We serve up our picks and yours
It’s the 23rd year of the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards, and after one round of reader nominations and more than 106,000 votes in the second round, here are the Critic’s Choice and Readers’ Choice winners in 49 of the 50 restaurant categories — check out Page A1 to see the Best Restaurant results.
Best African
Last year, this category was a to-the-line showdown that’s repeating itself this year. Since I’m a fan of putting the more first date-friendly contenders at the head of the pack, I’m going with Nile Ethiopian, where festive décor and fun tradition (both in the handsy way one eats with the spongy injera and the must-do coffee ceremony) are ideal for a fun-focused evening.
Selam, last year’s frontrunner, never disappoints, either.
New this year — for me, anyway — is Flavors Nigerian, which I spotted on a midday drive through the SoDo District. Curiosity wouldn’t let me pass it by.
After absconding with fish pepper soup and spicy gizzards that not only delivered on the name but offered up the extra-enjoyable benefit of grossing out my co-workers, I marked them for a return visit.
Ayamase (a rich, fiery stew), yam porridge and a host of other dishes later, I feel comfortable endorsing this casual, colorful eatery for spice lovers, but qualify that they’ll be happy to steer you elsewhere. Nigeria’s signature jollof rice, perhaps?
Critic’s Choice Winner: Nile Ethiopian (87048 International Drive in Orlando; 407-3540026; nileorlando.com)
Runners-up: Flavors Nigerian (Orlando) and Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Boma — Flavors of Africa (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 W. Osceola Parkway in Orlando; 407-938-4744; disneyworld.com)
Runners-up: Nile Ethiopian (Orlando) and Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine (Orlando)
Best Bakery
Bread. It’s one of the things that makes life worth living. Its smells — fermenting sourdough, gently baking loaves — are among the most alluring in the foodie universe. The success of any sandwich depends at least as much on the bread as the contents. For pizza, crust is king. More important than anything that goes on top. Bread is life. And carbs are a love language.
I read this last phrase on a T-shirt worn by Grace Garay, founder of Nomad Bakehouse. My bread subscription has been a joy since I signed on. My daughter turns the cranberry walnut into French toast. I pile the porridge loaf with sardines. I look forward to the weekly loaves with eagerness. I photograph them with reverence. Seriously, you have to try this place. (Note: There is no retail shop. You either order online or show up at one of her bake events. Check the website/follow on social to find out when and where.)
Garay bakes loads of other delicious goodies: cookies and scones, cinnamon rolls and sticky buns, brownies and banana breads and more — all of it worthy of this year’s honor.
Winner: Nomad Bakehouse (1201 Delaney Ave. in Orlando; nomadbakehousefl.square.site)
Runners-up: Sister Honey’s (Orlando) and Light on the Sugar Bakery Cafe (Winter Park)
Critic’s Choice
Readers’ Choice Winner: Bagel King (multiple locations; bagelking.net)
Runners-up: Charlie’s Gourmet Pastries (Orlando) and Buttermilk Bakery (Winter Park)
Best Barbecue
Pitmaster Chuck Cobb’s had quite a year, to be sure. His decadent and sometimes depraved creations (I’m looking at you, Southern poutine) went surging past local foodie fame to a spot on “Live with Kelly & Ryan.” Indeed, those Sidewinder fries, piled high with cheese curds, pulled pork, housemade sauce and creamy slaw — along with an overflowing ladle of cheese sauce — would make a fine centerfold for Gluttony Illustrated. But fans of his brisket, hot chicken and (for me in particular) melt-off-thebone ribs would be just as happy if he stuck to the basics.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Git-N-Messy BBQ (855 E. State Road 434 in Winter Springs; gitnmessy.com)
Runners-up: Ellie Lou’s Brews & BBQ (multiple locations) and Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbacoa (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: 4 Rivers Smokehouse (multiple locations; 4rsmokehouse. com)
Runners-up: Papa Diesel’s BBQ (Altamonte Springs) and Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ (multiple locations)
Best Breakfast
Breakfast at Sourdough Bread House doesn’t have to be Turkish. They’ve got delicious egg scrambles, omelets, avo toast, French toast ... I mean, they do make their own bread, so there’s that. But you could do a lot worse than going that route, what with all the fun you’ll have mixing and matching — cheeses, honey, fruits, nuts, olives, ezme — whether dining in or as a leisurely and luxurious take-home feast.
There’s no dining in at Buttermilk Bakery at the moment. In fact, you’ve got to place and pay for your order online, then head over to pick it up. But you can enjoy their incomparable croissants — savory (ham and gruyere, everything bagel and other delights depending on the day’s menu) or not-too-sweet — at an outside table or head home, brew up the coffee and prepare to use the crumb sweeper or Dustbuster to deal with all those luscious, buttery flakes. Brioche doughnuts are a less crumby but no less tempting option.
I dig on buckwheat pancakes. Farm & Haus does a lighter, cheffier version amid other exceptional breakfast fare like burritos, bowls and more at its East End Market stall.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Sourdough Bread House (110 N. Orlando Ave. in Maitland; 407-6365204; facebook.com/ sourdoughbreadhouse1)
Runners-up: Buttermilk Bakery (Winter Park) and Farm & Haus (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Bagel King (multiple locations; bagelking.net)
Runners-up: Twisted Biscuit Diner (Tavares) and Mary’s Kountry Kitchen (Tavares)
Best Brewery
So many breweries. So little time. Indeed, one can enjoy flights of fancy by the wee tasting glass all over the metro, sampling sours and stouts, ales and IPAs, stamping your Central
Florida Ale Trail passport if you like, all in pursuit of bragging rights and a cool, coveted growler. Where to first?
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company’s bright, spacious digs beckon with food trucks and covered outdoor
seating, plenty of games and space for your kids (traditional or fur-covered). Beers like the Pineapple Toboggan Blonde Ale and Joyland American IPA pay tribute in name or content to the neighborhood’s history.
Sideward Brewing Co.’s got a great outdoor space, too, and some killer brews. They’ve got a kitchen — nice! — but also sit within steps of some of the Milk District’s most popular
foodie mainstays. And over at Ten10 Brewing Company, they have not only some of Orlando’s most creatively brewed beers but some pretty tasty grub, much of which is or can be slathered with the best beer cheese in town.
Winner: Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company (1300 Alden Road in Orlando; 407-270-6749; ivanhoeparkbrewing.com)
Runners-up: Sideward Brewing Co. (Orlando) and Ten10 Brewing Company (Orlando).
Readers’ Choice Winner: Crooked Can Brewing Company (426 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden; 407-395-9520; crookedcan. com)
Runners-up: Hourglass Brewing (multiple locations) and Sideward Brewing Co. (Orlando)
Critic’s Choice Best Brunch
Recent events (ahem, the global pandemic) have seen the outdoor seating at the Tasting Room expand beyond its Winter Garden confines, which means more folks than ever can partake of its stellar brunch in open-air seating. That’s a win. As is their bloody mary. And burger. And benedict. And a bunch of stuff that doesn’t start with B.
For a classic hotel brunch, Plancha — located at the Four Seasons Orlando’s Tranquilo Golf Club — is just what the Sunday doctor ordered, and it is infused with Cuban pizzaz. That means coquito pancakes, guava cream cheese drizzle on the French toast and bottomless bubbles options that include guava and mango.
