Best of Federal Way 2026 winners
Published 1:30 am Friday, April 3, 2026
The winners have been announced in the Mirror’s 28th annual Best of Federal Way contest. More than 8,000 votes were cast by readers for their favorite restaurants, businesses, services and more. Below are the 2026 winners.
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Child Care Center
Winner: St Luke’s Child Care
Finalist: Brooklake Christian Learning Center
Finalist: Pacific Christian Academy
Educational Facility
Winner: Pacific Christian Academy
Finalist: Brooklake Christian School
Finalist: Federal Way Cooperative Preschool
Family Entertainment
Winner: Bricks & Minifigs
Finalist: Camp MoxyJo’s
Finalist: Catapult Adventure Park
Local Arts Group
Winner: St. Luke’s Theatre Company
Finalist: Jet Cities Chorus
Finalist: Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory
Teacher – Elementary
Winner: Kiersten Stimets, Pacific Christian Academy
Finalist: Angelica Afande, Rainier View Elementary School
Finalist: Sunshine Glynn, Wildwood Elementary
Teacher – Middle School
Winner: Mr. Nicholas Richter, Pacific Christian Academy
Finalist: Madelyn Healey, Illahee Middle School
Teacher – High School
Winner: Renia Papadimas, Thomas Jefferson High School
Finalist: Helena Cho, Pacific Christian Academy
Finalist: Holly Rose, Federal Way High School
Tutor
Winner: Sylvan Learning Center
Finalist: Kumon Math and Reading Center
Finalist: Mathnasium
Bakery or Desserts
Winner: Poverty Bay Cafe
Finalist: 85 degrees C
Finalist: Steph Marie’s Bakehouse
Banh Mi
Winner: Honey Bear
Finalist: Pho My Chau 2
Finalist: Toast Mi
Bar/Nightclub
Winner: Billy McHale’s
Finalist: Brickyard Pub
Finalist: JP’s Tavern
Barbecue
Winner: Jack’s BBQ
Finalist: Billy McHale’s
Finalist: Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Breakfast
Winner: Poverty Bay Cafe
Finalist: Biscuits Cafe
Finalist: Black Bear Diner
Bubble Tea
Winner: Happy Lemon
Finalist: Melody Boba House
Finalist: Onit Cafe
Burger
Winner: Burger Express
Finalist: Dick’s Drive-In
Finalist: Katsu Burger
Chicken Wings
Winner: WingStop
Finalist: Billy McHale’s
Finalist: Swagg-n-Wagon
Chinese Cuisine
Winner: New Peking Wok
Finalist: May May Hong Kong BBQ
Finalist: Nine Way
Coffee Shop or Stand
Winner: Poverty Bay Café
Finalist: Gravity Coffee
Finalist: Jump Start
Family Dining
Winner: New Peking Wok
Finalist: Billy McHale’s
Finalist: Black Bear Diner
Fine Dining
Winner: Mama Stortini’s
Finalist: Gino’s at the Point
Finalist: Verrazano’s
Indian Cuisine
Winner: East India Grill
Finalist: Maharaj Cuisine of India
Finalist: Pabla Punjabi Palace
Italian Cuisine
Winner: Mama Stortini’s
Finalist: Verrazano’s
Finalist: Vince’s Italian
Japanese Cuisine
Winner: Nori Sushi
Finalist: Akasaka
Finalist: Tokyo-Ya Ramen
Korean Cuisine
Winner: Underground Kitchen
Finalist: Mirak
Finalist: Moon’s Kitchen
Lunch
Winner: Poverty Bay Cafe
Finalist: Jack’s BBQ
Finalist: Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Mexican Cuisine
Winner: Angelica’s
Finalist: Azteca
Finalist: Puerto Vallarta
Pho
Winner: Pho Tai
Finalist: Pho 7
Finalist: Phở Quỳnh
Pizza
Winner: Pop’s Pizza & Pasta
