City Ciderworks
305 S Roxboro Street, Durham
bullcityciderworks.com Finalists: Botanist & Barrel Cider, Honeygirl Meadery, Starrlight Mead, Fair Game Beverage Company Wine and Spirits

Best Mediterranean Restaurant in the Triangle
Neomonde Baking Company
10235 Chapel Hill Road, #400, Morrisville
neomondebakery.com
Finalists: Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering; Saladelia Cafe + Catering; Jasmin Mediterranean Bistro

Best Mexican Restaurant in Durham County
Gonza Tacos Y Tequila
604 Fernway Avenue, Durham
gonzatacoytequila.com
Finalists: Nanataco, Taqueria La Vaquita, Dos Perros

Best Mexican Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
Carrburritos
711 West Rosemary Street, Carrboro
carrburritos.com
Finalists: Fiesta Grill Restaurant, Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, Ixtapa

Best Mexican Restaurant in Wake County
Gonza Taco y Tequila
7713 Lead Mine Road, #39, Raleigh
gonzatacoytequila.com
Finalists: Centro, Viva Mexican Kitchen, Totopos Street Food and Tequila

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant in the Triangle
Neomonde Mediterranean
3817 Beryl Road, Raleigh
neomonde.com
Finalists: Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering, Sassool, Bosphorus

Best New Restaurant in Durham County
Saint James Seafood
806 West Main Street, Durham
saintjamesseafood.com
Finalists: Goorsha, Jack Tar and the Colonel’s Daughter, Namu

Best New Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
Mystery Brewing Public House
230 South Nash Street, Hillsborough
mysterybrewing.com
Finalists: Postal Fish Company, Village Diner, The Pickle Jar Café

Best New Restaurant in Wake County Brewery Bhavana
218 South Blount Street, Raleigh
brewerybhavana.com
Finalists: The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar, Pizzeria Faulisi

Best Outdoor Dining in Durham County
Motorco Music Hall / Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee Avenue, Durham
motorcomusic.com
Finalists: Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant; Geer Street Garden; Foster’s Market; Namu; Refectory Café

Best Outdoor Dining in Orange / Chatham County
Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
weaverstreetmarket.coop
Finalists: Wooden Nickel Pub, Lantern, Acme Food & Beverage Co.

Best Outdoor Dining in Wake County
Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen & Bar
326 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
tavernaagora.com
Finalists: The Station on Person, Humble Pie, Krafty’s Burgers and Brews

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Best Outdoor Dining in Wake County
Mulino Kitchen & Bar
Indy: With its reflecting pool, cozy tables and couches, and ivied brick walls, the outdoor patio at Raleigh’s Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar is a year-round fixture for al fresco dining. On balmy summer nights, there’s no better place to sip an aperitif than perched on a couch poolside. Come wintertime, the patio maintains its festive vibes with strings of party lights draped inside a clear-paneled, retractable tent. Normally this kind of real estate comes at a premium, but the classic Italian menu—spanning antipasti, handmade pastas, and wood-fired pizzas and entrees—is priced just right. Cozy up at a table for two and share a bottle of Lambrusco and appetizers or snag a table poolside with your crew for the Wednesday agriturismo menu for a four-course, family-style feast. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a Tuscan villa, complete with nonna’s cooking. —Layla Khoury-Hanold

Best Pie in Durham County
East Durham Bake Shop
406 South Driver Street, Durham
eastdurhambakeshop.com
Finalists: Baby Scratch, Bean Traders, The Mad Hatter’s Cafe & Bake Shop

Best Pie in Orange / Chatham County
Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
weaverstreetmarket.coop
Finalists: LaPlace Louisiana Cookery, Root Cellar Cafe & Catering, The Pickle Jar Café

Best Pie in Wake County
Bittersweet
16 East Martin Street, Raleigh
bittersweet.com
Finalists: Slice Pie Company, Once in a Blue Moon, Yellow Dog Bread Company

