Cover Story
Best of Orlando® 2022: Local Legends
Welcome to this year’s Best of Orlando issue. Like all the best superhero movie franchises, this one is bigger and bolder than ever, with tons of new categories and honorifics. More than ever with the state of the world, we all need leaders we can look up to, so we looked around at our city…
Orange County School Board pushes back against attempt to block ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law implementation
OCSB is siding with the state of Florida on this one
Orange County woman rounded up in Florida’s felon voter arrests enters not guilty plea
An Orange County woman who was arrested in a show of strength for Florida’s newly created elections police office pleaded not guilty to charges of voter fraud on Tuesday. The state’s election investigations division was created by Republican leaders in Tallahassee in spite of the evidence that voter fraud is practically non-existent. In their first…
Orlando experimental music alum Steven Head drops solo music as Heavy Mirrors
Though he currently lives in Gainesville, Steven Head has an extensive pedigree in left-field Orlando music, so we’re claiming his as our own. And he’s just dropped a solo album as Heavy Mirrors that should inspire some measure of civic pride. Head’s first proper solo release as Heavy Mirrors surfaced on Bandcamp and other steaming…
Orlando bands throw ‘Rock + Roe’ benefit show for Florida Access Network this month
Orlando concert promoters Montgomery Drive and Red Eye Booking are set to host a ‘Rock & Roe’ benefit show with local bands raising money for the Florida Access Network. The lineup for the night includes the Quilts, the Pheromones, Surf Witch. Sky Navi, Real Men, Bitters and Pretend Everything. The homegrown, nonprofit Florida Access Network funds…
Enzian Theater to give Orlando the creeps with ’13 Films of Halloween’ series
The Enzian Theater has unveiled this year’s ’13 Films of Halloween’ set for October — a slate of spooky cinema that runs the gamut from cult grinders to family favorites. 13 Films of Halloween, a series fo one-night (and day, in some cases) only events, kicks off on Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 29: Saturday, Oct.…
Florida lawmakers eye new solutions as property insurers falter
Angry at a ratings agency that raised the possibility of downgrading 17 Florida property insurers, state leaders could be poised to look for an alternative. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission next week is expected to consider a proposal to spend $1.5 million to hire a consultant that would look at options for property insurers to…
Seminole County GOP head, ex-Longwood mayor Ben Paris found guilty in ghost candidate scheme
Seminole County GOP Chair Ben Paris was found guilty for his part in a scheme to run a progressive ghost candidate to siphon votes from a Democratic candidates in a 2020 state Senate race. Paris enlisted the help of political novice Jestine Iannotti, painting her platform as that of a progressive independent. Iannotti did zero campaigning,…
Florida beaches, parks continue push to ban smoking
Visiting from Johnson City, Tenn., Paul and Gail Odom hadn’t noticed people smoking or cigarette butts strewn on the sand as they strolled along the lapping Gulf of Mexico waters Thursday morning. But shortly after being told about a proposed change that would ban smoking cigarettes on Panama City Beach, they saw a pile of…
Florida looks to raise coverage cap on Citizens Insurance as private companies flee the state
With homeowners struggling to find coverage, insurance regulators are looking at the possibility of lifting a $700,000 cap on policies sold by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Citizens is barred by law from providing what is known as a “replacement cost” coverage of more than $700,000 for homes, except in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties,…
Arrest made in alleged Goff’s Drive In arson
Orlando Police have arrested a man they suspect of setting a fire at Goff’s Drive In earlier this year. The iconic ice cream stand in Parramore was set ablaze on May 20 and the stand’s owner immediately suspected that their business was being targeted for reasons unknown. On Monday, police arrested 58-year-old Alfred Kirkland of Orlando…
Florida prosecutor suspended for refusing to enforce abortion ban backed by over 100 legal scholars, former judges in court brief
More than 100 legal scholars and dozens of former judges, prosecutors and police chiefs are decrying Gov. Ron DeSantis’ suspension of Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, arguing that the move runs counter to professional standards, sets a dangerous precedent and violates the constitutional separation of powers. The scholars on Tuesday submitted a friend-of-the-court brief…
Doctors, clinics file an emergency motion to halt Florida’s abortion ban
Attorneys for seven abortion clinics and a doctor filed an emergency motion late Wednesday asking the Florida Supreme Court to halt a new law that prevents abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The motion was the latest twist in a three-month legal battle over the law (HB 5), which the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron…
Timucua Arts’ International Guitar Festival finishes strong in Orlando this weekend
The Timucua Arts Foundation are winding down their International Guitar Festival this weekend with two showcases featuring axe-slingers from around the globe. On Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m., Australian guitarist and country musician Cathrine Britt will grace the Timucua stage for a solo set. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m., Japanese guitarist Hiroya…
Daytona museum hosts touring ‘Days of Punk’ photo retrospective from photographer Michael Grecco
For fans of underground iconography, Central Florida is about to be ground zero. Besides the Figurehead exhibition opening soon at the Orange County Regional History Center, you’ve got the Southeast Museum of Photography’s Days of Punk photo retrospective that’s premiered this week. Days of Punk, a collection of iconic music snapshots spanning the 1970s and ’80s…
Halloween Horror Nights announce this year’s food lineup
Halloween Horror Nights is mostly about the spooks and haunts. But even terrified people gotta eat. With that in mind, the long-running haunted house attraction just shared a glimpse of its menu for this October’s theme park takeover. The menu includes more than 75 original items, with many of them inspired by the park’s original…
