Vote Now in the 2026 Best of Austin® Readers Poll!

Celebrate Austin’s best in Arts & Entertainment, Food & Drink, Kids & Family, Nightlife, Politics & Media, Services, Shopping and Sports & Recreation! Vote for your favorites in 180 categories, including those for the “Wildcard” of each set. See the list of award categories below.

Key Voting Dates

First Round (write-in ballot): March 26 – April 6
Second Round (finalists ballot): May 7 – May 18
Winners Revealed: June 18

Get the Vote Out

Want to encourage folks to vote for you? Download our ready-to-use 2026 “Best of Austin Vote Now” campaign materials to spread the word!

DOWNLOAD 2026 BEST OF AUSTIN® CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

If you’d like to advertise, contact a sales representative now!

Best of Austin® 2026 Categories

Arts & Entertainment

  • Museum
  • Art Gallery
  • Artist
  • Performance Space/Theatre
  • Stage Director
  • Playwright
  • Actor
  • Classical Musician or Ensemble
  • Dancer/Choreographer
  • Comedy Troupe
  • Stand-Up Comic
  • Comedy Club/Venue
  • Comedy/Storytelling Showcase
  • Fiction Writer
  • Nonfiction Writer
  • Cartoonist
  • Graphic Novelist or Comic Creator
  • New Book by an Austin Writer
  • Burlesque Performer
  • Burlesque Troupe
  • Drag Performer
  • Drag Showcase
  • Movie Theatre
  • Filmmaker
  • Film Festival
  • Arts & Entertainment Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Food & Drink

  • New Restaurant
  • Established Restaurant
  • Chef
  • Service
  • Bakery
  • Coffee Shop
  • Brunch
  • Late-Night Dining
  • Food Truck
  • Fine Dining
  • Vegetarian
  • Breakfast Taco
  • Sandwich
  • Burger
  • Veggie Burger
  • Steak
  • Barbecue
  • Taco
  • Queso
  • Sushi
  • Noodles/Ramen
  • Pizza
  • Dessert
  • Margarita
  • Mocktail
  • Brewery
  • Distillery
  • Wine Tasting Experience
  • Food & Drink Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Kids & Family

  • Party Place
  • Toy Store
  • Kids’ Clothing
  • Summer Camp
  • Youth Sports Program
  • Youth Arts Program
  • Youth STEM Program
  • Birthday Cakes
  • Playground
  • Family-Friendly Festival
  • Kids & Family Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Nightlife

  • Dance Club
  • Cheap Date
  • Cocktail Bar
  • Dive Bar
  • Sports Bar
  • Bar for Singles
  • Bartender (include name of bar)
  • Happy Hour
  • Place for Sober Socializing
  • Karaoke
  • Trivia Night
  • LGBTQIA Club
  • Queer Party
  • Pool Hall
  • Adult Club
  • Nightlife Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Politics & Media

  • Print Publication
  • Online Media Outlet
  • Radio Station
  • Radio Program
  • Podcast
  • Radio or Podcast Host
  • TV News
  • TV Anchor/Reporter
  • Sports Reporter
  • Weatherperson
  • News Reporter
  • Columnist
  • Food Writer
  • Film Critic
  • Photographer
  • Social Media Personality
  • City/County Official
  • State/Federal Official
  • Activist
  • Nonprofit
  • Grassroots/Political Org
  • Volunteer Experience
  • Local Controversy
  • Politics & Media Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Shopping

  • Men’s Clothing
  • Women’s Clothing
  • Clothing Resale
  • Pop-Up Market
  • Jewelry
  • Furniture/Home Goods
  • Garden Store/Nursery
  • Florist
  • Neighborhood/Specialty Grocery
  • Farmers’ Market/Farmstand
  • Local Food Brand
  • Local Nonalcoholic Beverage Brand
  • Local Alcoholic Beverage Brand
  • Adult Store
  • Liquor Store
  • Cannabusiness
  • Pet Store
  • Bookstore
  • Electronics/Computer Store
  • Sporting Goods
  • Comics/Fandom Store
  • Game Store
  • Arts & Crafts Store
  • Austin Gifts/Souvenirs
  • Shopping Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Services

  • Barbershop
  • Salon
  • Spa
  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Mani/Pedi
  • Skin Care
  • Lashes
  • Wax
  • Tattoo
  • Psychic/Tarot
  • Bike Shop/Repair
  • Auto Repair/Service
  • Home Maintenance/Services
  • Lawn Care/Landscaping
  • Cleaning Services
  • A/C Repair/Installation
  • Electrician
  • Plumber
  • Roofer
  • Laundromat
  • Dry Cleaner
  • Tailor/Alterations
  • Hotel
  • Mover
  • Lawyer
  • Veterinarian
  • Doggie Day Care
  • Pet Grooming
  • Wedding Venue
  • Services Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)

Sports & Recreation

  • Place to Tube
  • Place to Camp
  • Dog-Friendly Space
  • Swimming Pool
  • Swimming Hole/Lake
  • Sports Venue
  • Bowling Alley
  • Golf Course
  • Gym
  • Personal Trainer (include gym, if applicable)
  • Yoga
  • Bike Trail/Track
  • Place to Walk
  • Out-of-Town Hike
  • Outdoor Race
  • Alternative/Amateur Sports
  • Pro/Semi-Pro Sports Team
  • Sports & Recreation Wild Card (Don’t Forget to Tell Us Why!)