Good. Better. Best.

The lines separating the three can be slim, but they’re there. So what does it take to propel something, someplace or someone ahead of its peers?

Perhaps it’s careful attention to even the most minute details, or an emphasis on customer service. Maybe it’s a unique idea or concept. Sometimes it’s as simple as time-honored tradition — a business whose very presence helps define this special place we call home.

We asked you — residents and visitors alike — to choose the Best of Vail, and you responded.

More than 21,500 votes were cast across 74 categories. From best local beer to best place for a romantic date, from best workout spot to best ski shop, your voices spoke loud and clear.

Thanks for voting, and thanks to the businesses and people whose dedication to their crafts keep us coming back for more.

Click on each category for a profile and photos of the winners

Entertainment & Diversions

Best Art Gallery

1. Horton Fine Art
2. Alpine Arts Center
3. J. Cotter Gallery

Best Local Artist

1. Jesse Horton
2. Jim Cotter Gallery
3. Britten
3. Carrie Fell

Best Local Musician

1. Phil Long
2. Johnny Schleper
3. Scott Rednor

Best Local Summer Festival

1. Bonfire Block Party
2. Mountain Games
3. Hot Summer Nights

Best Local Winter Festival

1. Birds of Prey World Cup Races
2. Burton U.S. Open
3. Vail Snow Days

Best Music Venue

1. Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
2. Vilar Performing Arts Center
3. Shakedown Bar

Best Pilates Class

1. The Athletic Club at The Westin
2. Allegria Spa at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
3. Synergy Center for Wellness

Best Place for a Romantic Date

1. Ristorante Ti Amo
2. Juniper
3. Sweet Basil

Best Workout Spot

1. Crosstraining Fitness of Vail
2. The Athletic Club at The Westin
3. Minturn Fitness Center

Best Yoga Studio

1. Revolution Power Yoga
2. Yoga Off Broadway
3. Mountain Soul Yoga

Food & Drink

Seafood dishes are one of Henry’s Chinese Cafe specialities. (Photo by Rachael Zimmerman)

Best Asian Food

1. Henry’s Chinese Cafe
2. Matsuhisa
3. Nozawa

Best Baked Goods

1. Avon Bakery & Deli
2. Northside Kitchen
3. Columbine Bakery

Best Barbecue

1. Moe’s Original Bar B Que
2. Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar
3. Yellowbelly

Best Breakfast

1. Westside Cafe
2. Northside Kitchen
3. Cafe 163

Best Brunch

1. Vintage
2. Westside Cafe
3. Leonora at The Sebastian

Best Burger

1. Larkburger
2. Benderz Burgers
3. Expert Burger

Best Burrito

1. Rocky Mountain Taco
2. Taqueria No Se Hagan Bolas
3. La Cantina

Generally and The Rose are a couple of the signature cocktails served at The Rose in Edwards. (Photo by Rachael Zimmerman)

Best Cocktails

1. The Rose
2. The Remedy Bar
3. Root & Flower

Best Coffee

1. Yeti’s Grind
2. Loaded Joe’s
3. The Bookworm of Edwards

Best Craft Beer Selection

1. Vail Brewing Co.
2. The Craftsman
3. Vail Ale House

Best Deli

1. Belmont Deli
2. Avon Bakery & Deli
3. Red Canyon Cafe

Best Family Restaurant

1. Pazzo’s Pizzeria
2. e|town
3. Moe’s Original Bar B Que

Best Fast Food

1. Rocky Mountain Taco
2. Larkburger
3. Yellowbelly

Best Fine Dining — Beaver Creek, Avon and Edwards

1. Ristorante Ti Amo
2. Juniper
3. vin48

Best Fine Dining — Vail

1. Sweet Basil
2. Mountain Standard
3. Matsuhisa

Best Happy Hour — Avon

1. vin48
2. Maya Modern Mexican & Tequileria
3. Vail Brewing Co.

Best Happy Hour — Beaver Creek

1. Coyote Cafe
2. Dusty Boot Roadhouse
3. Hooked

Best Happy Hour — Edwards

1. The Rose
2. e|town
3. Zino Ristorante

Located in the Four Seasons, the swanky The Remedy has a bourbon drink on tap.

Best Happy Hour — Vail

1. The Remedy Bar
2. The George
3. The Fitz Bar & Restaurant at Manor Vail Lodge

Best Happy Hour — Eagle

1. Bonfire Brewing
2. 7 Hermits Brewing
3. Dusty Boot Roadhouse

Best Healthy Food

1. Green Elephant Juicery
2. The Rose
3. Rocky Mountain Taco

Best Ice Cream

1. Kiwi International Delights & Coffee Co.
2. Grand Avenue Chill
3. Joe’s Famous Deli & Homemade Ice Cream

Best Italian Restaurant

1. Ristorante Ti Amo
2. Campo de Fiori
3. Zino Ristorante

Best Local Beer

1. Vail Brewing Co.
2. Bonfire Brewing
3. Crazy Mountain Brewery

Best Margarita

1. Agave
2. The Minturn Saloon
3. Maya Modern Mexican & Tequileria

Best Mexican Restaurant

1. Rocky Mountain Taco
2. Taqueria No Se Hagan Bolas
3. Fiestas Cafe & Cantina

Best Patio

1. Bonfire Brewing
2. Vail Brewing Co.
3. Garfinkel’s

Best Pizza

1. Pazzo’s Pizzeria
2. Vendetta’s
3. Pickup’s Pizza

Best Salad

1. The Rose
2. The Bookworm of Edwards
3. e|town

Sushi is just one of the dozens of seafood preparations offered at Hooked.