Creative City Project announces inflatable, interactive installation ‘Airplay’
Orlando residents were quite bummed when Creative City Project announced a pause on its massively successful Immerse Festival in 2022. But that doesn’t mean the masterminds behind some of the Orlando’s most fun exhibits in recent years are sitting on their hands. The group just announced dates and details for “Airplay,” its latest immersive art…
Bodycam footage shows Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies fatally shooting a man at point-blank range after disarming him
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has released bodycam footage of one of their deputies killing a man in parking lot of the Heritage Hotel on S Orange Blossom Trail. Cops were called to the scene at midday on August 6 after shots had been fired between two men. When they arrived, they found 21-year-old Dylan…
Orange County to receive funding for electric buses from Volkswagen emissions settlement
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said this week that $68 million will be divided among 13 counties moving from diesel to electric buses. The money, coming from Florida’s share of a 2016 settlement between Volkswagen and the U.S. Department of Justice over emissions violations, is expected to cover the costs of 227 electric buses…
Best Waxing Salon
1st: WaxMe Studio, waxmestudio.com 2nd: SoDo Nails and Lash Bar, sodonailsandlashbar.com 3rd: European Wax Center, waxcenter.com
Best Weight Loss Center
1st: Nutrition Awareness, orlandodietitian.com 2nd: Nuviva Medical Weight Loss Clinic, nuvivaweightloss.com 3rd: Wymore Laser and Anti Aging, wymorelaser.com
Best Yoga Studio
1st: Orlando Power Yoga, orlandopoweryoga.com 2nd: Warrior One, wearewarriorone.com 3rd: Project 7, project7yoga.com
Best Orthodontist or Orthodontic Practice
1st: Anderson and Moopen Orthodontics, amorthodontics.com 2nd: Jason Battle, Premiere Orthodontics, battleortho.com 3rd: Dr. Dann Orthodontics, orthodrdann.com
Best Personal Trainer
1st: Thaddeus Kornegay, Camp Gladiator, facebook.com/groups/campgladiatororlando 2nd: Leo Burke, Body by Burke, bodybyburkept.com
Best Physician or Doctor’s Practice
1st: Family Medical Center, familymc.com 2nd: Southwest Internal Medicine Specialists, southwestinternalmedicine.com 3rd: Dr. Rafael E. Pinero, M.D., Pinero Medical Center, pineromedical.com
Best Piercing Studio
1st: Drift Piercing Studios, driftpiercing.com Piercing has come a long way. Where ’70s punks simply jabbed a safety pin through a body part or ’80s teens took their chances at sleepovers with a needle, a cork and an ice cube, now there are places like Drift to serve up your jewelry holes in a safe,…
Best Pilates Studio
1st: Club Pilates, clubpilates.com 2nd: HiLi Fitness, hili.fitness 3rd: The Pilates Loft, pilates-loft.com
Best Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgery Practice
1st: Dr. Scott Rotatori Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, orlandofloridaplasticsurgery.com 2nd: Florida Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center, floridaent.com 3rd: Dr. George Pope, M.D., Pope Plastic Surgery, popeplasticsurgery.com
Best Tattoo Artist
1st: Paulo at Single Orchid, instagram.com/singleorchid_studio 2nd: Miss Heidi, Miss Heidi’s Tattoo, missheidistattoo.com 3rd: Tessia Elise, instagram.com/tessiaelise
Best of Orlando® 2022: Drinking and Nightlife
Local Legends: Keith & Romi Mawardi The Mawardi sibs and their super squad, Team Market Group, are faster than the Flash when it comes to creating new scenes. With Celine, Tier, Mathers Social Gathering, the Robinson Cocktail Room, the Wellborn boutique hotel, Plantees Burgers and soon — we’re waiting and hoping — a reinvigorated Colonial…
Best Restroom
1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com 2nd: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, drphillipscenter.org 3rd: High Tide Harry’s, hightideharrys.com
Best Sushi
1st: Kabooki Sushi, kabookisushi.com 2nd: Seito Sushi, seitosushi.com 3rd: Sushi Lola’s, sushilolas.com
Best Wings
DOMU
Best Curbside Service
1st: Beefy King, beefyking.com 2nd: Tijuana Flats, tijuanaflats.com 3rd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com
Best I-Drive Restaurant
1st: Cafe Tu Tu Tango, cafetututango.com 2nd: Charley’s Steakhouse, charleyssteakhouse.com 3rd: Nile Ethiopian, nileorlando.com
Best Maitland Restaurant
1st: Luke’s Kitchen & Bar, eatatlukes.com A place to see and be seen, Luke’s bar has a relaxed grace and elegance that fits perfectly with the hearty cuisine emanating from the serious and meticulous kitchen. An ever-changing menu of locally sourced delights and inventive flavor profiles brings a fresh and remarkable maturity to each meal.…
Best Sand Lake Bar
1st: Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, roccostacos.com/orlando 2nd: The Whiskey, downatthewhiskey.com 3rd: Domu, domufl.com
Best Car Wash
1st: Octopus Car Wash, octopuscarwashflorida.com This Mills Ave car wash has been keeping Orlando’s rides slick for forever. With their complete range of services and fleet of hands tending to your vehicle inside and out, it’s easy to see why this sudsy institution remains a perennial local favorite. 2nd: Mister Car Wash, mistercarwash.com 3rd: Mobile…
Best Local Barbershop
1st: Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, floydsbarbershop.com 2nd: Classic Man Cuts, classicmancuts.com 3rd: Eleanor’s Barber Shop, eleanorsbarbershop.com
Best Gay Bar
1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando 2nd: Savoy Orlando, savoyorlando.com 3rd: The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com
Best Moscow Mule
1st: The Stubborn Mule, thestubbornmuleorlando.com 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: City Life
Local Legend: Buddy Dyer The seemingly ageless Dyer has been Orlando’s mayor for what must now be 100 years … we’ve just been informed it’s more like 20 years; still an impressive feat! The easygoing Dyer has been carrying the weight of Orlando on his shoulders for all that time, with smile intact and his…
Best Sand Lake Restaurant
1st: Eddie V’s, eddiev.com 2nd: Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, roccostacos.com/orlando 3rd: Seasons 52, seasons52.com
Best Tacos
1st: Black Rooster Taqueria, blackroostertaqueria.com 2nd: Gringos Locos, gringoslocos.com 3rd: Tin & Taco, tinandtaco.com