Finalist: Jet’s Pizza
Finalist: Pizza Pizazz
Specialty or Cultural Grocery Store
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Finalist: H-Mart
Finalist: Marlene’s Market & Deli
Steakhouse
Winner: Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse
Finalist: Black Angus
Finalist: Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Sushi
Winner: Nori Sushi
Finalist: AJI Koharu Sushi & Grill
Finalist: Trapper’s
Teriyaki
Winner: Pac Island Grill
Finalist: Ichi Teriyaki
Finalist: International House of Teriyaki
Thai Cuisine
Winner: Kwan Tip Thai
Finalist: Basil Thai
Finalist: Thai Bistro
Vietnamese Cuisine
Winner: Pho 7
Finalist: Pho Bach’s Vietnamese Restaurant
Finalist: Phở Quỳnh
Chiropractor
Winner: Twin Lakes Chiropractic Center
Finalist: Dr. Nathan Otto
Finalist: Jex Chiropractic Health Center
Dentist
Winner: Shoop Dentistry
Finalist: Dibble Family Dental
Finalist: First Smile Family Dental
Doggy Daycare/Groomer
Winner: Pet Supplies Plus
Finalist: Biscuits Pet Place
Finalist: Soggy Doggy
Fitness Facility/Location
Winner: Federal Way Community Center
Finalist: Pure Strength Studio
Finalist: The Trap Lab Studio
Hair Salon or Barber
Winner: 8th Day Spa
Finalist: Castaway Salon
Finalist: Lifestyles Barber Academy
In-Home & Assisted Care
Winner: Comfort Keepers
Finalist: Home Instead
Finalist: Senior Helpers
Massage
Winner: Meraki Massage & Skin
Finalist: Federal Way Muscular Therapy
Finalist: You’re Wellness
Senior Living Facility
Winner: Village Green Senior Living
Finalist: Brookdale Foundation House
Finalist: GenCare at Steel Lake
Veterinarian
Winner: Twin Lakes Veterinarian Hospital
Finalist: Sacajawea Animal Hospital
Finalist: The Cat Doctor Veterinary Center
Yoga Studio
Winner: Hotworx
Finalist: Elev8
Finalist: Expand Yoga
Auto Body or Repair Shop
Winner: Pacific One Collision and Restoration
Finalist: Les Schwab Tire Center
Finalist: Sparks Car Care
Auto Service
Winner: Northshore Automotive
Finalist: Eagle Tire
Finalist: Les Schwab Tire Center
Bank
Winner: Columbia Bank
Finalist: WaFd Bank
Finalist: Wells Fargo Bank
Community Volunteer
Winner: Susan Honda
Finalist: David Harrison
Finalist: Patricia Horne
Credit Union
Winner: BECU
Finalist: Qualstar
Finalist: Red Canoe
Financial Advisor
Winner: Larissa Sklar, CFP – Edward Jones
Finalist: Shivneel Kumar – Edward Jones
Finalist: Steve Williamson
Florist
Winner: Federal Way Buds & Blooms
Finalist: Angel’s Green Flower Shop
Finalist: Watson’s Greenhouse and Nursery
Home Services
Winner: Northwest Expert Heating
Finalist: Fuller Electric
Finalist: Mold Solutions NW
Insurance Agent
Winner: Brady Nelson, State Farm
Finalist: Kyle Van Santen, State Farm
Finalist: The Cisco Agency: Allstate Insurance
Jewelry Store
Winner: Federal Way Custom Jewelers
Finalist: Jeffrey’s Jewelry
Finalist: Underhill Jewelers
Local Non-Profit
Winner: FUSION Housing
Finalist: FW Black Collective
Finalist: Kiwanis Club
Pet Store
Winner: Pet Supplies Plus
Finalist: Mud Bay
Finalist: PetSmart
Real Estate Agent
Winner: Vickie Chynoweth
Finalist: Cari Franklin-Hart
Finalist: Maria Kuehlthau, The Goelzer Home Team at Keller Williams
