Buffet
If anyone where to drop into The Newfoundland Herald lunchroom on just about any given day, you’d think we were an all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s not but there are many establishments across our fine province, that would be pleased to serve up an exceptional buffet. 
If your appetite is hearty and you can never seem to make up your mind, then a buffet would suite your needs perfectly. The next time you and the family would like to enjoy the splendor of a buffet be sure to check out one of our reader-recommended establishments.
Avalon: Emerald Palace was the overwhelming favourite in this category and therefore takes home the gold medal. The silver medal goes to Ponderosa. And taking the third place on the podium is The Battery Hotel and Suites.
Off the Avalon: Jennifer’s in Corner Brook collected more than enough votes to take top honours in this category. Cooking up a second-place finish is Grand Falls-Windsor’s King City.
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Chinese
Almond guy ding, sweet and sour chicken balls, honey garlic ribs, fried rice, spring rolls, egg rolls, beef and broccoli, wonton soup, crispy wontons, fortune cookies. Tastes from the Orient are varied and delicious.
Not sure who’ll dish up the best feast, why not drop by one of Best of winners. Our readers had their definite favourite, no doubt you will too.
Avalon: When craving the taste of the Orient, voters in this category give three thumbs to Emerald Palace. Second-place honours goes to New Moon Restaurant. While Luckeys garners enough votes to finish third.
Off the Avalon: For the best in Chinese, voters in this category give the green light and first place honours to Taiwan in Grand Falls-Windsor. The central Newfoundland town of Grand Falls-Windsor is home to the second-place finisher on the Chinese menu as well, King City. Clarenville’s Tai Hong takes home the bronze medal.
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Fine Restaurant
Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, first date, another milestone, there are times when you are out to impress. What better way than a reservation at one of the best fine dining establishments in Newfoundland and Labrador.
When Newfoundland Herald readers want to impress someone and treat them to the ultimate in dining, they head to one of the Best of winners. The next time you want the ultimate in a fine dining experience, why not give one of these ‘winners’ a try?
Avalon: The Cellar makes the grade and glides into first place. Bianca’s on Water Street in the Capital city slips into second place while My Brother’s Place finishes with a solid third-place performance.
Off the Avalon: When it’s time to impress, voters in this category make Baird’s in Grand Falls-Windsor their number one destination. 13 West in Corner Brook takes the silver finish. While the bronze medallion is served to Albatross in Gander.
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Fish and Chips
The cod moratorium hasn’t caused our appetites for the fresh taste of the sea to falter in the least. Newfoundland Herald voters have their definite favourites when it comes to one of delicacies - a good feed of fish and chips. The next time your tummy screams fish and chips, be sure to head to one of our reader-recommended restaurants.
Avalon: Without question, the first-place trophy goes to Ches’s Fish and Chips. A respectable second-place ribbon is awarded to Fin and Feather. While Scampers takes home third-place honours.
Off the Avalon: Gander is the place to head for the best in fish and chips, or says our voters in this category. Lilley’s Landing serves up a first-place finish. Baird’s in Grand Falls-Windsor takes the second-place ribbon and third-place honours goes to Kellys in Clarenville.
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Fried Chicken
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know their fried chicken. When they want the best in that deep-fried taste, they don’t want breaded chicken cooked in the oven. No siree they want the real thing. So the next time fried chicken is on the supper menu, be sure to check out one of our Best of winners. They’re sure to please you as much as they did our voters.
  Avalon: For the fifth straight year, Kentucky Fried Chicken takes first-place honours. A very close second place goes to Mary Brown’s. A relative newcomer to the fried chicken arena, A&W and their chubby chicken take home third-place honours.
Off the Avalon: The roles are reversed in this category. When our readers want the best in fried chicken, they head to Mary Brown’s first. A very close, and respectable second-place finish goes to Kentucky Fried Chicken.
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Hamburger
There’s no disputing the facts. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians know what they want in a hamburger. Whatever you top it with onions, mushrooms, cheese, ketchup, mustard, relish, secret sauce our readers/voters know who serves up the ultimate burger. So, when you are in the market for the ultimate burger experience, be sure to head to one of our Best of winners, and next year you may want to have your say.
Avalon: Whether it’s a Big Mac, Quarter Pounder or Big Xtra, McDonald’s is the number one choice for the best in burgers. A&W comes in a distant second. With Burger King garnering the remaining votes for a third-place finish.
Off the Avalon: Another first-place finish is awarded to McDonald’s in this category. Splitting the remaining votes, A&W takes home a second-place finish and Hiscocks in Grand Falls-Windsor finishes out in third-place.
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Italian
The tastes of Italy can tantalize just about everyone’s taste buds. Whatever your favourite spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna or pizza or perhaps fettuccine alfredo, chicken cacciatore or more Italian cuisine is a comfort food. Many Italian restaurants serve their authentic cuisine with the finest of breads and a scrumptious caesar salad. So, the next time you are in the mood for Italian, check out one of these award-winning places.
