North Haven, it’s time to brag about your town.
The North Haven Courier is launching its first Best of North Haven reader awards, and we want your nominations. Tell us where you eat, shop, play and get things done, and who does it better than anyone.
No ballots stuffed by marketing departments. Just neighbors telling neighbors where to go.
How to nominate
Email your picks to news@northhavencourier.com with the subject line “Best of North Haven.” Nominate as many categories as you like. A sentence on why helps: your reasons may end up in the story.
Businesses and organizations must be located in North Haven.
The categories
Food and drink
- Best pizza
- Best burger
- Best breakfast
- Best diner
- Best Italian restaurant
- Best sandwich or deli
- Best coffee
- Best bakery or desserts
- Best place for a drink
- Best takeout
- Best new restaurant (opened in 2026)
Shopping and services
- Best local shop
- Best salon or barber
- Best auto repair
- Best fitness studio or gym
- Best customer service
Around town
- Best park or trail
- Best place to take the kids
- Best live music spot
- Best town event
- Best hidden gem
- North Haven’s unsung hero: a coach, volunteer, teacher, crossing guard or neighbor who deserves a shout-out
What happens next
We’ll collect nominations through October, then publish finalists and open a final round of voting. Winners will be featured in the Courier.
Why we’re doing this
North Haven’s small businesses and volunteers carry a lot of this town. The Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce, which serves North Haven, counts more than 100 North Haven business members, and every September its North Haven Festival and Business Expo fills the town green. We want to celebrate those businesses, and the people behind them, all year.
Readers choose the winners. Businesses can’t pay to be included, and nominations from owners or employees for their own business won’t count.
Spread the word
Know a business that deserves the recognition? Forward this to a friend, and tell your favorite places to let their regulars know.
Key Facts
- What: Best of North Haven 2026 reader awards, nomination round
- How: Email news@northhavencourier.com, subject “Best of North Haven”
- When: Nominations open now through October; finalists and final voting to follow
- Cost: Free; businesses cannot pay to be included
- Eligibility: North Haven businesses, organizations and people
Get North Haven news first: subscribe to the North Haven Courier newsletter.
Got a tip? Email news@northhavencourier.com
Photo courtesy of the Town of North Haven