Best Burger
1st: The Tap Room at Dubsdread, taproomatdubsdread.com 2nd: Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com 3rd: The Hangry Bison, thehangrybison.com
Best Bar Staff
1st: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com
Best Ice Cream
1st: Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, kellyshomemadeicecream.com 2nd: The Greenery Creamery, thegreenerycreamery.com 3rd: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, jeremiahsice.com
Best MetroWest or Windermere Area Restaurant
1st: Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com 2nd: Sloppy Taco Palace, 407-574-6474 3rd: Mrs. Potato, mrspotato.net
Best Sanford Bar
1st: Tuffy’s Bottle Shop/Lounge/Music Box, tuffyscider.com 2nd: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: Celery City Craft, celerycitycraft.com
Best Cell Phone Repair
1st: uBreakiFix, ubreakifix.com 2nd: iFixYouri, ifixyouri.com 3rd: iDevice Repair, idevicerepairfl.com
Best Marketing or PR Company
1st: NW Web Design, nicholasw.net 2nd: SIX the Agency, sixtheagency.com 3rd: &Barr, andbarr.co
Best Happy Hour
1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: Savoy Orlando, savoyorlando.com
Best Neighborhood Bar
1st: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber The phrase “I got options” is appropriate in a variety of circumstances, but most fitting when you’re making a selection from the beer menu at The Commission. Good Lord! This Hourglass District mecca is an adventure for beer aficionados, and the bathroom decor is also charming. 2nd: Will’s Pub,…
Best of Orlando® 2022: Arts and Entertainment
Local Legends: Felichia Chivaughn + Meka King These righteous forces for change and diversity in Orlando’s theater scene are both multi-hyphenate talents — acting, directing, singing and writing are just a few of the lines on their résumés. King and Chivaughn-Ellison achieved the near impossible: They started the long-overdue conversation about systemic racism in Central…
Best Sandwiches
1st: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria, pompomsteahouse.com 2nd: Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, instagram.com/stasiositaliandeli 3rd: Bad As’s Sandwich, badasssandwiches.com
Best Tapas
1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: Cafe Tu Tu Tango, cafetututango.com 3rd: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com
Best Winter Garden Restaurant
1st: Chef’s Table, chefstableattheedgewater.com 2nd: The Hangry Bison, thehangrybison.com 3rd: Thai Blossom Restaurant, mythaiblossom.com
Best Date Restaurant
1st: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com 2nd: Prato, prato-wp.com 3rd: Better Than Sex — A Dessert Restaurant, betterthansexdesserts.com
Best Indian Restaurant
1st: Tamarind, tamarindfl.com 2nd: Mynt Fine Indian Cuisine, myntorlando.com 3rd: Bombay Street Kitchen, bombaykitchenorlando.com
Best Mexican Restaurant
1st: Agave Azul, agaveazulcocinamex.com 2nd: Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, donjuliomexicankitchen.com 3rd: Reyes Mezcaleria, reyesmex.com
Best Sports Bar
1st: The Hideaway Bar, thehideawaybar.net 2nd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com 3rd: Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com
Best Cleaning Service
1st (tie): Merry Maids, merrymaids.com 1st (tie): Molly Maid, mollymaid.com 2nd: Ruby Red Cleaning, rubyredcleaning.com 3rd: Royal Maids, royalmaidservice.com
Best Mortgage Company
1st: Watson Mortgage Corp., watsonmortgagecorp.com 2nd: Addition Financial Credit Union, additionfi.com 3rd: Certified Mortgage Planners, cmpfl.com
Best Hookah Lounge
1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando 2nd: Kush Ultra Lounge, instagram.com/kushultralounge 3rd: Ember, emberorlando.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: Attractions and Recreation
Local Legend: Savannah Boan Do you dare venture into the swamp lair of Savannah Boan and her reptilian companions? Well of course you do, it’s Gatorland! Boan is dedicated to educating the public about alligators, and she’s not afraid to get up close and personal with a gator, croc or snake.
Best Sanford Restaurant
1st: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 2nd: The Old Jailhouse, theoldjailhousesanford.com 3rd: Tennessee Truffle, thetennesseetruffle.com
Best Teahouse
1st: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria, pompomsteahouse.com 2nd: Infusion Tea, infusionorlando.com 3rd: Royaltea Orlando, royalteaus.com
Best Caribbean Restaurant
1st: DaJen Eats Cafe & Creamery, dajeneats.com 2nd: Island Time, islandtimeorlando.com 3rd: Caribbean Sunshine Bakery, caribbeansunshinebakery.net
Best Bartender
1st: Tabitha Bonner, Corona Cigar Co. & Diamond Crown Lounge, coronacigar.com 2nd: Jenn Armas, Bowigens Beer Co., bowigens.com 3rd: Mark Cavallini, Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com
Best Italian Restaurant
1st: Prato, prato-wp.com 2nd: Antonio’s, antoniosonline.com 3rd: Il Pescatore, ilpescatoreonline.com
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
1st: Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, bosphorousrestaurant.com 2nd: Mediterranean Deli, facebook.com/mediterraneandeliorlando 3rd: Theo’s Kitchen, theoskitchen.com
Best Theme Park Bar
1st: Finnegan’s Bar & Grill, universalorlando.com Most watering holes inside Orlando’s theme parks feature menus overflowing with overpriced premixed cocktails, and usually seek to shuffle their patrons off to their next ride as swiftly as possible. Located in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida, Finnegan’s has long been the exception to the rule,…
Best Criminal Defense Attorney or Firm
1st: Mark O’Mara, O’Mara Law Group, omaralawgroup.com 2nd: Bill Umansky, The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys, thelawman.net 3rd: Michael D. Barber, Law Office of Michael D. Barber, P.A., devotedtojustice.com
Best Moving Company
1st: Two Men and a Truck, twomenandatruck.com 2nd: Cento Family Moving & Storage, centomoving.com 3rd: Early Bird Moving, LLC, facebook.com/earlybirdmovingllc
Best I-Drive Bar
1st: Tin Roof, tinrooforlando.com 2nd: Cafe Tu Tu Tango, cafetututango.com 3rd: Yard House, yardhouse.com
Best Nachos
1st: Yellow Dog Eats, yellowdogeats.com 2nd: Gringos Locos, gringoslocos.com 3rd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com
Best Altamonte Springs Restaurant
