INDY’s 2024 Best of the Triangle Winners

Best Bagel

Isaac’s Bagels – Durham

Isaac Henrion earned our trust the old-fashioned way, starting with a folding table at a community garden and graduating to the Queeny’s pop-up window and the Durham Farmers’ Market before launching a brick-and-mortar location last summer. His bagels nail the holy trinity of authenticity—crackly outer shell, dense but pillowy interior, just enough chew—and the menu at his storefront reads like a perfect blend of old-school deli (smoked whitefish salad with lemon and tomato) and new-school innovation (slow-roasted cherry tomatoes with adjika cream cheese). —LG

Runners-up: Brandwein’s Bagels – Orange/Chatham, Benchwarmers – Wake

Best Barbecue

The Original Q Shack – Durham

Runners-up: Hillsborough BBQ Company – Orange/Chatham, Longleaf Swine – Wake

Best beer retail store

Beer Study – Durham

Runners-up: State of Beer – Wake, Beer Study – Orange/Chatham

Best biscuits

Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Rise – Durham, The Flying Biscuit – Wake 

Best brewery

Ponysaurus Brewing – Durham

Runners-up: Eno River Brewery – Orange/Chatham, Trophy Brewing – Wake 

Best brunch restaurant

Guglhupf Artisan Bakery and Restaurant – Durham

Runners-up: Irregardless Cafe – Wake, Cafe Root Cellar Pittsboro – Orange/Chatham 

Best burger

Al’s Burger Shack – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: QueenBurger – Durham, MoJoe’s – Wake

Best Catering

Runners-up: Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken – Durham, Caffe Luna – Wake 

Best cheap eats

Cosmic Cantina – Durham

Climb the stairway to burrito heaven at Cosmic Cantina and venture into an intergalactic food experience that Durhamites have enjoyed for decades. Even after all these years, Cosmic promises a simple menu and good vibes, and it’s still one of the few restaurants where friendly drunkards and hangry nighthawks can find refuge after last call. —JL

Runners-up: Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering – Orange/Chatham, Alpaca Peruvian Chicken – Wake 

Best Cheese Shop

Durham Co-op Market – Durham

Runners-up: The Cheese Shop – Orange/Chatham, Raleigh Cheesy – Wake 

Best Chinese Restaurant

Shanghai Restaurant – Durham

Tucked into a strip mall off Hillsborough Road, where grocery store signs may change but some things stay deliciously constant, Shanghai has spent over two decades perfecting the art of consistency without compromise. The menu bridges Chinese American classics with Cantonese and Szechuan specialties, while the dining room—with its red vinyl booths, vintage liquor-bottle display, and that one towering ficus that’s probably witnessed thousands of first dates—feels like it exists in its own particular dimension of Durham time. Just remember to plan ahead during the holidays, when seemingly half of Durham has the same craving for comfort and MSG in this enduring sanctuary.  —LG

Runners-up: Happy China, Hong Kong

Best Coffee Shop

Cocoa Cinnamon – Durham

Step inside any one of Cocoa Cinnamon’s three storefronts in Old North Durham, Old West Durham, and Lakewood and you’ll be greeted by rich espresso smells, colorful, eclectic decor, and the murmur of good conversation between friends and strangers. Husband and wife co-owners Leon Grodski Barrera and Areli Barrera Grodski envisioned the shops as community hubs where Durhamites of all stripes could gather and feel welcome. The couple make a point of paying their staff a living wage and buying sustainably, ethically produced coffee from diverse, independent vendors. This is a cup of coffee to savor and feel good about.  —CCB

Runners-up: Caffé Driade – Orange/ Chatham, Sola Coffee Cafe – Wake 

Best Desserts

Guglhupf Bake Shop – Orange/Chatham

Gugulhupf, the German restaurant on 15-501, is known as a great Triangle brunch spot. But if you’re just looking to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry, try the spinoff bake shop at Eastgate Crossing in Chapel Hill. Everything is made at the Durham location and shipped over in the morning, so you know it’s going to be just as good but without that weekend brunch line. The staff will also patiently explain to you how to pronounce schnecke, as in almond schnecke, if that’s something you’re interested in.  —CP

