Who has the best chocolate chip cookies in the Triangle? Tell us your favorite

Update: Go here to see all the nominees for the best chocolate chip cookies in the Triangle and vote for your favorite!

If you’re a sucker for sweets, you’ll be in for a treat.

After a flavorful face-off for the top taco spot in the Triangle, The News & Observer is now launching a sugary search for the best chocolate cookies around the area based on your recommendations.

We’re skipping the big box retailers and cookie chains, but we want to hear about your favorite bakeries and local cafes from Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill and surrounding towns.

Fill out the nomination form below with your top pick. Of course, if you have more than one go-to cookie spot, you can refresh the page and nominate another.

Next week, we’ll compile your recommendations and put them to a vote.

Here are the details:

• The first round will determine the Top 25. It will be live from 2 p.m. Monday, May 12 until 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14.

• The second round will determine the Top 12. It will live from about 2 p.m. May 14 until 2 p.m. Friday, May 16.

• The third round will determine the Top 8. It will live from about 2 p.m. May 16 until 2 p.m. Monday, May 19.

• The fourth round will determine the Top 4. It will be live from about 2 p.m. May 19 until 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.

• The fifth round will determine the Top 2. It will be live from about 2 p.m. May 21 until 2 p.m. Friday, May 23.

• The final round will determine the winner. It will be live from about 2 p.m. May 23 until 2 p.m. Monday, May 26.

A few notes before we begin:

• This is not a scientific poll or survey — it’s just for fun! If you have more than one favorite, you are welcome to refresh this webpage and submit another nomination.

• We are looking for local recommendations, so chain restaurants that have more than 25 locations will be excluded.

• Editor’s note: If you’ve reached your free article limit from The News & Observer, you will have to subscribe to submit a nomination (and later, cast votes).

This story was originally published May 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription