TribLive released its 2026 Best of the Best finalists this week, and Bellevue businesses and community events showed up in force. Nearly twenty category nominations went to local favorites, spanning breakfast spots and breweries to parks and public art. Bellevue Bicycles, the volunteer-driven bike shop and social enterprise on Lincoln Avenue, earned a finalist spot for Best New Business, marking a milestone in its first year of operation. Wunderbar Bellevue picked up four nominations alone, landing on the ballot for Best Breakfast, Best Coffee Shop, Best Outdoor Seating, and Best Take Out.
Community events tied to Bellevue Forward also made the cut. The Bellevue Night Market was named a finalist for Best Local Event, while Bona Fide Bellevue earned two nods: Best Festival for Rhythm and Brews and a second Best Local Event nomination for Light Up Bellevue. Those recognitions reflect a growing calendar of programming that has brought foot traffic and visibility to Bellevue’s business district over the past year.
The rest of the ballot read like a tour of the borough’s small business corridor. Home Granola Company was recognized for Best Woman-Owned Business, Seva Reiki for Best Spa, and Dari-Villa Restaurant for Best Diner. Big Shot Bob’s, T & M Hardware and Rental, Lincoln Avenue Brewery, Bellevue Beer, and Violet Street Florist each secured finalist status in their respective categories, alongside Blueberry Pharmacy, Scoops in Bellevue, Bean Thru, and Good L’Oven Cookie Shop Too. Bayne Park, the John A. Hermann Jr. Memorial Art Museum, and Kuhn’s Market rounded out the list, giving Bellevue representation across food, retail, services, and public spaces.
Voting is open now and continues daily through TribLive’s Best of the Best site, with residents encouraged to cast a ballot once per category each day. Community members can help push these local nominees toward Gold, Silver, and Bronze recognition by voting regularly and sharing the ballot with neighbors. Winners will be announced later this year in a special print and online edition from TribLive.
Vote now: https://bestofthebest.triblive.com/allegheny-north