Runners-up: Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets – Durham, Bittersweet – Wake

Best Draft Selection

Wooden Nickle Pub – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Growler Grlz, The Glass Jug Beer Lab

Best Ethnic Grocery Store

Li Ming’s Global Mart – Durham

Runners-up: H Mart – Wake, Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering – Orange/Chatham 

Best Food Truck

Chirba Chirba Dumpling Truck – Durham

If you answered the question posed on Chirba Chirba Dumpling’s website— “Were you born ready to eat dumplings right now?”—with “Yes!” then this is likely the food truck for you. Chirba Chirba—directly translating to “eat eat” in Mandarin—is appropriately named for a food truck that sells dumplings. The truck itself moves around the Triangle, with a calendar on its website. If using the truck tracker is too difficult, the truck itself is also bright yellow, making it hard to miss. Owner Nate Adams spent 14 years in Taiwan before founding Chirba Chirba and, according to its website, Chirba Chirba prides itself on using quality ingredients in an authentic Chinese style. —AS

Runners-up: Tacos Los Altos – Orange/ Chatham, Gym Tacos – Wake 

Best Indian Restaurant

Viceroy – Durham

Runners-up: Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe – Orange/Chatham, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium – Wake (closed)

Best Italian Restaurant

Gocciolina Italian Restaurant – Durham

It feels like giving away the bag to write about Gocciolina, a fairy-tale restaurant tucked in an entirely unassuming Guess Road plaza, but it’s not like this Italian restaurant is any secret—it’s topped this list for Best Italian Restaurant in the Triangle year after year, in addition to garnering lots of other praise. For good reason: owner-chef Aaron Benjamin trained in northern Italy before bringing his spaghetti carbonara and small-plate offerings to North Durham. Gocciolina is the kind of place you should seek out for something special: a birthday, an anniversary, a celebration of good news. You’ll feel transported and will leave with a full stomach. —SE

Runners-up: Pizzeria Mercato – Orange/Chatham, Bella Monica – Wake 

Best Japanese Restaurant

M Sushi – Durham

Runners-up: Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant – Orange/Chatham, Waraji – Wake 

Best Late Night Meal – Past 10 p.m.

Queeny’s – Durham

Runners-up: Wooden Nickel Pub – Orange/Chatham, My Way Tavern – Wake 

Best Mexican Restaurant

Mezcalito – Durham

Runners-up: Fiesta Grill Restaurant – Orange/Chatham, El Rodeo – Wake 

Best Neighborhood Bar

The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge – Durham

Runners-up: Eno River Brewing – Orange/Chatham, The Davie – Wake 

Best New Restaurant

Little Bull – Durham

Runners-up: Madre – Wake, La Montana – Orange/Chatham 

Best Non-Alcoholic Drinks

The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

It’s hard to imagine a better spot than the Velvet Hippo for going on a first date, having a night out with friends, or cradling a drink while gazing out over the rooftops of Durham. The over-the-top fauna theme transports patrons to a vacation in the heart of the Bull City, while menus for cocktails, small bites, and nonalcoholic options keep the vibes high. —CP

Runners-up: Eno River Brewing – Orange/Chatham, The Davie – Wake 

Best Pizza

Pizzeria Toro – Durham

With its perfectly crispy wood-fired pizzas and bustling, neighborhood vibe, Pizzeria Toro is the perfect unfussy yet impressive spot to bring out-of-towners for a taste of Durham. Chef-owner Gray Brooks serves up inventive seasonal specials alongside crowd-pleasers like home-made cannoli and a truly exceptional kale salad topped with shaved Parm and Calabrian chilies. Hot tip: order the burrata and arugula pesto starter alongside your pizza of choice (I love their classic Margherita). Devour as much as you can of both. Then use your leftover pizza crusts to mop up every last drop of that bright, creamy pesto. *Chef’s kiss.*  —CCB

Runners-up: Pizzeria Mercato – Orange/Chatham, Oakwood Pizza Box – Wake 

Best Seafood

Saltbox Seafood Joint – Durham

Runners-up: Squid’s Restaurant – Orange/Chatham, NC Seafood Restaurant at the Farmers’ Market – Wake 

