TOP CRAFT BREWERY
Urban South
While Urban South’s “flagship” brews Paradise Park and Holy Roller have become mainstays at its homebase brewery and across local bars and restaurants, the company is constantly experimenting with new beers, seltzers and THC beverages. Its colorful Tchoupitoulas Street taproom hosts events almost every evening and has quickly become a community hub for watching sports, arts and crafts markets, bingo and trivia night, and more. 1645 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-267-4852, urbansouth.com
Winner: Urban South
Finalists: Port Orleans, Second Line Brewing, Zony Mash
TOP ANTIQUES STORE
Winner: M.S. Rau
Finalists: Lucullus, Moss Antiques
TOP BED AND BREAKFAST
Winner: The Grand Victorian
Finalists: The Canal Street Inn, The Degas House
TOP BURGERS
Winner: Bub’s Burgers
Finalists: Company Burger, Port of Call
TOP CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE
Winner: Mignon
Finalists: Little Miss Muffin, Pippen Lane
TOP CRAFT COCKTAIL BAR
Winner: Cure
Finalists: Arnaud’s French 75, Jewel of the South, Pigeon and Whale
TOP DESSERT MENU
Winner: Pigeon and Whale
Finalists: Arnaud’s, Commander’s Palace, GW Fins
TOP LOCAL DRUG STORE
Winner: Castellon Pharmacy
Finalists: Majoria Drugs, NOLA Discount Pharmacy
TOP DRY CLEANER
Winner: Young’s Dry Cleaning
Finalists: Liberto Cleaners
TOP PET DAYCARE
Camp Bow Wow
Camp Bow Wow offers doggie day care, boarding, grooming and training at its four locations in the greater New Orleans area. Camp counselors are specially trained to care for pups of all sizes and shapes, with live web cams available on site, designated play groups, room to romp and much more available for day, overnight and longer stays. campbowwow.com
Winner: Camp Bow Wow
Finalists: Pawlins, Zeus’ Place
TOP EVENT PLANNING AND PARTIES
Winner: Sparkle and Swag
Finalists: Accent New Orleans, Blue Gardenia
TOP FRENCH BREAD
Winner: Leidenheimer
Finalists: Dong Phuong, La Boulangerie
TOP FURNITURE STORE
Winner: Doerr Furniture
Finalists: Eclectic Home, Hurwitz-Mintz
TOP GARDEN SUPPLY
Winner: Perino’s Home and Garden Center
Finalists: Harold’s Plants, Jefferson Feed, Pet and Garden Center
TOP GOLF COURSE
Winner: TPC Louisiana
Finalists: Audubon Golf Course, Bayou Oaks at City Park
TOP GULF COAST HOTEL
Winner: Beau Rivage Resort and Casino (Biloxi, MS)
Finalists: The Grand Hotel (Point Clear, AL), White House Hotel (Biloxi, MS)
TOP GYM
Winner: Hype Haus Fitness
Finalists: New Orleans Athletic Club, New Orleans JCC
TOP HAPPY HOUR
Winner: Domenica
Finalists: Barracuda, The Bower, Pigeon and Whale
TOP HOME ACCESSORIES
Winner: Eclectic Home
Finalists: Home Malone, Sotre Collection
TOP HOT DOGS
Winner: Dat Dog
Finalists: Bratz Y’all, Lucky Dog
TOP COFFEE HOUSE
French Truck
French Truck brews up small-batch, fresh-roasted beans for both the bleary-eyed and bright-eyed looking for a superior cup of coffee. The company now has eight locations in the New Orleans area, one in Baton Rouge and three in Memphis, Tennessee. Can’t make it to one of the cafés? No problem. French Truck coffee is also available for order online, for purchase at local grocery stores and has collabs with restaurants such as Commander’s Palace and Ruby Slipper/Ruby Sunshine. frenchtruckcoffee.com
Winner: French Truck
Finalists: Cherry Coffee, Mojo, The Station
TOP HOTEL BAR
Winner: The Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone
Finalists: Chandelier Bar at The Four Seasons, The Chloe, Columns
TOP ICE CREAM/GELATO
Winner: Lucy Boone Ice Cream
Finalists: Angelo Brocato, Creole Creamery
TOP JEWELER
Winner: Aucoin Hart
Finalists: Adler’s, Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Wellington & Co.
