Best of the City 2012 winners:
RECREATION
Best people-watching spotWaterfront promenadeSwy a lana lagoonMaffeo Sutton Park
Best place to watch birdsButtertubs MarshMorrell bird sanctuaryPipers Lagoon
Best place to walk your dogWestwood LakeNeck PointPipers Lagoon
Best romantic parking spotDeparture Bay BeachPipers LagoonNeck Point
Best place to meet for coffeeTim HortonsThe BuzzStarbucks
Best local campgroundLiving Forest Oceanside CampgroundBrannen Lake CampsitesNanaimo Lakes Campground
Best place for kayakingNewcastle IslandLong LakeDeparture Bay
Best place for a picnicNewcastle IslandPipers LagoonNeck Point
Best place to swim outdoorsWestwood LakeNanaimo RiverLong Lake
Best place to walk, jog or hikeWestwood LakeWaterfront PromenadeNeck Point
Best place for mountain bikingMount BensonDoumont RoadWestwood Lake
RESTAURANTS/FOOD
Best romantic restaurantAsteras Greek TavernaZougla RestaurantFirehouse Grill (tied)Mahle House (tied)
Best breakfastsRicky's All Day GrillTina's DinerTania's Restaurant
Best lunchesDelicado'sThirsty CamelGabriel's Café
Best fish and chipsTroller'sPirate ChipsFox and Hounds Pub
Best hamburgersMrs. Riches Club CaféWhite SpotArmani's Grill
Best fast foodWendy'sSubwayA&W
Best nachosGina's Mexican CaféLongwood Brew PubDelicado's
Best pastaMilano's RistorantéNew York Style PizzaBoston Pizza
Best sushiFirehouse GrillBlue GingerNori Sushi
Best pizzaMambo Gourmet PizzaNew York Style PizzaPanago
Best piesNanaimo BakeryColumbia BakeryCostco
Best martiniAcme Food Co. LtdModern CaféCactus Club
Best seafoodNauticalsThe KegZougla Restaurant
Best chicken wingsMiller's PubThe Oxy (Occidental Hotel)Old City Station Green Olive
Best bakeryNanaimo BakeryColumbia BakeryCobs Bread
Best deliNesvog's MeatsThrifty FoodsNellies Dutch Deli (tied)McLean's Specialty Foods (tied)
Best steakThe KegThe Bold KnightBeefeaters Chop House & Grill
Best Sunday buffet/brunchLongwood Brew Pub & RestaurantABC RestaurantsRicky's All Day Grill
Best vegetarian foodRawmbasThirsty Camel CaféDelicado's
Best Asian foodBlue GingerHuong Lan RestaurantHong Kong House
Best Mediterranean foodAsteras Greek TavernaZougla RestaurantAlexandra's Bistro
Best family restaurantWhite SpotRicky's All Day GrillMrs. Riches Club Café
Best patio restaurantCactus Club CafeEarlsLighthouse Bistro
Best dessertsDairy QueenModern CaféMon Petit Choux
Best french friesPirate ChipsMcDonald'sNew York Fries
Best overall restaurantFirehouse GrillAsteras Greek TavernaSimon Holt (tied)Mrs. Riches Club Café (tied)
SHOPPING
Best pet supply storeBosley's Pet Food PlusPetsmartOlivers Pet Supplies
Best place to get tiresKal-TireCedar TireBig O Tire
Best tile storeCity TileCornerstone TileHome Depot
Best music storeHMVFascinating RhythmLong & McQuade
Best second-hand storeValue VillageSalvation ArmyFunk Your Fashion
Best art galleryNanaimo Art GalleryGallery 223Barton & Leier
Best place to buy a used vehicleSteve Marshall Ford LincolnGalaxy MotorsNanaimo Toyota
Best floor covering storeEnd of the RollHome DepotUnited Carpet
Best store for ladies wearQuintessentialsCatwalk FashionsSears
Best store for men’s wearMoore'sSearsTip Top Tailors
Best customer service storeWal-MartSteve Marshall Ford LincolnCostco
Best outdoor garden centreArt Knapp PlantlandDiana's Garden CentreLong Lake Nursery (tied)Green Thumb Nursery (tied)
Best vitamin/health food storeCharlie Brown'sIsland Natural MarketsFuel Supplements
Best paint storeHome DepotCloverdale PaintBenjamin Moore