Sometimes, you don’t care if it’s the middle of the week. You just need it. For those days (and without the oft-crushing wait), head to Briarpatch, where pear pancakes and peach Bellinis await.
Winner: The Tasting Room at the Chef ’s Table at the Edgewater (99 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden; 407-230-4837; chefstableattheedgewater.com)
Runners-up: Plancha (Orlando) and the Briarpatch Restaurant (Winter Park)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Hamilton’s Kitchen (The Alfond Inn, 300 E. New England Ave. in Winter Park; 407-9988089; thealfondinn.com/ hamiltons-kitchen/ the-restaurant)
Runners-up: Twisted Biscuit Diner (Tavares) and Hungry Pants (Orlando)
Critic’s Choice Best Burger
Talk about a toughie. There are some good burgers in this town. More than three. But before burgers or anything else on this roster, the deadline is my mistress. I’ll try more next year and report thusly, but I stand by this year’s picks.
No. 1: Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe’s Royale with Cheese. On my first visit, our server not only endorsed it but recommended it as he orders it: with au poivre sauce. Intrigued, I got some on the side. The burger itself was a charred-crust delight, the crunch of which gave way to a super juicy, beautifully medium-rare center. The wonderful peppercorn sauce (I dunked) was a great suggestion, too. This would be the Royale with Cheese, Christian-style. I hope I spelled his name right. The Royale’s not on the happy hour menu, but drink specials are so reasonable ($6 for a lavender-laced Earl Grey gin fashioned? Nice!) I say go early and have the burger, anyway.
Behind this: Two delightful handhelds tied for second, both of them smash burgers from Southern-style haunts. At Mason Jar Provisions in Thornton Park, the Bourbon Blue with its pickled, bourbon caramelized onions and blue cheese is a gooey delight, but you could pick what speaks to you and be just as happy (some of their house chili on the basic cheeseburger would be delish). Over at Swine & Sons, the OK Onion Smashburger serves the crunch in the form of garlic dill pickles.
And more onions. Lots of ‘em. 2020 was a stank year. Stank it back with this house-ground, doublepatty monster.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe (1414 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 407-601-3508; russellsorlando.com)
Runners-up: Mason Jar Provisions (Orlando) and Swine & Sons (Winter Park)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Hannibal’s on the Square (511 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park; 407-599-2929; hannibalslounge.com)
Runners-up: Mary’s Kountry Kitchen (Tavares) and Hungry Pants (Orlando)
Best Caribbean
Inevitably there’s someone in your life whose mother’s or grandmother’s cooking figured prominently as you were growing up. For me, that was my childhood friend, Jackie.
“Where you wanna eat tonight?” she would ask me.
“Tu casa,” I’d likely answer. “Your house.”
Tu Casa is also a Dominican restaurant on Orange Blossom Trail where portions and flavors are downright grandmotherly and prices are eminently reasonable. Succulent hunks of fried pork, tender bites of chicken-studded mofongo, fall-apart stewed beef and sweet, caramelized maduros. Try not to eat all the rice so you’ll still have room for flan.
Folks at this cafeteria-style eatery are as warm and friendly as Jackie’s abuela. And their sancocho might even be better — shhhhh.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Tu Casa Restaurant (9251 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando; 407-856-3997; tucasaorlando.com)
Runners-Up: Mark’s Caribbean (Orlando) and Bobbie’s Roti Hut (Clermont)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Island Time (712 E. Washington St. in Orlando; 407-930-2640; islandtimeorlando.com)
Runners-up: DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery (Eatonville) and Negril Jamaican Restaurant (multiple locations)
Best Chain Restaurant
With my beloved Sweet Tomatoes among the casualties of COVID-19, my chain choice this year is not the highly anticipated arrival of White Castle (as I can still taste the one I had in 1998), but Grain & Berry, which recently opened a location in Maitland. This new-to-Orlando venue features many things, including “superfood” bowls — fruit over refreshing frozen goodies, such as acai and pitaya (dragon fruit). They’re pretty darn tasty and a great alternative to heavy lunch fare, in particular on a hot, subtropical afternoon.
I’m not that healthy. Although, one could argue there are healthy benefits in the creamy confections of Matcha Cafe Maiko in Mills 50, where they’re wonderfully heavy-handed with this finely ground green tea. Enjoy it in soft serve, frappe, latte, shave ice or some other artfully created concoction. Heck, they’ll even bling it up with 24k gold if you want.
Down on I-Drive, you could do worse for happy hour than the Yard House, the vast menu of which has an impressive roster of vegan and gluten-friendly offerings alongside more traditional pub grub.
Critic’s Choice
Winner: Grain & Berry (400 N. Orlando Ave. in Maitland; 407-622-1366; grainandberry.com)
Runners-Up: Matcha Cafe Maiko (Orlando) and Yard House (Orlando). Readers’ Choice Winner: Eddie V’s Prime Seafood (multiple locations; eddiev.com/home)
Runners-up: Seasons 52 (multiple locations) and Outback Steakhouse (multiple locations)
Best Cheap Eats
In a year’s time, I’ve found a few somewhat notable cheapies, but none so impactful that they’d keep me from recommending this holy trinity of economy eats to anyone. They’re all good, they’re all reasonable, they’re all worthy of visiting and revisiting. When I’m not dining out on the company dime, you may well find me counting out pennies at the counters and windows of these fine establishments. Critic’s Choice Winner: Taqueria Ameca (3558 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 407-852-0502)
Runners-up: Banh Mi Na Trang (Orlando) and Tortas El Rey (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Beefy King (424 N. Bumby Ave. in Orlando; 407-894-2241; beefyking. com)
Runners-up: Tijuana Flats (multiple locations) and Gringos Locos (multiple locations)
Best Chinese
Chef Tiger Tang’s Taste of Chengdu showcases flavors that seem to exist on their own plane of sensory experiences. How, for example, can dishes like mapo tofu and that heavenly green peppercorn fish filet have so much exquisite nuance that’s detectable even while they are anesthetizing your face? It’s a mystery for the ages. Or at least a more qualified food scientist. But I’m happy to let you know you should be dining there. Hit up the lovely, new Baldwin Park venue if it’s date night.
Even so, the siren song of Mills 50 and Chuan Lu Garden, in particular its cumin-laced dishes, are never far from my ears (or tummy). And enduringly, the New York-style Cantonese and dim sum offerings of Kai Kai (oh, that chow fun, that roast pork, that congee!) are simply tops for takeout. Critic’s Choice Winner: Taste of Chengdu (multiple locations; tasteofchengdufl. com)
Runners-up: Chuan Lu Garden (Orlando) and Kai Kai Dim Sum & BBQ (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Tasty Wok (1237 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-896-8988; tastywok.net)
Runners-up: 3-6-9 Chinese Restaurant (Winter Springs) and Taste of Chengdu (multiple locations)
Best Coffee
If Austin’s is still the place I most want to go when I’m not at home cuddling with my Bialetti (it is) and the most like my Bohemian grandmother’s attic (it is), then Longwood’s La Kuma Coffee is the yin to its frenetic, openmic yang.
Clean-lined and modern, its bright, Asian-inspired space is everything Austin’s is not, which for some will be undeniably preferable. Pop in for a Japanese ice-drip or a matcha tea, feel the whooshing pace of State Road 434 fall quietly away, and see how you like it.
