🌸 Carnation, WA just got MAJOR recognition in 425 Magazine's Best of 2026 — and honestly, it's well deserved
If you've ever driven through Carnation and thought "this place is a hidden gem" — 425 Magazine's readers just officially agreed with you. The annual **Best of 425: 2026** awards just dropped, and our little valley town punched WAY above its weight class. Here's the full rundown of what's representing Carnation and the surrounding Snoqualmie Valley:
**🏆 CARNATION ITSELF was named Best City**
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Yes, the CITY itself won. Not Bellevue. Not Kirkland. **Carnation.** Pop off. 🎉
👉 [carnationwa.gov](https://www.carnationwa.gov/)
**🎶 Best Concert Venue:** [**Remlinger Farms**](https://remlingerfarms.com/)
Remlinger only debuted as a concert venue in 2024 and it's already been crowned the best in the region — beating out Marymoor Park and Woodland Park Zoo. This summer's lineup includes The Black Keys and Cake. If you haven't been, you're genuinely missing out. The setting is unreal.
**🍷 Best Winery:** [**Alveare Winery**](https://www.alvearewinery.com/)
Founded on a 100-year-old dairy farm right in the Snoqualmie Valley. They've got 15 beehives, heritage cows, and small-lot Washington wines with an absolutely gorgeous story behind every bottle. "Latin for beehive" and every label tells part of the owners' personal story. This place is special.
**🏛️ Best Museum:** [**Camlann Medieval Village**](https://www.camlann.org/)
A working 14th-century medieval village — *in Carnation* — and people are still sleeping on it. If you have kids (or you're just a history nerd), this is an absolute must-do.
**🍳 Best Breakfast:** [**Carnation Cafe & Lounge**](https://carnationcafe.com/)
Local staple, beloved by the community, and apparently also does killer catering for 200+ people. Go eat breakfast here. That's the whole review.
**🌮 Best Mexican Restaurant:** [**Ixtapa Carnation Family Mexican Restaurant and Lounge**](https://www.ixtapacarnation.com/)
A true Carnation institution. If you've been, you know. If you haven't — fix that.
**🍕 Best Pizza:** [**Blake's Pizzeria**](https://www.blakespizza.com/)
Carnation representing in the pizza category too. Small town, big flavor.
**🍜 Best Vietnamese: Sam's Noodle Town** — Carnation
A local spot that clearly has the community's heart. 🍜
**🍹 Best Bartender: Amy Paoletti,** [**Alveare Winery**](https://www.alvearewinery.com/) — Carnation
(Fun fact: when she's not pouring wine, she's riding her Friesian horse — the breed used to play war horses in movies. Amy is living her best life.)
**🖋️ Best Tattoo Artist:** [**Carnation Tattoo Co.**](https://www.instagram.com/carnationtattooco/)
Owner Nick Maki and Spencer Williams have been at this since 2012. They do American traditional but love custom work. Worth the drive out.
**📚 Best Elementary School:** [**Carnation Elementary**](https://www.rsd407.org/ce)
**📚 Best Public Middle School:** [**Tolt Middle School**](https://www.rsd407.org/tms) — also Carnation
The RSD is repping the valley strong.
**And the broader Snoqualmie Valley had a great showing too:**
* 🎬 Best Movie Theater: [North Bend Theatre](https://www.northbendtheatre.com/) — where the Twin Peaks prequel film *literally premiered* in 1992 * 🍺 Best Brewery: [Volition Brewing Co.](https://www.volitionbrewing.com/), North Bend — family-friendly, nonalcoholic options, *and* bi-weekly pinball tournaments * 🥩 Best Unique Eats & Deli: [Falling River Meats](https://fallingrivermeats.com/), North Bend * 🚗 Best Auto Repair: [TDC Automotive](https://tdc-auto.com/), Duvall * 🥃 Best Distillery: [Duvall Distillery](https://duvalldistillery.com/) — 100% natural ingredients, always * 🥩 Best BBQ: [Amarillo Barbecue](https://the-amarillo.com/), Duvall — formerly served Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks in Omaha before landing here * 🌹 Best Boutique: [Rustic Rose](https://www.rusticrose.com/), Duvall — a family-run gem * 💇 Best Barbershop: A&P Barbershop, North Bend
**The full Best of 425: 2026 list is here:** 👉 [425magazine.com](https://www.425magazine.com/bestof425/best-of-425-2026/article_8d65dbf2-3674-40dc-a722-0d4049911677.html)
Carnation has always had that small-town-with-a-big-heart energy. Stoked to see it get recognized. Who else out here is a Snoqualmie Valley local? Drop your personal favorites below — what did the list get right, and what got robbed? 👇