TOP KING CAKES
Winner: Dong Phuong Bakery
Finalists: Haydel’s Bakery, Manny Randazzo King Cakes
TOP LOCAL GROCERY
Winner: Rouses Supermarkets
Finalists: Dorignac’s Food Center, Canseco’s Market
TOP LOCAL RADIO STATION
Winner: WWOZ
Finalists: WWNO, WWL
TOP LOCAL SANDWICH SHOP
Winner: Francolini’s Italian Deli
Finalists: Stein’s Deli, Turkey & the Wolf
TOP LOCAL SHOE STORE
Winner: Orleans Shoe Co.
Finalists: Feet First
TOP MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Winner: Rubensteins
Finalists: Perlis
TOP MUSEUM
Winner: National WWII Museum
Finalists: New Orleans Museum of Art, Ogden Museum of Southern Art
TOP NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT
Winner: Katie’s Restaurant
Finalists: The Bower, Joey K’s, Mandina’s
TOP FLORIST
The Judy Garlands
Friends Grant Sutton and Ben Miller co-founded The Judy Garlands with the aim of bringing high quality, innovative event and floral design to New Orleans. Since then, the duo has brought their magic to venues both large and small across the city, including private installations, holiday décor (including luxury wreaths and Christmas trees), and Carnival soirées. Located at The Merchant House, 1159 Magazine St., thejudygarlands.com
Winner: The Judy Garlands
Finalists: Kim Starr Wise, Villere’s Florist
TOP NEW ORLEANS FESTIVAL
Winner: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Finalists: French Quarter Fest, Oak Street Po-Boy Fest
TOP PILATES STUDIO
Winner: Romney Studios
Finalists: Good Moves, Sculpt
TOP PIZZA
Winner: Zee’s Pizza
Finalists: Pizza Delicious, St. Pizza, Theo’s Neighborhood Pizza
TOP PLACE FOR A MARGARITA
Winner: Barracuda
Finalists: El Gato Negro, Superior Grill, Val’s
TOP PLACE FOR A POWER LUNCH
Winner: Galatoire’s
Finalists: Bywater American Bistro (BABs), Herbsaint
TOP PLACE FOR BARBECUE SHRIMP
Winner: Mr. B’s Bistro
Finalists: GW Fins, Pascal’s Manale
TOP PLACE FOR BRUNCH
Winner: Commander’s Palace
Finalists: Arnaud’s Restaurant, Elizabeth’s Restaurant
TOP PLACE CAJUN
Winner: (tie) Cochon, Toups Meatery
Finalists: Mulate’s
TOP PLACE FOR CASUAL BREAKFAST
Winner: Molly’s Rise and Shine
Finalists: Bearcat Café, Birdy’s Behind the Bower, Flour Moon Bagel
TOP PLACE FOR CHINESE
Winner: Miss Shirley’s
Finalists: Dian Xin, Five Happiness, Nine Roses
TOP BAKERY
Ayu Bakehouse
Ayu Bakehouse, located on Frenchman Street, truly reflects the sounds and style of the neighborhood streets of New Orleans. Its lively open kitchen, classic baked goods and innovative pastries, baking classes and occasional pop-ups (as part of its Ayu Schoolhouse program) make it truly a stand-out with both local and national acclaim. From bread to breakfast, lunch and dessert, it’s a top spot for all things delicious. 801 Frenchman St., 504-302-7985, ayubakehouse.com
Winner: Ayu Bakehouse
Finalists: Bywater Bakery, Gracious Bakery, La Boulangerie
TOP PLACE FOR CREOLE
Winner: Arnaud’s
Finalists: Commander’s Palace, Dooky Chase, Galatoire’s
TOP PLACE FOR DOUGHNUTS
Winner: District Donuts
Finalists: Bakers Dozen, Paw Paw’s Donuts
TOP PLACE FOR FINE DINING
Winner: GW Fins
Finalists: Clancy’s Restaurant, Commander’s Palace
TOP PLACE FOR FRIED CHICKEN
Winner: Popeye’s
Finalists: Chicken’s Kitchen, Dooky Chase
TOP PLACE FOR GUMBO
Winner: Gumbo Shop
Finalists: Dooky Chase, Gris-Gris, Mr. B’s Bistro
TOP PLACE FOR INDIAN
Winner: Saffron
Finalists: Lufu, Plume
TOP PLACE FOR ITALIAN
Winner: Vincent’s
Finalists: Mosca’s, Paladar 511, Venezia
TOP PLACE FOR JAPANESE
Winner: (tie) Sukeban, Yakuza House
Finalists: Shogun, Yo Nashi