Up the road — and also in Longwood — Zanzibar has beverages and vegan food offerings and features an African theme. The vibe here falls somewhere in the middle. I dig them all.
Winner: Austin’s Coffee (929 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park; 407-975-3364; austinscoffee.com)
Runners-Up: La Kuma Coffee (Longwood) and Zanzibar Coffee House (Longwood)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Foxtail Coffee Co. (multiple locations; foxtailcoffee.com)
Runners-up: Axum Coffee (multiple locations) and Lineage Coffee (multiple locations)
Critic’s Choice Best Cuban
Cuban food is so much more than the sandwiches we’re constantly talking about (it’s been a Cuban sandwich-heavy year for me), but man, it’s a good sandwich!
This year, all three in the Cuban category offer the solid renditions, along with the Cuban-style breakfasts, tender ropa vieja (and so on, ad nausem) to which I grew accustomed while living in Miami. And coffee. Don’t forget the coffee.
I’m giving the No. 1 spot to Los Autenticos, for those of you looking for some decidedly stylish and Starbucksian upgrades to your coffee (and for the vanilla and cheese flans, for which on the right mornings, I’d give up the tantalizing shatter of my pan de mantequilla). Just keep your hands off my colada. Critic’s Choice Winner: Los Autenticos Cuban Cafe (7339 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-282-2322; cubancafeonline.com).
Runners-up: Cuba 1800’s (Orlando) and Lo Mejor del Mundo (Casselberry) Readers’ Choice Winner: Zaza New Cuban Diner (multiple locations; zazacubandiner.com)
Runners-up: Black Bean Deli (multiple locations) and Cubans on the Run (Casselberry)
Best Dessert
Sausage gravy isn’t everything.
Now, before chef Trina Gregory-Propst chastises me for what she’d doubtless perceive as blasphemy, I want to let her know that desserts are. Everything, that is.
I was reminded of this recently when I dispatched the cake faeries of Se7enbites with a mission to create a vanilla-butterscotchy confection with someone’s specific tastes in mind. Not everyone lives and dies on dark, chocolatey goodness or the potent sugar hit cream cheese frosting or the richness of red velvet.
Desserts are subjective. But virtually everyone loves them.
At Se7enbites, whether a custom creation or one of the dozens of divine desserts they’ve got in stock every single day, you’ll find not only your heart’s simplest desire (some days, you just need a cookie) but the perfect treats for those who sweeten your life on the daily.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Se7enbites (617 Primrose Drive in Orlando; 407-203-0727; se7enbites. com)
Runners-up: Le Ky Patisserie (Orlando) and The Glass Knife (Winter Park)
Readers’ Choice Winner: The Glass Knife (276 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park; 407-500-2253; theglassknife.com)
Runners-up: Mary’s Kountry Kitchen (Tavares) and Le Petit Paris (Winter Garden)
Best Diner
I still love Oviedo’s Town House Restaurant for all the reasons I loved it before it moved into its larger, newer space: great fries, daily specials, a lovely, trailview patio and, most of all, gyro and eggs for breakfast.
New for me this year: Doug & Lil’s Potato Patch in
DeLand, which I’d probably like for the name even if I hadn’t partaken of its down-home breakfasts and classic, diner-style lunches. I’m also a sucker for the grilled sourdough cheeseburger at Shakers in College Park, but only if I’ve decided I don’t want breakfast for lunch. Critic’s Choice Winner: The Town House Restaurant (139 N. Central Ave. in Oviedo; 407-365-5151; oviedotownhouse.com)
Runners-up: Doug & Lil’s Potato Patch (DeLand) and Shakers American Cafe (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Mary’s Kountry Kitchen (15945 County Road 448 in Tavares; 352-343-6823; maryskountrykitchen.net)
Runners-up: Twisted Biscuit Diner (Tavares) and Linda’s Winter Park Diner (Winter Park)
Best Doughnuts
It’s true, the city has seen its doughnut options grow by leaps and bounds, but there hasn’t been a coup sufficient enough to overthrow the Donut King’s powerful regime. Now, if Edward Hawk Neal-Paci decides to take his namesake creations brick and mortar — and throw the bulk of his energy into those heavenly croissant doughnuts? That might give the King a serious run for its glazed Iron Throne.
All is peaceful, of course, in Valkyrie Doughnuts’ vegan realm, where woodland creatures might curl up on its pillowy wares for naps if the folks in East Orlando weren’t busy eating them all (the doughnuts, not the creatures). Critic’s Choice Winner: Donut King (multiple locations; thedonutking.com)
Runners-up: Edward’s Gourmet Creations (cottage baker — order online or visit him at the Longwood City Farmers Market and Audubon Park Community Market in Orlando) and Valkyrie Doughnuts (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Donut King (multiple locations; thedonutking.com)
Runners-up: Shaka Donuts (Orlando) and The Salty Donut (Orlando)
Best Food Truck
Many moons ago, I fell in love with a food truck called Bem Bom, where I encountered a filet mignon slider topped with a quail egg and found my mind suitably blown by the level of quality and creativity coming out of this tiny mobile kitchen.
Fast-forward something close to 10 years and Orlando’s food truck scene is populated by a vast fleet of gourmet offerings. Duck & Drake Kitchen, most often parked just outside the doors of this year’s top Critic Pick for wine bar, Digress, may be the most gourmet of all.
Here, too, you’ll find sliders (succulent wagyu beef is just one variety) but also fall-apart short rib over creamy, vegetable-studded risotto or duck Bolognese or saffron arancini. Paired with Digress, these two become culinary Superfriends, a weird, hybrid contender for a Best Restaurant List. Call them the Wonder Twins. Form of: diet destroyer.
Less upmarket but no less delicious: the A Lo Cubano Kitchen truck and its authentic and frankly, kick-@ss menu featuring one of the city’s best Cuban sandwiches. Additionally, their Miami Smash Burger is my favorite kind of cheeseburger: gooey with Swiss and a runny fried egg, bonus for caramelized onions and potato sticks for crunch.
Rounding out the group: Voodoo Kitchen, where Cajun and Creole cuisine let the good times roll. Critic’s Choice Winner: Duck & Drake Kitchen (duckanddrakekitchen.com)
Runners-up: A Lo Cubano Kitchen and Voodoo Kitchen Readers’ Choice Winner: T.J.’s Seafood Shack (tjsseafoodshack. com)
Runners-up: Ceylon Hut and Chimiking Food Truck
Best French
Cue up the circa-1976 Yacht Rock. Appropriately enough, a tune by a band called Orleans because my French picks from last year are all “Still the One.”
Leading the pack, Winter Park’s Café de France — quaint and romantic and far more old European cafe than an aging strip mall. That’s a blessing here in Central Florida, where so many delicious finds are ensconced in locations far less charming than lovely, walkable Park Ave.
Rounding out the rest: two pastry-forward finds where tasty treats also abound.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Café de France (526 Park Ave. in Winter Park; 407-647-1869; lecafedefrance.com)
Runners-up: Le Cafe de Paris (Orlando) and Croissant Gourmet (Winter Park)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Chez Vincent (533 W. New England Ave. in Winter Park; 407-5992929; chezvincent.com)
Runners-up: Le Coq Au Vin (Orlando) and Le Petit Paris (Winter Garden)
Best Frozen Treats
I can’t get away from Kelly Seidl. Seriously, I can’t. Not only does this Orlando frozen-dessert diva ensure my return every month with special, limited-time flavors, she keeps collaborating with other Orlando-foodie phenoms and expanding her empire — which means before long she’ll be the Starbucks of the City Beautiful.
