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COLAtoday’s Best Awards
At COLAtoday, we share hyper-local and need-to-know information about your Columbia faves. Now, it’s time for you to tell us the best biz in the city. Meet: COLAtoday’s Best. From coffee shops to event venues, we’re asking for your insight on the top-tier spots Columbia has to offer.

Nominations open September 15, 2025 and will close October 3, 2025. Voting for each category’s top nominations will begin October 20, 2025 and end on November 25, 2025.
Start voting
Want to start voting? Select a version of our voting form based on the device you’re using.
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Categories
Food & Beverage
Breweries + Distilleries
Your locally crafted haven of small-batch spirits with a focus on quality and community roots.
Brunch
Your favorite place for a mid-morning weekend indulgence.
Coffee Shop
Your go-to spot for the perfect latte, cold brew, or tea.
Fine Dining
A place to savor exquisite dishes where every detail is designed to impress.
Food Trucks
Your fave mobile food businesses offering diverse, convenient, and freshly prepared meals.
Happy Hour
Your relaxing choice for the best deals on drinks and appetizers.
Ice Cream + Desserts
A sweet spot for all ages, dishing out locally inspired ice cream made with fresh ingredients.
Lunch Spot
Your midday choice for a good sandwich, soup, or salad for a quick light bite.
Outdoor Dining
The best rooftops and patios for enjoying a meal while soaking up the sun.
Sports Bar
Where you head to for the next sports game, a wide menu of drinks, and game-day cravings.
Tap Rooms
A spot guaranteed to deliver a delicious, locally crafted beer.
Winery or Wine Bar
Your spot to enjoy crafted wine, offering a taste of the area’s unique flavors and traditions.
Community
Apartment Complex
Apartment complexes with features, designs, and amenities that make you feel at home.
Coworking Location
The best place in town to be productive and collaborate.
Dentist
Helping you smile brighter with gentle care and expert treatment.
Gym + Fitness Center
Your favorite place to pump iron and get a sweat in.
Home Service Provider
Your go-to for carpentry, flooring, and all things home improvement + repair.
Local Influencer + Celebrity
Your passionate leaders and trendsetters who are driving community awareness.
Local Nonprofit
Local organizations going above and beyond to fuel positive community impact.
Medical Center
Facilties offering a range of healthcare services, including diagnostics and specialized care.
Photographer
High-level creatives who knock how to capture compelling images through artistic vision.
Real Estate Agent + Group
Nominate the real estate agent or group that helped secure your dream home.
Spas + Salons
The best option for hair care or a spa-day to unwind and treat yourself.
Sports Medicine
Expert care for athletes of all levels—helping you recover, perform, and stay in the game.
Veterinary Clincs
Where pets are treated like family—offering gentle, comprehensive care for your furry pals.
Entertainment & Retail
Arts + Craft Store
From projects to crafts, find everything you need to create and make memories together.
Bookstore
Your curated selection of literature, cozy reading nooks, and a community for curious minds.
Golf Course
A little birdie told us that this is your favorite golf course.
Museum
The places to explore history, culture, art, and science through curated exhibits.
Music Venue
A vibrant hub for live performances showcasing local and touring artists.
Party Venue
A dedicated space designed for hosting celebrations, events, and gatherings.
Pet-Friendly Venue
Your favorite place to eat, drink, play, or stay with your furry friend.
Theater + Performance Venue
Your venue of choice for live artistic performances and award-winning shows.
Vintage + Resale Shops
Where to shop sustainably and stylishly with handpicked pieces that celebrate the past.

Start Nominating
City Guides

Our editors’ recommendations for things to eat, drink, and do around town.

Read More
Media Kit
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2025 COLAtoday’s Best Media Kit
Download (5 MB)

      

FAQs

How do I vote for a business or venue for COLAtoday’s Best?

Voting officially opens Monday, Oct. 20, and close Tuesday, Nov. 25. Use your desktop or mobile device to start voting in various categories.

How to vote:

  1. If you’re planning to vote using a desktop, please use this link. If you’re a mobile user, please use this one.
  2. Click the “Verify Email To Vote” button, input a valid email address, and we’ll email you a code that you’ll need to type in to access your ballot. Note: codes expire after 5 minutes.
  3. Select a category to vote in.
  4. Select the business that you’d like to vote for, then click “Back to Categories” to submit a vote for a different category.
  5. Once you’ve finished, you can click “Submit Vote” on the category selection page.
  6. You may vote for any or all categories once per day.

When do the nomination and voting periods happen?

Nominations open September 15, 2025 and will close October 3, 2025.

Voting for each category’s top nominations will begin October 20, 2025 and end on November 25, 2025.

Which businesses or venues are eligible for nominations?

Any business or venue that is located in and around Columbia is eligible for nomination.

I’m having trouble submitting my votes. Who should I contact for help?

For support with COLAtoday’s Best, please contact todaysbest@6amcity.com.

Don’t see a category that you would like featured?

Check in for next year’s campaign for added categories and continued expansion of COLAtoday’s Best.

What are your Terms and Conditions?

You can find our full Terms and Conditions by following this link.

How will you decide which nominees go on to the final voting round?

Nominees with the most number of upvotes will move on to the the final round.

Pro tip: you can upvote your favorite businesses daily, so don’t forget to come back.
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Culture
Winners Announced for COLAtoday’s Best
Our readers have spoken. Here’s the list of winners, as determined by votes from our audience.
October 25, 2024 05:00 AM
 · 
Victoria Bardega
See the winners