We're excited to unveil the winners of this year's Local Love Awards! From neighborhood cafes to innovative podcasts, fitness studios to eco-friendly initiatives, every winner was selected by YOU, our fantastic and engaged community. No algorithms, no random picks, just the genuine support of our readers. A big congratulations to all the deserving winners!
Best Family Business: Darien Sport Shop, dariensportshop.com, 1127 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @dariensportshop
Best Local Influencer: Anna Barnes, Bliss & Bellinis, blissandbellinis.com, @bliss_and_bellinis
Best Kid's Haircut: BonBon Hair Studio, bonbonhairstudio.com, 841 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @bonbonhairstudio
Best Florist: Fresh Flower Bar, freshflowerbar.com, 1301 Bronson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, @freshflowerbar
Best Women's Fashion Store: Helen Ainson, helenainson.com, 15 Corbin Dr Darien, CT 06820, @helenainson, Helen AInson is your one-stop shop for evening gowns, cocktail dresses and casual clothing.
Best Brunch, Best New Restaurant (2023), & Best Casual Food Spot: The Granola Bar, thegranolabar.com, 1020 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @thegranolabar
Best Bar: Ten Twenty Post, tentwentypost.com, 1020 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @tentwentypost
Best Private School: St. Luke’s School, stlukesct.org, 377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT 06840, @stlukesct, @stlukesstorm, St. Luke’s — a secular (non-religious) school for grades five-12 — offers an engaging, challenging, and creative curriculum such as Leading with Humanity, Emerging Tech, and individualized coaching for students. Learn more at stlukesct.org.
Best Pediatrician: Dr. Julie Sweeney at SproutWell, sproutwellpediatrics.com, 53 Old Kings Hwy N, Suite 203 Darien, CT 06820, @drjuliesweeney, @sproutwellpediatrics, Dr. Julie Sweeney specializes in pediatric integrative medicine. She offers personalized pediatric consults to elevate & expand your child's current care.
Best Local Podcast: Nina's Got Good News, ninabradleyclarke.com, 194 Gregory Blvd, Norwalk, CT 06855, @ninabclarke, Nina B. Clarke is an Emmy-award winning journalist, She is a storyteller at heart after working in TV news for 15 years. Nina is the founder and host of the top-rated "Nina's Got Good News" Podcast available on all podcast platforms. She is also a popular lifestyle blogger, brand influencer and public speaker. Nina lives in coastal Connecticut with her husband and two children.
Best Yoga Studio & Best Kids Program: Sama Yoga Center, samayogacenter.com, 45 Grove St, New Canaan, CT 06840, @samayogacenter
Best Coffee Shop: NEAT Coffee, neatcoffee.com, 20 Grove St, Darien, CT 06820, @neatdarien
Best Dentist: Dental Arts of Darien, dentalartsofdarien.com, 800 Post Rd 3rd floor, Darien, CT 06820, @dentalartsofdarien
Best Acupuncture: Intuitive Wellness Acupuncture, intuitivewellnessacu.com, 5 Tokeneke Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @intuitive_wellness_acu
Best Day Spa: New Beauty & Wellness, newbeautywellness.com, 1137 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880, @newbeautywellness
Best Realtor: April + Kelly Team, raveis.com/agent/aprilandkelly, 4 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840, @aprilandkelly
Best Fine Jewelry: Lux Bond & Green, lbgreen.com, 136 Main St, Westport, CT 06880, @luxbondgreen
Best Event Planner: Shelby Grey Events, shelbygreyevents.com, @shelbygreyevents
Best Massage: Darizen Spa & Wellness, darizenspa.com, 688 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @darizenspa, We redefined the acupuncture experience by integrating traditional Chinese medicine, massage, and facial treatments with upscale pampering offering a holistic approach to wellness like no other.
Best Art Gallery: MoCA Westport (Museum of Contemporary Art), mocawestport.org, 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport, CT 06880, @mocawestport, MoCA Westport offers contemporary art exhibitions, performing arts events & award winning educational programs that build a deeper understanding and passion for the arts.
Best Gourmet Grocery: Palmer's Market, palmersdarien.com, 264 Heights Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @palmersmarket, Considered a trendsetter in the industry, Palmer’s Market has been recognized in both national and international publications and has won over 31 ‘Best of’ awards."
Best Cosmetic Surgeon & Best Dermatologist: Dr. Kim Nichols, NicholsMD, kimnicholsmd.com, 50 Old Field Point Road, 3rd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830, @skinlabnicholsmd
Best Interior Designer: Gaelle Dudley, GL Design, gldesignhome.com, @gldesignhome
Best Custom Home Builder: Arena Development, arenadevelopments.com, 1475 Newfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06905, @arena_development
Best Real Estate Agency: William Pitt Sotheby's Realty, williampitt.com, 1057 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @williampittsir
Best Men's Salon: Hammer & Nails, 88 Heights Rd, https://hammerandnailsgrooming.com/location/darien-ct/, Darien, CT 06820, @hammerandnails_darien
Best Jeweler: Lux Bond & Green, lbgreen.com, 136 Main St, Westport, CT 06880, @luxbondgreen
Best Smoothie: BARVIDA, thebarvida.com, 879 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @barvidajuicebar
Best Fine Dining: Restaurant L'Ostal, restaurantlostal.com, 22 Center St, Darien, CT 06820, @restaurant__lostal
Best Meal Delivery & Best Health Food: Kinney Lane, kinneylane.com, @kinneylanefoods
Best Blow Dry: Blow & Glow, blowandglowdrybar.com, 160 Main St, New Canaan, CT 06840, @blowandglow.drybar
Best Fitness Studio/Gym & Best Barre Studio: Pure Barre, purebarre.com, 1958 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @purebarredarien
Best Fitness Instructor: Jess Gisondi, Pure Barre, 1958 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @purebarredarien
Best Outdoor Seating & Best Lobster: Rowayton Seafood, rowaytonseafood.com, 89 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk, CT 06853, @rowaytonseafood
Best Pizza: Riko's Pizza, rikospizza.com, 934 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @rikospizzaofficial
Best Ice Cream Shop & Best New Business (2023): Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, vanleeuwenicecream.com, 114 Heights Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @vanleeuwenicecream
Best Margarita: bartaco, bartaco.com, 222 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06901,@bartacolife
Best Martini: Elm, elmrestaurant.com, 73 Elm St, New Canaan, CT 06840, @elmrestaurant
Best Bakery: Flour Water Salt Bread, flourwatersaltbread.com, 20 Grove St, Darien, CT 06820, @flourwatersaltbread
Best Burger: Burgers Shakes and Fries, burgersshakesnfries.com, 800 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820, @burgersshakesnfries
Best Sushi: Fjord Fish Market, fjordfishmarket.com, 1015 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820,@fjordfishmarket
Best Event Venue: Townhouse, townhousegreenwich.com, 35 Church St, Greenwich, CT 06830, @townhousegreenwich, Step into our chic venue, where multiple dining rooms await to host you for lunch, dinner or your next event.