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Best of Edmonton 2020 Revealed!

Lincoln Ho

The results are here for the first Yegventures Best of Edmonton Awards! The year 2020 has been a challenging time for everyone, and this is a way for people to discover and support their favourite ‘Edmontonisms’ in the city.

Thanks to CBC Edmonton, this was featured on Radio Active with Adrienne Pan! Listen to the interview here.

From your nominations, 953 votes were submitted for the shortlisted selections to select the winners of the Yegventures Best of Edmonton 2020. Each category has a Yegventures pick as well.

Choose results by theme (or scroll down)

There are a LOT of categories, so we have separated it into voting themes below. Select by voting themes or view the original form responses here.

Arts, Festivals, & Entertainment

Personalities & Brands

Best locations

Local businesses & organizations (non food)

Best food

Arts, Festivals, & Entertainment

Best annual festival (which found a way to happen) – 608 responses

  1. Heritage Festival – 41.1%
  2. Fringe With Us All Year Long – 26.3%
  3. Whyte Avenue Art Walk – 25.2% Yegventures pick
  4. Kaleido On Tour 2020 – 7.4%

Best art exhibition – 588 responses

  1. Whyte Avenue Art Walk – 46.4% Yegventures pick
  2. Art Gallery of Alberta – 32%
  3. Rust Magic Installations – 15.8%
  4. Love Your Bean – 5.8%

Best public mural – 580 responses

  1. Crush Beers Not Dreams in Old Strathcona – 41%
  2. Wall of Encouragement/“Take arisk.” at 100 St Pl Bldg – 28.3%
  3. Mural by Okuda San Miguel at Crawford Block – 19.5%
  4. Murals at Manchester Square – 11.2%

Yegventures pick: Indigenous mural by Lance Cardinal at IKEA

Best drive-in event – 527 responses

  1. Drive-in movies at Southgate/Mill Woods Town Centre – 35.1%
  2. Brett Kissel Drive-In Concert – 33.6%
  3. Spotlight Cabaret Burlesque – 26.6%
  4. Green Scholars of Albertavehicle parade in Mill Woods

Yegventures pick: Pop-up food truck drive-in at Premium Outlet Collection.

Best concert – 511 responses

  1. Brett Kissel Drive-In Concert – 43.4% Yegventures pick
  2. Edmonton Ski Club Concert Series – 33.7%
  3. Corb Lund Concert – 22.9%

Best theatre event – 507 responses

  1. The Fringe Online – 72.4% Yegventures pick
  2. Malachite Theatre’s Macbeth – 27.6%

Best pop-up one-time event – 524 responses

  1. Pop-up food truck drive-in at Premium Outlet Collection – 42.9% Yegventures pick
  2. Black-owned market atHabesha African Market – 42.2%
  3. Art Hunt by Slavo Czech – 14.9%

Best online event – 491 responses

  1. Pride – 44%
  2. Malachite Theatre’s Macbeth – 20.2%
  3. EPL’s Baby Laptime – 18.3%
  4. Podfest – 17.5%

Yegventures pick: Festival of Trees 2020

Best Public Art – 585 responses

  1. Bob & Doug McKenzie Sculpture – 47.2%
  2. Eleven sculptures at Borden Park – 19.8% Yegventures pick
  3. Carbon Copy in Brewery District – 15%
  4. The Talus Dome – 15%

Most impactful artist – 543 responses

  1. Lance Cardinal – 39%
  2. Alex Janvier – 28.2%
  3. Aaron Paquette – 23.9% Yegventures pick
  4. AJA Louden – 8.8%

Best “pandemically” organized event – 488 responses

  1. Sidewalk expansions on Whyte Avenue – 54.7%
  2. Festival in a Box (Edmonton Arts Council) – 31.8%
  3. ArchEdmonton Holy Mass livestreamed – 7%
  4. Green Scholars of Alberta vehicle parade – 6.6%

Yegventures pick: EPCOR Zoominescence at Edmonton Valley Zoo

Personalities & Brands

Best Facebook page, community, or group – 447 responses

  1. Historic Edmonton and Northern Alberta – 40.3% Yegventures pick
  2. Humans of Edmonton Experience – 29.3%
  3. North side hub – 15.4%
  4. Yeg Covid – 15%