Best Small Plates/Tapas

Mateo

As a non-denizen of Durham, it’s always a treat to check out the Bull City’s vibrant food scene. Too bad my family and I can’t seem to branch out much, because we inevitably return to our favorite Durham dining spot: Mateo. Then there’s the next challenge: narrowing down what to order from a long list of tapas and más tapas. A few stalwarts: the datiles—dates stuffed with goat cheese and serrano ham—is a sweet-savory combo that borders on dessert; the almejas, calamares fritos, and gambas al ajillo are perfect for the seafood lover; and the ensalada and remolacha provide a light touch alongside more filling fare. Or go and be adventurous: octopus, roasted bone marrow, squid, and head-on shrimp are also all on the menu. —JP

Runners-up: Glasshalfull – Orange/ Chatham, Barcelona Wine Bar – Wake 

Best Southern Food

Mama Dip’s – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Big Ed’s Diner – Wake, Lula and Sadie’s – Durham 

Best Sushi

M Sushi – Durham

Runners-up: Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant – Orange/Chatham, City Market Sushi – Wake 

Best Thai Restaurant

Thai Cafe – Durham

Runners-up: Cham Thai – Orange/ Chatham, Sushi Thai – Wake 

Best Vegetarian Eatery

Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Sassool – Wake, Goorsha – Durham 

Best Wine List

Angus Barn – Wake

What’s better than a perfectly cooked steak? A perfectly cooked steak enjoyed with a perfectly paired glass of wine. And Raleigh’s Angus Barn, which boasts one of the largest wine cellars in the country, is your Triangle destination for that match made in heaven. With a wine list that spans 100 pages, you can take a wine world tour without ever leaving that beloved barn house off of US 70. And while red wines are the sommelier’s go-to for steaks, don’t forget about Angus Barn’s cheese-and-cracker offerings, which you can sample alongside hundreds of different white varietals. There’s truly something for everyone on this wine list, from a $30 Spanish Cava to a $15,000 bottle of Montrachet Grand Cru, aged 22 years. Santé! —JP 

Runners-up: Louella Wine Beer & Beverages – Durham, Rocks + Acid – Orange/Chatham 

Best Wine Retail Store

Wine Authorities Durham – Durham

Runners-up: Hillsborough Wine Company – Orange/Chatham, Raleigh Wine Shop – Wake 

Best Wings

Heavenly Buffaloes – Durham

Runners-up: The Wooden Nickel – Orange/Chatham, Buffalo Brothers – Wake 

Best Arboretum or Garden

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Sarah P. Duke Gardens has 55 acres of specialized gardens, with attractions that include a carnivorous plant collection, terrace gardens, a pond-viewing shelter, and much more, seeing more than 600,000 visitors a year. With its location on Duke University’s campus that hosts camps and programs for young kids as well as events such as weddings, the Duke Gardens are a space for people of all ages. With both the natural cycle of nature on display and the celebratory cycle of major life events taking place, one could consider this a modern-day Garden of Eden—but with fewer apples and much less trickery. —AS

Runner-up: North Carolina Botanical Garden – Orange/Chatham, JC Raulston – Wake 

Best Dance Venue

Cat’s Cradle – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: The Fruit – Durham, Legends – Wake 

Best Golf Course

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club – Durham

Runners-up: Finley – Orange/Chatham, Lonnie Poole – Wake

Best Hotel

Best Hotel Lounge

The Durham Hotel

“Durham’s living room,” as it has been described, is like the bar in Cheers; all the staff remember your name, and seeing a familiar face is basically guaranteed. The music—often a blend of jazz standards, lo-fi beats, and classic oldies—is rarely suffocating but distinguished enough to perk your ears up and make you whip out the Shazam app. Grab a drink or a bite to eat and make yourself at home! —JL

Runners-up: Carolina Inn – Orange/ Chatham, Longleaf Hotel – Wake 

Best Karaoke Place/Event

The Pinhook – Durham

Runners-up: Wooden Nickel Pub – Orange/Chatham, Tinroof – Wake 

Best Place to People Watch

Weaver St. Market Carrboro – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Durham Farmers’ Market – Durham, Downtown Raleigh – Wake 

