We invited readers to vote for the best the Lake Minnetonka area has to offer throughout January in our annual readers’ poll. The poll is now closed, and we’re excited to announce your finalists (listed in alphabetical order) for Best of Lake Minnetonka 2025.
Winners will be announced in our Best of Lake Minnetonka 2025 issue this July, so stay tuned!
Dining
Best Bakery
- Red Bench Excelsior
- The Thirsty Whale Bakery
- yum! Kitchen and Bakery
Best Bar, Brewery or Distillery
- Back Channel Brewing Co.
- Excelsior Brewery Company
- Unmapped Brewing Co.
Best Breakfast or Brunch
- Benedict’s
- Hazelwood Food + Drink
- The Grocer’s Table
Best Burger
- Parlour
- Red Cow
- The Lake Room
Best Dessert or Ice Cream
- Adele’s Frozen Custard
- Licks Unlimited
- Lost Lake Creamery
Best International Cuisine
- Kai’s Sushi & Grill
- Macanda
- Yumi Sushi
Best Locally Owned Coffee or Tea Shop
- Base Camp Coffee & Provisions
- The Grocers Table
- The Lobby Coffee & Leisure
Best Outdoor Dining Space
- 6Smith
- CōV
- Gianni’s Steakhouse & Seafood
Best Pizza
- Joey Nova’s Pizzeria Delicatessen
- Olive’s Fresh Pizza Bar
- Punch
Best Plant-Based or Vegan Menu
- Crisp & Green
- DelSur Empanadas
- VITALIST By Sarah H
Best Restaurant
- CōV
- Eloise
- Josefina
Abode
Best Carpet and Flooring Store
- Carpet Resources
- Excelsior Paint & Design Carpet One
- Innovative Flooring Design
Best Custom Home Builder
- Boyer Building Corporation
- John Kraemer & Sons Inc.
- Nor-Son Custom Builders
Best Garden Center/Nursery
- Bachman’s
- Otten Bros.
- Tonkadale
Best Home Decor or Furniture Store
- General Store of Minnetonka
- The Sitting Room
- Timber & Tulip
Best Interior Design Firm
- Embellishments Design Studio
- Martha O’Hara Interiors
- The Sitting Room
Best Landscape Design Service
- Outdoor Excapes
- Pleasant View Gardens
- Southview Design
Best Remodeler
- Boyer Building Corporation
- John Kraemer & Sons Inc.
- Lake Country Builders
Best Senior Living Residence
- Folkestone
- Lake Minnetonka Shores
- Sunrise of Minnetonka
Self Care
Best Barbershop or Salon With Men’s Services
- 18/8
- Barbers Inn
- Twiggs Salon
Best Boutique Fitness or Yoga Studio
- Hola Yoga
- Spirit of the Lake Yoga
- YogaSix
Best Hair Salon
- Juut Salonspa
- Mérite House of Beauty
- Twiggs Salon
Best Manicure and Pedicure
- Luna Nails
- Mérite House of Beauty
- Twiggs Salon
Best Massage
- Fusion LifeSpa
- Juut Salonspa
- LivSkin Medspa Laser
- The Brost Clinic
Best Med Spa
- InnerBeauty Med Spa & Laser
- LivSkin MedSpa Lasar
- Skin Rehab Aesthetics
Best Spa
- Face Foundrié
- Fusion LifeSpa
- LivSkin Medspa Laser
Wellness
Best Chiropractic Practice
- The Brost Clinic
- Thrive Chiropractic
- Vaida Wellness Center
Best Cosmetic Surgery Practice
- Edina Plastic Surgery
- Kayan Plastic Surgery
- Mesna Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Center
Best Dental Practice
- Holger Dental Group
- Orono Dental Care
- West Lakes Dentistry
Best Dermatology Practice
- Ecker Dermatology
- Lakes Dermatology
- Pinnacle Dermatology
Best Vision Care Practice
- Art of Optiks
- Look Minnetonka
- Northwest Eye
- Southwest Eye Care
Best Family Medicine Practice
- Northwest Family Clinics
- Park Nicollet
- Ridgeview Clinics
Best Holistic Wellness Practice
- Champion Naturopathic Health
- Skingevity Med Spa
- The Brost Clinic
Best OB-GYN Practice
- Oakdale OBGYN
- OBGYN West
- Western OB/GYN
Best Orthodontic Practice
- Anchored Orthodontics
- Kottemann Orthodontics
- Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics
Best Physical Therapy Practice
- Engage Physical Therapy and Wellness LLC
- Knewtson Health Group
- Thrive Physical Therapy
- Twin Cities Orthopedics
Best Pediatric Practice
- Southdale Pediatric Associates
- South Lake Pediatrics
- Wayzata Children’s Clinic
Learning
Best Dance Studio
- Creo Arts & Dance Conservatory
- Esteem
- Summit Dance Shoppe
Best Learning or Tutoring Center
- Bartel Tutoring & College Advising
- Kay Tutoring
- Sylvan Learning
Best Preschool Program
- Discovery Center in Maple Plain
- Lakes Area Discovery Center
- Wayzata Community Church Nursery School
Best Swim School or Lesson Provider
- Foss Swim School
- Goldfish Swim School
- Life Time
- Orono Community Education
Pet Care
Best Pet-Friendly Dining or Retail Businesses
- Duke’s on 7
- McCormick’s Pub & Restaurant
- The Lakes Running Co.