Best TikTok account – 399 responses

  1. Janis Irwin – 44.4%
  2. notoriouscree (James Jones) – 33.6% Yegventures pick
  3. mshangryfoodie (Stephanie) – 17%
  4. scurtisproductions (Scurtis) – 5%

Best Twitter account – 434 responses

  1. Janis Irwin – 47.2%
  2. iheartedmonton (I HeartEdmonton) – 42.9% Yegventures pick
  3. pathsforppl (Paths for People) – 5.3%
  4. Homeward Trust – 4.6%

Best Instagram account – 284 responses

  1. coffee_and_baileys – 66.2%
  2. chantellelourens – 13.4%
  3. devineasonreal – 12.7%
  4. collinjoseph_mayne – 7.7%

Yegventures pick: YegPixls

Best Instagram Food account – 391 responses

1. YEG Food Guide – 53.3%
2. letseatyeg – 27.6%
3. mshangryfoodie – 16.1%
4. jensnoms – 2.8%

Best Instagram conglomerate/community – 409 responses

1. Explore Edmonton – 53.5%
2. UrbanYEG – 23.5%
3. Yeggers – 14.7%
4. Instagramyeg – 8.3%

Best Etsy Account – 253 responses

  1. Rise Protection – 51.8%
  2. Lamose – 48.2%

Best Pinterest account – 272 responses

  1. Find Edmonton – 100%

Best Reddit user from Edmonton subreddit – 287 responses

  1. edmrealtor – 41.8%
  2. Troypavley – 34.5%
  3. walkingcasino – 23.7%

Best YouTube or video creator – 337 responses

  1. Best Edmonton Mall – 50.1%
  2. Curiosuty Inc. – 33.5%
  3. Cassius Morris – 8.3%
  4. Brian Holdsworth – 8%

Best mainstream media TV personality – 466 responses

  1. Josh Classen – 38.8%
  2. Gord Steinke – 36.5%
  3. Min Dhariwal – 15.7%
  4. Jesse Beyer – 9%

Best mainstream media radio personality – 513 responses

  1. Ryan Jespersen – 51.9%
  2. Garner Andrews – 19.5%
  3. Adrienne Pan – 14.4%
  4. Lauren Hunter – 14.2

Best news media organization – 585 responses

  1. Global Edmonton – 35.7%
  2. CBC Edmonton – 33.8%
  3. CTV Edmonton – 18.8%
  4. 630 CHED – 11.6%

Best podcast – 352 responses

  1. Let’s Find Out – 34.7%34.4%
  2. Hardboiled – 34.4%
  3. Speaking Municipally – 22.4%
  4. Randy King Live – 8.5%

Best local blog – 471 responses

  1. Yegventures.ca – 29.5%
  2. Linda-hoang.com – 29.5%
  3. Iheartedmonton.ca – 20.8%
  4. Onlyhereforthefood.ca – 17.6%

Best local politician – 605 responses

  1. Janis Irwin – 48.6%
  2. Don Iveson – 37.9%
  3. Jon Dziadyk – 9.1%
  4. Michael Walters – 4.4%

Best branding – 571 responses

  1. Sea change brewingHabitat productsOilers Nation – 41%
  2. Oilers Nation – 29.6%
  3. Explore Edmonton – 24.3%
  4. Habitat products – 5%

Best locations

Best day trip driving destination in Alberta from Edmonton – 614 responses

  1. Elk Island National Park – 45.1%
  2. Banff National Park – 33.2%
  3. Abraham Lake/Kootenay Plains – 15%
  4. Lacombe/Red Deer – 6.6%

Best lane-reduced area in the city – 512 responses

  1. Whyte Avenue – 47.3%
  2. Saskatchewan Drive – 20.3%
  3. Victoria Promenade – 16.8%
  4. Ada Boulevard – 14.3%
  5. Victoria Trail – 1.3%

Best neighbourhood – 560 responses

  1. Oliver/Brewery District – 36.8%
  2. Old Strathcona – 35.7%
  3. Ritchie – 21.6%
  4. Mill Woods – 5.9%

Best lookout point (accessible in 2020) – 505 responses

  1. Saskatchewan Drive – 41.6%
  2. Connors Hill/Gallagher Park – 26.5%
  3. Keillor Point – 20%
  4. Queen Elizabeth Park – 11.9%

