The Carolina's Finest awards aim to pay tribute to the businesses who are doing things right. We want to honor the best of the best, and give you some insight on the go-to places in Chapel Hill. We left it up to you, and here's what we got.
Best place to shop for accessories
Johnny T-shirt
Winner: Johnny T-Shirt
Runners up: Light Years, Rumors
Best consignment
The outside of Rumors Chapel Hill thrift boutique. Courtesy of Elizabeth Mendoza and Brennan Cumalander.
Winner: Rumors
Runner up: Goodwill
Best barbershop
Arrow
Winner: Arrow
Runners up: Who’s Next, In the Cut
Best car service, mechanic
Winner: Chapel Hill Tire
Runners up: Lloyd’s, Auto Logic
Best place to watch a game
Winner: Dean Dome
Runners up: Top of the Hill, Four Corners
Best campus event
Winner: UNC Men’s Basketball
Runners up: UNC Football, Late Night With Roy
Best date spot
Winner: Top of the Hill
Runners up: Tru, Lantern
Best place to get engaged
Winner: The Old Well
Runners up: Coker Arboretum, The Bell Tower
Best place to take your parents
Winner: Top of the Hill
Runners up: Med Deli, Carolina Brewery
Best place for a private event
Winner: The Carolina Inn
Runners up: Top of the Hill, Carolina Coffee Shop
Best brunch
Winner: Elmo’s
Runners up: Carolina Coffee Shop, Ye Olde Waffle Shop
Best lunch bargain
Winner: Sutton’s
Runners up: Sup Dogs, Hibachi
Best meal after midnight
Winner: Cosmic Cantina
Runners up: Linda’s, Benny’s
Best vegetarian/vegan meal
Winner: Med Deli
Runners up: Purple Bowl, Heavenly Buffaloes
Best coffee
Winner: Epilogue
Runners up: Caffe Driade, Perennial
Best pizza
Alex Kormann
Winner: IP3
Runners up: Pizza Press, Pizza Mercato
Best burger
Winner: Al’s Burger Shack
Runners up: Buns, Sutton’s
Best Mexican food
Monterrey
Winner: Monterrey’s
Runners up: Cosmic Cantina, Bandido’s
Best Asian food
Winner: Spicy Nine
Runners up: Lime and Basil, Shanghai Dumpling
Best ice cream
Winner: Maple View
Runners up: Yogurt Pump, Insomnia
Best sandwich
Merritt's
Winner: Merritt’s
Runners up: Tru, The Root Cellar
Best live music venue
Cat's Cradle NC
Winner: Cat’s Cradle
Runner up: Local 506
Best performing arts space
Emily Sartin
Winner: Carolina Performing Arts
Runners up: Playmakers, The Arts Center
Best drink special
Sarah Redmond
Winner: He’s Not Here
Runners up: Might as Well, Goodfellows
Best brewery
The Daily Tar Heel
Winner: Carolina Brewery
Runners up: Top of the Hill, Steel String
Best bar
Sarah Redmond
Winner: He’s Not Here
Runners up: Might as Well, Goodfellows