I, for one, welcome our deserving Ice Cream Overlord. And I’ll be headed out to try February’s dark chocolate chunk as soon as I finish the Foodie Awards copy ...
Critic’s Choice Winner: Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (multiple locations; kellyshomemadeicecream. com)
Runners-up: Rainbow Sno-Cones (Winter Park) and The Greenery Creamery (multiple locations)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream (multiple locations; kellyshomemadeicecream. com)
Runners-up: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (multiple locations) and The Greenery Creamery (multiple locations)
Best German
Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi!
There isn’t a lot of competition for the likes of Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café, which was making
downtown Sanford cool when most of its shops lured antique seekers, rather than those looking to stamp their Central Florida Ale Trail passports or snag a table at the Suffering Bastard Tiki Bar. And with the addition of their rooftop space, that’s still the case. But there is a relative newcomer I’d love to let you know about.
The German Grill in Kissimmee is a modest, family-run establishment serving up the German classics — schnitzel and spätzle and sausage and sauerbraten (and don’t forget the strudel!) — along with German beers, Bavarian pretzels and all the goodies you’d expect in such a place. It’s a great find, in particular for those for whom a drive to Sanford is a long northern haul.
Similarly, those up in DeLand need not trek south, not with the spoils of Emmy’s Time Out Tavern close by.
Prost!
Critic’s Choice Winner: Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café (205 E. 1st St. in Sanford; 407-3212204; hollerbachs.com)
Runners-up: The German Grill (Kissimmee) and Emmy’s Timeout Tavern (DeLand) Readers’ Choice Winner: Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café (205 E. 1st St. in Sanford; 407-3212204; hollerbachs.com)
Runners-up: Yalaha Bakery (Yalaha) and Biergarten Restaurant (Epcot)
Best Greek
Greek food at its best melds the fresh and the bright with the rich and the decadent: crisp vegetables and cucumber-infused cool atop rich gyro meat, swathed in soft, toothy breads. Avgolemono, a soup that’s somehow light with citrusy lemon and creamy with egg.
Both are done well at The Greek Corner, maintaining its spot on the roster this year. As usual, the sublime views don’t hurt a bit.
I still love the casual vibe (and fried chicken alternative) at Theo’s Kitchen. Throw Maitland’s Athena Roasted Chicken into the mix and I’ve got a lighter chicken option to take home on nights I don’t want to cook.
Winner: The Greek Corner (1600 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 407-2280303; thegreekcorner.net)
Runners-up: Theo’s Kitchen (Orlando) and Athena Roasted Chicken (Maitland)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Krazy Greek Kitchen (142 W. Lakeview Ave., suite #1000, in Lake Mary; 407-330-7482; krazygreekkitchen.com)
Runners-up: The Greek Corner (Orlando) and Mediterranean Blue (Orlando)
Critic’s Choice Best Hotel Restaurant
I’m a stickler for the Four Seasons’ Capa when it comes to hotel meals, as I enjoy the perfect predictability of its stellar offerings, from the bar to the view to the Spanish-infused menu. But I have to pass the torch to Knife & Spoon this year, if for no other reason than to double-encourage those of you with splurge dinners (perhaps those with stayon-premises potential) to give this exciting and upscale venue a go.
In Winter Park, Hamilton’s Kitchen offers up a far more local feel, of course, and the added benefit of Park Avenue-walkability, which is often more appealing than the one-stop shopping of Disney-area resorts. It all depends on your mood.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Knife & Spoon (4012 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando; 407-393-4333; ritzcarlton. com/en/hotels/florida/ orlando)
Runners-up: Capa (Orlando) and Hamilton’s Kitchen (Winter Park) Readers’ Choice Winner: Hamilton’s Kitchen (The Alfond Inn, 300 E. New England Ave. in Winter Park; 407-9988089; thealfondinn.com/
hamiltons-kitchen/ the-restaurant)
Runners-up: Bull & Bear (Waldorf Astoria Orlando) and Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen (JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes)
Best Indian
Last year, I had to think a bit about a best in the Indian category. This year, it was a zero-stress pick. Tabla’s dine-in, date-night ambiance and killer curbside delivery are surpassed only by the TKO it delivers to both nose and palate. Lamb chops to die for; fabulous, flavor-layered curries; and superb, meltaway gobi Manchurian (not to mention a mean sticky toffee pudding) make for a meal you might choose to take home not because of any discomfort dining in but because it’s fit to consume atop silken pillows. And I don’t bring mine out to restaurants, do you?
Critic’s Choice Winner: Tabla (216 N. Park Ave. in Winter Park, 321-422-0321; and 5847 Grand National Drive in Orlando, 407-248-9400; tablacuisine.com)
Runners-up: Spice Indian Grill (Orlando) and Khasiyat (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Tamarind Indian Cuisine (multiple locations; tamarindfl.com)
Runners-up: Guru Restaurant (Clermont) and Spice Indian Grill (Orlando)
Best Irish
If ever there were a year when the world needed a little more Disney, surely this past one was it. More dancing. More singing. More laughing. More cheer. More fish and more chips and more perfectly fried scallops on a stick. And please, Lord, more Guinness. Back it up with a shot, why don’t you? In true Disney fashion, though, all these things should be able to be enjoyed alongside not merely your date but also your wee, darling daughter (over whom the dancers will fawn) and your dear, old, great gran. And it wouldn’t hurt to have indoor and outdoor options. Thusly, this year Raglan Road gets my vote. Critic’s Choice Winner: Raglan Road Irish Pub (Disney Springs, 1640 Buena Vista Drive in Orlando; 407-938-0300; raglanroad.com)
Runners-up: Claddagh Cottage (Orlando) and Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub & Eatery (Winter Park) Readers’ Choice Winner: Raglan Road Irish Pub (Disney Springs, 1640 Buena Vista Drive in Orlando; 407-938-0300; raglanroad.com)
Runners-up: Claddagh Cottage (Orlando) and Harp & Celt Irish Pub & Restaurant (Orlando)
Best Italian
Neither pandemic, nor weeknight, nor rain seemed to affect the crowds at Orlando’s long-lauded Italian mainstay Il Pescatore on a recent visit. I took mine out — first time ever, actually — but the clams, eggplant and meatballs were unaffected by the containers. And the food was too delicious to bother replating.
I’m sticking with Trevi Pasta, too, a place where taking fresh-made wares home has been the move since the place opened.
Up the road, Adriatico Trattoria Italiano is another great option, where the struggle between pappardelle di Amalfi and zuppa di pesce is all too real. Critic’s Choice Winner: Il Pescatore (651 N. Primrose Ave. in Orlando; 896-6763; ilpescatoreonline.com)
Runners-up: Trevi Pasta (Orlando) and Adriatico Trattoria Italiano (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Vincenzo’s Cucina Italiana (8255 International Drive, suite 112, in Orlando; 407-7454030; vincenzosorlando. com)
Runners-up: F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen (Orlando) and La Luce (Orlando)
Best Japanese
Wa Sushi closed last year at the cusp of the Foodies. Not due to COVID but because of an issue in the obscure Casselberry strip mall where in-the-know locals flocked for beautiful, lush cuts of sushi, among other delights. Lucky Casselberrians, they’ve held onto this gem, now reopened in less obscure digs on FL-436. It’s an intimate space, so I chose to take out. But I’m happy to report that while it lacked the exceptionally dramatic in-house preso for which Wa is known, it was no less alluring or delicious from its takeout container.