Most photogenic bridge – 555 responses

  1. Walterdale Bridge – 60.2%
  2. High Level Bridge – 26.3%
  3. Tawatinâ Bridge – 9%
  4. Dawson Bridge – 1.7%

Best walking/running trail – 471 responses

  1. Mill Creek Ravine – 51.2%
  2. Wilfred Laurier/Buena Vista Park – 25.5%
  3. McKinnon Ravine – 14%
  4. Commonwealth Walkway – 9.3%

Best bike trail – 373 responses

  1. Mill Creek Ravine – 56.3%
  2. McKinnon Ravine – 21.4%
  3. Six Shooter – 11.5%
  4. Commonwealth Walkway – 10.7%

Best place for portrait photos – 489 responses

  1. Alberta Legislature – 49.5%
  2. River Valley – 37.6%
  3. Hermitage Park – 6.5%
  4. Clifford E Lee Sanctuary – 6.3%

Best place to watch the sunrise – 455 responses

  1. River valley – 42%
  2. High Level Bridge – 31.9%
  3. 100 Street Funicular/MacdonaldDrive – 16.5%
  4. Anthony Hendy Drive – 9.7%

Best place to watch the sunset – 438 responses

  1. Elk Island National Park – 40.4%
  2. Keillor Point/End of the World – 34%
  3. Victoria Promenade – 23.7%
  4. Charlesworth – 1.8%

Best place for spring pictures – 367 responses

  1. St. Albert Botanic Garden – 46.9%
  2. Victoria Promenade – 40.9%
  3. George F. Hustler Park – 7.6%
  4. Irene Parlby Park – 4.6%

Best place for autumn pictures – 452 responses

  1. Griesbach (97 Street) – 33.4%
  2. Alberta Legislature – 29.6%
  3. Government House Park – 21%
  4. McTaggart Sanctuary – 15.9%

Best place to toboggan (accessible in 2020) – 391 responses

  1. Rundle Park – 41.4%
  2. Whitemud Park – 27.4%
  3. Mill Woods Park – 17.6%
  4. Griesbach Park – 13.6%

Best road or street to drive – 482 responses

  1. Groat Road – 50%
  2. Anthony Henday Drive – 31.7%
  3. Whitemud Drive – 10.3%
  4. Beaumont – 7.9%

Best bench or picnic table – 404 responses

  1. Hawrelak Park – 51.7%
  2. Victoria Promenade – 23.5%
  3. Buena Vista Park – 13.6%
  4. Buddy Benches in Holyrood – 11.1%

Best public park facilities – 443 responses

  1. Hawrelak Park – 60.5%
  2. Kinsmen Sports Centre – 23%
  3. Jackie Parker Park – 9.5%
  4. Alfred H. Savage Centre – 7%

Best gazebo – 436 responses

  1. Muttart Conservatory grounds – 35.8%
  2. Chinese Garden at Louise McKinney Park – 31.4%
  3. Grant Notley Park – 23.2%
  4. Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park – 9.6%

Best natural area or park – 517 responses

  1. Hawrelak Park – 42%
  2. Mill Creek – 30%
  3. Rundle Park – 18.6%
  4. River Lot 56/Queen Elizabeth Park – 9.5%

Best outdoor recreation area – 474 responses

  1. Hawrelak Park – 55.3%
  2. Strathcona Wilderness Centre – 28.9%
  3. The Meadows RecreationCentre – 8%
  4. Forest Heights Park – 7.8%

Best skate park – 351 responses

  1. Capilano Skate Park 144
  2. Mill Woods Skate Park 79
  3. Clareview Skate Park 79
  4. Beaumont Skate Park 49

Best playground – 385 responses

  1. Borden Park 143
  2. Hawrelak Park 97
  3. Jackie Parker Park 92
  4. Grandin School Playground 53

Best off-leash area – 404 responses

  1. Terwillegar Dog Park 293
  2. Grand Trunk 80
  3. Decoteau Park 26
  4. Strathcona Science Provincial Park 5

Best boardwalk – 443 responses

  1. Fort Edmonton Park 222
  2. Saskatchewan Drive 130
  3. Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary 51
  4. McKenzie Ravine 40

