Orlando Food Awards Crown New Winners
The Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards crowned trendy and casual spots as winners, with Sparrow named Best New Restaurant and praised as a "small, sexy high-flying hit." El Pueblo Mexican Restaurant in Winter Park took Critic's Choice for Best Mexican, while The Castle Irish Pub & Restaurant won Best Irish and Jet's Pizza Best Chain—highlighting casual favorites with reader votes.
The 2026 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards drew in tens of thousands of nominations across 50 categories, with winners selected by reader votes. The annual awards highlight a range of local eateries and culinary concepts throughout Central Florida. Best New Restaurant winner Sparrow, from the James Beard-nominated Good Salt Restaurant Group, officially opened its doors in September 2025. The intimate wine and tapas bar is led by executive chef Wendy Lopez and draws inspiration from Southern European flavors, reflecting her Spanish heritage. The Castle Irish Pub & Restaurant, crowned Best Irish, is owned by a family with deep roots in the pub trade, hailing from Kilkenny, Ireland. To ensure an authentic experience, the entire bar was constructed in Ireland by a well-known pub designer and shipped to its College Park location. Critic's Choice for Best Mexican, El Pueblo Mexican Restaurant in Winter Park, has a reputation for its authentic, non-Americanized cuisine. The restaurant is often described as a "hidden gem," serving dishes like rich mole and perfectly seasoned al pastor tacos. Jet's Pizza, which took home the award for Best Chain, is known for its Detroit-style deep-dish pizza. Founded in Sterling Heights, Michigan, in 1978, the franchise has expanded to over 400 locations in 22 states.
