Back to the 2025 Dining Awards 
Photo by ©André Klutz
Best Instagrammable Restaurant: BACÁN
BRENDAN’S PICKS
BACÁN restaurant at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel is arguably one of the hottest spots in Orlando for Instagram-savvy foodies. With its open‑kitchen design, soaring ceilings, jewel‑toned seating, gold lanterns and a bold mural of Pachamama (an Andean Mother Earth goddess) by Amy Rader, every frame seems tailor-made for the ‘gram. The plates are equally photogenic, too. Think Whole Truffle Chicken plated two ways, lobster topped corn tostadas and liquid nitrogen desserts that melt theatrically at the table—like me in a dress on the way to drag bingo. Add in cocktails with fragrant garnishes and a chic patio that overlooks a Miami-inspired sculpture garden, BACÁN serves lewks as well as delicious meals. bacanlakenona.com
Runners Up: CHUAN FU ○ H ORLANDO
Best Bar Food: TORI TORI
BRENDAN’S PICKS & READERS’ CHOICE
Tori Tori in Mills 50 stands out as one of Orlando’s top spots for bar food as it is stylish, flavorful and surprisingly affordable, despite all of the expensive cars in the parking lot. This izakaya-style Japanese pub specializes in charcoal-grilled yakitori skewers, including the standout chicken skin on a stick (“kawa”) which is crispy, salty and utterly addictive for around $3.50 per skewer (something I can’t have right now because of my blood pressure journey). As part of a MICHELIN‑recommended lineup, it offers small plates like quail eggs, karaage, croquettes and shrimp skewers; all of which are perfect for sharing with friends along a table full of highballs or sake. toritoripub.com
Runners Up: MODERNE ○ SUSHI SAINT
Best Food Truck: BABA YAGA CHICKEN TRUCK
BRENDAN’S PICKS
When it comes to Orlando’s food truck scene, Baba Yaga Chicken Truck is commanding top billing at the moment, and for good reason. Launched by the same team behind the award-winning Red Panda Noodle, Baba Yaga abandons the team’s noodle past in favor of next‑level fried chicken sandwiches. Whether it’s a Southern‑fried classic or a bold curry katsu rendition, their chicken is crispy, juicy and layered with flavor. The truck’s cult-like social media buzz deems it “worth it,” despite even the longest of lines. instagram.com/babayagachickentruck
Runners Up: EL COQUI FOOD TRUCK ○ SIMMER DOWN FOOD TRUCK
Best Hotel Restaurant: BULL & BEAR
BRENDAN’S PICKS
At the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Bull & Bear Steakhouse earns its place as Orlando’s premier hotel restaurant thanks to consistently stellar reviews, elite awards and unforgettable dining experiences. Rated 4.7 out of 5 on TripAdvisor and named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the U.S. by OpenTable, it’s celebrated for elevated steakhouse classics, tableside presentations and personalized service. Guests frequently praise signature dishes like Chateaubriand, lobster bisque and the famed “lemon” dessert, alongside iconic fried chicken and Pasta Explosion. bullandbearorlando.com
Best Barbecue: SMOKEMADE MEATS + EATS
BRENDAN’S PICKS
Smokemade Meats + Eats is widely regarded as Orlando’s top BBQ destination, blending Central Texas-style craftsmanship with the passion of its owner and pitmaster, Tyler Brunache, who smokes meats “low and slow.” Some brisket cuts age over 16 hours, resulting in deeply flavorful bark and tender interiors that bite like fatty meat candies. The menu features standout items like its juicy brisket, house-made sausages, tender turkey and fall-off-the-bone ribs paired with excellent sides such as tangy collards and creamy mac and cheese. Recognized as Critic’s Choice Best BBQ by the Orlando Sentinel in 2022 and earning a Bib Gourmand in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide, Smokemade delivers exceptional value and quality in a casual, vibrant setting. Just get there early, because they sell out their menu almost every day. smokemade.com
Runners Up: JIMMY BEAR’S BBQ ○ SMOKE & DONUTS
Best Casual Restaurant: THE STRAND
BRENDAN’S PICKS
The Strand, nestled in Mills 50, enjoys a 4.6-star rating and a coveted Bib Gourmand distinction in the MICHELIN Guide for its seasonally driven New‑American fare in a simple, vintage‑chic setting. With mid‑century ambiance, scratch‑made dishes like snapper cakes, duck and seasonal desserts paired with natural wine, The Strand is unpretentious, flavorful and beloved, making it stand out among Orlando’s casual dining scene. Don’t sleep on their new bar, d.b.a., next door either. strandorlando.com
Runners Up: YELLOW DOG EATS ○ THE NEIGHBORHOOD EATERY
Best Desserts: GIDEON’S BAKEHOUSE
BRENDAN’S PICKS
Gideon’s Bakehouse has become Orlando’s largest dessert landmark thanks to its nearly half‑pound, small‑batch cookies, and its incredibly popular outpost in Disney Springs. Founder Steve Lewis spent 15 years perfecting the original chocolate‑chip recipe, which has been hailed as the best cookie in Orlando and even on Earth, by some online cookieheads. Each cookie is handmade and takes more than 20 hours to prepare from start to finish and is offered in imaginative flavors like Key Lime Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Bread Chocolate Crump and Raspberry Dark Coffee Cake. And speaking of cake, they do that too, and they’re maybe even better than the cookies, with a decadently soft crumb. The Red Velvet will make you mad your mom didn’t make a better one for you when you were a kid. gideonsbakehouse.com
Runners Up: VALHALLA BAKERY ○ SE7ENBITES ○ CHARLIE’S BAKERY & CREAMERY