Orlando has plenty of restaurants worth talking about, but which ones actually won over local diners in 2026? From old-school sandwich shops to upscale steakhouses and creative Filipino cooking, this year’s reader favorites offer something for just about every appetite and budget.
On August 19, Orlando Weekly announced the winners of its annual Best of Orlando Readers’ Choice Poll. Readers voted across numerous dining categories, recognizing everything from breakfast and barbecue to seafood and special-occasion restaurants.
We’ve selected 10 first-place category winners worth adding to your dining radar. These aren’t ranked from best to worst. Each earned a different award, and each offers a compelling reason to visit.
Kaya: Best Restaurant Overall
If you’re looking for a restaurant that brings something different to the table, Kaya deserves your attention.
Opened in 2022, this Mills 50 restaurant celebrates Filipino cooking while incorporating ingredients from Florida farms. Its menu includes palabok shrimp toast, Bacolod chicken, and oxtail kare kare.
The restaurant’s October 9 sample menu listed Bacolod chicken at $28 and its Sama Sama Filipino Feast starting at $57 per person. A 20% service charge applies, so factor that into your budget.
Kaya also holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability efforts. Its blend of Filipino flavors, local sourcing, and creative cooking made it readers’ choice for Best Restaurant Overall.
Beefy King: Best Cheap Eats
Sometimes, the simplest lunch wins.
Beefy King has been a longtime Orlando favorite, with the Smith family associated with the business since 1968. It specializes in thinly sliced roast beef, steamed and piled onto soft Kaiser rolls.
A regular sandwich costs $6.50, while an extra-large costs $8.50. That’s a refreshing option for diners who want a satisfying lunch without an elaborate restaurant bill.
Those sandwiches have history, too. According to Southern Living, Beefy King once had more than 20 Florida locations, but the original Bumby Avenue restaurant is the one that endured.
Se7en Bites: Best Breakfast
Breakfast here goes beyond toast and scrambled eggs.
Se7en Bites serves hearty Southern comfort food alongside freshly prepared bakery treats. Its menu features chicken biscuits, chicken and waffles, chicken pot pie, and other generously assembled favorites.
The Signature Chicken Biscuit costs $12.75 for takeout, including a 75-cent packaging charge. Dine-in pricing is lower according to the restaurant’s published menu.
The business began in 2013 with a much smaller baking operation before growing into a recognizable dining destination in the Milk District. One practical tip: Se7en Bites is currently scheduled to operate Thursday through Sunday, so don’t plan a Monday breakfast visit without checking first.
Maxine’s on Shine: Best Brunch
Maxine’s on Shine proves that a neighborhood setting can be part of the dining experience.
Kirt and Maxine Earhart opened this restaurant in 2012, and it sits among residential streets rather than inside a busy shopping complex. Its warm, eclectic atmosphere and live entertainment give brunch its own personality.
The brunch menu highlights include chicken and waffles, Benedicts, and brisket. Service is scheduled Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations are worth considering, especially for a weekend outing. Keep in mind that the restaurant publishes an 18% hospitality charge and an additional processing fee for card payments.
Tori Tori: Best Bar Food
Forget the idea that bar food must mean basic wings and fries.
Tori Tori, a Japanese-inspired izakaya established in 2019, offers charcoal-grilled skewers, creative small plates, and cocktails. Menu highlights include chicken karaage, crab fried rice, and blue-crab-and-corn croquettes.
Published prices include $9.50 for the croquettes and $11 for crab fried rice. That lets you try several smaller dishes instead of committing to one large entrée.
It’s a walk-in-only establishment, so arriving early may be useful. The restaurant also becomes adults-only after 9 p.m.
4 Rivers Smokehouse: Best Barbecue Restaurant
Good barbecue takes patience, and 4 Rivers has built its identity around slow-smoked meat.
Founded by John Rivers in Winter Park in 2009, the business grew from charitable barbecue fundraising into a multi-location Florida restaurant operation.
The company describes its signature brisket as wet-aged for 30 days and smoked for 18 hours. The menu is rounded out by pulled pork, ribs, burnt ends, and Southern-inspired sides.
Although the award recognizes 4 Rivers Smokehouse as a brand rather than one particular branch, the Winter Park location makes a convenient stop for anyone exploring the area’s restaurant scene.
Related:7 Tips for Hosting a Successful Summer Barbecue or Cookout
The Current Seafood Counter: Best Seafood Restaurant
You don’t have to drive to the coast for a seafood lunch.
Located in College Park, The Current Seafood Counter brings a Northeast-inspired approach to casual dining. Think lobster rolls, fried clam rolls, and seafood served without the formality of a traditional upscale restaurant.
Founder Mike Smith drew inspiration from his experiences around Maryland, New Jersey, and Maine. He wanted seafood to feel like an everyday meal rather than something saved for vacations.
The casual counter-service setup makes it approachable for lunch or an uncomplicated dinner. Street parking is available nearby, and you can order takeout online.
Related:10 Best Seafood That Isn’t Fish, Ranked
Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster: Best Splurge Restaurant
Some evenings call for a little extravagance, and Orlando readers chose Christner’s for exactly that.
The family-operated steakhouse dates back to 1993, although it adopted its current name in 2013. Its dining rooms feature classic steakhouse styling, with an emphasis on USDA Prime beef and seafood.
The published menu lists an eight-ounce filet mignon at $64 and a sixteen-ounce strip steak at $79. Lobster bisque is listed at $19.
With reservations and private dining spaces, Christner’s is a strong choice for birthdays, anniversaries, or dinners when you’re comfortable spending more.
Winter Park Biscuit Company: Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant
Despite its name, Winter Park Biscuit Company is located inside Orlando’s East End Market.
This entirely plant-based restaurant gives familiar Southern comfort foods a different spin. The menu includes oat-milk biscuits, vegan sausage gravy, and crispy plant-based chicken sandwiches.
The business developed through pop-up events before establishing a permanent home at East End Market in 2020.
You don’t need to follow a vegan lifestyle to appreciate the concept. It’s an interesting stop for anyone curious about how traditional comfort food can be reimagined without meat or dairy.
Black Bean Deli: Best Latin Restaurant
For Cuban sandwiches, comforting plates, and a good cup of Cuban coffee, Black Bean Deli earned a first-place spot in this year’s poll.
Its menu features Cuban sandwiches, picadillo, Havana pork, black beans, yuca, and sweet plantains.
The regular Cuban sandwich is listed at $12, while a six-inch Cuban sandwich lunch special with black beans and rice is $10 before 3 p.m.
Owner Andres Corton emphasizes Cuban culinary traditions and family-inspired cooking. The restaurant’s blend of familiar dishes, casual dining, and accessible options makes it worth considering for breakfast or lunch.
What Orlando’s 2026 Restaurant Winners Tell Us
The most interesting thing about these results is how different the winners are. A traditional sandwich shop, a Filipino neighborhood restaurant, a plant-based biscuit counter, and an upscale steakhouse all earned first-place recognition in their respective categories.
For diners, that variety is good news. You can plan an inexpensive weekday lunch, a relaxed weekend brunch, or an elaborate celebration without running out of reader-recognized choices.
Before you visit, check each restaurant’s official website for updated hours, reservations, menu prices, and any additional fees. Those details can change, even after an award announcement.
And if you’re wondering where to start, consider what you’re craving rather than which restaurant sounds most impressive. Orlando readers have already shared plenty of delicious options.
Other Posts You May Like
- Some Restaurants Are Saying No to AI-Generated Food Photos. Check Out the Reasons
- These 10 Restaurants Were Top Picks for Baby Boomers in the 1980s, and Millennials Have Never Heard of Them