Best Preschool/Early Education Program

Carolina Friends Durham Early School – Durham

Runners-up: Project Enlightenment – Wake, Learning Outside – Orange/ Chatham 

Best Sports Bar

Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub – Durham

Things you need for a successful sports bar: good food and TVs. Bull McCabe’s offers both in abundance. Plenty of places will “put on the game” on their one screen, but McCabe’s is the best spot downtown to take in all of NFL Sunday and the next Man City versus Arsenal clash at the same time. For the nerds, Arturo hosts a brain-teasing trivia showdown every Wednesday that keeps even the most fervent Jeopardy! viewers on their toes. —JL

Runners-up: Wooden Nickel Pub – Orange/Chatham, Player’s Retreat – Wake 

Best Summer Camp

Carolina Friends School – Orange/Chatham

At most summer camps, you’ll find the standard fare: lanyard-making, relay races, and that one counselor who’s a little too enthusiastic about sing-alongs. But Carolina Friends School’s summer program feels more like a kid-sized liberal arts college, where kids can dive into everything from stage combat to Minecraft world-build-ing and advanced comics design. Drawing from the same Quaker principles that guide its regular school year, CFS’s summer program emphasizes learning through exploration and community—which means less structured activities and more “Hey, what happens if we try this?” —LG 

Runners-up: Schoolhouse of Wonder – Durham, Marbles Kids Museum – Wake 

Best Trivia Bar/Event

Tomato Jake’s Pizzeria – Durham

Runners-up: The Beerded Lady Bottle Shop – Wake, Hammered Trivia @ Haw River Tap & Table – Orange/Chatham 

Best Chef

Carrie Shleiffer, Alley Twenty Six – Durham

Runners-up: Ashley Christensen – Wake, John Horn at Wooden Nickel Pub and Leslie Chartier at The Travelling Cafe – Orange/Chatham (Tie) 

Best DJ

Jorden the DJ – Durham

Runners-up: DJ Wilder – Orange/ Chatham, DJKStones – Wake 

Best Draft-Slinger

Tom Fisher at Queeny’s

Runners-up: Kacie Walker, House of Hops (Pittsboro) – Orange/Chatham; Cailin, Clouds Taproom – Wake 

Best Kids NonProfit

Museum of Life and Science – Durham

Across the Triangle, there are few places more enthralling for kiddos than Durham’s Museum of Life and Science. Explore Apollo-era space artifacts or immerse yourself in the butterfly house. Meet black bears, lemurs, and resident red wolves. Tinker, take a train ride, or sound off in the Sound Garden. Open all day, seven days a week, it’s always a reliable option for parents who want to get their kids out of the house and give them something engaging. And because the Museum of Life and Science is a nonprofit, your support ensures that it will be enjoyed by generations of kids to come. —JP

Runners-up: Schoolhouse of Wonder – Orange/Chatham, Note in the Pocket – Wake

Best Local Activist Group

Bike Durham – Durham

Bike Durham’s advocacy work is nearly inescapable (full disclosure: I’m a former board member). Walk, bike, bus, or drive down any number of streets in Durham and you’ll notice freshly painted bike lanes, a new stop sign or crosswalk, and updated traffic patterns that make traveling through Durham feel safer. The Bike Durham team has been relentlessly pressuring the city, county, and state governments to make improvements to the Bull City’s transit system. And they’ve seen success; now, residents and visitors get to experience that advocacy work for themselves. —JL

Runners-up: Livable Raleigh – Wake, Orange County CFAC – Orange/ Chatham 

Best Mixologist

Leslie Matista at The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

Runners-up: Britton Murray at Wooden Nickel Pub – Orange/ Chatham, Mara Sudol at Free Lance – Wake 