1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: Seasons 52, seasons52.com 3rd: Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, tibbys.com
Best Thai Restaurant
1st: SEA Thai, seathaiorlando.com 2nd: Thai House of Orlando, instagram.com/thaihouseorlando 3rd: Orchid Thai, enjoyorchidthai.com
Best Winter Park Restaurant
1st: Prato, prato-wp.com We have just two words for you: Mustard. Spaghettini. You can thank us later, after you’ve developed the same addiction to it we happily suffer from. 2nd: The Ravenous Pig, theravenouspig.com 3rd: Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, bosphorousrestaurant.com
Best Desserts
1st: The Glass Knife, theglassknife.com 2nd: Better Than Sex — A Dessert Restaurant, betterthansexdesserts.com 3rd: Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, kellyshomemadeicecream.com
Best Ivanhoe Village Restaurant
1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: White Wolf Cafe, whitewolfcafe.com 3rd: The Pinery, thepineryorlando.com
Best Milk District Restaurant
1st: Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, instagram.com/stasiositaliandeli 2nd: Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com 3rd: Beefy King, beefyking.com
Best Thornton Park or South Eola Bar
1st: Burton’s, instagram.com/burtonsthorntonpark 2nd: Aku Aku Tiki Bar, akuakutiki.com 3rd: Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com
Best Doggy Daycare
1st: Miss Emily’s Bed & Biscuit, missemilysbedandbiscuit.com 2nd (tie): Happy Paws Pet Resort, happypawsorlando.com 2nd (tie): Hounds Town Sanford, houndstownusa.com 3rd: A Ruff Day Bark Club, ruffdaybarkclub.com
Best Bottled Beer Selection
1st: GB Bottle Shop & Tasting Bar, gbbottleshop.com 2nd: Redlight Redlight, instagram.com/redlightredlight 3rd: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber
Best Ivanhoe Village Bar
1st: The Hammered Lamb, thehammeredlamb.com 2nd: The Lucky Lure, instagram.com/theluckylure 3rd: The Hideaway Bar, thehideawaybar.net
Best Outdoor Dining
1st: Hillstone, hillstonerestaurant.com 2nd: The Taproom at Dubsdread, taproomatdubsdread.com 3rd: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com
Best Seafood Restaurant
1st: High Tide Harry’s, hightideharrys.com In Orlando, the beach is just a bit too far. Great thing you can get your seafood fix center-state at High Tide Harry’s: They bring the fish camp vibe for real, with the steamiest seafood platters and hush puppies galore. It’s the perfect place to wear a bib, get your…
Best Theme Park Restaurant
1st: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, homecominkitchen.com 2nd: Raglan Road Irish Pub, raglanroad.com 3rd: The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, universalorlando.com
Best Casselberry Restaurant
1st: Cuban Sandwiches on the Run, cubansontherun.com 2nd: Wa Sushi, facebook.com/wasushicasselberry 3rd: Alex’s Fresh Kitchen, alexsfreshkitchenfl.com
Best Beer Selection on Tap
1st: Celery City Craft, celerycitycraft.com 2nd: GB Bottle Shop & Tasting Bar, gbbottleshop.com 3rd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com
Best Juice or Smoothies
1st: Soho Juice Co., sohojuiceco.com 2nd: Skyebird Juice Bar & Experimental Kitchen, skyebird.com 3rd: Purple Ocean, purpleoceansfb.com
Best Mills 50 or Colonialtown Restaurant
1st: Hawkers Asian Street Food, eathawkers.com 2nd: Kabooki Sushi, kabookisushi.com 3rd: Pig Floyd’s, pigfloyds.com
Best Trivia Night
1st: Hourglass Brewing Tuesdays, hourglassbrewing.com 2nd: Ryan Holmes, facebook.com/ryanholmescomedy 3rd (tie): Curtis Earth, earthtrivia.com 3rd (tie): Tasty Trivia, tastytriviaflorida.com
Best Dry Cleaner
1st: Orchid Cleaners, orchidcleaners.com 2nd: ACME Cleaners, acmecleaners.com 3rd: Best Cleaners, firstclasscleaners.com/best_cleaners_orlando
Best Bouncers
1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlandoo 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: Casey’s on Central, caseysoncentral.com
Best Lake Mary Bar
1st: Dexter’s of Lake Mary, dexterslakemaryfl.com 2nd: Liam Fitzpatrick’s Irish Restaurant, liamfitzpatricks.com 3rd: F&D Cantina, fdcantina.com
Best Phở
1st: Phở 88, pho88orlando.com 2nd: Viet-Nomz, vietnomzfl.com 3rd: Little Saigon, littlesaigonfl.com
Best Audubon Park or Baldwin Park Restaurant
1st: Domu, domufl.com 2nd: Winter Park Biscuit Co., winterparkbiscuitco.com 3rd: Seito Sushi Baldwin Park, seitosushibp.com
Best Thing to Eat at a Theme Park
1st: Dole Whip Between churros, turkey legs and pizza fries, there’s some stiff competition for the top theme park snack, but Dole Whip clearly deserves the win for four reasons: First, it’s an Orlando original, having debuted at Magic Kingdom in 1984, before Disneyland. Second, it’s cool; that frozen pineapple sorbet is perfect when it’s…
Best Cheap Eats
1st: Gringos Locos, gringoslocos.com 2nd: Beefy King, beefyking.com 3rd: Tako Cheena, takocheena.net
Best Bloody Mary
The Hammered Lamb
Best Korean Restaurant
1st: Korea House Restaurant, koreahouseorlando.com Way before Korean food was cool, the original Longwood location of Korea House was the cuisine’s sole bastion in this area for many, many years. Now that it’s available here from global KFC chains on down to food trucks, it’s nice to see that this true Orlando OG is still…
Best Waterfront Bar
1st: Hillstone, hillstonerestaurant.com 2nd: The Waterfront, thewaterfrontorlando.com 3rd (tie): Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, roccostacos.com/orlando 3rd (tie): World of Beer Downtown Orlando, worldofbeer.com
Best DUI Attorney or Firm
1st: Rachel Mattie, The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys, thelawman.net 2nd: O’Mara Law Group, omaralawgroup.com 3rd: Traendly & Kramer Law, Inc., mykramerlawfirm.com
Best Casselberry Bar
1st: Bowigens Beer Co., bowigens.com 2nd: Rachel’s North Men’s Club and Steakhouse, rachelscasselberry.com 3rd: Post Time Lounge & Cafe, posttimelounge.com
Best Lake Nona Bar
1st: Boxi Park, boxiparklakenona.com 2nd: Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, donjuliomexicankitchen.com 3rd: Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, chromalakenona.com
Best Pizza – Gourmet
1st: Pizza Bruno, pizzabrunofl.com Once Bruno went brick-and-mortar to sling his pies, he singlehandedly upped Orlando’s pizza IQ. To this day, Orlando’s biggest champion of true Neapolitan-style pizza is still the gold standard with those gorgeous black-blistered crusts. 2nd: Prato, prato-wp.com 3rd: Pizza Slut, instagram.com/itsthepizzaslut
Best SoDo or Curry Ford Restaurant