Best Pizza in Durham County
Pizzeria Toro
105 East Chapel Hill Street, Durham
pizzeriatoro.com
Finalists: Pie Pushers, Pompieri Pizza, Randy’s Pizza (Miami Boulevard)

Best Pizza in Orange / Chatham County
Pizzeria Mercato
408 West Weaver Street, Carrboro
pizzeriamercatonc.com
Finalists: Italian Pizzeria 3 (IP3), Radius Pizza, Pazzo

Best Pizza in Wake County
Lilly’s Pizza
1813 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
lillyspizza.com
Finalists: Trophy Pizza, Oakwood City Pizza Box, Brookside Market and Pizza

Best Place to Get Fresh-Pressed Juice in the Triangle
Happy + Hale
703B Ninth Street, Durham
happyandhale.com
Finalists: Raleigh Raw Juice Bar & Café, Humdinger Juice, Saladelia Café & Catering

Best Restaurant in the Triangle
Bida Manda Laotian Restaurant and Bar
222 South Blount Street, Raleigh
bidamanda.com
Finalists: Royale, Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar, Krafty’s Burgers and Brews

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Best Restaurant in the Triangle
Mateo bar de tapas
Indy: So much competition. So much worthy competition. The new and acclaimed Brewery Bhavana? What about Poole’s? Or Saint James Seafood in Durham? Or, if you want to go a little less highbrow, Saltbox Seafood? I could also make a case for Pizzeria Mercato, or M Sushi, or Gocciolina, or Goorsha, or Lantern, or a half-dozen other joints, depending on my mood. To put it mildly, we have a thriving food scene, with options aplenty.
But when friends and family come in from out of town and want to go someplace great, we head to Mateo, a tapas restaurant that does patatas bravas as well as it does sweet potatoes with burnt honey as well as it does pan con tomate as well as it does pollo frito as well as it does a giant-ass whole lobster. (OK, I only saw the latter on the chalkboard menu once, on New Year’s Eve, and it was very expensive. But man, was it worth it.) In so many words, everything is excellent, all the time, no exceptions. If we’re talking about the best restaurant in the Triangle, there’s plenty to argue about, but Mateo damn sure needs to be in the conversation. —Jeffrey C. Billman

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Best Salad in Durham County
Happy + Hale
703B Ninth Street, Durham
happyandhale.com
Finalists: Saladelia Café & Catering, Vin Rouge, The Mad Hatter’s Café & Bake Shop

Best Salad in Orange / Chatham County
Weaver Street Market
101 East Weaver Street, Carrboro
weaverstreetmarket.coop
Finalists: Root Cellar Café & Catering, LaPlace Louisiana Cookery, The Pickle Jar Café

Best Salad in Wake County
Happy + Hale
443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
happyandhale.com
Finalists: Relish Craft Kitchen & Bourbon Bar, Parkside Restaurant, Manhattan Café

Best Sandwich in Durham County
Toast
345 West Main Street, Durham
toast-fivepoints.com
Finalists: Lucky’s Delicatessen, Saladelia Café & Catering, The Mad Hatter’s Café & Bake Shop

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Best Sandwich in Durham County
American Hero
Indy: Nothing fancy here, but if you’re into a straightforward, old-fashioned submarine sandwich, with no skimping on the toppings, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place around these parts that does it better than this North Roxboro Street joint. Even the simple cheese sub is piled ridiculously high, with three kinds of cheese layered thick (melted, if you ask) over a toasted (again, if you ask) sub roll, then topped with whatever your heart desires. The half will do you fine; the whole could feed an army. —Jeffrey C. Billman

Best Sandwich in Orange / Chatham County
Merritt’s Store & Grill
1009 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill
merrittsstoreandgrill.com
Finalists: Neal’s Deli, Root Cellar Café & Catering, Mystery Brewing Public House

