Thank you, readers, for participating in our annual Best for Families poll. We’ve counted your ballots, and we’re pleased to unveil the results of your votes. Browse the following pages to learn about the businesses, people and places you voted as the best for children and families in the Pittsburgh area. Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners and thank you to everyone who took time to nominate and vote for them this year!
Eating Out
Best Food Truck
Winner: Cousins Maine Lobster
Runner-Up: Hibachi Lou Food Truck
Best Local Bakery
Winner: Oakmont Bakery
Runner-Up: Prantl’s Bakery
Best Local Brewery
Winner: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Runner-Up: Dough Daddy Brewery
Best Local Burger
Winner: Burgatory
Runner-Up: North Park Lounge
Best Local Cup of Coffee
Winner: BeanThru
Runner-Up: 802 Coffee
Best Local Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Shop
Winner: Emmerling Ice Cream
Runner-Up: Graeter’s Ice Cream
Best Local Outdoor/Patio Dining
Winner: Narcisi Winery and Restaurant
Runner-Up: Over the Bar Bicycle Café
Best Local Pizza
Winner: Mineo’s Pizza House
Runner-Up: Sir Pizza
Best Local Restaurant to Feed a Family
Winner: Eat’n Park
Runner-Up: Condado Tacos
Best Local Restaurant with a Kid’s Night/Special
Winner: Hofbräuhaus Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: Gateway Clipper
Best Local Restaurant with Entertainment or Diversions
Winner: Il Pizzaiolo – Indiana Township
Runner-Up: The Turn Club
Best Local Romantic Restaurant
Winner: Narcisi Winery and Restaurant
Runner-Up: Il Pizzaiolo
Best Local Sports Bar
Winner: Primanti Bros. Restaurant and Bar
Runner-Up: Scoreboard Sports Bar & Grill
Best Local Winery
Winner: Narcisi Winery and Restaurant
Runner-Up: Anna Marie’s Winery and Cafe
Education and Enrichment
Best Academic/Enrichment Program
Winner: Ingomar Child Enrichment Center
Runner-Up: Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science
Best After-School Program
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
Best Arts Program
Winner: Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media
Runner-Up: Batavia Studios
Best Ballet Class
Winner: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Runner-Up: Thomas Dance Studio
Best Baseball Camp
Winner: North Hills Baseball Camps
Runner-Up: 14th Ward Youth Baseball Association
Best Camp – Day
Winner: Craft Bin Creative
Runner-Up: Solid Foundations Academy
Best Camp – Overnight
Winner: Falcon Camp
Runner-Up: Camp Allegheny
Best Camp – Special Needs
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: The Woodlands
Best Charter School
Winner: 21st Century Cyber Charter School
Runner-Up: Spectrum Charter School
Best Childcare/Daycare Center
Winner: Vincentian Child Discovery Center McCandless
Runner-Up: Solid Foundations Academy
Best Children’s Cooking Classes
Winner: Flour Power Cooking Studios – Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: Gaynor’s School of Cooking
Best Children’s Theater or Drama Instruction
Winner: Little Lake Theatre Company
Runner-Up: PMT Conservatory
Best Community College
Winner: Community College of Allegheny County
Runner-Up: Butler County Community College
Best Continuing Education
Winner: University of Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: Slippery Rock University
Best Dance Program
Winner: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Runner-Up: Thomas Dance Studio
Best Dance Studio
Winner: Dance Unleashed
Runner-Up: Keystone State Music Theater
Best Day Camp for Preschoolers
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Gymkhana Gymnastics Schools
Best Foreign Language Instruction
Winner: Cultured Kids Club – Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: La Scuola d’Italia Galileo Galilei
Best Gymnastics Center
Winner: Gymkhana Gymnastics Schools
Runner-Up: ASA Gymnastics
Best Independent School
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Aquinas Academy
Best Montessori School
Winner: Keystone Montessori School
Runner-Up: Montessori Centre Academy
Best Outdoor Enrichment Camp or Program
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania
Best Performance Art Program
Winner: Pittsburgh Musical Theater
Runner-Up: Little Lake Theatre Company
Best Place for Kids to Play
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: The Busy Berry Play Cafe
Best Preschool Program
Winner: Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