Best lake – 459 responses

  1. Pigeon Lake 195
  2. Lake Beaumaris (Castle Downs) 109
  3. Summerside 107
  4. Deep Sea Adventure Lake (WEM) 48

Best LRT station or transit centre – 384 responses

  1. Century Park TC – 50.8%
  2. Stadium LRT station – 15.4%
  3. The Meadows TC – 20.3%
  4. Northgate TC – 13.5%

Best road-side attraction – 510 responses

Immense Mode (Shoes at Southgate TC)43
Talus Dome112
“Stanley” Stanley Cup sculpture by United Cycle114
Bob and Doug McKenzie statue241

Best urban design – 447 responses

The Manchester89
Stanley A. Milner Library131
Kȃhasinȋskȃk Bridge (over Connors Road)121
100 Street Funicular and Frederick G. Todd Lookout106

Best neighbourhood facelift/renovation – 504 responses

Jasper Avenue95
Ritchie Market287
Bonnie Doon53
Garneau69

Local businesses & organizations (non food)

Best essential goods store – 455 responses

H&W Produce175
H-Mart50
Re:Plenish36
London Drugs194

Best delivery service – 404 responses

InstaCart62
Spud76
UberEats149
Doughnut Party117

Best home delivery subscription service – 338 responses

YEG Coffee Club100
Edmonton Journal67
Good Food75
The Organic Box96

Best car maintenance service – 260 responses

Koch Lincoln Ford30
Gateway Toyota43
Good News Auto72
OK Tire115

Best home maintenance service – 236 responses

RMS32
Dollarwise Plumbing42
neighbourhood teenagers107
McCormick Construction55

Best public or private transportation service – 409 responses

Strathcona County Transit44
Uber166
ETS165
DATS34

Best clothing apparel or accessories store – 304 responsesB

Bamboo Ballroom109
Justice35
The Plaid Giraffe131
Floc Boutique29

Best Farmers’ Market – 521 responses

Bountiful Market107
Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market208
124 Street Grand Market89
Downtown Farmers’ Market117

Best utilities provider – 364 responses

Park Power46
Epcor318

Best photographer/digital media service – 287 responses

Curtis Comeau84
Keith Moore87
Crown78
Adam Borsman38

Best architectural/design/urban planning & design firm – 258 responses

Dialog Design51
Gene Dub Associates65
Manasc Isaac69
L773

Best construction company – 288 responses

LaFarge87
PCL201

Best legal services – 303 responses

Andrew Cao97
Latitude Family Law74
Mccuaig Desrochers63
Field Law69

Best accounting service – 210 responses

Gadowsky & Associates90
Mike Wilde Accounting60
Liu & Associates60

Best realtor – 260 responses

Sandy Pon89
Camron Rahmanian (edmrealtor)66
Jerry Aulenbach (zoomjer)57
Christy Cantera Realty48

Best stylist (hair/makeup/etc) – 218 responses

Mr. Barber49
Stephanie Does Hair61
Gentleman’s Barbershop77
Black Pin Project31

Best wedding planner – 208 responses

  1. Ann-Maria Au – 100%

Best insurance company – 286 responses

  1. AMA 135
  2. Wawanesa 109
  3. MHK 30
  4. ARC Insurance 12

Best City of Edmonton facility (currently open) – 436 responses

Valley Zoo191
Kinsmen Sports Centre96
Commonwealth Sports Centre71
Terwillegar Sports Centre78

Best Edmonton tourist/staycation attraction (currently open) – 484 responses

West Edmonton Mall136
Edmonton Valley Zoo90
River Valley249
Big E Edmonton Tours9

Best shopping centre or commercial district – 513 responses

West Edmonton Mall164
Old Strathcona135
Londonderry Mall35
124 Street179

Best golf course – 331 responses

Highlands Golf Course98
Victoria Golf Course158
Mill Woods Golf Course42
Glendale Golf Course33

Best thrift store – 426 responses

Once Upon A Child59
Find Edmonton105
Old Strathcona Antique Mall156
Value Village106

Best inner-city agency – 411 responses

Boyle Street Co-Op145
Marian Centre16
The Mustard Seed125
Bissell Centre125

Best non-profit service (outside of inner-city services) – 452 responses

Catholic Social Services33
Edmonton’s Food Bank226
Edmonton Humane Society142
Find Edmonton51

Best fundraising campaign – 419 responses

Pump-Up (Paths for People)34
Light the Midway (Fort Edmonton Foundation)69
Valley Zoo 50/50 (Valley Zoo Development Society)65
Oilers 50/50 (Oilers Foundation)251

Best library – 421 responses

Stanley A. Milner Library211
Capilano Libary48
Mill Woods Library38
University of Alberta libraries124

Best local sports team – 478 responses

Edmonton Oilers276
E-Ville Dead Roller Derby Team115
Edmonton Riverhawks26
Edmonton Football Club61

Most beautiful church/religious place – 354 responses

St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church57
St. Joseph’s Cathedral Basilica222
Manning Drive Gurdwara49
Christ Church Edmonton26

Most ethical local business – 352 responses

Re:Plenish59
The Nook97
Earth’s General Store167
Good News Auto29

Business which invests the most into the community – 332 responses

Dil-E-Punjab62
Find Edmonton168
The Nook102

Best overall business – 485 responses

Find Edmonton50
Downtown Farmer’s Market98
Italian Centre Shop337

Best historic place/business we said goodbye to in 2020 – 446 responses

Planet Organic120
The Minchau47
Avenue Clothing104
Prairie Noodle175

Best food

Best pizza – 467 responses

Sepp’s Pizza112
Big Bite Detroit Pizza84
Love Pizza167
Rosso Pizzeria104

Best burger – 528 responses

Woodshed Burgers150
Fox Burger96
The Next Act164
Five Guys Burgers and Fries118

Best fine dining – 432 responsesV

Vaticano53
Corso 32137
Sabor104
RGE RD138

Best food truck – 382 responses

Drift234
Little Village72
Dedo’s43
Sosyal Scoops33

Most Edmonton food item – 568 responses

Green onion cakes293
Donairs175
Pizza54
Burgers46

Best green onion cake – 400 responses

Green Onion Cake Man316
Freson Bros. Father Dough green onion cake43
Midnight Sun28
Veggie House Cilantro Cake13

Best donair – 363 responses

Nikki’s Donair (Westmount Mall)35
High Voltage93
Swiss Donair161
Donair Stop74

Best butter chicken – 355 responses

All India60
Remedy Cafe139
Dil-E-Punjab55
Guru101

Best noodles (ramen/pho/etc) – 347 responses

Volcano46
Tau Bay25
Tokiwa Ramen115
Pho Hoan Pasteur161

Best fried chicken – 529 responses

Northern Chicken345
SFC (Seoul Fried Chicken)129
AFC (Alberta Fried Chicken)27
Texas Fried Chicken (Burger Baron)28

Best diner – 500 responses

Route 99117
Commodore41
High Level Diner213
Blue Plate129

Best ice cream/frozen treat – 420 responses

Scoop and Roll86
Made by Marcus116
Yelo’d70
Kind Ice Cream148

Best cocktail – 375 responses

Spotlight Cabaret48
Woodwork/Clementine148
Hansen Distillery132
Sassy and Classy (at Pip)47

Best mocktail (available to order) – 296 responses

Lavender Iced Tea (White Spot)59
Virgin Mojito (Brown’s Social House)55
Virgin Caesars with food (Cilantro and Chive)91
Cotton Candy Crush (Cilantro and Chive)91