TOP PLACE FOR LOCAL GIFTS
Winner: Fleurty Girl
Finalists: Dirty Coast, Hazelnut, Home Malone
TOP PLACE FOR MEXICAN/SOUTHWEST
Winner: El Gato Negro
Finalists: Barracuda, Felipe’s Tacqueria, Superior Grill
TOP PLACE FOR MIDDLE EASTERN
Winner: Lebanon Cafe
Finalists: Byblos, Mona’s Cafe, Saba
TOP PLACE FOR RAW OYSTERS
Winner: Casamento’s
Finalists: Creole House, Fives, Pêche
TOP DIVE BAR
Pal’s Lounge
Neighborhood favorite Pal’s Lounge serves up Mid-City-area regulars with a laid-back friendly vibe, great beer and drinks, relaxed pop-up food options. It even got a shout-out from British icon Dame Helen Mirren who dubbed it her favorite place to drink in New Orleans on a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Cheers! 949 N. Rendon St., @palsloungenola
Winner: Pal’s Lounge
Finalists: Pete’s Out in the Cold, Snake and Jakes Christmas Club Lounge
TOP PLACE FOR SEAFOOD
Winner: GW Fins
Finalists: Pêche, Seither’s Seafood
TOP PLACE FOR STEAKS
Winner: Doris Metropolitan
Finalists: Charlie’s Steakhouse, Crescent City Steakhouse, Desi Vegas
TOP PLACE FOR SUSHI
Winner: Rock ‘n Sake
Finalists: Sukeban, Yakuza House
TOP PLACE FOR TACOS
Winner: Barracuda
Finalists: Felipe’s Taqueria, Juan’s Flying Burrito
TOP PLACE FOR TAPAS
Winner: Costera
Finalists: Baru, Besame, Origen
TOP PLACE FOR TURTLE SOUP
Winner: Commander’s Palace
Finalists: Palace Café, Ralph’s on the Park
TOP PLACE FOR VIETNAMESE
Winner: Lily’s Café
Finalists: Pho Bang, Pho Tau Bay
TOP PLACE TO BUY A WEDDING DRESS
Winner: Bliss Bridal
Finalists: Town & Country Bridal, Wedding Belles
TOP PLACE TO BUY EYEWEAR
Winner: Krewe
Finalists: Art & Eyes, Eye Wares
TOP PLACE TO BUY LIQUOR AND WINE
Winner: Martin’s Wine & Spirits
Finalists: Dorignac’s Food Center, Elios Wine Warehouse, Total Wine
TOP PLACE FOR WOMEN’S CLOTHING
Lucy Rose
Lucy Rose has become the go-to shop for many looking for that perfect outfit, special occasion dress, accessories, home décor items, and gifts for almost everyone on your list throughout the year. Two locations, on Magazine Street and Metairie Road, plus a curated Instagram “shop that look” guide, makes shopping easy. 3312 Magazine St., 504-895-0444; 600 Metairie Road, Ste. A, 504-218-7368; shoplucyrose.com
Winner: Lucy Rose
Finalists: Angelique Boutique, Hemline
TOP PLACE TO BUY SAINTS ACCESSORIES
Winner: Fleurty Girl
Finalists: Black and Gold Shop
TOP PLACE TO GET A BLOWOUT
Winner: Dry Bar
Finalists: Bleu, H2O
TOP PLACE TO GET A MANI/PEDI
Winner: Lab & Lounge
Finalists: Magazine Nails
TOP PO-BOYS
Winner: Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Finalists: Bear’s, Domilise’s, Mahoney’s
TOP SALON
Winner: Paris Parker
Finalists: H2O, Keith Noonan Salon, Lab & Lounge
TOP SNO-BALLS
Winner: Sal’s Sno-Balls
Finalists: Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, Plum Street Snoballs
TOP SPA
Winner: Woodhouse Day Spa
Finalists: Earthsavers, Waldorf Astoria Spa
TOP SPORTS BAR
Winner: Cooter Brown’s
Finalists: Bayou Beer Garden, The Bulldog, Finn McCool’s
TOP WINE BAR
Winner: Really Really Nice Wines
Finalists: Bayou Wine Garden, Copper Vine, Tell Me Bar
TOP YOGA STUDIO
Winner: Wild Lotus Yoga
Finalists: Romney Studios, Spyre Center
Note: to make the list, a choice had to have a significant number of votes; places without enough votes were eliminated. Categories without enough voters were also removed. We know that there are some significant places that didn’t make the list, nevertheless we’re confident that those that are listed are all worthy and are among the tops in their field.
