Readers give their nods to hometown favorites.
Instagram hashtags have been around for a bit—#eatlocal, #playlocal, #shoplocal and on they go, but 2020 and into this year, the need to support local businesses and service providers was undeniably underscored in an urgent way.
If participation in our annual Best of Lake Minnetonka Readers’ Poll is any indication, residents did their best to stand behind local businesses and service providers, who, in case after case, pivoted to adhere to new requirements and adapted to meet the needs of their customers and clients. This issue is devoted to those efforts.
Climb aboard; let’s lift the sail and take a journey around the Best of Lake Minnetonka. Voting went live in January on our website, where readers set the course by voting for their favorites. The top three finalists in all categories were announced this spring, and now it’s time to present your winners and runners-up in a host of categories that help support and celebrate this community.
Were you a first place winner? Click here to order your customized Best of 2021 Framed Award.
Best Takeout / Curbside
- Lago Tacos
- CōV Wayzata
- BLVD Kitchen & Bar
Best Outdoor Dining
- Maynards
- CōV Wayzata
- 6Smith
Best Restaurant
- Birch’s on the Lake
- CōV Wayzata
- Gianni’s Steakhouse & Seafood
Best Tavern / Bar / Brewery
- Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge
- Excelsior Brewing Company
- Maynards
Best Breakfast
- Original Pancake House, Minnetonka
- Hazelwood Food + Drink, Tonka Bay
- Maggie’s Family Restaurant, Wayzata
Best Builder
- John Kraemer & Sons
- Stonewood, LLC
- Boyer Building Corporation
Best Remodeler
- Revision Renovation, LLC (Part of the Stonewood, LLC family)
- Lecy Bros. Homes & Remodeling
- Boyer Building Corporation
Best Interior Designer
- Studio M Interiors
- The Sitting Room
- Martha O’Hara (Martha O’Hara Interiors)
Best Senior Living Residence
- Lake Minnetonka Shores
- Folkestone
- Deephaven Woods Senior Living
Best Landscape Designer
- Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping
- Heidi’s GrowHaus & Lifestyle Gardens
- Yardscapes
Best Nursery / Garden Center
- Tonkadale Greenhouse
- Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping
- Twin Orchards Nursery
Best Home Furnishings / Décor Store
- Five Swans
- The Sitting Room
- The Vintage Loft
Best Fitness Studio / Yoga Studio / Gym
- Life Time
- The Marsh
- The Barre
Best Dental Practice
- Wayzata Family Dentistry
- Lake Minnetonka Dental
- Orono Dental Care
Best Orthodontic Practice
- Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics, Minnetonka
- Kottemann Orthodontics, Orono
- Ovation! Orthodontics, Minnetonka
Best Chiropractic Practice
- The Brost Clinic
- Align Health & Wellness
- Excelsior Chiropractic
Best Pediatric Practice
- Wayzata Children’s Clinic, Minnetonka
- South Lake Pediatrics, Minnetonka
- Park Nicollet Clinic, Carlson Parkway
Best Eye Practice
- Northwest Eye, Minnetonka
- Excelsior Eye Care
- Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minnetonka
Best Dermatology Practice
- Zel Skin & Laser Specialists, Plymouth
- Skin Care Doctors, Orono
- Park Nicollet Clinic, Carlson Parkway
Best Medspa
- LivSkin MedSpa
- Skingevity Med Spa
- Wayzata Medical Spa
Best Salon / Spa
- Juut Salonspa, Wayzata
- Lavish Salon, Wayzata
- Sanctuary Salonspa, Excelsior
Best Apparel Boutique
- General Store of Minnetonka
- Evereve, Wayzata
- Ooh La La Boutique, Excelsior
Best Gift Shop
- General Store of Minnetonka
- Five Swans, Wayzata
- Ooh La La Boutique, Excelsior
Best Florist
- Tonkadale Greenhouse
- Candlelight Floral & Gifts
- Bayside Just Because…
Best Specialty Foods / Kitchen Store
- Kowalski’s Market, Excelsior
- Lunds & Byerlys, Wayzata
- Lakewinds Food Co-op, Minnetonka
Best Law Firm
- Wayzata Law Group
- Excelsior Law Firm
- Sanford, Pierson, Thone & Strean, PLC
Best Doggy Daycare / Kennel
- Top Dog Country Club
- ADOGO Pet Hotel, Minnetonka
- Woofington Luxury Petite Dog Resort & Spa
Best Veterinary Practice
- Westonka Animal Hospital
- Excelsior Animal Hospital
- Long Lake Veterinary Clinic
Best Learning / Tutoring Center
- Sylvan Learning of Minnetonka
- Mathnasium of Minnetonka
- College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors, Wayzata
Best Private Preschool / Childcare
- Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Pre-K
- St. David’s Center
- Wayzata Community Church Nursery School
Best Place for Kids’ Activities
- Minnetonka Community Education
- Mini Hops Gymnastics
- North Shore Gymnastics Association