Susuru’s playful izakaya is still tops in my book. Folks south of the city are the lucky ones here, but to me, it’s well worth the drive from all corners of the metro. Suggestion: Hit up adjacent Player One arcade ahead of time to get in the fun, free spirit that’s embodied in Susuru’s yakitori, ramen and delicious grilled fish options. Not to mention the cute cocktails.
Speaking of susuru (the Japanese word for “slurp”), you need to hit up Oviedo’s new ramen-ya, Ramen Takagi, for some sublime slurping action via steamy,
Turn to Foodie,
dreamy soup.
Winner: Wa Sushi (908 FL-436 in Casselberry; 407-636-3251; facebook. com/WaSushiCasselberry)
Runners-up: Susuru (Orlando) and Ramen Takagi (Oviedo) Readers’ Choice Winner: BR (Bayridge) Sushi (400 Savage Court in Longwood; 407-331-0000; brsushi.com)
Runners-up: Seito Sushi (multiple locations) and Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (multiple locations)
Critic’s Choice Best Korean
BBB Tofu House still stands as the place I’d point Korean-craving readers with time for one stop. And the silky soondubu still stands as my go-to (it’s just so good!). But you can’t lose with dishes that are perhaps more familiar — galbi or bibimbap or the spicy, stir-fried rice cakes of the tteokbokki. I try to make it a policy — here and elsewhere — to force myself past favorites and experience the broader delights of a given menu. BBB’s is one that’s really worth exploring.
For all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, Bulgogi House is a great choice. And last year’s No. 1 reader pick — Korea House — was a solid one. I hit ’em up in the wake of the 2020 Foodies.
Critic’s Choice Winner: BBB Tofu House (5140 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-723-8299; bbbtofuhouse88.wixsite. com/bbbtofuhouse)
Runners-up: Korea House (multiple locations) and Bulgogi House Korean Restaurant (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Izziban Sushi & BBQ (multiple locations)
Runners-up: Bulgogi House Korean Restaurant (Orlando) and Korea House (multiple locations)
Best Latin
If you’re up on Sentinel restaurant reviews, there’s not much else I can tell you about Papa Llama, where stellar hosts serve up modern Peruvian deliciousness in what has to be one of the city’s most COVID-comfortable indoor spaces.
Ready for a trip down the rabbit hole? Inside Wonderland’s Foods, a modest Venezuelan eatery on Orange Blossom Trail, you’ll fall headlong into some difficult choices, as there are so many good ones. Take a gamble on the Wonder Arepa that melds the unlikely duo of pot roast and chicken salad with avocado and cheese.
Out in Winter Garden, El Rey de la Papa features some fabulous Colombian and Puerto Rican fare, serving decadent portions in modest confines.
Mind you, I stand by all of my 2020 choices for the Latin category, as well. In a city with so many, it’s simply time to let a new crop shine.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Papa Llama (2840 Curry Ford Road in Orlando; 407-706-9463; papallamaorl.com)
Runners-up: Wonderland’s Food (Orlando) and El Rey de la Papa (Winter Garden) Readers’ Choice Winner: Black Bean Deli (multiple locations; blackbeandeli.com)
Runners-up: Pio Pio Restaurant (multiple locations) and Bocas Grill Orlando (Orlando)
Best Mexican
Curry Ford West, man. Seems like every week there are new eateries to join those already long-established. Los Generales’ massive menu featuring some Mayan-centric specialties in exceedingly comfy surrounds and Cilantro’s bright, clean, quick-service vibe — not to mention the tacos, flautas, burritos and other freshmade offerings — are two to hit up. (West siders: There’s a second Cilantro’s in Ocoee.) Las Cazuelas, also with two locations, is a family-run winner, as well. Critic’s Choice Winner: Los Generales Mexican Restaurant (2901 Curry Ford Road in Orlando; 407-985-4341;
facebook.com/ losgeneralesorlando)
Runners-up: Cilantro’s Taqueria (multiple locations) and Las Cazuelas (multiple locations) Readers’ Choice Winner: Agave Azul Cocina Mexicana (multiple locations; agaveazulcocinamex.com)
Runners-up: Garibaldi’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar (Apopka) and Reyes Mezcaleria (Orlando)
Best Middle Eastern
This is one of those “not a zero-sum game” categories. And if you still haven’t been to Longwood’s Shiraz Market (one of last year’s picks), you’re seriously missing out, but I have to give props to some other fine contenders. Beyti Mediterranean Grill’s delights — lavash to lahmacun and well beyond — are a worthy exploration in Casselberry. For those choosing to dine in, I’ve yet to see more than three tables occupied at once. For those taking out, order ahead and unpack the experience, creating a worthy spread you can enjoy on your sofa.
Over in College Park, the quaint, comfortable space and delicious eats at Zeytin Turkish Cuisine — cold apps like sauteed eggplant and one of my favorites, garlicky haydari, along with superb grilled meats — make this a must-stop.
Even so, I can’t miss the opportunity to re-recommend the uber-casual Mediterranean Deli: always excellent, always friendly. Go check them out. Critic’s Choice Winner: Beyti Mediterranean Grill (870 FL-436 in Casselberry; 321-972-2000; beytifl.com)
Runners-up: Zeytin Turkish Cuisine (Orlando) and Mediterranean Deli (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine (multiple locations; bosphorousrestaurant.com)
Runners-up: Krazy Greek Kitchen (Lake Mary) and Mediterranean Deli (Orlando)
Best Patio
Confession: I have not yet eaten one bite of the food coming out of The Wellborn’s kitchen. (They do both small plates and
brunch.) But it doesn’t matter. Not even a little. The cocktail game here is first-rate. And the patio? Unparalleled. You see, much of this historic property is a lush, gorgeous courtyard — a secret garden, really — with seating arrangements that vary from tables on grand, old porches to ivy-laden garden swings for two — as romantic as they come. It’s enchanting. Go.
Behind this newcomer, another is the Ravenous Pig Brewing Company’s stellar open-air space, where shady tables bring day drinkers and movie nights make for solid (and sudsy) family time. Bonus: the food because you’re at the Ravenous Pig, duh! Critic’s Choice Winner: The Wellborn Bar + Kitchen (211 N. Lucerne Circle in Orlando; 321-837-9614; thewellbornorlando.com/)
Runners-up: The Ravenous Pig Brewing Company (Winter Park) and The Waterfront (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Canvas Restaurant & Market (13615 Sachs Ave. in Orlando; 407-313-7800; canvaslakenona.com)
Runners-up: Plant Street Market (Winter Garden) and Armando’s (multiple locations)
Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant
The best part about this year’s No. 1 pick for pet-friendly restaurant is that you get lots of culinary bang for your bow-wow buck. Henry’s Depot — a hot and (at this point, let’s call it) “newish” food hall up in the already wonderfully pet-walkable district of downtown Sanford — features not one eatery, but several. Find pizza, vegan eats, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, coffee, ice cream (not to mention a gorgeous bar in the Basin) and multiple outdoor seating areas where you and your good boy or girl can enjoy some together time. What’s more, you and Fido can stroll to quite a few other dog-loving businesses, including last year’s top pick: Sanford Brewing Company. Still a fine choice!
