Michelin returned to The City Beautiful in 2025, bestowing three new stars — two of them for Sorekara, at the time one of the Orlando Sentinel’s newly minted Restaurants of the Year. The other went to the OS’s Best New Restaurant: Ômo by Jônt.
It’s nice validation, of course, for fine-dining venues to be singled out in a city that’s exploding with talent. And though the high-end competition continues to increase, regulars here aren’t likely pulling their belts as tight as other diners, who, according to a year-end survey by YouGov, are dining out way less frequently compared to the previous year.
A significant 37% of American diners said that their restaurant visits were down. Only 8% reported they were eating out more than they were in 2024.
Inflation and higher costs, affecting restaurants as much as their customers, are putting a damper on dine-outs. Which means recognition in places like the 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards really helps.
Nominate your favorite local restaurants here: OrlandoSentinel.com/FoodieAwards
Last year was an interesting one in the Orlando Sentinel’s annual Game of Foodies, with the Readers Choice winners mirroring the Critic’s Picks more than ever before. Let’s see if the trend continues as we explore and adore old and new favorites.
Armed with your local expertise, you can nominate your favorites every day in 50 categories.
Your nods mean everything to the folks working hard on the line, behind the bar and out front. And in an increasingly delicate business climate, a win can spark a real impact on a restaurant’s bottom line.
Your nominations also mean a lot to Orlando locals and visitors who count on your intel for their choices when dining out. Let’s continue to show them that Orlando eats mean so much more than chains and theme parks. Let’s give them a list they can live by all year long.
Quick overview
The nomination process will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 11. The top three restaurants in each category — those with the most nominations — will then move on to the voting round, Feb. 12-25.
Award winners will be announced online and in the Orlando Sentinel’s Calendar section on March 6.
Nominate your favorites once a day at OrlandoSentinel.com/FoodieAwards to give them the best shot at making it to the top three spots in all 50 categories.
Restaurants: Tell your followers.
Foodies: Tell your friends.
Most votes = Moving to the next round and a guaranteed Top 3 spot!
Thanks in advance for your participation in making the 2026 roster the most voted on yet — and for helping to keep our city delicious.
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.