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INDY readers have a tremendous power: To bestow coveted Best of the Triangle stars on the walls, windows, and websites of local businesses and institutions. For two decades, Triangle residents have relied on our reader poll—and the iconic decals winners receive—to find the best of the best in their communities.
In this section, you’ll find Best of the Triangle winners in Durham County—a round-up of so many of the people, places, and organizations that make the Bull City special. Here, our readers have selected their favorite restaurants, bookstores, dentists, politicians, yoga studios, and much more.Â
Whether you’re deciding where to eat dinner, where to see art, or where to take your car for a tune-up, our readers’ top picks have you covered. We hope you’ll find this guide handy and take some time to try something new or revisit an old favorite from these pages.
Thanks to Y’all who nominated their favorites and congratulations to all of the finalists. Orange and Chatham County winners were announced back in April (find them online if you missed it). Next up we’ll share your picks for Wake County. And stay tuned for a special print edition in December rounding up the Best of the Best across the Triangle.
Best Art Gallery for Purchase
The Scrap Exchange
Runners-up: Five Points Gallery, Cecy’s Gallery & Studio
Best Gallery for Viewing
Nasher Museum of Art
Runners-up: 21c Museum Hotel Durham, Durham Arts Council
Best Comedy Club/Event
Bull McCabe’s Trivia Night
Runners-up: Mettlesome, Don’t Tell Comedy
Best Drag Show/Event
Music Trivia Bingo @ Velvet Hippo hosted by Stormie Daie
Runners-up: Club Era, Drag Bingo @ Common Market hosted by Miss B Haven
Best Electronic Concert Venue
The Fruit
Runners-up: PS37, BOOM Club
Best Film Theatre Venue/Event
Carolina Theatre of Durham
Runner-up: Shadowbox Studio
Best Live Theatre Company
The Durham Savoyards, Ltd.
Runners-up: Paperhand Puppet Project, Red Bird Theater Company
Best Local / Regional Podcast
Due South on WUNC
Runners-up: Embodied on WUNC, Durham Artist Archive
Best Local Band
Sylvan Esso
Runners-up: The Mountain Goats, Durham Symphony Orchestra
Best Museum
The Museum of Life and Science
Runners-up: Nasher Museum of Art, NC Museum of Art
Best Radio Station
WUNC
Runners-up: WNCU, WXYC
Best Unplugged Concert Venue
Hayti Heritage Center
Runners-up: Red Hat Amphitheater, Hub RTP
Best Auto Dealer
Mark Jacobson Toyota
Runners-up: Hendrick Subaru Southpoint, Johnson Subaru of Cary
Best Auto Mechanic
Champion Tire & Auto
Runners-up: Chapel Hill Tire, Fluid Community Garage
Best Barber Shop
Rock’s Bar & Hair Shop
Runners-up: Hawk & Fade Barbershop, Dennis Best
Best Bookstore
Regulator Bookshop
Runners-up: Letters Community Bookshop, Golden Fig Books
Best CBD Shop
Sherlocks Glass &…