Down in Thornton Park, pedigreed pooches can see and be seen for a spectacular Southern brunch or
otherwise at Soco. And in the SoDo District, the sublime space at Vanbarry’s (a definite “best patio” contender, as well) is an ideal spot to enjoy treats and live music with your furry bestie.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Henry’s Depot (212 W. 1st St. in Sanford; 407-548-6931; henrysdepot.com)
Runners-up: Soco (Orlando) and Vanbarry’s Public House (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: The Stubborn Mule (100 S. Eola Drive in Orlando; 407-730-3400; thestubbornmuleorlando. com)
Runners-up: Teak Neighborhood Grill (multiple locations) and Soco (Orlando)
Best Pizza
One of my favorite discoveries this year, hands-down, was Altamonte Springs’ Antica Pizza & Mozzarella Bar. In fact, their beautifully fired Neapolitan pies so seduced me, I was inspired to research the best ways in which to take them home. Having done so, I can now enjoy them at near-restaurant-level crispness in the era of takeout. And you can, too. Or just dine in. There’s always that.
The charming vibe of Antonio’s Market & Cafe not only begs you to peruse and purchase (seriously, I can’t get out of there without a bottle of limoncello or a bag of Italian caputo flour) but also to sit and sup. And the grilled pizza with gorgonzola and figs is most definitely the way I do it.
Recess Pizza is soon to be a ghost-kitchen offshoot of Orlando Meats, but you’ll also find its pies in the new Winter Park shop every day. These are the same peeps who log excessive hours making noodles from scratch, so you know they’re not phoning it in on the crust. Intrigued? It’s worth checking out, at the very least for “Meatsian” (translation: stoner) topping combos like pork belly, chimichurri and halloumi or breasola, choy sum and grapefruit. Critic’s Choice Winner: Antica Pizza & Mozzarella Bar (249 W. State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs; 407-834-7770; antica-pizzeria.com)
Runners-up: Antonio’s
Market & Cafe (Maitland) and Recess Pizza/Orlando Meats (Winter Park) Readers’ Choice Winner: Paradiso Restaurant & Pizzeria (1502 N. Semoran Blvd., suite 100, in Orlando; 407-745-4226; paradisorestaurantandpizzeria.com)
Runners-up: Pizza Bruno (Orlando) and Pizzeria Valdiano (multiple locations)
Best Sandwich
Look, you can get a tasty bologna sandwich at more than a few places in the Orlando metro. But how many of them actually make their own bologna? ‘Nuff said. At Hinckley’s Fancy Meats, the Art of Sandwich — from the banh mi’s house-made pâté to the confit in the duck po’ boy — is alive, evolving and, quite frankly, hella delicious. Fun, one-off specials keep things extra interesting.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Hinckley’s Fancy Meats (3201 Corrine Drive in Orlando; 786-6711023; hinckleymeats.com)
Runners-up: The Deli Llama (Tavares) and La Spada’s Original Philly Cheesesteaks & Hoagies (multiple locations) Readers’ Choice Winner: George’s Cafe (505 N. Park Ave., suite 109, in Winter Park; 407-6221499; georgescafewp.com)
Runners-up: Beefy King (Orlando) and Hungry Pants (Orlando)
Best Seafood
Right now, the fresh-filleted, beautifully prepared seafood of the Happy Snapper is being served in to-go containers, but it is no less delicious or rave-worthy. In fact, like this Belle Isle venue’s many fans, I’m just glad they’re still here. Clam chowder, crab cakes, fish sandwiches and impressive seafood platters are just a few things you’ll find in this mostly traditional and very casual eatery. Plus, find a few fun Latin options, like the dill or fried yucca sides.
The Osprey’s move toward seafood has been a great one. And with a Luma alum at the kitchen’s helm, it is doubtless poised for more success. A stellar happy hour featuring its popular crush puppies (crab hush puppies) and amazing oyster specials — not to mention killer cocktails — doesn’t hurt.
I’d go to Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar for the super-chunky smoked fish dip alone, but I’d stay for virtually everything else.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Happy Snapper Seafood Market (6327 S. Orange Ave. in Orlando; 407-757-0976; happy-snapper-seafood-market-restaurant.business. site)
Runners-up: The Osprey (Orlando) and Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar (Winter Park)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen + Bar (1234 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park; 407-543-3474; reelfishcoastal.com)
Runners-up: High Tide Harry’s (Orlando) and T.J.’s Seafood Shack (Oviedo)
Best Soul Food
Up top this year, two tempting venues where crossover is the queen, second only to the king principles of flavor and friendliness.
Seana’s Caribbean Soul Food was one of the most welcome newcomers of 2020. Even the NBA agreed, welcoming this Orlando eatery’s cookedto-order food — from simple smothered staples like turkey wings to chef ’s specialties like whole, fried snapper — into the bubble like an old friend. Or perhaps more accurately, like someone’s grandma whose house smells like kitchen-spun love. You’ll also want to sample from the Caribbean side of the menu: goat, oxtail and so forth. And if you’re hungry, Seana’s pork chops come two to an order. Full after one? Use the second one as a Frisbee to work off your meal. They’re as big as your face.
Similarly, Oley’s Kitchen & BBQ straddles the genres of soul food, barbecue and island favorites with aplomb (and some seriously good fried chicken, among other things).
And you can’t say “soul food” in this town without mentioning Nikki’s Place. So now, my job is complete. Critic’s Choice Winner: Seana’s Caribbean Soul Food (719 Good Homes Road in Orlando; 321-800-6846; seanasorlando.com)
Runners-up: Oley’s Kitchen & BBQ (Orlando) and Nikki’s Place Southern Cuisine (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: The Coop (610 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park; 407-636-7163; asouthernaffair.com)
Runners-up: Nikki’s Place Southern Cuisine (Orlando) and Chef Eddie’s (catering only)
Best Spanish
The more I thought about splurging on paella, which is an investment in both time and money, the more I found myself dreaming about the luxurious experiences I’ve had at the Columbia Restaurant’s varied locations. Sure, sometimes it’s a pop-in for lunch — sit at the bar in Ybor, share a salad, a Cuban, a pitcher of sangria — but for dinner, when guests are in town or there’s an occasion? The paella a Valenciana with all its seafood delights is what I want. And the “1905” Salad. And yes, the cava.
For less of an investment, though, and a little less pomp, I also find fabulous experiences in the shadow of The Wheel at Icon Park at Tapa Toro and amid the bustle of Winter Park at Bulla Gastrobar, which gets a few extra points for its killer happy hour.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Columbia Restaurant (649 Front St. in Celebration; 407-566-1505; columbiarestaurant.com)
Runners-up: Bulla Gastrobar (Winter Park) and Tapa Toro (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Santiago’s Bodega (multiple locations; santiagosbodega.com)
Runners-up: Bulla Gastrobar (Winter Park) and Tapa Toro (Orlando)
Best Splurge
Got the urge to splurge? The list of options is growing as an increasing number of chefs and restaurateurs test Orlando’s waters via pop-up.