Best Dog Park
- Carver Park Reserve
- Lake Minnewashta Regional Dog Park
- Susan E. Lurton Park
Best Pet Boarding or Daycare Service
- Adventure is Barking
- Fusion Pet Retreat
- Top Dog Country Club
Best Pet Grooming Service
- Amber Paws Pet Grooming
- Central Paws
- Fusion Pet Retreat
- Woofington
Best Veterinarian Practice
- Long Lake Veterinary Clinic
- Minnetonka Animal Hospital
- Westonka Animal Hospital
Shops
Best Apparel Boutique
- Amore & Fede
- Evereve
- General Store of Minnetonka
- Ooh La La Boutique
Best Florist
- Bayside Just Because …
- Lilia Flower Boutique
- Westdale Floral
Best Gift Shop
- General Store of Minnetonka
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Ooh La La Boutique
Best Jewelry Store
- Graham Jewelers
- Gunderson’s
- Wayzata Jewelers
Best Specialty Food or Kitchen Store
- General store of Minnetonka
- Kowalski’s Markets
- Lakewinds Food Co-op
- The Grocer’s Table
Leisure
Best Beach, Open Space or Park
- Excelsior Commons
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Wayzata Beach
Best Date Night Spot
- 6Smith
- CōV
- Gianni’s Steakhouse & Seafood
- Josefina
Best Outdoor Location for Graduation Photos
- Excelsior Commons
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Noerenberg Memorial Gardens
Best Place for Family Activities
- Excelsior Commons
- Lake Minnetonka
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Best of the West Metro
Best Alpine Hill or Nordic Ski Trail
- Baker Park Reserve
- Hyland Hills Ski Area
- Theodore Wirth Regional Park
Best Alterations or Tailoring Service
- Magic Tailor & Cleaner
- Pin Tailor
- Tara’s Sewing &Alterations
Best Biking or Hiking Trail
- Dakota Rail Regional Trail
- Luce Line State Trail
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Best Bridal or Formal Wear Store
- Annika Bridal
- The Visionary Bridal Atelier
- The White Room
Best Electrician Service
- JZ Electric
- Milow Electric
- Norske Electric
- Randy’s Electric
Best Family Photographer
- Emily John Photography
- Jana Noonan Photography
- Memories in Time Photography
Best Financial Services
- 360 Financial
- Edward Jones
- The Layton Team at Focus Financial
Best Golf Course
- Baker National Golf
- Hazeltine National Golf Club
- Wayzata Country Club
Best Heating and Cooling Service
- Bonfe
- Ditter Cooling, Heating & Electrical
- Select Mechanical Services
Best Home Cleaning Service
- Anchor Cleaning Company
- Clean & Cozy
- Systems Family Concierge
Best Home and Property Management Service
- Rainbow Treecare, Lawncare and Pest Experts
- reimagine
- Southview Design
Best Language Immersion Program or School
- Excelsior Elementary
- Deephaven Elementary
- Minnewashta Elementary
Best Law Practice
- AND Law Offices PLLC
- Morrison Sund PLLC
- Sanford, Pierson, Thone & Strean
Best Local Concert Series
- Concerts in the Commons
- Lake Harriet Park Bandshell
- Wayzata Symphony Orchestra
Best Music School
- MacPhail Center for Music
- Mount Calvary Academy of Music
- The Music Coop
Best Outdoor Skating Rink
- Cathcart Park
- Centennial Lakes Park
- Klapprich Park & Field
Best Plumbing Service
- Hero Home Services
- Krahls Plumbing
Best Private School
- Benilde-St. Margaret’s
- Breck
- The Blake School
Best Professional Theater
- Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
- Guthrie Theater
- Stages Theatre Company
Best Senior Portrait Photographer
- Jana Noonan Photography
- Lisa Buck Photography
- Memories in Time Photography
Best Staycation Hotel
- Hotel Excelsior
- The Beehive
- The Hotel Landing
Best Summer Camp
- Adventures in Cardboard
- Lake Minnetonka Sailing School
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- The STEM Lab of Minnesota
Best Venue to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks
- Al and Alma’s
- Excelsior Commons
- Maynards
- On a boat
Best Wedding Venue
- Bavaria Downs
- Lafayette Club
- Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Best Winery
- Mousse Sparkling Wine Co.
- Schram Vineyards
- Sovereign Estate