1st: Pizza Bruno, pizzabrunofl.com 2nd: Delaney’s Tavern, eatdt.com 3rd: Hungry Pants, eathungrypants.com
Best Thornton Park or South Eola Restaurant
1st: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com 2nd: Soco, socothorntonpark.com 3rd: Stubborn Mule, thestubbornmuleorlando.com
Best Bar Overall
1st: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 2nd: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com 3rd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse
Best Diner
1st: Metro Diner, metrodiner.com 2nd: TooJay’s, toojays.com 3rd: Shakers American Café, shakerscafe.com
Best Lake Mary Restaurant
1st: Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, donjuliomexicankitchen.com 2nd: F&D Cantina, fdcantina.com 3rd (tie): Dexter’s of Lake Mary, dexterslakemaryfl.com 3rd (tie): Fishbones, fishbonesrestaurants.com
Best Wine Bar
1st: The Wine Room on Park Avenue, thewineroomonline.com/winter-park 2nd: Eola Wine Co., eolawinecompany.com 3rd: Wine Bar George, winebargeorge.com
Best Family Law Attorney or Firm
1st: DeWitt Law Firm, P.A., dewittlaw.com 2nd: Steven D. Kramer, The Kramer Law Firm, mykramerlawfirm.com 3rd: Jose A. Rodriguez, Jose A. Rodriguez Law, P.L., josearodriguezlaw.com
Best Club Night
1st: Southern Nights, Girl the Party, facebook.com/girltheparty 2nd: Lil Indie’s, BMF Fridays, willspub.org 3rd: Ember, Wine Down Wednesdays, emberorlando.com
Best Local Beer
1st: Crooked Can Cloud Chaser, crookedcan.com 2nd: Sideward Brewing Moon Boots, sidewardbrewing.com 3rd: Sideward Brewery Punks in the Waiting Room, sidewardbrewing.com
Best Pizza – Traditional
1st: Lazy Moon, lazymoonpizza.com 2nd: 1803 Pizza Kitchen, 1803pizzakitchen.com 3rd: Tomasino’s, tomasinospizza.com
Best Bakery
1st: The Glass Knife, theglassknife.com Not content to simply present an array of sweet treats to be boxed up and whisked away to a workplace breakroom, The Glass Knife elevates the confectionary experience to an encounter with delicate and delectable art. 2nd: Gideon’s Bakehouse, gideonsbakehouse.com 3rd: Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com
Best Vegan or Vegetarian Restaurant
1st: Ethos Vegan Kitchen, ethosvegankitchen.com 2nd: Winter Park Biscuit Co., winterparkbiscuitco.com 3rd: Hungry Pants, eathungrypants.com
Best Cheesesteak
1st: LaSpada’s Original Cheesesteaks & Hoagies, laspadas.com 2nd: Kappy’s Subs, kappyssubsfl.com 3rd: Cavo’s Bar & Kitchen, cavosbar.com
Best Doughnut
1st: The Salty Donut, saltydonut.com 2nd: Donut King, thedonutking.com 3rd: DG Doughnuts, dgdoughnuts.com Related Stories
Best Lake Nona Restaurant
1st: Nona Blue Modern Tavern, nonablue.com 2nd: Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, bosphorousrestaurant.com 3rd: Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen, chromalakenona.com
Best Wine Selection
1st: The Wine Room on Park Avenue, thewineroomonline.com/winter-park 2nd: Wine Bar George, winebargeorge.com 3rd: Eola Wine Co., eolawinecompany.com
Best Farmers Market
1st: Winter Park Farmers Market, cityofwinterpark.org Goods are available every Saturday at the West Meadow of Winter Park’s Central Park where some of the best baked goods, plants and produce await. Stock up on staples like tomatoes and beans or impulse-buy butternut pesto, fresh mango-pineapple juice or a potted succulent (and pretend you didn’t overwater…
Best Cocktail Bar
1st: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com A cocktail bar is about more than just cocktails, and Mathers Social Gathering has much to offer the downtown patron: kitschy Bathtub Gin cocktails, sure, but also a swinging blue velvet couch, dueling pianos, bustling burlesque nights and even a resident poet. Guests can also fill their stomachs from a…
Best Local Brewery
1st: Sideward Brewing Co., sidewardbrewing.com 2nd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com 3rd: Crooked Can Brewing Co., crookedcan.com
Best Place to Buy Meat
1st: Petty’s Meats, pettysmeats.com 2nd: Freshfields Farm, freshfieldsfarm.com 3rd: Orlando Meats (RIP)
Best South OBT Restaurant
1st: Junior Colombian Burger, juniorcb.com 2nd: Bombay Street Kitchen, bombaykitchenorlando.com 3rd: Tortas El Rey, tortaselreyorlando.com
Best Vegetarian Dish at a Non-vegetarian Restaurant
1st: Spicy vegan ramen, jinyaramenbar.com 2nd: Vegan miso ramen at Domu, domufl.com 3rd: Momma’s mac and cheese at Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith, homecominkitchen.com
Best Altamonte Springs Bar
1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: Kiwi’s Pub & Grill, kiwispub.com 3rd: Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, tibbys.com
Best Downtown Restaurant
1st: Kres Chophouse, kresrestaurant.com Chasing trends in dining is fine, but the fundamentals of good food, good service and good atmosphere never go out of style. And that’s exactly what Kres has consistently provided for nearly 20 years. But wait, what’s this? Bucking the steakhouse stereotype, Kres also offers a vegan menu — not a…
Best Late-Night Restaurant
1st: Gringos Locos, gringoslocos.com 2nd: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 3rd: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria, pompomsteahouse.com
Best Winter Garden Bar
1st: Crooked Can Brewing Co., crookedcan.com 2nd: Pilars, pilarsmartini.com 3rd: Home State Brewing Co., homestatebrew.com
Best Financial Institution
1st: Fairwinds Credit Union, fairwinds.org 2nd: Chase Bank, chase.com 3rd: Addition Financial Credit Union, additionfi.com
Best Cocktails
1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com Tori Tori made it into the Florida Michelin Guide 2022, and it’s no surprise their cocktails were voted best by Orlando Weekly readers. This Japanese pub offers a stimulating cocktail card including such delights as the Oaxaca Flakka Flame and the Coconut Shinobi, plus a lovely selection of easy-sipping highballs. 2nd:…
Best Local Brewery Tap Room
1st: Sideward Brewery, sidewardbrewing.com 2nd (tie): Crooked Can Plant Street Market, crookedcan.com/plant-st-market 2nd (tie): Suncreek Brewery, suncreekbrewery.com 3rd: Ivanhoe Park Brewing, ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: Shopping and Retail
Local Legend: Gui Castro With a superhuman and unerring sense of style and eye for design, Castro designs all manner of clothing and finery for the modern man, which then makes its way from Brazil to his Orlando-based Lacastro Store. Castro seemingly peers into the future for the hottest trends.
