Best New Restaurant
Lucci Blue’s Social Cafe Read More
Truman’s Smokehouse & Kitchen
Tiny House Treats
Best Appetizers
My Way Tavern
The Mason Jar Tavern
The Blind Pelican
Best Bakery
Stick Boy Bread Company
La Farm Bakery
Asia’s Cakes
Best Barbecue
Daddy D’s BBQ
Truman’s Smokehouse & Kitchen
Aviator Smokehouse
Best Breakfast
Eggs Up Grill
Truman’s Smokehouse & Kitchen
Grain & Berry
Best Brunch
Pimiento Tea Room Read More
The Blind Pelican
Lucci Blue’s Social Cafe
Best Burgers
Smashed Burgers & Cocktails
My Way Tavern
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Best Dessert
Tiny House Treats
Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream
Stick Boy Bread Company
Best Frozen Treats
Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream Read More
JT’s Creamery
Tiny House Treats
Best Pizzeria
J & S New York Pizza
Anna’s Pizzeria
Assagio’s
Best Seafood
The Blind Pelican
Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi
Cape Fear Seafood Company
Best Wings
Wingin’ It Taphouse & Grille
My Way Tavern
Aviator Smokehouse
Best Date-Night Restaurant
The Library Steakhouse
The Blind Pelican
Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi
Best Coffee Shop
Cultivate Coffee Roasters
Dupre’s Coffee & Company
The Mill
Best Food Truck
The Rican Lab
Rolling Deep
Jo’s Sweet Indulgence
Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Chick-fil-A
Tiny House Treats
The Mason Jar Tavern
Best Outdoor Dining
Aviator Hangar Bar
McWally’s
Pimiento Tea Room
Best Asian Restaurant
Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi
Mei Wei Chinese and Thai Restaurant
Khao Sen
Best Indian Restaurant
Zeera Indian Restaurant
Chaska Indian Cuisine
Inis Kitchen
Best Italian Restaurant
Garibaldi Trattoria Pizza Pasta
Mamma Mia! Italian Bistro
Vieni Ristobar
Best Mediterranean Restaurant
Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine
The Gyro Spot
Greek Basma
Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant
El Cantarito Bar & Grill Read More
Fiesta Mexicana
Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila
Best Restaurant for Specialty Diets
Grain & Berry Read More
SupaBowlz Café
Vegan Community Kitchen
Best Healthy Dining Options
Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine
Vegan Community Kitchen
Grain & Berry
Best Cocktails
Moonlight Liquor LoungeRead More
The Blind Pelican
Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Best Neighborhood Bar
My Way Tavern
Moonlight Liquor Lounge
The Corner Biergarten
Best Sports Bar
Wingin’ It Taphouse & Grille
My Way Tavern
McWally’s
Best Craft Brewery
Bombshell Beer Company
Local Time Brewing
The Mason Jar Lager Co.
Pimiento Tea Room
Best Brunch
Just like the restaurant itself, brunch at Pimiento Tea Room highlights the eclectic creativity of chef/owner Christy Griffith. You’ll find challah French toast next to chilaquiles, a yogurt bowl alongside hummus toast — everything made in their signature Southern-inspired style. Brunch isn’t complete without a pot of their steeped-to-order tea or a tea-infused cocktail.
Sunday Funday — PTR’s coveted reservation-only take on traditional tea service — dishes up a tiered tray of shareable scones, savories, and sweets to enjoy.
PTR’s sister restaurant, Nightingale Rooftop & Bar, recently introduced high-energy, DJ-led sing-along brunches. Stay tuned to social media for the next date.
pimientotearoom.com
nightingalerooftop.com
Lucci Blue’s Social Cafe & Deli
Best New Restaurant
European flair meets down-home hospitality at Lucci Blue’s, a warm and welcome addition to the Varina district, inspired by owner Kim Blue’s travels through Italy. The cafe’s array of flatbreads, sandwiches, and custom charcuterie invites sharing and fellowship from coffee to cocktail hour.
The space comes alive with weekly wine tastings, yoga classes, and live music.
“We want people to feel a true sense of community and welcomeness when they come in,” says Kim.
Moonlight Liquor Lounge
Best Cocktails
Expertly crafted classic cocktails meet specialty seasonal sips at Varina district’s moody bar and lounge. The Banana Bread Old Fashioned, with walnut bitters, remains a house specialty since the bar opened in 2023, but fresh combinations, such as the Hot Honey Guava Margarita add spice to late-night and date-night outings.
“We want everything to include really fresh ingredients,” says owner Ken Yowell.
Moonlight also stocks local and North Carolina beers and Starry Eyes THC seltzers.
Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream
Best Frozen Treats
It’s impossible to know if it’s the bold flavors or the cheerful husband-and-wife owners, Tom and Wendy Gavin, that landed Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream in the 2026 Maggy Award winners’ circle. It could be the cheeky logo that pays homage to the five Gavin family cats or the customer-submitted pet photos on display in the shop. Regardless, a visit to Fat Cat is as fun and friendly as it is delicious.
Wendy masterminds the inventive menu, releasing five new flavors every month, from classics like Birthday Cake to unique combos like Honey Lavender and Honey Butter Cornbread (a November favorite).
Wendy and Tom Gavin
“We want to be known for strong, big flavors,” she says.
Many know Fat Cat for their dairy-free ice cream, which uses pea protein and coconut oil, making it vegan as well. “We want everyone to have the same experience,” says Wendy, noting that dairy-free flavors elsewhere tend to be fruit-based sorbets, but at Fat Cat dairy-free options include Smores, Cookies n Cream, and Vanilla Bean.
There are even gluten-free cones, cookies, and brownies available for sundaes and toppings.
“We try to really give that whole experience to the family no matter what their allergy concerns are,” says Tom. Visit Fat Cat inside Quaint Plaza in downtown Varina.
Fat Cat also earned an Honorable Mention for Best Dessert.
El Cantarito Bar & Grill
Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant
This Fuquay hot spot serves all the Mexican favorites you know and love: tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and more with fresh ingredients and attention to quality.
“Our cuisine is a bit more traditional than you’ll find elsewhere,” says managing partner Oscar Arellano. Refuel at El Cantarito, centrally located on Fuquay’s Main Street, during a day of exploring the historic downtown district’s shops and attractions.
Grain & Berry
Best Restaurant for Specialty Diets
Customization is easy at Grain & Berry, where smoothies, juices, bowls, and more are made to order. The cafe’s wholesome ingredients and varied menu captured the hearts and palates of Holly Springs owners Rahmy and Arielle Tawfik, who opened North Carolina’s first location of the franchise in October at Oakview Commons.
“It’s really hard to find healthy options that are also delicious,” says Rahmy. “When you come in here, we put a huge emphasis on customer service and hospitality. … We want you leaving with a smile.”
Grain & Berry also earned Honorable Mentions for Best Healthy Dining Options and Best Breakfast.
grainandberry.com/location/holly-springs-north-carolina
See the rest of the Maggy winners:
- Restaurant Spotlight: Truman’s Smokehouse & Kitchen
- The Madness of March: A Bracket of Complaints
- Recipes from Readers: Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake
- Fueled by Giving
- Meet & Greet: Rachel Cornett
- Dig In & Drink Up: Desert Rose
- See & Do: March to April 2026
- Presenting the 2026 Maggy Awards
- 2026 Maggy Awards: Restaurants
- 2026 Maggy Awards: Lifestyle
- 2026 Maggy Awards: Services
- 2026 Maggy Awards: Shopping