Avalon: Pasta Plus is the ultimate favourite with voters in this category. East Side Mario’s dishes up a second-place finish. 
Off the Avalon: For the ultimate Italian experience, voters in this category head to Pizza Delight in Gander. A silver medal goes to Greco in Grand Falls-Windsor. And The Rock in Grand Falls-Windsor takes home bronze.
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Mexican
Not all Mexican food is spicy. Tortillas, nachos and refried beans are familiar mexican foods. But the smells and tastes of Mexico are so much more. If you’d like to experience the full-Mexican deal, take a friend or go alone and visit one of Best of winners. Our readers highly recommend them. 
Avalon: For the ultimate Mexican feast, voters suggest head to Casa Grande first. Their second choice would be Quantanas. The third position on the totem pole goes to Zapatas.
Off the Avalon: And the gold medal performance in this category goes to Jungle Jims in Corner Brook. Collecting the remaining votes and a silver finish is The Rock in Grand Falls-Windsor.
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Newfoundland Scoff
Potatoes, turnip, carrots, cabbage, peas pudding all cooked together with salt beef or riblets is affectionately called Jiggs Dinner. It’s a dish many Newfoundlanders near and far- enjoy each week. The next time you want to enjoy this version of a Newfoundland Scoff be sure to visit one of our Best of winners. 
Avalon: On this portion of the province, voters suggest you head to Baxter's for the ultimate in a Newfoundland Scoff. Donovans Irving dishes up a second-place finish while Hotel Newfoundland rounds out the pack in third position. 
Off the Avalon: When voters in this region want a scrumptious Newfoundland scoff, they head to one of the Irving restaurants across the province. Bairds in Grand Falls-Windsor finishes in second place on the ballot while Valley Restaurant in Gander pulls up in third spot. 
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Pizza
Whatever the event or occasion there’s not many who wouldn’t want to chow down a superb pizza. And, no matter how you top it extra cheese, all meat, vegetarian, Hawaiian, etc. Newfoundland Herald readers have their definite favourites. Here are this year’s favourite pizza places. 
Avalon: This year’s crow favourite is Pizza Experts. Pizza Hut settles into second place. And garnering enough of the remaining ballots for a third place finish is No Name Pizza. 
Off the Avalon: When it’s the ultimate in pizza, voters in this region give the top grade to Pizza Delight. Greco crosses the finish line in second place. And a third-place finish is awarded to Domino’s. 
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Seafood
Newfoundland and Labrador is famous for many things. The least of which is our seafood. No matter what way you dish it up there’s nothing quite like a serving of pan-fried cod, seafood chowder, bacon-wrapped scallops, stuffed salmon. These are dishes, many of us grew up on, these days, for many, they are a treat. The next time, you’re craving one of these delicacies, head to one of Best of favourites. 
Avalon: For the best seafood catch, voters in this region head to The Cellar Restaurant. The Seafood Galley gets the silver medal while Hungry Fisherman takes the bronze medallion. 
Off the Avalon: The Albatross, located in Gander, brings home the gold medal on this year’s ballot. Lilly’s Landing in Gander pulls into second position. Third place is awarded to the Rock in Grand Falls-Windsor. 
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Submarines
Over the years, the submarine as we knew it has changed. These days it’s more than meat and cheese. The combination of meats offered, coupled with a mountain of vegetable choices and a dozen or more types of bread, it’s almost impossible to choose which one to pick. There’s no mistaking who Newfoundland Herald voters want to make their sandwiches. 
Subway takes the honour both on and off the Avalon. 
Second-place honours, both on and off the Avalon, goes to Mr. Sub.
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Sunday Brunch
Since business across the province began serving Sunday brunch, it’s never lost its appeal. If anything, it’s gained in popularity. For many it’s an opportunity for the whole family to come together and enjoy a delicious variety of foods at the end of the week. Trust our Herald readers in who’s the tops in this category. 
Avalon: Pulling out all the stops, last year’s second-place winners The Battery Hotel and Suites garnered enough support to take the trophy on this year’s ballot. Second-place honours goes to My Brothers Place. The Sundance gets the third-place ribbon this year. 
Off the Avalon: When brunch is what you are looking for, voters in this region suggest you head to Jungle Jims in Gander. Second-place marks are awarded to Jennifer's in Corner Brook. A third-place finish goes to Bairds’ in Grand Falls-Windsor. 
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Truck Stop
It’s a long trek across our beautiful province. If you’re driving across, you will undoubtedly have to make a few stops. Whether it’s a pit stop for munchies and a drink or for something a little more substantially like a home-style meal, voters in this category make no bones about where they stop along the way.
Avalon: Voters in this section awarded the majority of the votes to Irving restaurants. The remaining ballots go to Crossroads Motel and Restaurant. 
Off the Avalon: Irving Big Stop walks away with this year’s title. Ultramar takes the silver medal and a bronze medal is award to the Jigger in Clarenville. 
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