Best Sandwich in Wake County
Parkside Restaurant
301 West Martin Street, Raleigh
parksideraleigh.com
Finalists: Manhattan Café, Southern Craft Butchers, Krafty’s Burgers and Brews

Best Seafood Restaurant in the Triangle
Saltbox Seafood Joint
608 North Mangum Street, Durham
2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham
saltboxseafoodjoint.com
Finalists: 42nd Street Oyster Bar, Saint James Seafood, The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

Best Southeastern Asian Cuisine in the Triangle
Bida Manda Laotian Restaurant and Bar
222 South Blount Street, Raleigh
bidamanda.com
Finalists: Thai Cafe, Namu, Twisted Noodles

Best Southern Food Restaurant in the Triangle
Poole’s
426 South McDowell Street, Raleigh
ac-restaurants.com/pooles
Finalists: Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, LaPlace Louisiana Cookery, True Flavors Diner

Best Sports Bar in Durham County
Tobacco Road Sports Café
280 South Mangum Street, #100, Durham
tobaccoroadsportscafe.com
Finalists: Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub, Dain’s Place, Mattie B’s Public House

Best Sports Bar in Orange / Chatham County Wooden Nickel Pub
105 North Churton Street, Hillsborough
thewnp.com
Finalists: Tobacco Road Sports Café, Hickory Tavern (Carrboro), Might as Well Bar & Grill

Best Sports Bar in Wake County
The Players’ Retreat
105 Oberlin Road, Raleigh
playersretreat.net
Finalists: Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern, Parkside Restaurant, Krafty’s Burgers and Brews

Best Steak in Durham County
NanaSteak
345 Blackwell Street, Durham
nanasteak.com
Finalists: Vin Rouge, Metro 8, Nantucket Grill

Best Steak in Orange / Chatham County
Bin 54
1201-M Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill
binchapelhill.com
Finalists: The Farm House, Stoney River Steak House, Pancuito

Best Steak in Wake County
Angus Barn
9401 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
angusbarn.com
Finalists: Death and Taxes, Vinnie’s

Best Sushi in Durham County
M Sushi
311 Holland Street, Durham
msushidurham.com
Finalists: Shiki Sushi, Sushi Love, Basan Bull City Sushi

Best Sushi in Orange / Chatham County
Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant
206 West Main Street, Carrboro
akaihana.com
Finalists: Oishii, Elements, Kurama Sushi & Noodle Express

Best Sushi in Wake County
Waraji Japanese Restaurant
5910 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh
warajijapaneserestaurant.com
Finalists: Sushi Blues, City Market Sushi, Tasu (Brier Creek)

Best Tapas in the Triangle
Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham
mateotapas.com
Finalists: Humble Pie, Stanbury, Taberna Tapas

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Best Tapas in the Triangle
Gocciolina
Indy: I haven’t seen our readers’ top choice as I write this, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you picked Mateo, as well you should have. It’s no surprise that Gocciolina wasn’t nominated in this category, because Gocciolina is not a tapas restaurant. Except for the small fact that Gocciolina is … secretly kind of a tapas restaurant? The intimate Italian spot serves fine pasta dishes in startlingly reasonable portions (there’s a reason that the tasty baked gnocchi is only $12), and myriad antipasti make it easy to build a table-sharing meal sans entrée: little ramekins of spicy chickpeas, white-anchovy-wrapped olives, sautéed brussels sprouts, and the down-low best roasted potatoes in town. —Brian Howe

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Best Taqueria in the Triangle
Taqueria La Vaquita
2700 Chapel Hill Road, Durham
lavaquitanc.com
Finalists: Nanataco, Gringo A Go Go, Taqueria El Toro