Consistent in 2020, The Foreigner — a culinary experience helmed by chef Bruno Fonseca — temporarily reinvented itself into a home version cleverly named “Foreigner Domestic” at the height of the pandemic-related closures before returning to the omakase game with a vengeance. Try him now — pop-up style — at The Heavy in Winter Park or wait a little while. He’ll be moving into his own space in Orlando’s Audubon Park Garden District soon. With a bonafide kitchen in which to work his magic amid expert wine and cocktail pairings, he’s sure to take this luxe (yet refreshingly lax) experience to new levels for groups of no more than 10.
Critic’s Choice Winner: The Foreigner (soon to open at 3124 Corrine Drive in Orlando; exploretock.com/ theforeigner)
Runners-up: Kadence (Orlando) and Chef ’s Omakase at Kabooki Sushi (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Victoria & Albert’s (4401 Floridian Way in Orlando; 407-9393862; disneyworld.com)
Runners-up: Chef ’s Table at the Edgewater (Winter Garden) and Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster (Orlando)
Best Steakhouse
Chew on this: a new trio of steakhouses, some old, some new, none of which reflect any lost love for last year’s winners — which remain exemplary.
First up, chef John Tesar’s phenomenal new restaurant, Knife & Spoon, which had some huge shoes to fill moving into the old Norman’s space at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes, and did so with aplomb. And a 32-ounce, 240-day-aged, bone-in ribeye that goes for $250.
I haven’t had that one, but if I’m to believe it’s better than the flawlessly cooked and presented “entry-level” ribeye I enjoyed, I’d probably just describe it with a series of jumbled vowels. Or a drooling emoji.
This is a venue that could have its pick of several OS Foodie accolades: best splurge, best hotel restaurant, best patio ... And although it is a premier steakhouse, its cocktails, appetizers, side dishes (don’t miss the kimchi creamed spinach), alternative entrees and desserts are just as memorable.
Over in Apopka, the Back Room Steakhouse doesn’t quite have Linda’s La Cantina-level longevity, but it does have locals-in-theknow charm and a relaxed, come-as-you-are unstuffiness. And, like Linda’s, it offers a far more reasonable price tag than most steakhouses.
Lastly, I can’t ever say enough about the Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s Bull & Bear, where it’s awful hard to pass on the showstopping Tomahawk for two, but where I also know I wouldn’t be disappointed if ever I managed to do so. Critic’s Choice Winner: Knife & Spoon (Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, 4210 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando; 407-393-4333; ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ florida/orlando)
Runners-up: Bull & Bear (Orlando) and the Back Room Steakhouse (Apopka)
Readers’ Choice Winner: The Palm (5800 Universal Blvd. in Orlando; 407-503-7256; thepalm.com/location/ the-palm-orlando)
Runners-up: Linda’s La Cantina Steak House (Orlando) and Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster (Orlando)
Best Sushi
Sushi Pop — 1. Pandemic — 0.
That’s how it felt to me, anyway. I gave them a zillion chances to fail and they just kept on killing it, delivering the gorgeous, high-quality sushi I’ve come to expect with the added bonus of exceptionally cordial and patient customer service, convenient curbside delivery and pre-bottled cocktails to go
so good, I wish I had three right now for me and my colleagues (and not just because this is the last item in the Foodie Awards to-do list).
Kabooki could never let me down, even if the Colonial outpost was closed for a glam expansion over the summer. The gorgeous Sand Lake venue — sit at the bar to watch the show if you’re dining in — doesn’t disappoint.
Metrowest’s Mikado showcases artful nigiri and sashimi of exemplary quality. Its omakase is high on my list for 2021.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Sushi Pop (multiple locations; sushipoprestaurant.com)
Runners-up: Kabooki Sushi (multiple locations) and Mikado Sushi (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winner: BR (Bayridge) Sushi (400 Savage Court in Longwood; 407-331-0000; brsushi.com)
Runners-up: Seito Sushi (multiple locations) and Kabooki Sushi (multiple locations)
Best Tacos
With its fresh-made landrace corn tortillas, sippable birria and vegetarian fare (try the hibiscus and guac or fried avo tacos; you won’t miss the meat) that’s right on par with its vertical spit-roasted al pastor, Hunger Street Tacos simply cannot be ignored. And now it’s poised to expand its empire westward with a pastor-centric
Plant Street Market venue.
This is a tough category. I could fill a Top 10 roster with ease and still feel the pain of those left out. But pull the trigger I must. And so this year, I’m also sending you to Ocoee Taco Company’s cute, colorful west-side confines and the OBT-ensconced goodness of El Tenampa. Fancy? No. Friendly, fresh and tasty? For sure.
Winner: Hunger Street Tacos (2103 W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park; 321-444-6270; hungerstreettacos.com)
Runners-up: Ocoee Taco Company (Ocoee) and El Tenampa (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Winter Park Fish Company (761 N. Orange Ave. in Winter Park; 407-622-6112; wpfishco. com)
Runners-up: Tin & Taco (multiple locations) and Black Rooster Taqueria (Orlando)
Critic’s Choice Best Takeout
The “eatery” part of the Uncommon Catering & Eatery equation was a new advent at the start of 2020. Sadly, these industry vets barely had a minute to get butts in the seats before the shutdown. Fortunately, though, they had an enviable kitchen and loads of experience that translated well to the largely insufferable “new normal.” Things that made it far less so include their truffle gouda-fontina grilled cheese and chicken curry
salad, among other things, both of which look better in the takeout boxes than some restaurants’ food does on the plate and fresh from the kitchen.
Viet-Nomz was one of my top takeout joints long before COVID, but the pandemic only upped their game. It’s the place we hit most in 2020. The snazzy, branded takeout containers made pho transport and consumption both optimal and Orlando-fashionable.
What more can I say about Tabla (already my pick for best Indian). Indian cuisine is already a great one for takeout. Tabla’s excellent, efficient curbside and phenomenal fare put it over the top. Critic’s Choice Winner: Uncommon Catering & Eatery (2942 Curry Ford Road in Orlando; 407-985-1174; uncommoncatering.com)
Runners-up: Viet-Nomz (multiple locations) and Tabla (multiple locations) Readers’ Choice Winner: George’s Cafe (505 N. Park Ave., suite 109, in Winter Park; 407-6221499; georgescafewp.com)
Runners-up: Hungry Pants (Orlando) and Paradiso Restaurant & Pizzeria (Orlando)
Best Theme Park Restaurant
With some of my favorite Walt Disney World eateries temporarily closed, I’ve had a chance to bring some new ones into the mix this year. But Tiffins, with its abundance of African-influenced dishes and transportive decor — not to mention its stellar adjacent bar, the Nomad Lounge — is still my top pick.
Over in the Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen’s Latin, Asian and yes, more African-inspired dishes aim to please with a lot of fun and fabled Disney tie-ins.
At Epcot, tucked neatly into the narrow streets of the France Pavilion, Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie offers both value (share a baguette and a Niçoise salad) and decadence (skip lunch and just go for the pastries). Critic’s Choice Winner: Tiffins (Disney’s Animal Kingdom; disneyworld.com)
Runners-up: Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen (Magic Kingdom) and Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie (Epcot)
Readers’ Choice Winner: Be Our Guest Restaurant (Magic Kingdom; disneyworld. com)
Runners-up: Mythos Restaurant (Universal’s Islands of Adventure) and The Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Best Thai
Chef Jack Jone’s plating is truly superb, treating pre-COVID customers at Sea Thai — and its intra-eatery pop-up Tuun — to some wonderfully satisfying “eye-gestion” before digestion.
