We invited readers to vote for the best Apple Valley, Lakeville and Prior Lake have 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 Cities South 2025.
Winners will be announced in our Best of Cities South 2025 issue this June, so stay tuned!
Dining
Best Bakery
- Cream of the Cakes
- Edelweiss Bakery
- Sweet Kneads by Farmington
Best Bar, Brewery or Distillery
- Angry Inch Brewing
- Lakeville Brewing Company
- OMNI Winery & Taproom
Best Breakfast or Brunch
- Hope Breakfast Bar
- The Better Half
- The Buckboard Restaurant
Best Burger
- B-52 Burgers and Brew
- JL Beers
- The Better Half
Best Dessert or Ice Cream
- Cream of the Cakes
- Dairy Delite
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
Best International Cuisine
- Joy’s Thai
- Pau Hana
- Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant
Best Locally Owned Coffee or Tea Shop
- BlueNose Coffee
- Constellation Coffee
- Tapestry Coffee
Best Outdoor Dining Space
- Barley + Vine Kitchen/Bar
- Charlie’s on Prior
- Lakeville Brewing Company
Best Pizza
- Goodfellas Pizza Bar & Grill
- Ole Piper Family Restaurant & Sports Bar
- Punch
Best Restaurant
- Chianti Grill
- Gary’s Supper Club
- Porterhouse
Abode
Best Carpet and Flooring Store
- Above All Flooring
- Hertaus Floors
- Simon’s Flooring and Design
Best Custom Home Builder
- Country Joe Homes
- Custom One Homes
- Homes by Tradition
Best Garden Center/Nursery
- Bachman’s
- Pahl’s Market
- Terra Garden Center
Best Home Decor or Furniture Store
- Ficus & Fig
- HOM Furniture
- Schneiderman’s Furniture
Best Landscape Design Service
- Custom One Landscaping
- Friedges Landscaping
- Pahl’s Market
- Southview Design
Best Remodeler
- Custom One Renovation
- New Spaces
Best Senior Living Residence
- BeeHive Homes of Lakeville
- Highview Hills by Vivie
- Kingsley Shores
- The Moments
- The Pillars of Lakeville
Self Care
Best Barbershop or Salon With Men’s Services
- Beau Monde Salon
- Cole’s Salon
- Gent Cuts and Grooming
Best Boutique Fitness or Yoga Studio
- Hotworx
- ONX
- Title Boxing Club
Best Hair Salon
- Beau Monde Salon
- Be-YOU-tiful Sol Salon
- Cole’s Salon
Best Manicure and Pedicure
- Beau Monde Salon
- Fanci Nails
- Frenchies Modern Nail Care
Best Massage
- Clovr Life Spa Apple Valley
- Exuberance Chiropractic & Wellness Center
- Spavia Apple Valley
Best Med Spa
- ProSkin Esthetics and Laser
- Symmetry Medical Aesthetics
Best Spa
- Sage + Arch
- Spavia Apple Valley
- Symmetry Medical Aesthetics
Wellness
Best Chiropractic Practice
- Exuberance Chiropractic & Wellness Center
- Family Chiropractic Center Farmington
- HealthSource Chiropractic of Lakeville
- LifeClinic Chiropractic & Rehabilitation
- RAPP Chiropractor
Best Dental Practice
- Glacier Lake Dental
- Lakeville Dental
- Platt Dentistry
- River’s Edge Dental Clinic
Best Dermatology Practice
- Dermatology Consultants
- Lakes Dermatology
- Pinnacle Dermatology
Best Vision Care Practice
- Eye 35 Eye Care
- Focused Eye Care
- McDonald Eye Care Associates
Best OB-GYN Practice
- Minnesota Women’s Care
- OBGYN Specialists
- Southdale OBGYN
Best Orthodontic Practice
- Cosmopolitan Orthodontics
- Ekim Orthodontics
- Lakeville Orthodontics
Best Physical Therapy Practice
- Exuberance Chiropractic and Wellness
- TRIA
- Twin Cities Orthopedics
