Some of the Best of New Brunswick

The People's Choice Awards have spotlighted incredible businesses across the province, from a family-run seafood shack on the coast to an Indigenous artisan whose work had never been recognized on a provincial stage before. Every category tells a different story about what makes New Brunswick worth celebrating.

Here are a few of the businesses that have stood out in past years:

Capitol Theatre | Gold Winner 2025 Best Theatre Company

For more than 100 years, the Capitol Theatre has been the community gathering space where generations of New Brunswickers have come together to celebrate, be inspired, and share in unforgettable arts and cultural moments.

Located in the heart of downtown Moncton, this beautifully restored historic venue is home to concerts, theatre productions, comedy, dance, circus arts, and more — programming that spans every artistic discipline and appeals to audiences across both official languages. It's a space that is as much Francophone as it is Anglophone, and as much local as it is national — something that truly reflects the spirit and identity of New Brunswick.

What keeps people coming back isn't just what's on stage. As the Capitol team puts it, it's about the connection, the emotion, and the shared experience with others in the room — something that only live performance in an intimate, historic setting can deliver.

Over the past decade, the Capitol has also taken pride in producing large-scale musical productions right here at home, creating professional opportunities for New Brunswick performers and helping to retain local creative talent in the province.

When asked what it means to be recognized by the people of New Brunswick, their answer said it best: the Capitol Theatre belongs to the people it serves.

Tide & Boar Gastropub | Silver Winner 2025 Best Poutine and Best Patio

Few spots in New Brunswick have earned their reputation the way Tide & Boar has. Tucked into the heart of downtown Moncton, this gastropub has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 50 restaurants by Maclean's Magazine, featured on Food Network's You Gotta Eat Here, and named one of Canada's favourite bars — yet it remains as rooted in the local as ever.

Their ever-evolving menu leans on seasonal, fresh, Maritime ingredients, their smoker runs year-round, and even the ketchup is made in-house. When the weather turns, their patio becomes one of the most sought-after spots in the city — a lively, welcoming space right on Main Street that captures everything great about a New Brunswick summer.

The poutine alone has earned its own following. It's the kind of place that feels like Moncton's best-kept secret — except everyone already knows about it.

Dolma Foods | Bronze Winner 2025 in Best Independent Grocery Store

For 16 years, Dolma Food has been a cornerstone of downtown Moncton, built on a simple but powerful belief: that great food starts with knowing where it comes from.

Their market is rooted in New Brunswick — locally grown, antibiotic-free meat, ocean-clean seafood, and fresh produce sourced from local farmers, all available seven days a week. They've created a space where local producers can get their products directly into the hands of the community, and where shoppers can trust every label on the shelf.

Their ready-to-eat meals and soups, made in-house and shared with like-minded markets across the province, carry that same local spirit. And for those looking for something a little different, a carefully selected range of small-batch European products rounds out the offering.

It's that unwavering commitment to community, quality, and knowing your farmer that New Brunswickers have been showing up for since day one.

These are just a few of the incredible businesses that New Brunswickers have rallied behind over the years, and every year, the list gets longer.

What's Up for Recognition: The 2026 Categories

The 2026 People's Choice Awards span six broad sectors, each containing multiple specific award categories.

What Past Winners Have to Say

Make Your Voice Heard

The 2026 People's Choice Awards are open to all New Brunswickers — as a business, as a voter, or as someone who just wants to give their favourite local spots a moment in the spotlight.

If you know a business that deserves recognition, a coffee shop that makes your morning better, a boutique that always has exactly what you need, a musician who should be heard by the whole province, now is the time to make it happen.

Registration is open until April 26, 2026. The nomination phase begins May 4. Voting runs May 25 to June 8. Winners will be announced June 16.