Runner-Up: Montessori Centre Academy
Best Private Elementary School
Winner: Montessori Centre Academy
Runner-Up: Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
Best Private High School
Winner: Oakland Catholic High School
Runner-Up: Aquinas Academy
Best Private School (Overall)
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Aquinas Academy
Best Private School: Boys
Winner: Central Catholic High School
Runner-Up: Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
Best Private School: Coed
Winner: Sewickley Academy
Runner-Up: Fanny Edel Falk Laboratory School
Best Private School: Girls
Winner: Oakland Catholic High School
Runner-Up: Aquinas Academy
Best Public School
Winner: North Allegheny School District
Runner-Up: Pine-Richland School District
Best SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutoring
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Prep
Best School Break Program
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Brookline Sprouts
Best Special Needs Programming
Winner: Easy Peasy Speech
Runner-Up: The Woodlands
Best Special Needs School
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
Best Sports Camp
Winner: HappyFeet Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: Sewickley Sports Arena
Best STEM Camp
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Kamin Science Center
Best Summer Program
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Big Blue Swim School
Best Swim Instructor
Winner: Alex McKowjan, Goldfish Swim School – Fox Chapel
Runner-Up: Lilly, Goldfish Swim School – Peters Township
Best Swim School
Winner: Goldfish Swim School
Runner-Up: Big Blue Swim School
Best Tutoring Program
Winner: Solid Foundations Academy
Runner-Up: Easy Peasy Speech
Best University
Winner: University of Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: Duquesne University
Best Visual Arts Program
Winner: Craft Bin Creative
Runner-Up: Latrobe Art Center
Health and Wellness
Best Allergy or Asthma Doctor & Practice Name
Winner: Advanced Allergy & Asthma
Best Children’s Dentistry
Winner: Dentistry for Kids
Best Dentist & Practice Name
Winner: Paul Keelan, DMD, Keelan Dental
Best Dermatologist & Practice Name
Winner: Margaret Lally, M.D.
Runner-Up: Deborah Abell, M.D.
Best ER for Kids
Winner: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Best Family Doctor & Practice Name
Winner: Preferred Primary Care Physicians
Runner-Up: Jennifer Dirocco D.O., Allegany Health Network
Best Hospital
Winner: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: AHN Wexford Hospital
Best Midwife
Winner: Leigh McGowan, MSN, CRNP, LNP, The Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health
Best OB/GYN & Practice Name
Winner: AHN OBGYN – Northern Regional – Gibsonia
Runner-Up: Advanced Women’s Care of Pittsburgh
Best Orthodontist & Practice Name
Winner: Benko Orthodontics
Best Orthopedist & Practice Name
Winner: Tri-State Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Best Pediatric Hospital
Winner: UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Best Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Practice
Winner: The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
Runner-Up: River Pediatric Therapies
Best Pediatric Orthopedic Practice
Winner: UPMC Sports Medicine and Specialty Care
Runner-Up: UPMC Pediatric Orthopaedics
Best Pediatrician & Practice Name
Winner: AHN Pediatrics Wexford
Runner-Up: UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics – Bellevue
Best Physical Therapist & Practice Name
Winner: Amanda Owens, TEIS Early Intervention
Runner-Up: Rainier Physical Therapy
Best Place to Deliver Your Baby
Winner: UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Runner-Up: AHN West Penn Hospital
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
Winner: Pure Barre – Wexford
Runner-Up: Yoga Flow Pittsburgh
Living
Best Church/Place of Worship
Winner: The Church of the Assumption – Bellevue
Runner-Up: St. Kilian Parish (now part of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish)
Best Kid-Free Night Out
Winner: Off the Hook
Best Kid’s Birthday Party Program
Winner: Fun Fore All Family Fun Park
Runner-Up: Romp n’ Roll
Best Kids’ Deals
Winner: Romp n’ Roll
Best Local Children’s Author
Winner: Jean Smarto
Best Local Getaway/Resort
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Best Local professional athlete
Winner: Andrew McCutchen
Best Minor League Sport Experience