Learning
Best Dance Studio
- Ballet Royale Minnesota
- DanceWorks Performing Arts Center
- Just For Kix
- Next Step Dance Studio
- South Metro Dance Arts Center
Best Learning or Tutoring Center
- Hypointe Childcare
- The Goddard School of Eagan
- The Study Station
Best Preschool Program
- Especially for Children Eagan
- Hypointe Childcare
- The Goddard School of Eagan
Best Swim School or Lesson Provider
- Foss Swim School
- Goldfish Swim School
- Wise Swim School
Pet Care
Best Dog Park
- Cleary Lake Dog Off-leash Area
- Dakota Woods Dog Park
- Ritter Farm Dog Park
Best Pet Boarding or Daycare Service
- Dog Day Getaway
- Justina’s Pet Sitting
- Puppy Play and Stay
Best Pet Grooming Service
- Scenthound Lakeville
- Spaw 4 Paws
- Wag N’ Wash
Best Veterinarian Practice
- Dakota Pet Hospital
- Lakeville Family Pet Clinic
- Southfork Animal Hospital
- Valley View Pet Hospital
Shops
Best Apparel Boutique
- Mainstream Boutique
- The Charming Lily
Best Florist
- Flora Etc.
- Rosemount Floral
- Stems & Vines
Best Gift Shop
- Ficus & Fig
- The Charming Lily
- Whimzy
Best Jewelry Store
- Apple Valley Diamonds
- Gerster Jewelers
- Princess Jewelry
Best Specialty Food or Kitchen Store
- Bodega 42 Fresh Market
- Lunds & Byerlys
Leisure
Best Beach, Open Space or Park
- Antlers Park
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park
- Ritter Farm Park
Best Date Night Spot
- Gary’s Supper Club
- Perron’s Sul Lago
- Porterhouse
Best Outdoor Location for Graduation Photos
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park
- Ritter Farm Park
Best of the Metro
Best Alpine Hill or Nordic Ski Trail
- Buck Hill
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park
- Welch Village
Best Alterations or Tailoring Service
- John’s Tailors
- Mai Tailor
- Sew What Alterations
Best Biking or Hiking Trail
- Cannon Valley Trail
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park
- Minnehaha Falls
- Spring Lake Park Reserve
Best Bridal or Formal Wear Store
- Bridal Accents Couture
- Effie’s Bridal Trunk
- Luxe Bridal
Best Family Photographer
- Jamie Smith Photography
- Kristen Elizabeth Photography
- Tess Baker Photography
Best Financial Services
- Kohlnhofer Agency
- Matt Edwards, Edward Jones
- Robert Bayer, Stonebrooke Wealth Management
Best Golf Course
- Brackett’s Crossing Country Club
- Crystal Lake Golf Club
- Legends Golf Club
Best Home Cleaning Service
- A Clean Sweep, LLC.
- Cleaning Day, LLC
- The Maids in Minneapolis South Metro
Best Law Practice
- Bennerotte & Associates
- Elizabeth M. Porter
- Provision Law Firm
Best Local Concert Series
- Lakefront Music Fest
- Live at the Lake
Best Music School
- Farmhouse Music Studio
- MacPhail Center for Music
Best Private School
- All Saints Catholic School
- The Goddard School of Eagan
Best Roofing Service
- Built Strong Exteriors
- Custom One Exteriors
- Hoyt Exteriors
- Sela Roofing
Best Senior Portrait Photographer
- Kristen Elizabeth Photography
- Tess Baker Photography
- Tracy Caffrey Photography
Best Staycation Hotel
- Hewing Hotel
- Holiday Inn Lakeville
- Omni Vikings Lakes Hotel
Best Wedding Venue
- Bavaria Downs
- F3 Lounge & Event Center
- The Gardens of Castle Rock
Best Winery
- 7 Vines Vineyard
- Next Chapter Winery
- Omni Winery & Taproom