Best NonProfit

Second Chance Pet Adoptions – Wake

Runners-up: TROSA – Durham, B3 Coffee – Orange/Chatham 

Best Politician

Deborah Ross – Wake

Runners-up: Graig Meyer – Orange/ Chatham, Nida Allam – Durham 

Best Reason to Leave DURHAM County

Mark Robinson – Wake

Runners-up: NC Legislature – Durham, Rising Prices – Orange/ Chatham 

Best Reason to Love DURHAM County

Diversity – Durham

Runners-up: Trees and Green Space – Wake, The Vibes – Orange/ Chatham 

Best Use of Public Money

Affordable Housing – Wake

Runners-up: Schools – Orange/ Chatham, Durham Public Schools – Durham 

Biggest Waste of Public Money

Tax Breaks for New Apartments that are not affordable – Durham

Runners-up: Developer Incentives – Orange/Chatham, Bike Lanes – Wake 

Best Barber Shop

Rock’s Bar and Hair Shop – Durham

Runner-up: Friendly Barber Shop – Orange/Chatham, Mister Pompadour – Wake 

Best Childcare

Schoolhouse of Wonder – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Indigo Montessori School – Durham, Chesterbrook Academy – Wake 

Best Chiropractic Practice

University Chiropractic – Durham

Runners-up: Carolina Spine Specialists – Orange/ Chatham, Bloom Family Wellness – Wake 

Best Dental Practice

Holman Family Dental Care – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Durham Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics – Durham, Lane & Associates Dentistry – Wake 

Best Dermatological Practice

Chapel Hill Dermatology – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Regional Dermatology of Durham – Durham, Blue Ridge Dermatology – Wake 

Best Gym

UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Duke Health and Fitness Center – Durham, Oak and Iron Fitness – Wake 

Best Hair Salon

Southern Roots Beauty Bar – Wake

Runners-up: Mina’s Studio – Orange/Chatham, Fuss and Bother Salon – Durham 

Best Holistic Medicine

The Fountain Acupuncture And Herbal Medicine – Wake

Runners-up: Duke Integrative Medicine Center – Durham, UNC Integrative Medicine – Orange/ Chatham 

Best Massage Therapist

Carole L. Pope, LMBT # 12671 – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Kim Turk at Duke Health & Fitness Center and Duke Integrative Medicine – Durham, Taylor Burt Kneaded Massage – Wake 

Best Pediatric Practice

Regional Pediatrics – Durham

Runners-up: Chapel Hill Pediatrics – Orange/ Chatham, Durant Road Pediatrics – Wake 

Best Spa

The Spa at Umstead – Wake

There’s nowhere quite as relaxing in the Triangle as the Spa at Umstead. With massages, facial and body treatments, and mani-pedis on offer, you can make a day of unwinding in the 16,000-square-foot rejuvenating space. The Spa at Umstead offers separate men’s and women’s lounges complete with whirlpools, steam rooms, saunas, and plush areas to rest. In the warmer months, you have full access to the outdoor pool and tranquil meditation garden. There’s a reason the spa is popular, so whether you’re booking for yourself or someone else, it’s recommended to make reservations as far in advance as possible. —JP 

Runners-up: Auroraflow Massage – Durham, Hillsborough Day Spa – Orange/Chatham 

Best Veterinary Practice

Eno Animal Hospital – Durham

Runners-up: Carrboro Plaza Veterinary Clinic – Orange/Chatham, Care First Animal Hospital – Wake 

Best Women’s Health Practice

Chapel Hill OBGYN – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Chapel Hill OBGYN – Durham, Arbor OBGYN – Wake 

Best Yoga Studio

Franklin Street Yoga Center – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Threehouse Studios – Durham, Dose Yoga – Wake 

Best Attorney

Betsy Martin Law – Durham

Runners-up: Cara Gibbons – Wake, Cedar Grove Law – Orange/Chatham

Best Auto Dealer

Mark Jacobson Toyota (Serving Orange County) – Orange/Chatham

Surely someone reading this is currently in the market for a Prius? If so, readers recommend that you check out Mark Jacobson Toyota on 15-501. Yes, it is in Durham but gets credit for “servicing” Orange and Chatham Counties with a collection of new and used cars. Stop by to meet some friendly salesfolks and competent mechanics. —CP