Best Place to Buy Produce
1st: Freshfields Farm, freshfieldsfarm.com 2nd: Clemons Produce, facebook.com/clemonsproduceorlando 3rd: Winter Park Farmers Market, cityofwinterpark.org
Best Barbecue Restaurant
1st: 4 Rivers Smokehouse, 4rsmokehouse.com 2nd: Pig Floyd’s, pigfloyds.com 3rd: Yellow Dog Eats, yellowdogeats.com
Best Vietnamese Restaurant
1st: Viet-Nomz, vietnomzfl.com 2nd: Little Saigon, littlesaigonfl.com 3rd: Phở 88, pho88orlando.com
Best Chinese Restaurant
1st: Taste of Chengdu, tasteofchengdufl.com Look at you, Orlando. You know what’s up when it comes to Chinese food: no basic-ass Panda Express for you. With this choice, you went impressively authentic. Taste of Chengdu is a deep dive into true Sichuan cuisine, with all the beautiful tongue-tingles that entails. There, they do it well…
Best East Orlando Restaurant
1st: Lazy Moon, lazymoonpizza.com 2nd: Viet-Nomz, vietnomzfl.com 3rd: Sushi Pop, sushipoprestaurant.com
Best Latin Restaurant
1st: Black Bean Deli, blackbeandeli.com 2nd: Zaza Cuban Comfort Food, zazacubancomfort.com 3rd: Pio Pio Latin Cuisine Semoran, piopiosemoran.com
Best Winter Park Bar
1st: The Ravenous Pig, theravenouspig.com 2nd: Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub & Eatery, fiddlersgreen.pub 3rd: Prato, prato-wp.com
Best Financial Planner or Firm
1st: Gabe Csizmadia, Edward Jones, edwardjones.com 2nd: Security Financial Management, sfmadvisorgroup.com 3rd: Addition Financial Credit Union, additionfi.com
Best College Bar
1st: Sportstown, facebook.com/sptstown 2nd: Knight Library, facebook.com/knightlibrary 3rd: The Porch Winter Park, theporchwinterpark.com
Best Longwood Bar
1st: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com 2nd: Post Time Lounge & Cafe, posttimelounge.com 3rd: Mulligan’s, mulligansbeachhouse.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: Services
Local Legend: John Morgan This juggernaut of justice smashes through bureaucratic red tape to get things done his way: “For the people,” as we believe his battle cry goes. When he’s not in the courtroom, Morgan goes to his island stronghold in Maui, to develop his plans for minimum wage hikes and marijuana legalization in…
Best Place to Eat Gluten-free
1st: Hungry Pants, eathungrypants.com 2nd (tie): Ethos Vegan Kitchen, ethosvegankitchen.com 2nd (tie): Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: Fresh Kitchen, eatfreshkitchen.com
Best Splurge Restaurant
1st: Christner’s, christnersprimesteakandlobster.com 2nd: Linda’s La Cantina, lindaslacantina.com 3rd: Kabooki Sushi, kabookisushi.com
Best Wait Staff
1st: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com 2nd: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: High Tide Harry’s, hightideharrys.com
Best Bar Patio
1st: The Wellborn, thewellbornorlando.com A perfect spot for a sociable night out with friends, playing cards and sipping a Delaney Park Swizzle while sampling the Wellborn’s new menu of “Floribbean” small plates. With a myriad of seating choices spread across a brick pavement, this enchanted patio fitted with mirrors hidden amongst hanging orchids and low-lying…
Best Food Hall
1st: East End Market, eastendmkt.com 2nd: Plant Street Market, crookedcan.com/plant-st-market 3rd: Henry’s Depot, henrysdepot.com
Best Local Chef
1st: Sonny Nguyen, Domu, domufl.com 2nd: Patrick Story, Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: Henry Moso, Kabooki Sushi, kabookisushi.com
Best New Bar
1st: Milkhouse, milkhousesocial.com 2nd: The Neighbors, theneighborsorl.com 3rd: Deadwords Brewing, deadwords.com
Best Zero-Proof Cocktail
1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com We’re glad that the infantilizing portmanteau “mocktail” has been replaced in most establishments with “zero-proof” or “NA” (non-alcoholic). But we’re over the moon that the actual thing, whatever you call it, is being taken seriously as well. The days of settling for a soda water with a dash of bitters (at…
Best Home Builder
1st: Pulte Homes, pulte.com/homes/florida 2nd: DR Horton, drhorton.com/florida/central-florida 3rd (tie): Meritage Homes, meritagehomes.com 3rd (tie): Taylor Morrison, taylormorrison.com
Best College Park Bar
1st: Ollie’s Public House, orlandopublichouses.com 2nd: Graffiti Junktion, graffitijunktion.com 3rd: PR’s Taco Palace and Margarita Bar, prstacobar.com
Best Maitland Bar
1st: Eden Bar, enzian.org 2nd: Copper Rocket, thecopperrocket.com 3rd (tie): Luke’s Kitchen & Bar, eatatlukes.com 3rd (tie): Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: Local Notables
Local Legend: Rep. Anna Eskamani This fierce progressive political firebrand represents Orlando in the state legislature, tirelessly working for a better world for her constituents and beyond. Not just her district but a majority of our readers think so — and so does Mark “Luke Skywalker” Hamill, who has repeatedly endorsed her.
Best Poke
1st: Poke Hana, poke-hana.com 2nd: Da Kine Poke, dakinepoke.com 3rd: Island Fin Poke, islandfinpoke.com
Best Birria
1st: Agave Azul, agaveazulcocinamex.com 2nd: Hunger Street Tacos, hungerstreettacos.com 3rd: Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, donjuliomexicankitchen.com
Best Waterfront Dining
1st: Hillstone, hillstonerestaurant.com 2nd: The Boathouse, theboathouseorlando.com 3rd: Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, grillsseafood.com
Best Coffee Bar
1st: Foxtail Coffee Co., foxtailcoffee.com 2nd: Lineage Coffee Roasters, lineageroasting.com 3rd: Drunken Monkey, drunkenmonkeyorders.com
Best Food Truck
1st: Jacked Up Vegan, jackedupvegan.com 2nd: Pizza Slut, instagram.com/itsthepizzaslut 3rd: Hot Asian Buns, facebook.com/hotasianbunsfoodtruck
Best Local Coffee Roaster
1st: Foxtail Coffee Co., foxtailcoffee.com 2nd: Lineage Coffee Roasting, lineageroasting.com 3rd: Lobos Coffee Roasters, loboscoffeeroasters.com
Best Old-Fashioned
1st: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 2nd: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com 3rd: Lil Indie’s, willspub.org
Best Auto Body Shop
1st: Irish Mike’s Collision, irishmikescollision.com 2nd: Precision Collision & Restoration, precisioncollisionorlando.com 3rd: Moreno Motors Paint and Body Shop, facebook.com/morenomotorspaint
Best HVAC Company
1st: Del-Air Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical, delair.com 2nd: No Sweat A/C Heating, nosweatorlando.com 3rd: Gary Munson Heating & Air Conditioning, munsonairconditioning.com
Best Craft Beer Bar
1st: Redlight Redlight, instagram.com/redlightredlight 2nd: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber 3rd: Hourglass Brewing, hourglassbrewing.com
Best Martini
1st: Pilars, pilarsmartini.com 2nd: Linda’s La Cantina, lindaslacantina.com 3rd: Prato, prato-wp.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: Local Music
Local Legends: Matt Heafy + Ms. Meka Nism These two definitely look the superhuman part, but Heafy (Trivium) and Meka (Meka Nism) pack a potent metallic punch too. Sonic screams, infinite hooks, and crushing riffs are deployed with ease by each, and their fans love them for it.