The good news is that both are up and running and serving some of the city’s best Thai food (yay!). The bad is that they’re still takeout-only, so you’ll have to re-plate for even a hope of snapping a pic like Orlando Sentinel photographer Joe Burbank’s. I’d add a “boo,” but you still get to eat it. And that’s what’s really important.
If you’re looking for dine-in, head over to Millenia’s NaraDeva, a charming venue with delish food, great portions, a lush roster of decadent desserts and some of the most immersive and fun decor this side of the Magic Kingdom’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Critic’s Choice Winner: Sea Thai Restaurant/Tuun (3812 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-895-0985; seathaiorlando.com)
Runners-up: NaraDeva Thai (Orlando) and Thai Villa (Orlando)
Readers’ Choice Winners: Sea Thai Restaurant (3812 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-895-0985; seathaiorlando.com) and Thai Blossom Restaurant (99 W. Plant St. in Winter Garden; 407-905-9917; mythaiblossom.com)
Runner-up: Thai Basil Restaurant (Winter Springs)
Best Vegan/ Vegetarian
Years ago, this category would have been plug and play, but with so many incredible veg-friendly options popping up all over town, it’s gotten to be a real challenge. This year, a focus on the fun and the focused.
You won’t be finding spinach-and-spirulina smoothies at Leguminati, rather a host of Taco Bell Crunchwrap-inspired goodness that will have you licking the cheez off your fingers.
DaJen Eats is a wealth of edible Jamaican love that’s irie-infused (not oxtail), though they do up a killer “hoax tail,” among other decadent, generously portioned and highly satisfying Caribbean fare that’s 100 percent plant-based.
There’s no place for meat amid the generous umami of the spicy lemongrass soup at the all-vegan Veggie Garden. But it doesn’t matter. You will find surprisingly delectable food. Though it’s no surprise at all that in a city with so many Vietnamese options, Orlando has one that’s vegan-exclusive. Critic’s Choice Winner: Leguminati (2401 Curry Ford Road in Orlando; 407-930-7308; bean-team.com)
Runners-up: DaJen Eats (Eatonville) and Veggie Garden (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Ethos Vegan Kitchen (601-B S. New York Ave. in Winter Park; 407-228-3899; ethosvegankitchen.com)
Runners-up: Hungry Pants (Orlando) and Create Your Nature (Winter Park)
Best Vietnamese
Bumped to the top of the heap this year, Z Asian, where the bún bò hu~e comes in traditional and vegan versions (Z has a dedicated section for plant-based eaters) are steamy-wonderful and the modern feel makes it the first-ever Vietnamese restaurant in which I’ve considered having a martini. While the call of the spicy beef noodle soup is strong, if you’re like me, you’d also consider the Vietnamese seafood soup that is rich with fishy umami.
Critic’s Choice Winner: Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen (1830 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-601-6024; eatzasian.com)
Runners-up: Saigon Noodle & Bistro (Orlando) and Le House (Orlando) Readers’ Choice Winner: Little Saigon (1106 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-423-8539; littlesaigonorlando.com)
Runners-up: Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant (Orlando) and Saigon Noodle and Grill (Orlando)
Relax with a bottle, or just buy a few to take home, at Digress in Orlando’s College Park neighborhood. DIGRESS WINE
Runners-up: Eola Wine Company (Orlando) and Wine Bar George (Lake Buena Vista)
Some readers wrote in recently, following a story in which Digress Wine bar and its owner, Rob Chase, were featured. It included the following: “We live in College Park and visit Digress way too often. Rob and Digress are jewels here in [College Park] ...”
I certainly couldn’t disagree with the latter. And found myself a little envious of the former. I reflected on my last visit — wherein I enjoyed half a bottle inside, amid airiness, art and beautiful natural light, and the balance on the serene patio, bubbly with wine and the company of my favorite person. And realized I might actually buy a house based on its proximity to Digress. Especially with half a bottle of wine in me.
Whether for a glass or a bottle to take home, just go. Critic’s Choice Winner: Digress Wine (1215 Edgewater Drive in Orlando; 407-426-7510; digresswine.com)
Runners-up: The Imperial Orlando (Orlando) and VINIA Wine + Kitchen (Winter Park) Readers’ Choice Winner: The Wine Room on Park Avenue (270 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park; 407-696-9463; thewineroomonline.com/winter-park)
Best Wings
Kai Asian Street Fare is still the undisputed King of Wing in my book. The rest of their food — from ramen to ho fun, garlic noodles and so on — is nodworthy, too, but oh, those beautifully, bark-laden drums and flaps. Sublime in your favorite flavor, with seriously good Asian food on the side.
Much the same could be said of Best Seafood & Chicken Wings up in Sanford. Alongside stellar wings in the usual flavors, you can do them up Korean-style, as well (which is what I recommend) at this tiny, mom-and-pop blip on the downtown radar. Grab a fish basket, a plate of japchae or a seafood pancake while you’re at it. I mean, you’re already there, right?
Filling the dark space in my heart long-ago left by Oblivion Taproom’s dry-rub wings: the succulent and smoky grilled wings of the Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. They’re meaty, satisfying and served alongside some seriously good craft brews. At press time, they’re slinging them teriyaki-style. Chef James Petrakis says the sauces will be ever-changing, but those plump, smoke-infused drums and flaps will remain their foundation.
Kai Asian Street Fare: still the King of Wing. KAI ASIAN STREET FARE the phrase “worth the Runners-up? I’ll go drive” that literally any with the stuff you can’t get of my top picks — based just anywhere: the New on where you might York-deli/stock-up-on-thegoods live — could be fitting of goodness — stuff like such a distinction. Live in knishes, rainbow cookies,! East Orlando? The Tasting sfogliatelle, Taylor ham Room out in Winter sandwiches, kaiser rolls Garden’s brunch is surely and pickles from the barrel worth the drive. Live in — Stasio’s Italian Deli in Kissimmee? I’d say Taste of Orlando and Pickles Deli in Chengdu’s green peppercorn Longwood. fish filet (pair it with a walk around Lake Baldwin) Winner: Third Wave would be worth the drive, Cafe & Wine Bar (204 too. Flagler Ave. in New Smyrna
For me, though, the Beach; 386-402-7864; enchanting enclave and thirdwavensb.com) alluring plates of New Runners-up: Pickles N.Y. Smyrna Beach’s Third Delicatessen (Longwood) Wave Cafe & Wine Bar, for and Stasio’s Italian Deli now, remain the pinnacle. (Orlando)
Critic’s Choice
Winner: Kai Asian Street Fare (1555 State Road 436 in Winter Park; 407-8213430; kaistreetfare.com)
Runners-up: Best Seafood & Chicken Wings (Sanford) and Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. (Winter Park)
Winner: Gator’s Dockside (multiple locations; gatorsdockside.com)
Runners-up: Papa Bees (Longwood) and WingHouse Bar & Grill (multiple locations)
Readers’ Choice Worth the Drive
I realized in analyzing
Critic’s Choice Readers’ Choice
Winner: Vincenzo’s Cucina Italiana (8255 International Drive, suite 112, in Orlando; 407-745-4030; vincenzosorlando.com)
Runners-up: Mary’s Kountry Kitchen (Tavares) and Canvas Restaurant & Market (Orlando)
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@ orlandosentinel.com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.