Best Seafood

1. Hooked
2. Matsuhisa
3. Yama Sushi

Best Desserts

1. The Rose
2. Sweet Basil
3. Juniper

Best Smoothies

1. Green Elephant Juicery
2. The Bookworm of Edwards
3. Sticky Fingers Cafe & Bakery

Best Sports Bar

1. Bob’s Place Restaurant & Sports Bar
2. e|town
3. Vail Ale House

Best Steak

1. Russell’s
2. Elway’s
3. Flame

Best Takeout

1. Henry’s Chinese Cafe
2. Rocky Mountain Taco
3. Larkburger
3. Moe’s Original Bar B Que

Best Vibe

1. The Rose
2. Vail Brewing Co.
3. Mountain Standard

Best Wine List

1. vin48
2. Root & Flower
3. Sweet Basil

Best Worker’s Lunch

1. Rocky Mountain Taco
2. City Market
3. Yellowbelly

Retail

It’s PYOB — pick your own buds — at High Country Healing in Eagle-Vail.

Best Bike Shop

1. Venture Sports
2. Mountain Pedaler
3. The Kind Bikes & Skis

Best Craft Beer Selection (Liquor Store)

1. Boone’s Wine and Spirits
2. West Vail Liquor Mart
3. Beaver Liquors

Best Marijuana Dispensary

1. High Country Healing
2. Native Roots
3. Rocky Road Remedies

Best Home Goods Store

1. The Home Depot
2. Select Surfaces
3. Inside Out Furnishings
3. Ruggs Benedict

Best Jewelry Store

1. The Golden Bear
2. Kimberley’s Fine Jewelry
3. Squash Blossom

Best Children’s Clothing Store

1. Skipper & Scout
2. KidSport
3. Ptarmigan Sports

Best Men’s Clothing Store

1. Ptarmigan Sports
2. Arriesgado Clothing Co.
3. Grey Salt

Ptarmigan Sports carries gear for mountaineering, backcountry skiing, hiking, and camping. (Photo by Rachael Zimmerman)

Best Outdoor Sports Gear

1. Ptarmigan Sports
2. Alpine Quest Sports
3. Transition Sports

Best Pet Store

1. The Pet Spot
2. Wags & Whiskers
3. Fresh Tracks Pet Shoppe

Best Shoe Store

1. Ptarmigan Sports
2. Vail Boot & Shoe
3. Colorado Footwear

Best Ski Shop

1. Base Mountain Sports
2. Buzz’s Boards
3. Venture Sports

Best Tire Shop

1. Big O Tires
2. Costco
3. Vail Discount Tire Factory

Best Toy Store

1. Wishes Toy Store
2. The Bookworm of Edwards
3. The Toy Store
3. Vail Valley Pharmacy

Best Wine Selection (Liquor Store)

1. Beaver Liquors
2. Boone’s Wine & Spirits
3. Avon Liquor

Best Women’s Clothing Store

1. Valleygirl Boutique
2. Arriesgado Clothing Co.
3. Everyday Outfitters

Services

Turtle Tubing takes tubers down the Colorado River from Dotsero to the mouth of the Glenwood Canyon.

Best Adventure Outfitter

1. Turtle Tubing
2. Paragon Guides
3. Sage Outdoor Adventures

Best Fly Fishing Shop and Outfitters

1. Vail Valley Anglers
2. Minturn Anglers
3. Fly Fishing Outfitters

Best Insurance Agency

1. Cathy Thompson, State Farm
2. Alpine Insurance Agency
3. Brill Insurance Agency

Best Auto Mechanic / Car Repair Shop

1. Leadfoot Linda’s
2. Valley Automotive and Tire
3. Big O Tires

Most Pet-Friendly Business

1. Crazy Mountain Brewery
2. Bart & Yeti’s patio
3. The Home Depot

Best Pharmacy

1. Vail Valley Pharmacy
2. City Market
3. Nearly Everything Store
3. Walgreens

Best Salon

1. Fusion Hair Studio
2. Noni’s Hair Bar
3. Ooh La La Hair Salon

Best Taxi or Shuttle Service

1. Ride Taxi
2. Colorado Mountain Express
3. The Turtle Bus

Best Veterinary Practice

1. Castle Peak Veterinary Service
2. Vail Valley Animal Hospital
3. Gypsum Animal Hospital