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Best Taqueria in the Triangle
Super Taqueria
Indy: It doesn’t get the sort of glossy-magazine acclaim as some of its competitors, perhaps owing to its humble location in a not-yet-completely-gentrified section of North Durham, but for a simple taco or burrito done exceptionally well for not a ton of money in a laid-back, authentically Mexican environment, you really can’t do better than Super Taqueria. The menu is extensive—tortas, tacos, burritos, etc., with whatever meat you want—but even the simplest offering, a bean burrito with tortilla chips, will more than satisfy. Don’t forget to hit up the salsa bar while you’re there. There’s a good chance it’ll leave your eyes watering and your nose running, and I mean that in the best way possible. —Jeffrey C. Billman

Best Vegan-friendly Restaurant in Durham County
Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas
112 West Main Street, Durham
lunarotisserie.com
Finalists: Refectory Café, Saladelia Café & Catering, The Mad Hatter’s Café & Bake Shop

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Best Vegan-friendly Restaurant in Durham County
 Goorsha
Indy: “When cousins Fasil Tesfaye and Zewditu Zewdie fly home to America from their native Ethiopia, they bring back large suitcases packed with spices: berbere, mit’ten shiro, bulla, besso,” Katie Jane Fernelius wrote in the INDY last year, when Goorsha opened in the former Rainbow Chinese Restaurant space on the Brightleaf edge of downtown Durham. While these spices enliven many a beef and chicken dish, don’t forget that Goorsha is also a vegan paradise, with an entire menu section dedicated to beautifully seasoned meat-and-dairy-free options. The problem isn’t finding something you can have, it’s choosing which three things—yellow split-pea stew or chopped collard greens, red lentils or green beans—you want to sop up with spongy injera bread for $12. (Psst. A vegan duo should get all six.) —Brian Howe

Best Vegan-friendly Restaurant in Orange / Chatham County
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
431 West Franklin Street, #415, Chapel Hill
curryblossom.com
Finalists: Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar, Sage, Living Kitchen

Best Vegan-friendly Restaurant in Wake County
Fiction Kitchen
428 South Dawson Street, Raleigh
thefictionkitchen.com
Finalists: Irregardless Cafe, Remedy Diner, Living Kitchen

Best Veggie Burger in Durham County
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 East Parrish Street, Durham
bullcityburgerandbrewery.com
Finalists: Only Burger, The Federal, Refectory Café

Best Veggie Burger in Orange / Chatham County
Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar
111 East Main Street, Carrboro
Finalists: Buns, Wooden Nickel Pub, Living Kitchen

Best Veggie Burger in Wake County
Fiction Kitchen
428 South Dawson Street, Raleigh
thefictionkitchen.com
Finalists: The Remedy Diner, Parkside Restaurant, Abbey Road Tavern & Grill

Best Wait Staff in the Triangle
Brewery Bhavana
218 South Blount Street, Raleigh
brewerybhavana.com
Finalists: Elmo’s Diner, Royale, The Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

Best Wine List in Durham County
Bar Brunello
117 East Main Street, Durham
barbrunello.com
Finalists: Mateo, Nana’s Restaurant, Vin Rouge

Best Wine List in Orange / Chatham County
Glasshalfull
106 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro
glasshalfull.net
Finalists: Bin 54 Steak & Cellar, Elaine’s on Franklin, Kitchen

Best Wine List in Wake County
Angus Barn
9402 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh
angusbarn.com
Finalists: Vita Vite, Stanbury, Vidrio

Best Wings in Durham County
Heavenly Buffaloes
1807 West Markham Avenue, Durham
heavenlybuffaloes.com
Finalists: The Blue Note Grill, M Kokko, The House

Best Wings in Orange / Chatham County
Wooden Nickel Pub
105 N Churton St, Hillsborough
thewnp.com
Finalists: Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar, Wings Over Chapel Hill, CrossTies

Best Wings in Wake County
Lynnwood Grill
4821 Grove Barton Road, Raleigh
lynnwoodgrill.com
Finalists: Carolina Ale House, Parkside Restaurant, Krafty’s Burgers and Brews