Amsterdam News Presents Readers’ Choice Awards
New Yorkers know what they know.
And they like what they like.
Now we’re inviting our readers to shoutout their favorite businesses in our first-ever Amsterdam News Readers’ Choice Awards from March 1 through 31, 2026.
“New Yorkers are fiercely proud of being New Yorkers and we know our best spots,” said Ali Milliner, advertising sales manager at the Amsterdam News. “This is New Yorkers’ opportunity to authentically talk about their favorite NYC businesses.”
Readers can nominate and vote for the best of the best, from coffee spots to chopped cheese, flowers to toy stores, parks to gyms to nightclubs, and so much more. Categories include:
- Best Food and Drink
The Readers’ Choice Awards kick off Sunday, March 1, with nominations and voting open through Tuesday, March 31, at 11:59 p.m. Readers can vote daily in as many categories as they like. Readers’ Choice winners and finalists will be announced Monday, April 13, 2026, on all Amsterdam News platforms.
Nominations and voting are conducted concurrently through our secure online platform. “We have security measures to prevent fraudulent voting,” said Apryl Prioli, Amsterdam News Technologist.
“I’m really excited for the Amsterdam News to kick off this campaign to celebrate the best of New York,” Prioli said. “This is the one opportunity that everyone, from the local electrician to the local veterinarian to the local teacher, can be nominated to be the best of the best. We need to take the time to celebrate the people and the community, and this is a great opportunity to do so.”
Businesses can be nominated in multiple categories as long as they truly excel in each of those categories.
There is no fee for business owners to nominate their own businesses. Simply select the category or categories and tell us about the business via our online nomination form.
The Amsterdam News offers nominated businesses free promotional materials along with the option of optimizing visibility and votes through our customized, cost-effective packages, which can be accessed by reaching out to Ali Milliner at ali.milliner@amsterdamnews.com or (347) 350-4316.
Readers’ Choice finalists will receive an invitation to the Awards Reception and an opportunity to purchase five tickets for guests.
“This is a time for our community to be heard,” Milliner said. “They want representation. They want to talk about their favorites. So this is their opportunity to brag on their neighborhoods, their favorite spots, [and] brag on their family companies. It’s our time to spotlight community.”
Nominate and Vote HERE.