For 34 years, our loyal readers have been voting for Cape Cod Life’s Annual Best of Cape Cod & the Islands Readers’ Choice Awards.
From the Upper Cape to the Outer Cape, from Martha’s Vineyard to Nantucket—our Annual Best of Cape Cod & the Islands Readers’ Choice Awards amplifies the shining stars of our community. A tradition that has taken place for over 30 years, our team at Cape Cod Life Publications carefully combs through the droves of write-in votes in what is now over 60 categories across our six regions.
And if you didn’t know—Cape Cod Life’s “Best of” Awards is the longest running in the region, with our winners handpicked by you. Whether you are a local who finds solace in the off season at their favorite independent bookstore, a summer resident who can’t wait to get a scoop at their go-to ice cream shop, or a frequent visitor who has insight on a scenic walking or biking path—this year we heard from over tens of thousands of you! The result: 827 gold and silver award-winners.
From “Best Restaurant Reachable by Boat” to “Best Bed & Breakfast Inn”—there is a category for anything one might be looking for when exploring the Cape & Islands. And if you’re out and about without the June issue? Check out our “Best of” Digital Guide on capecodlife.com—which recieves over 75,000 views annually—where people go to find our readers’ favorite spots for dining, food & drink, lodging, shopping, and things to do across the Cape & Islands.
Plus, our Annual Photo Contest winners are presented! From our Grand Prize winner to our 20 winners and honorable mentions in our five categories. For over three decades, community members have been submitting their images in hopes of making the cover or inside pages of our most anticipated issue of the year. Our 2025 Grand Prize winner, Marie Feehan, shares, “Just a few months before that picture was taken, Andi [her daughter pictured on the cover] was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She had so many doctors’ appointments and multiple injections every day—so many ‘why me’ moments. One of the reasons, I think, this photo oozes joy is because for the first time in a while she was not thinking about her diabetes; she was a kid going for a swim on a beautiful summer day. A true testament to the healing power of sunshine and the sea.”
Together, these community contests celebrate what makes our region special—YOU! We are grateful beyond words to everyone who continues to fill out our “Best of” survey and enter our Annual Photo Contest—without you, there would be no Cape Cod LIFE.
Cheers to 34 years of celebrating the best!
Christina Galt
Digital Editor, Editor of Cape Cod DOG
Cape Cod Life Publications
P.S. don’t forget to check out our annual Readers’ Choice Photo award-winner, online now!
Thank you to our 2025 “Best of” Presenting Sponsor, The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, and our 2025 Photo Contest Prize Sponsor Cape Cod Photo, Art & Framing.
Start exploring the best of Cape Cod!
Dining
Over 150 of the best restaurants on Cape Cod and the Islands!
Food & Drink
The most crave-worthy foods and beverages as voted by our readers!
Lodging
Locals and visitors pick the best lodging across the Cape & Islands!
Shopping
Over 250 local shops and stores that our readers love and recommend!
Things to do
250+ of the best places to go and favorite things to do on Cape Cod!
Find the best places to grab a scoop!
Lewis Brothers Homemade Ice Cream
Provincetown | Outer Cape
Sundae School Ice Cream – Dennis Port
Dennis Port | Mid Cape
Sundae School Ice Cream – Harwich Port
Harwich Port | Lower Cape
The Juice Bar
Nantucket | Nantucket
Whistle Stop Ice Cream – Monument Beach
Monument Beach | Upper Cape
Somerset Creamery
Cataumet | Upper Cape
Four Seas Ice Cream
Centerville | Mid Cape
Nauset Ice Cream
North Eastham | Outer Cape
Ice Cream Café
Orleans | Lower Cape
Island Kitchen
Nantucket | Nantucket
Mad Martha’s Homemade Ice Cream-Vineyard Haven
Vineyard Haven | Martha's Vineyard
Our readers voted these the "Best Seafood Restaurants"
Coop de Ville
Oak Bluffs | Martha's Vineyard
The Seagrille Restaurant
Nantucket | Nantucket
Brewster Fish House
Brewster | Lower Cape
Mac’s Chatham Fish & Lobster
Chatham | Lower Cape
Lookout Tavern
Oak Bluffs | Martha's Vineyard
Fisherman’s View Restaurant
Sandwich | Upper Cape
Where are the best spots to catch the sunset?
Mayflower Beach
Dennis | Mid Cape
Smith’s Point
Nantucket | Nantucket
Madaket Beach
Nantucket | Nantucket
Chapoquoit Beach
West Falmouth | Upper Cape
Old Silver Beach
North Falmouth | Upper Cape
Gray’s Beach
Yarmouth Port | Mid Cape
Menemsha Beach
Chilmark | Martha's Vineyard
First Encounter Beach
Eastham | Outer Cape
Herring Cove Beach
Provincetown | Outer Cape
Skaket Beach
Orleans | Lower Cape
Lambert’s Cove Beach
West Tisbury | Martha's Vineyard
Rock Harbor
Orleans | Lower Cape
Discover where our readers go to get their caffeine fix.
Coffee Obsession
Falmouth | Upper Cape
Kohi Coffee Co.
Provincetown | Outer Cape
Island Coffee Roasters
Nantucket | Nantucket
Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters
Brewster | Lower Cape
Three Fins Coffee Roasters
West Dennis | Mid Cape
Mocha Mott’s-Oak Bluffs
Oak Bluffs | Martha's Vineyard
Yolqueria
Provincetown | Outer Cape
Hot Chocolate Sparrow
Orleans | Lower Cape
Roastd General Store
Nantucket | Nantucket
Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry
Yarmouth Port | Mid Cape
Cape Cod Coffee
Mashpee | Upper Cape
Behind the Bookstore
Edgartown | Martha's Vineyard
2025 Annual Photo Contest
22 winners across 5 categories including our Grand Prize & Readers' Choice Photo!
View all winners or explore by category.
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