{"id":136348,"date":"2026-01-29T14:54:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T14:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/136348\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T14:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T14:54:15","slug":"nominations-now-open-for-the-2026-orlando-sentinel-foodie-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/136348\/","title":{"rendered":"Nominations now open for the 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michelin returned to The City Beautiful in 2025, bestowing three new stars \u2014 two of them for Sorekara, at the time one of the Orlando Sentinel\u2019s newly minted Restaurants of the Year<\/a>. The other went to the OS\u2019s Best New Restaurant: \u00d4mo by J\u00f4nt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s nice validation, of course, for fine-dining venues to be singled out in a city that\u2019s exploding with talent. And though the high-end competition continues to increase, regulars here aren\u2019t likely pulling their belts as tight as other diners, who, according to a year-end survey by YouGov<\/a>, are dining out way less frequently compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Nominate your favorite local restaurants here: OrlandoSentinel.com\/FoodieAwards<\/a><\/p>\n

Last year was an interesting one in the Orlando Sentinel\u2019s annual Game of Foodies, with the Readers Choice winners mirroring the Critic\u2019s Picks more than ever before. Let\u2019s see if the trend continues as we explore and adore old and new favorites.<\/p>\n

Armed with your local expertise, you can nominate<\/a> your favorites every day in 50 categories.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s bottom line.<\/p>\n

Your nominations also mean a lot to Orlando locals and visitors who count on your intel for their choices when dining out. Let\u2019s continue to show them that Orlando eats mean so much more than chains and theme parks. Let\u2019s give them a list they can live by all year long.<\/p>\n

Quick overview<\/p>\n

The nomination process will be open until 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 11. The top three restaurants in each category \u2014 those with the most nominations \u2014 will then move on to the voting round, Feb. 12-25.<\/p>\n

Award winners will be announced online and in the Orlando Sentinel\u2019s Calendar section on March 6.<\/p>\n

Nominate your favorites once a day at OrlandoSentinel.com\/FoodieAwards<\/a>\u00a0to give them the best shot at making it to the top three spots in all 50 categories.<\/p>\n

Restaurants: Tell your followers.<\/p>\n

Foodies: Tell your friends.<\/p>\n

Most votes = Moving to the next round and a guaranteed Top 3 spot!<\/p>\n

Thanks in advance for your participation in making the 2026 roster the most voted on yet \u2014 and for helping to keep our city delicious.<\/p>\n

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo<\/a> or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. For more foodie fun, join the Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n