It’s 5 p.m. on Friday, and after a tough-but-productive five-day slog, it’s time to unplug from your workstation, take a deep breath and take stock of your surroundings. You’re in sunny, green Palo Alto, and life is pretty good. It’s time to enjoy it!

Lucky for you, the city is chock-full of outstanding eateries, shops and businesses to assist in that endeavor. But don’t take our word for it. After casting more than 25,000 votes, Palo Alto Weekly readers have selected what they feel are the top spots and service providers in the Palo Alto area across 83 categories, and today the top vote-getters receive sought-after distinction as 2016 Best of Palo Alto winners. In addition, 18 esteemed business are serving three years as Hall of Fame winners after having recently topped their categories for five years running.

With your choice of these vetted establishments, it’s hard to go wrong. ZombieRunner (Sporting Goods) can help you gear up for a run in the Baylands while you enjoy a latte from the in-store cafe; staff at Books Inc. (Bookstore) has suggestions for a thrilling page-turner for whiling away the weekend; Watercourse Way (Massage, Hall of Fame for Day Spa) offers massages and a hot tub soak to relax your tense muscles; Jing Jing (Chinese Restaurant) can scratch your itch for spicy food; and The Prolific Oven (Bakery/Desserts) can serve a decadent slice of cake nearly guaranteed to make you drool.

So let the community be your guide to the best of what Palo Alto has to offer. You deserve it.

Click here to see photos and stories about the Best Of winners.

• Or, download a PDF of the Weekly Best Of section by clicking here.

• Or, for text-only lists of the Best Of winners, click on the following: | Retail | Service | Food & Drink | Restaurants | Fun Stuff

Best of Palo Alto Contributors

Editor: Sam Sciolla

Writers: Jocelyn Dong, Sue Dremann, Anissa Fritz, Eric He, Elena Kadvany, Karla Kane, Ian Malone, My Nguyen, Gennady Sheyner, Linda Taaffe

Publicity and Logistics: Heather Choi, Lauren Johnson

Lead Designers: Rosanna Leung, Kristin Brown, Shannon Corey

Designers: Linda Atilano, Diane Haas, Paul Llewellyn, Nick Schweich, Doug Young

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