Runners-up: Southpoint Honda – Durham, Lieth Honda – Wake

Best Auto Mechanic

WASP Automotive – Durham

Runners-up: Braxton Tire – Orange/Chatham, Autobahn Automotive – Wake

Best bridal Shop

Gilded Bridal

Runners-up: Bella Bridesmaids, New York Bridal, Simply Blush Bridal 

Best CBD/Head Shop

Carolina Hemp Hut – Durham

Runners-up: NC Hemp Shoppe – Wake; Carolina Hemp Hut – Hillsborough Dispensary – Orange/Chatham

Best Clothing Consignment

Pennies For Change Thrift Boutique – Durham

Runners-up: My Secret Closet – Orange/Chatham, Dorcas – Wake

Best Dance Studio

Ninth Street Dance – Durham

Runners-up: Monarch Movement Company – Orange/Chatham, CC&CO Dance Complex – Wake

Best Dog Boarding

Top Dog – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Mosa Pet Spa & Resort – Wake, Sunny Acres Pet Resort – Durham

Best Dog Grooming

Elliotte’s Pet Spa & Salon – Durham

Runners-up: Mosa Pet Spa & Resort – Wake, Hair of the Dog Grooming Studio – Orange/Chatham

Best Dog Training

Top Dog – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Pawsitive Empowerment – Durham, Sally Said So – Wake

Best Dog Walking

Peak City Puppy – Wake

Runners-up: Bull City Pet Sitting – Durham, Kimie’s Kritters LLC – Orange/Chatham

Best Electrician

Bonneville Electric – Orange/Chatham 

Runner-up: CMC Electric – Wake, Volt Doctors – Durham

Best HVAC Company

Boer Brothers – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Air Experts – Wake, Alternative Aire – Durham 

Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store

Melissa Designer Jewelry – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Jewelsmith – Durham, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry – Wake

Best Landscaper

TROSA Lawn Care – Durham

Runners-up: Fairway Green – Wake, Roots & Sproots – Orange/Chatham

Best Local Bookstore

Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill – Orange/Chatham

Opened by Chapel Hill couple Jamie and Michael Fiocco in 2009, Flyleaf’s reputation as a top-notch bookstore continues unabated year after year. That reputation seems to rest on a team of booksellers who truly love the reading life. Also, Flyleaf is the kind of shop where one can genuinely forge community: there are multiple book clubs (a silent book club, a “New Romantics” book club, the Queer Death Club, and more) to plug into as well as a robust event schedule of author talks and readings. —SE

Runners-up: The Regulator Bookshop – Durham, Quail Ridge Books – Wake

Best moving company

TROSA Moving

Runners-up: Chapel Hill Moving Company, Two Men and a Truck

Best New Business

The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge – Durham

Runners-up: Eno River Brewing – Orange/Chatham, Black Bird Books – Wake

Best Painters

Gonzalez Painters & Contractors Inc. – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Zarazua Painting – Durham, Montoya Painting – Wake

Best Place to Buy Locally Made Art

Durham Farmers’ Market – Durham

At the Durham Farmers’ Market, “locally made art” is an expansive category, encompassing everything from photo prints and pottery to hand-dyed clothing and painted gourd birdhouses. If you’re looking for a thoughtful holiday gift or unique memento, stroll through the farmers’ market to shop local wares you won’t find at a big-box store. —CCB

Runners-up: Womancraft Fine Handcrafted Gifts – Orange/Chatham, Deco Raleigh – Wake

Best Real Estate Company

Inhabit Real Estate – Durham

Runners-up: Raleigh Realty – Wake, Weaver Street Realty – Orange/Chatham 

Best Realtor (Individual’s Name)

Justin Burleson – Durham

Runners-up: William Fitzgerald – Wake, Terri Turner – Orange/Chatham

Best Vintage Store

TROSA Thrift Store and Donation Center – Durham

Runners-up: Rumors – Orange/Chatham, Father & Son Antiques – Wake

Best Art Gallery (Art for sale)

FRANK Gallery – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Artspace – Wake, Cecy’s Gallery & Studios – Durham