Best lighting storeMcLaren LightingHome DepotRona
Best wine-making storeNanaimo Wine ShopWine KitzWine Works
Best furniture storeThe BrickLa-Z-Boy Furniture GalleriesFlying Fish
Best housewares/linen storeHomesenseFlying FishHome Outfitters
Best place to buy meatNesvog'sPiper's MeatsCostco
Best place to buy produceThrifty FoodsSave-on FoodsQuality Foods
Best shoe storeAldo ShoesA Step AheadPayless Shoes
Best home building supply storeHome DepotRonaHome Hardware
Best sporting goods storeSportChekReAction SportsSportMart
Best store to buy booksChaptersLiteracy NanaimoColes Books
Best store to buy toolsHome DepotCanadian TireMidland Tools
Best jewellery storePeoples JewellersBen MossBastion Jewellers
Best flower shopTurley's FloristThrifty FoodsDiana's Garden Centre (tied)Westcoast Classic Floral Design (tied)
Best lingerie shopLa SenzaMy UndiesLa Vie En Rose
Best bike shopOak Bay BikesArrowsmith BikesPacific Rim Bicycle
Best place to buy seafoodSea Drift Fish MarketThrifty FoodsCostco
Best sewing/notions storeFabriclandSnip N StitchSerge and Sew
Best place to shopWoodgrove CentreDowntownWal-Mart
SERVICE
Best place to get a tattooBlack and BlueTranceformationsElectric Umbrella
Best travel agencyFlight CentreAround the World Travel Service Ltd.Marlin Travel
Best insurance agencyBCAAWestern Financial GroupCoastal Community Credit Union (tied)Real Insurance (tied)
Best catering businessMaster's TouchMrs. Riches Club Café2 Chef's Affair
Best electrical contractorDen-Mar ElectricMazzei ElectricWenner Electric
Best financial plannerRBCSun Life FinancialTD Canada Trust
Best beauty salonMaffeo SalonKiyo Salon & Day SpaBreze Salon & Day Spa
Best estheticiansBreze Salon & Day SpaMaffeo SalonKiyo Salon & Day Spa
Best massagesBreze Salon and Day SpaMaffeo SalonKnead Massage Therapy
Best tanning salonSpanish Sol Tanning StudioDivine Glow TanningSolisa Tanning
Best auto servicingSteve Marshall Ford LincolnCanadian TireVans Garage
Best optical storeIrisMaycock EyecareVisionarts Eyecare Centre
Best marine supplierThe Harbour Chandler Ltd.West MarineWestwood Power and Marine
Best plumbing & heating businessArchie Johnstone Plumbing & Heating Ltd.Marshall Plumbing Ltd.Norm's Mobile Service Ltd
Best carpet cleanersCitrus O Carpet Care IncClassic Care Carpet CleaningPremier Carpet Cleaning
Best appliance repair shopBarron's Home Appliance CentreAztec AppliancesClassic Appliances
Best gas barMid-Island Co-opChevronSuperstore
Best banking institutionTD Canada TrustRoyal BankCoastal Community Credit Union
Best fitness centreV.I. Fitness CentreNanaimo Athletic ClubNanaimo Aquatic Centre
Best roofing companyErickson Roofing Ltd.Vanderleek Roofing ServicesMilne Roofing
NIGHT LIFE/ENTERTAINMENT
Best sports barOld City Station Green OliveBoston Pizza NanaimoPiper's Pub
Best place to danceThe Queen'sLevel TwoClub 241
Best place for live bandsThe Queen'sThe CambieDiners Rendezvous
Best pubLongwood Brew PubOld City Station Green OlivePiper's Pub
Best live theatrePort TheatreThe Bailey TheatreNanaimo Centre Stage
KIDS
Best day-care centreJolly Giant Childcare LtdKatie's Korner Childcare CentreBoys and Girls Club
Best kids' restaurantWhite SpotMcDonald'sRicky's All Day Grill
Best toy storeToys R UsKool and Child StoreWal-Mart
Best kids' clothing storeChildren's PlaceGap KidsOld Navy
Best place for birthday partiesJumping JiminysOliver Woods CentreMcDonald's
Best playgroundBeban ParkOliver Woods Community CentreMaffeo Sutton Park