Winner: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Best Park/Play Area
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Cranberry Township Community Park
Best Party Destination
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Craft Bin Creative
Best Place for a Team Party
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Craft Bin Creative
Best Place for Family Fun
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Craft Bin Creative
Best Professional Sporting Event
Winner: Pittsburgh Pirates
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Penguins
Services
Best Baby/Family Photography
Winner: The Bainbridge Studio
Runner-Up: Storied Impressions
Best Caterer
Winner: Christy’s Catering
Runner-Up: Stephen’s Kitchen and Catering
Best Daycare
Winner: Kiddie Academy of Bethel Park
Runner-Up: The Learning Village
Best Financial Planner
Winner: Daniel Koller Jr., Dollar Investment Services
Best Hair Salon/Colorist
Winner: Barb at Salon 1154
Best Hair Salon for Children
Winner: Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids – Cranberry Township
Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company
Winner: Bast Heating & Cooling
Best Interior Decorator
Winner: INTERIOR DESIGN Lisa Scolieri LLC
Best Kid’s Party Entertainer
Winner: Weird Eric and The Party Animals
Best Kitchen Designer
Winner: INTERIOR DESIGN Lisa Scolieri LLC
Best Local Family Photographer
Winner: Stefanie Scotti Photography
Runner-Up: The Bainbridge Studio
Best Mani/Pedi
Winner: SaunRise
Best Mortgage Loan Officer
Winner: Traci Multari at Golden Oak Lending
Best Music Instruction
Winner: School of Rock – Wexford
Best Party Venue
Winner: Zone 28
Runner-Up: Craft Bin Creative
Best Personal Organizer
Winner: Alli B Organizing
Best Pet Groomer
Winner: Tanya’s Tails and Tangles
Best Pet Trainer
Winner: Control Is Key Dog Training
Best Veterinarian
Winner: Twinbrook Animal Clinic
Shops and Wares
Best Accessories Store
Winner: Koala Boutique
Best Children’s Consignment or Resale Store
Winner: Dandelion Kids
Runner-Up: Kid to Kid
Best Grocery Store
Winner: Giant Eagle
Best Health Food Store
Winner: Whole Foods Market – Wexford
Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Moses Jewelers
Best Local Car Dealer
Winner: Krebs Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Best Local Selection of Children’s Books
Winner: B is for Books
Runner-Up: Half Price Books
Best Local Shopping Center or Mall
Winner: Ross Park Mall
Runner-Up: Grove City Premium Outlets
Best Local Toy Store
Winner: Playthings Etc.
Best Place to Buy Outdoor Play Equipment
Winner: Bear Playgrounds
Things To Do
Best Amusement Park
Winner: Kennywood
Runner-Up: Idlewild & SoakZone
Best Art Gallery
Winner: Carnegie Museum of Art
Runner-Up: Latrobe Art Center
Best Bowling Alley
Winner: Pines Plaza Lanes
Runner-Up: Family Bowlaway Fun Center
Best Concert Venue
Winner: PPG Paints Arena
Runner-Up: The Pavilion at Star Lake
Best Family Day Trip
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Presque Isle State Park (Erie, PA)
Best Family Event
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Best Free Family Fun
Winner: Carnegie Libraries
Runner-Up: Mister Rogers Family Days
Best Ice Skating Rink
Winner: UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex
Runner-Up: North Park Ice Rink
Best Indoor Activity
Winner: National Aviary
Runner-Up: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Best Indoor Attraction
Winner: Kamin Science Center
Runner-Up: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Best Indoor Play Facility
Winner: Fun Fore All Family Fun Park
Runner-Up: Zone 28
Best Indoor Swimming Pool/Rec Center
Winner: Goldfish Swim School – Fox Chapel
Runner-Up: Big Blue Swim School – Cranberry Township
Best Movie Theater
Winner: Harris Theater
Runner-Up: Rangos Giant Cinema
Best Museum
Winner: Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Runner-Up: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Best Outdoor Activity
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Best Outdoor Attraction
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Best Performance Theater for Young Audiences
Winner: Pittsburgh Musical Theater
Runner-Up: Gemini Children’s Theater
Best Petting Zoo
Winner: Living Treasures Animal Park
Best Swimming Pool
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Best Water Park
Winner: Jellystone Park™ Harrisville
Runner-Up: Sandcastle Water Park