Best Art Museum 

North Carolina Museum of Art – Wake

It can be easy to take museums for granted but the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), one of the preeminent museums in the American South—and the first in the country to use public funds to create a museum, in a rare positive move by the General Assembly!—deserves top-of-mind space. Beyond its touring exhibitions and recently reimagined People’s Collection, the sprawling lawns around the museum are ideal for picnics and long weekend hangs. Check NCMA’s calendar for frequent outdoor programming, too, including dance and musical performances. —SE

Runners-up: Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University – Durham, Ackland Art Museum – Orange/Chatham

Best Comedy Club/Event 

Goodnights Comedy Club – Wake

RIP to the old Raleigh ice cream factory, but the new Goodnights Comedy Club, located in an underground space in the Village District, just feels right. Goodnights owner Brad Grossman modeled the comedy club’s new home, which opened in 2023, on his very first business venture, the underground Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia. And by going down, it feels like Goodnights—an institution of the Raleigh stand-up scene for more than three decades—has leveled up. Catch stadium-sized talent in an intimate venue at a modest ticket price. Or polish your own comedy act with a stand-up or improv class at Goodnights Comedy Academy. However you choose to escape the real world for an hour or two, you’ll be laughing. —JP

Runners-up: Mettlesome – Durham, Yonder: Southern Cocktails and Brew – Orange/Chatham

Best Drag Show/Event 

The House of Coxx – Durham

The House of Coxx is called “Durham’s local drag family” for a reason. For over 10 years, the House of Coxx has helped Durham’s drag community flourish with programming including traditional themed drag shows, comedy nights, and trivia nights—though this only scratches the surface of what the House of Coxx offers. Between beautiful outfits and spectacular performances, you won’t regret attending one of the House of Coxx events. Vivica C. Coxx, creator and mother of the House of Coxx, strives to create drag events for everyone to enjoy, from the young to the old. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, the queens and kings of the House of Coxx will put on a performance you aren’t soon to forget. —MJ

Runners-up: Legends – Wake, Carrboro Pride – Orange/Chatham 

Best Electronic Concert Venue 

Cat’s Cradle  – Orange/Chatham 

Runners-up: Red Hat Ampitheater – Wake, The Fruit – Durham

Best Film Theater Venue/Event 

Carolina Theatre of Durham – Durham

Where else can you watch new blockbusters, retro classics, live comedy, youth ballet, and a jazz band performing music from a popular anime show, all in the same week? Durham’s Carolina Theatre is one of one. For years, the theater has been a pillar of the local arts community, exemplifying what makes Durham special; there’s something for everyone. Not to mention they offer the best movie popcorn in the Triangle, an essential ingredient for any visit to the cinema. —JL

Runners-up: Chelsea Theater – Orange/Chatham, Alamo Drafthouse – Wake 

Best Local/Regional Podcast

Due South – Durham

Around the time Due South launched last fall, Jeff Tiberii, who cohosts the daily WUNC show with Leoneda Inge, told the INDY that the show would be “reliable, not predictable.” “We’re trying to zag a little bit,” Tiberii said, “and we want people to zig.” Due South’s win in this Best Of category (after just eight months of being on the air) suggests that the people have, indeed, zigged. Veteran reporters Tiberii and Inge make it easy: whether they’re augmenting a top-of-the-hour news item with regional context or spotlighting Southern arts and culture, their stories always feel timely, thorough, and fresh. —LG

Runners-up: WCHL – Orange/Chatham, Basically Famous Podcast – Wake

Best non-art Museum 

Museum of Life and Science – Durham

Runners-up: Orange County Historical Museum – Orange/Chatham County, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences – Wake

Best Radio Station

WUNC – Triangle-wide

Runners-up: WNCU, WCPE

Best Theatre Company

PlayMakers Repertory Company – Orange/Chatham

Runners-up: Raleigh Little Theatre – Wake, The Durham Savoyards, Ltd – Durham

Best Unplugged Concert Venue

Cat’s Cradle – Orange/Chatham 

Runners-up: Motorco Music Hall – Durham, Koka Booth Ampitheater – Wake

Correction: Our writeup on Shanghai Restaurant (Best Chinese Restaurant) mistakenly placed the restaurant off of Chapel Hill Road in Durham. It is located off of Hillsborough Road and has been corrected.