Best local beer – 502 responses

Arcadia58
Analog brewing company174
Alley Kat192
Sugar Bowl78

Best local wine – 238 responses

  1. The Wine Room – 100%

Best Indian food – 345 responses

Guru118
Remedy Cafe103
Rasoi28
Little India96

Best Chinese food – 386 responses

Good Buddy (Granville)86
Shanghai 45664
Jumbo35
The Lingnan201

Best Filipino food303 responses

Jollibee82
Filistix110
Seafood City29
98 Kanto82

Best Latin or Mexican food – 465 responses

El Mariachi49
Tres carnales245
La Patrona53
Three Amigos118

Best Arab or Lebanese food – 304 responses

Sunbake Pita80
Sofra96
Al Salam Pita82
Turquaz kebab46

Best Japanese food – 369 responses

Furusato43
Japonais Bistro119
Kazoku Ramen62
Mikado145

Best Korean food – 291 responses

Hanjan114
Buok85
Lee House92

Best Vietnamese food – 343 responses

Pagolac (Argyll)69
Pho Hoan Pasteur156
Phobulous73
Nah Trang45

Best Indigenous food – 285 responses

  1. Native Delights – 100%

Best African food – 279 responses

Awash32
Koultures Afro-Continental41
Langano Skies176
Zuhur30

Best Italian food – 347 responses

Uccelino90
Corso 32147
Vaticano71
Nuovo39

Best German food – 356 responses

Bauernschumaus67
Bistro Praha97
German Cultural Centre74
Otto118

Best Ukrainian/Polish food – 331 responses

Uncle Ed’s145
Baltyk Bakery36
Shumka91
Yo Baba59

Best Southern food – 475 responses

Have Mercy43
Louisiana Purchase90
MEAT173
DaDeO169

Best local fast food – 390 responses

Y Not Indian43
My Fries46
Local Omnivore148
Burger Baron153

Best food subscription service – 290 responses

YEG Coffee Club85
Organic Box66
Good Food63
Secret Meat Club76

Best dessert – 443 responses

Fife n Deckel138
Italian Centre Shop181
Baltyk Bakery19
Art of Cake105

Best new restaurant (opened since March) – 340 responses

Hanjan Oliver67
Rosewood76
South Africa Curry Bowl49
Peter’s Drive In148

Best new dessert cafes (opened since March) – 269 responses

Bambu37
Waffles on Main124
Sweethoney Dessert36
La Bosco72

Best coffee – 423 responses

Credo93
Leva30
Transcend171
Little Brick129

Best bakery/cafe – 493 responses

La Boule90
Duchess358
Reinette cafe21
La Bosco24

Best brewery – 500 responses

Situation Brewery111
Analog Brewery156
Alley Kat169
Yellowhead Brewery64

Best pub – 465 responses

The Next Act191
Pub 190546
Black Dog122
Sherlock’s106

Best brunch restaurant – 441 responses

Tiramisu Bistro101
De Dutch108
OEB120
Pip112

Best pop-up food event – 293 responses

Food Truck Drive-thru at Premium Outlet Collection79
Fast Wheelin’ Food Truck Fest75
Food Truck Drive-thru at Kingsway Mall139

Best summer patio – 436 responses

Central Social Hall62
The Common49
Sea Change91
Hotel Macdonald234

Best winter patio – 412 responses

  1. Cafe bicyclette – 33.7%
    The Next Act – 33.7%
  2. Little Brick  – 32.5%

Best food court – 428 responses

  1. West Edmonton Mall – 48.1%
  2. LondonderryKingsway Mall – 26.9%
  3. Edmonton City Centre – 15.2%
  4. Londonderry – 9.8%

Best take-home ready to bake/eat meals – 363 responses

  1. Sunterra – 46.6%
  2. Hello Fresh – 24.2%
  3. Art of Charcuterie – 20.7%
  4. Millwoods Seniors Association – 8.5%

Best local farm (products) – 381 responses

  1. Bountiful Farmers Market – 8.6%
  2. Irvings Farms – 37.3%
  3. Sunworks – 19.9%
  4. Fifth Gen Gardens – 4.2

Best vegetarian – 401 responses

  1. Padmanadi – 53.4%
  2. Moth Cafe – 21.2%
  3. Die Pie – 16.5%
  4. Veggie Garden – 9%

Best restaurant for accommodating dietary needs – 357 responses

  1. Padmanadi – 37.5%
  2. High Level Diner – 36.7%
  3. Die Pie – 16.8%
  4. An Chay – 9%

Restaurant with best bathroom – 285 responses

  1. Padmanadi – 41.4%
  2. Teddy’s – 34.7%
  3. Nuovo Bistro – 23.9%

Best restaurant which feeds the hungry – 297 responses

  1. Dil-E-Punjab – 100%

Restaurant with the best pandemic safety measures – 460 responses

  1. Northern Chicken – 68.7%
  2. Seoul Fried Chicken – 12.4%
    Kind Ice Cream – 12.4%
  3. Dream Tea – 6.5%