---
title: "Why Everyone In Portland’s Rooting For Their Favourite Spots: Inside The ‘Best Of 2025’ Awards"
description: Portland’s Best Of 2025 Awards celebrate local businesses, creative talent and genuine community spirit—your insider’s guide to the city this summer
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2025-06-19T16:01:45.000Z
updated: 2026-02-26T22:04:47.216Z
canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/why-everyone-in-portland-s-rooting-for-their-favourite-spots-inside-the-best-of-2025-awards
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/4pphb57ezcs.jpg
categories: Culture & Society
content_type: Spotlight
region: Maine
publication: Rich Woman Magazine
about:
  - type: Organization
    name: Portland Old Port
    description: Portland Old Port is your go-to resource for what’s going on in Portland, both as a local and as a tourist. Visit PortlandOldPort.com for the most complete and up-to-date events calendar, business directory, local and community news, and so much more.
    url: https://www.portlandoldport.com/portland-maine-best-of-2025-awards/#/gallery
---

You know that feeling when you overhear two strangers at the coffee counter having a heated debate about which place serves the [best lobster roll](https://richwoman.co/article/success-is-not-accidental-the-real-people-behind-hub-affiliations-big-night) in Portland? Or when your hairdresser starts raving about a new restaurant and you find yourself scribbling down the name on a napkin? That’s Portland for you – a city where locals don’t just have opinions about their favourite spots, they’re absolutely passionate about them.

![2025 pop nomination cover](https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/2025-pop-nomination-cover.jpeg)

This summer, that friendly neighbourhood rivalry transforms into something even more wonderful: the [Best Of 2025 Awards](https://www.portlandoldport.com/portland-maine-best-of-2025-awards/), where everyone gets to champion their beloved local businesses in a citywide celebration that feels more like cheering on your favourite football team than filling out a survey.

## The Season When Portland Gets Competitive

There’s something magical about the buzz that starts building in June when nominations open. Conversations shift from casual recommendations to friendly plotting. You’ll find people rallying their friends to vote for their regular brunch spot, or convincing their book club to back that independent bookshop where the owner always remembers their reading preferences.

‘We are thrilled with the opportunity to sponsor the awards to celebrate the businesses and personalities that help make Portland and the southern Maine region a special place to visit, live and work,’ says David Libby, President and CEO of [Town & Country Federal Credit Union](https://www.tcfcu.com/), the presenting sponsor for this year’s awards.

Over the past five years, the awards have drawn more than 87,000 nominations and over 775,000 votes from 40,000 community members. That’s not just impressive participation – that’s proof of how much people care about the places that make their city special.

## From Lobster Rolls To Local News Anchors

The Portland awards are engaging because of their sheer variety of categories. Yes, you’ve got your expected food and drink battles – and trust us, the competition for [Best Lobster Roll](https://www.portlandoldport.com/best-of-portland-2019-press-release/) gets fierce. Then there are categories that capture the quirky personality of the city: Best Tattoo Artist, Best Local News Anchor, Best Realtor.

With over 130 categories this year, there’s room for every type of local business and creative talent. Past awards ceremonies have highlighted everything from the friendliest staff to the best new business, creating a comprehensive picture of what makes Portland tick.

The beauty lies in those unexpected moments of recognition. Maybe it’s the barista who always remembers your order, or the artist whose work brightens your daily commute. These awards shine a light on the people who often work behind the scenes but make everyday life in Portland more delightful.

Much like the [grassroots celebrations](https://richwoman.co/article/516-long-island-day-leads-the-way-as-community-reclaim-hyperlocal-pride-with-grassroots-celeb) happening across the country, Portland’s awards grow stronger through genuine community participation.

## How The Magic Happens

The process itself is designed to build excitement. Nominations run from 16 June until 30 June, giving everyone time to think about their true favourites. Then comes the real fun: two rounds of voting that feel like a friendly citywide competition.

The first round, running from 1 July to 15 July, narrows down to the top ten finalists in each category. The stakes get higher during the final voting period, which continues until 31 July. You can only vote once per category, so every choice counts.

This structured approach means businesses have multiple opportunities to engage with their community. Some rally their regular customers, others get creative with social media campaigns, and many discover new supporters who hadn’t visited before.

## Stories Beyond The Statistics

These awards are about personal connection people feel to the winners. It’s not just about finding the ‘best’ in some abstract sense – it’s about celebrating the places that have been part of your Portland story.

Local businesses often share how being nominated or winning has meant more than increased visibility. It’s validation that they’re genuinely contributing to what makes Portland special. For creative categories, [recognition can be particularly meaningful](https://richwoman.co/article/global-creative-awards-elevate-industry-standards-through-diverse-jury-selection), acknowledging artists and individuals who put their heart into their craft.

The [2023 awards](https://www.portlandoldport.com/best-of-2023-awards/) saw over 220,000 votes from more than 17,000 participants, with winners celebrated at a ceremony featuring local favourites like OTTO Pizza, Eighty 8 Donuts and The Portland Board. That celebration becomes a community event, bringing together business owners, customers and neighbours.

## A Visitor’s Secret Weapon

For tourists and new residents, the Best Of lists become an invaluable insider’s guide to experiencing Portland like a local. Rather than relying on generic travel websites, visitors can trust that these winners have earned their reputation through genuine community support.

Planning a food crawl? The restaurant winners will lead you to spots locals actually frequent. Looking for unique shopping? The retail categories highlight stores with character and selection that have impressed discriminating Portland shoppers. Want to experience local culture? The creative categories point towards artists, venues and experiences that residents genuinely value.

This community-vetted approach to recommendations creates a more authentic travel experience, connecting visitors with the authentic Portland that residents love rather than tourist traps.

## Join The Celebration

Whether you’ve been calling Portland home for decades or you’re planning your first visit, the [Best Of 2025 Awards](https://www.portlandoldport.com) offer a chance to be part of something genuinely community-spirited. Nominations are open now until 30 June, and you can nominate once per day per email address across as many businesses as you’d like.

The process is simple: visit the Best of 2025 Awards page on [Portland Old Port’s website](https://www.portlandoldport.com), think about the places that have made your Portland experience memorable, and cast your nominations. Then mark your calendar for the voting rounds in July – because watching your favourites advance to the final ten is genuinely exciting.

As the summer unfolds and the votes are counted, there’s a sense of anticipation building across the city. Come August, when the 2025 winners are announced, Portland will once again have its official roster of community favourites – chosen not by critics or industry experts, but by the people who matter most: the ones who live here, work here and love calling this vibrant coastal city home.

Whether you’re rooting for that cosy café that’s been your morning ritual for years, or hoping to see recognition for the new gallery that’s brought fresh energy to your neighbourhood, this is your moment to make your voice heard in Portland’s most beloved annual tradition.

**About Portland Old Port**

Portland Old Port is your go-to resource for what’s going on in Portland, both as a local and as a tourist. Visit PortlandOldPort.com for the most complete and up-to-date events calendar, business directory, local and community news, and so much more.

[Website](https://www.portlandoldport.com/portland-maine-best-of-2025-awards/#/gallery)