Best Bar Food
1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com 2nd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com 3rd: The Gnarly Barley, thegnarlybarley.com
Best Steakhouse
1st: Linda’s La Cantina, lindaslacantina.com 2nd: Christner’s, christnersprimesteakandlobster.com 3rd: Kres Chophouse, kresrestaurant.com
Best West Orlando Restaurant
1st: Lee & Rick’s Oyster Bar, leeandricksoysterbar.com 2nd: Golden Krust, goldenkrust.com 3rd: Negril Jamaican Restaurant, eatnegrils.com
Best College Park Restaurant
1st: The Tap Room at Dubsdread, taproomatdubsdread.com 2nd: Armando’s, armandosorlando.com 3rd: Tin & Taco, tinandtaco.com
Best French Restaurant
1st: Le Coq au Vin, lecoqauvinrestaurant.com 2nd: Chez Vincent, chezvincent.com 3rd: DoveCote Restaurant, dovecoteorlando.com
Best Locally Made Hot Sauce
1st: Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally, shoptijuanaflats.com 2nd: Jason’s Mom’s, jasonsmomssauce.com 3rd: Chicken Fire, eatchickenfire.com
Best Pub
1st: Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub, claddaghcottagepub.com 2nd: Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub & Eatery, fiddlersgreen.pub 3rd: Harp & Celt Irish Pub & Restaurant, harpandcelt.com
Best Auto Repair Shop
1st: Orlando Import Auto Specialists, orlandoimportspecialist.com Speaking from personal experience, it was nice to see this small local mechanic get the nod from Orlando Weekly readers. The mechanics at this independent repair shop are fast and conscientious, and really go above and beyond in their service and labor. If you (like us) don’t know car…
Best Cheap Beer Deal
1st: Lazy Moon, lazymoonpizza.com 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: Wally’s, wallysbarandliquors.com
Best Dance Club
1st: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando The regular weekend line of clubgoers around the block to get into Orlando’s Southern Nights should make it no surprise that the LGBTQ+ establishment won Best Dance Club this year. Drag shows, burlesque performers, sought-out DJs and VIP guest hosts keep the party going (along with a steady stream of heavy…
Best MetroWest Bar
1st: Teak Neighborhood Grill, teakorlando.com 2nd: Sloppy Taco Palace, 407-574-6474 3rd: Friendly Confines, friendlyconfinesmw.com
Best of Orlando® 2022: Health, Beauty and Wellness
Local Legend: Corinne Gammichia Corinne Gammichia’s superpowers are her heart, her brain, and her muscles. For the past decade or so she’s been a single mom, but long before that she birthed a small business — Alchemy Salon — and raised it up, along with generations of talented hairstylists, nurturing it into a thriving local…
Best Ramen
1st: Domu, domufl.com 2nd: Jinya Ramen, jinyaramenbar.com 3rd: Morimoto Asia, morimotoasia.com
Best Boba Tea
1st: Royaltea Orlando, royalteaus.com 2nd: Quickly Boba, quicklybobasnowtogo.com 3rd: Chewy Boba Co., chewyboba.com
Best Breakfast
1st: Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com 2nd: The Briarpatch, thebriarpatchrestaurant.com 3rd: First Watch, firstwatch.com
Best Bar Restroom
1st: Tori Tori, toritoripub.com 2nd: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com 3rd: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber
Best Fried Chicken
1st: Publix, publix.com No one wants to actually cook after grocery shopping. Enter Publix’s fried chicken, whose delectable scent meets you in the parking lot and accompanies you throughout your store chore. With the remarkable surprise of just the right crunchy coating and juicy flavor, what could pass as a quick fix consistently satisfies as…
Best Longwood Restaurant
1st: Enzo’s on the Lake, enzos.com 2nd: Papa Bee’s, papabeeswings.com 3rd: Victorio’s Oyster Bar & Grille, victoriosoysterbar.com
Best Retail Beer Selection
1st: GB Bottle Shop & Tasting Bar, gbbottleshop.com 2nd: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, abcfws.com 3rd: The Commission Beer Chamber, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber
Best Auto Repair Shop (European)
1st: Eurotech German Car Service, eurotechgermancarservice.com 2nd: Manny Euro Auto Service, facebook.com/mannyeuroauto 3rd: FS Tuning European Autowerks, fstuningea.com
Best Insurance Agency
1st: USAA, usaa.com 2nd: J Meyers Insurance Agency, jmeyers.com 3rd (tie): Humana, humana.com 3rd (tie): Packard Insurance Group, cpackardinsurance.com
Best Dive Bar
1st: Wally’s, wallysbarandliquors.com 2nd: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 3rd: The Hideaway Bar, thehideawaybar.net
Best Milk District Bar
1st: Sportstown, facebook.com/sptstown 2nd: Sideward Brewing, sidewardbrewing.com 3rd: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando
Best of Orlando® 2022: Food and Dining
Local Legends: Jason and Sue Chin This (super)power couple must have the ability to freeze time, because somehow they split their energies among all the entities in their Good Salt Restaurant Group, including Seito Sushi, The Osprey, Reyes Mezcaleria and The Monroe. The Chins are staunch supporters of local chef talent and front-of-house rockstars, and…
Best Restaurant Overall
1st: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com For over 20 years, Hollerbach’s in Sanford has provided residents of Central Florida authentic German cuisine from creamy obatzda teller to glistening German chocolate cake. We highly recommend the gurkensalat and sweet red cabbage along with a pint of Helles bier. Diners can celebrate with live German Polka Thursday through…
Best Subs
1st: Publix, publix.com What can we say, it’s a Florida thing. Until you’ve downed a whole-chicken-tendie-yellow-mustard-on-Italian five-grain, are you even really an Orlandoan? 2nd: Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, instagram.com/stasiositaliandeli 3rd: LaSpada’s Original Cheesesteaks & Hoagies, laspadashoagies.com
Best Brunch
1st: Santiago’s Bodega, santiagosbodega.com 2nd: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com 3rd: The Briarpatch, thebriarpatchrestaurant.com
Best Cuban Sandwich
1st: Black Bean Deli, blackbeandeli.com 2nd: Zaza Cuban Comfort Food, zazacubancomfort.com 3rd: Cuban Sandwiches on the Run, cubansontherun.com
