Consider it a warm-up for this fall’s big electoral event. This year we yet again handed the reins to our readers and let them vote on a few of their favorite things in this fair city. Thousands weighed in, and the resulting collective wisdom is found in the following pages. Of course, we couldn’t just stand by and let the readers do all the work, so our staff of dogged reporters picked a few of our favorites from the list and dug a little deeper, telling the stories of a few of the people, businesses, landmarks, and locales near and dear to our readers’ hearts. If you are new to the city, let this be your guide to the best it has to offer. If you have been around a while, here is a reminder of how good we’ve got it. Of course, there is always the possibility that you disagree. That sometimes happens with democracy. If so, we want to hear from you and, if you didn’t vote this year, give you a chance to let your voice be heard in 2017. Just e-mail bestofseattle@seattleweekly.com and we will let you know when nominations for 2017 begin. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Without further ado, here is your 2016 Best of Seattle.

FOOD & DRINK

Best BBQ: Jack’s BBQ

Best Bottle Shop: Chuck’s Bottle Shop

Best Brewery: Georgetown Brewing

Best Brunch: Salty’s

Best Burger: Dick’s Drive-In

Best Coffee House: Stumptown

Best Chocolatier: Theo

Best Cupcake: Cupcake Royale

Best Dim Sum: Din Tai Fung

Best Distillery: Woodinville Whiskey Co.

Best Dive Bar: El Chupacabra, West Seattle

Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant: Norm’s Eatery & Ale House

Best Ethiopian: Saba

Best Farmers Market: Ballard Farmers Market

Best Food Truck: El Camion

Best Grocery: PCC Natural Markets

Best Happy Hour: Matador

Best Hot Dog: Cycle Dogs

Best Ice Cream: Molly Moon’s

Best Indian: Taste of India

Best Italian: The Pink Door

Best LGBTQ Bar: Wildrose

Best Liquor Store: Total Wine and More

Best Mexican: Cactus

Best Old Fashioned: Damn the Weather

Best Outdoor Dining: Ray’s Boathouse

Best Pho: Than Brothers

Best Pizza: Pagliacci

Best Ramen: Samurai Noodle

Best Sandwich: Paseo

Best Seafood: Salty’s

Best Specialty Grocery: Uwajimaya

Best Sports Bar: The Bridge

Best Sushi: Mashiko

Best Thai: Araya’s Place

Best Vegetarian: Cafe Flora

Best Winery: Chateau Ste Michelle

OUT & ABOUT

Best Beach: Golden Gardens

Best Bicycle Shop: Gregg’s Greenlake Cycle

Best Bike Ride: Burke-Gilman Trail

Best Building: Seattle Central Library

Best Bus Route: The D Line

Best Car/Rideshare: Uber

Best City Tour: Seattle Underground Tour

Best Date Spot: Alki Beach

Best Day Trip: Snoqualmie Falls

Best Doggie Daycare: CityDog! Club

Best Hiking Trail: Rattlesnake Ridge Trail

Best Neighborhood: Capitol Hill

Best Outdoor Store: REI

Best of Pike Place Market: $5 Flowers

Best Park: Discovery Park

Best Race: Rock n Roll Marathon

Best Ski Area: Crystal Mountain

Best Staycation: Boating on Lake Washington

Best Tinder Date Spot: Cal Anderson Park

Best Water Rentals: Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club

Best Workout: Hiking

CULTURE & COMMERCE

Best Arcade: Shorty’s

Best Barbershop: Millheads

Best Bookstore: Elliott Bay Book Company

Best Boutique: Velouria

Best Camera Shop: Glazer’s Camera

Best Charity: Planned Parenthood

Best Cinema: Cinerama

Best Clothing Resale: Buffalo Exchange

Best Comedy Venue: Comedy Underground

Best Comic Book Shop: Fantagraphics

Best Convention: Emerald City Comicon

Best Dance Class: Century Ballroom

Best Dance Company: Pacific Northwest Ballet

Best Event Series: Town Hall Seattle

Best Festival: Fremont Solstice

Best Gallery: Henry Art Gallery

Best Gaming Bar: Cafe Mox

Best Home Decor: Ballard Consignment

Best Instagram: Cupcake Royale

Best Intramural League: Underdog

Best Karaoke: Rock Box

Best Museum: Seattle Art Museum

Best Music Venue: The Showbox

Best Place to Work: Sub Pop Records

Best Podcast: Music That Matters

Best Radio Show: Brooke and Jubal in the Morning

Best Recreational Marijuana Store: Dockside Cannabis

Best Reading Series: Seattle Arts & Lectures

Best Record Label: Sub Pop

Best Record Store: Easy Street

Best Salon: Salon Q.E.

Best Spa: Olympus

Best Sex Shop: Babeland

Best Theater Company: 5th Avenue Theatre

Best Tailor: Adam Tailoring & Alterations

Best Tattoo Shop: Slave to the Needle

Best Toy Store: Magic Mouse Toys

Best Trivia Night: Chuck’s Hop Shop CD

Best Volunteer Opportunity: Northwest Harvest