• James Buck
• Spot at the Dock

The Spot on the Dock — Queen City residents have long lamented the relative dearth of true waterfront dining locales. Most “lakefront” eateries are at least a few minutes’ walk from the water’s edge, with views interrupted by buildings or trees. Enter the Spot on the Dock, which last summer took over the former Breakwater Café & Grill location at the King Street Dock and transformed it into a beach-house-style paradise with teak boardwalk floors, low-slung couches, tilted umbrellas and a bar scene — with great tropical cocktails — that’s so lively it borders on raucous on weekend nights. Oh, and the fresh Cobb salads, salmon poké and pork potstickers are worth a visit, too.

Other Finalists

• The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
• Leunig's Bistro & Café
• The Skinny Pancake
• Waterworks Food + Drink