Announcing Best of Madison 2023 categories, voting timeline

For the past 40 years, Madison Magazine has hosted the annual Best of Madison readers’ poll. This list has helped determine the best of the best in the Madison area for decades. Walking into many local businesses you’ll see covers of the magazine decorating the walls signifying their designation as one of the area’s best.

We’re excited to continue this tradition in the new year.

Similar to this most recent iteration of Best of Madison, we are including editors’ picks to accompany the readers’ poll in the 2022 awards listing. Below you’ll find the timeline and the official list of 2023 categories. Editor’s picks and the gold, silver and bronze Best of Madison 2023 winners will be revealed in the October issue. Get ready to nominate daily in February!

2023 BEST OF MADISON TIMELINE:
Nominations: Feb. 1 – Feb. 28
Final voting: June 1 – June 30
Winners revealed: October 2023 Issue

FOOD & DRINK

Artisan Food Product
Bakery – Bread
Bakery – Sweets
Bar for Beer
Bar for Cocktails
Bar Food
Bar with a View
Bartender
Barbecue
Bloody Mary
Breakfast
Brunch
Burger
Butcher
Catering
Cheese Producer
Chef
Chicken Wings
Chinese
Chocolate
Cocktail Kit
Coffee Roasters
Coffee Shop
Destination Restaurant (Outside of Dane County)
Diner
Dive Bar
Distillery
Fish Fry
Food Truck
Fried Cheese Curds
Ice Cream/Custard
Indian/Nepalese
Italian
Japanese/Sushi
Korean
Lake View
Late Night Menu
Latin American
Local Craft Beer
Margarita
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Mexican/Southwestern
New Orleans/Cajun Style
New Restaurant
Old Fashioned
Outdoor Dining
Patio
Pickup/Takeout/Delivery
Pizza
Private Parties
Restaurant
Sandwich Spot
Seafood
Server
Southeast Asian
Specialty Food Store
Spot for N/A Beverages
Sports Bar
Steakhouse
Supper Club
Upscale Dining
Vegetarian/Vegan Focused
Wine Bar
Winery

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Art Gallery
Classical Music Group
Columnist
Comedy Group/Comedian
Interactive Experiences (Qualifiers include virtual or in-person recreational activities such as simulator sports, arcades, baking or painting classes, etc.)
DJ (Radio DJs are not eligible for this category.)
Local Artist (Qualifiers include visual artists and makers. Musical artists qualify under “Local Singer/Band” and other music categories)
Local Author
Local Band
Local Cover Band
Local Influencer (TV and Radio personalities are not eligible for this category.)
Local News Website
Local Podcast
Local Singer/Songwriter
Local Theater (Qualifiers include theater spaces that host performances.)
Museum
Music Venue
Performing Arts Group
Photographer
Radio Team
TV News Team
TV Personality

HOME & LIFESTYLE

Alterations
Auto Body Repair
Auto Parts
Barber Shop
Bed & Breakfast
Bookstore
Boutique Hotel
Cleaning Service
Clothing (Men)
Clothing (Women)
Dealer Auto Service Shop
Domestic Auto Dealer
Dry Cleaner
Duct Cleaning
Electrician
Event Venue
Exterior Cleaning Service
Flooring
Florist
Furniture
Gift Shop/Specialty Store
Grocery Store
Hair Salon
Heating & Cooling
Home Accessories
Home Builders
Home Repair
Hotel
Import Auto Dealer
Interior Design
Jeweler
Kitchen & Bath Design
Lawn, Garden & Landscape
Luxury Auto (Import and Domestic)
Mortgage Lender
Moving Company
Music Store
Musical Instrument Store
Nail Salon
Non-Dealer Auto Service Shop
Outdoor Living
Pest Control
Pet Services (Qualifiers include services for grooming, boarding, dog walking, waste removal, etc.)
Pet Supplies Store
Plumber
Real Estate Company
Roofer
Secondhand Store
Shoes
Solar Energy Company
Spa
Staffing Agency
Tattoo Shop/Artist
Tech Service/Repair
Towing Company
Used Car Dealer
Wealth Management
Windows & Doors
Wisconsin Bank
Wisconsin Credit Union
Youth Programs

HEALTH & MEDICAL

Assisted Living
Childcare
Chiropractor
Cosmetic Surgery Center
Dental Practice
Eye Care
Fertility & Birthing
Health Specialty Store
Hearing Aid Devices
Home Health Care Agency
Hospital
Laser Hair Removal
Massage Therapist
Mental Health Facility
Orthodontic Practice
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Retirement Community
Specialty Spa
Substance Use Disorder Services
Veterinarian

RECREATION & FITNESS

Alternative Fitness Center
Bike Shop
Dance Studio
Fitness Center
Golf Course
Golf Instructor
Martial Arts Studio
Personal Trainer
Pilates
Sports & Recreation Shop
Yoga Studio