Best Greek Restaurant
1st: The Greek Corner, thegreekcorner.net 2nd: Little Greek Fresh Grill, littlegreekfreshgrill.com 3rd: Theo’s Kitchen, theoskitchen.com
Best Lunch
1st: Stasio’s Italian Deli & Market, instagram.com/stasiositaliandeli 2nd: Yellow Dog Eats, yellowdogeats.com 3rd: Beefy King, beefyking.com
Best Rooftop Bar
1st: Hanson’s Shoe Repair, thehansonbuilding.com/hansons-shoe-repair 2nd: Hollerbach’s German Restaurant, hollerbachs.com 3rd: AC Sky Bar, acskybar.com
Best Assisted Living Community
1st: The Mayflower at Winter Park, themayflower.com 2nd: Westminster Winter Park, westminsterwinterparkfl.org 3rd: Orlando Lutheran Towers, orlandoseniorhealth.org
Best Law Firm
1st: Meehle & Jay P.A., meehle.com 2nd: Kaufman & Lynd, whenyouneedus.com 3rd (tie): Cohen Law Group, itsaboutjustice.law 3rd (tie): Morgan & Morgan, forthepeople.com
Best Downtown Bar
1st: Mathers Social Gathering, mathersorlando.com 2nd: Hanson’s Shoe Repair, thehansonbuilding.com/hansons-shoe-repair 3rd: Tanqueray’s, instagram.com/tanqueraysbar
Best Mills 50 Bar
1st: Will’s Pub, willspub.org 2nd: The Guesthouse, instagram.com/the_guesthouse 3rd: Wally’s, wallysbarandliquors.com
Best Country Act
1st: Sean Holcomb, seanholcomb.com 2nd: Bryan Malpass, soundcloud.com/bryan-malpass 3rd: Oak Hill Drifters, oakhilldrifters.com
Best Pool Service
1st: All American Pool-N-Patio Inc., orlandopool.com 2nd: Swim N’ Fun, swimnfun.com 3rd: Full Circle Pool Service, LLC, fullcirclepools.com
Best Dance Company
1st: Orlando Ballet, orlandoballet.org 2nd: Phantasmagoria, phantasmagoriaorlando.com 3rd: Varietease, bluelalaevents.com
Best Theater Company
1st: Orlando Shakes, orlandoshakes.org 2nd: Renaissance Theatre Co., rentheatre.com 3rd: Phantasmagoria, phantasmagoriaorlando.com
Best Bowling Alley
1st: Splitsville Luxury Lanes, splitsvillelanes.com 2nd: Aloma Bowl, alomabowlingcenters.com/aloma 3rd: Boardwalk Bowl, alomabowlingcenters.com/boardwalk
Best Local Pro Athlete
1st: Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic, nba.com/magic 2nd: Brad Barone, Solar Bears, orlandosolarbearshockey.com 3rd: Gunny Jónsdóttir, Orlando Pride, orlandocitysc.com/pride
Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
1st: Lacastro Store, lacastrostore.com Lacastro’s specializes in high-quality, vibrant men’s clothing and swimwear, designed by store owner Gui Lacastro and fabricated in Brazil. The store’s iconic swimwear was just featured in 2022 New York Swim Week. 2nd: John Craig Clothier, johncraigclothier.com 3rd: 328 South, instagram.com/shop328south
Best Chamber Music Group
1st: Eola Strings, eolastrings.com 2nd: Baroque Chamber Orchestra (Maitland Symphony Orchestra), pamaitland.org 3rd: Violectric, violectric.net
Best Hip-Hop Act
1st: Luscious Lisa, lusciouslisa.bandcamp.com Ooh, y’all so nasty. But if you like it dirty like that, well, we’re down, too. No wonder then that you all voted for these irreverent party-rap locals. While Big Freedia’s all about dat ass, Luscious Lisa and crew worship all the sexy parts in graphic, porn-tastic detail. You up? 2nd:…
Best Makeup Artist
1st: Dorka Jones, dorkajones.com 2nd: Amanda Kate, Mosaic Hair Studio Milk District, mosaichairstudio.com 3rd: Lea Montes, LeaCakes MUA, instagram.com/leacakesmua
Best Reggae Act
1st: Kash’d Out, kashdout.com 2nd: Florida Man, facebook.com/floridaman251 3rd: Oklahoma Stackhouse, oklahomastackhouse.com
Best Cover Band
1st: Hayfire, facebook.com/hayfire 2nd: Steeln’ Peaches, facebook.com/steelnpeaches 3rd: The Hooligans, instagram.com/hooligansorlando
Best Psychologist or Therapist
1st: William Jeter, M.D., apghealth.com 2nd: Simmons Counseling Orlando, simmonscounseling.org 3rd: Jessica Romano, LMHC, Human Kind Counseling, humankindcounseling.com
Best Resort Hotel
1st: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, disneyworld.disney.go.com Disney’s deluxe on-site resort hotels have developed a reputation of late for providing Holiday Inn service at Four Seasons prices, but Animal Kingdom Lodge still offers something no mere motel can hope to match: a savanna full of exotic animals grazing right outside your balcony. Combine the live critters…
Best Theater Space
1st: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, drphillipscenter.org 2nd: Garden Theatre, gardentheatre.org 3rd: Orlando Shakes, orlandoshakes.org
Best Canoeing or Kayaking
1st: Wekiwa Springs, floridastateparks.org 2nd: Wekiva Island, wekivaisland.com 3rd: Kings Landing, kingslandingfl.com
Best Jewelry Store
1st: Gypset Collective, gypsetcollective.com 2nd: Be On Park Fine Jewelry, beonpark.com 3rd: Dora Mae Jewelry, doramaejewelry.com
Best Skate Park
1st: Orlando Skate Park, orlando.gov 2nd (tie): Barber park, orangecountyfl.net 2nd (tie): Central Florida Skatepark, centralfloridaskatepark.com 3rd: John Young Skate Spot, instagram.com/john_young_skatepark
Best Place to Buy a Used Car
1st: CarMax, carmax.com 2nd: Off Lease Only Orlando, offleaseonly.com 3rd: Toyota of Orlando, toyotaoforlando.com
Best Day Spa
1st: Flex-I Nails Spa & Wellness, flexispaandwellness.com Located a stone’s throw from the University of Central Florida, Flex-I Nails is the go-to nail salon for students and lots of grown folk, too. Known for their high-quality service — both fast and good — their technicians have earned loyal devotion. 2nd: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes,…
Best Local Concert Promoter
1st: Montgomery Drive, montgomerydrive.com Under the leadership and enthusiasm of Marshal Rones, Montgomery Drive is among the busiest indie promoters in the city. Besides being one of the most pleasant and accommodating promoters to work with, Rones also fills a critical function in the local music scene as an approachable impresario willing to give young,…
Best Rock Act
1st: Cat Ridgeway & the Tourists, catridgeway.com 2nd: Ancient Sun, ancientsunband.com 3rd: Chuck Magid Band, chuckmagidmusic.com
Best Local Radio Show
1st: “Monsters in the Morning,” realradio.iheart.com The longtime talk-radio stalwarts anchoring the lineup of local radio station Real Radio 104.1-FM may have come to fame during the shock-jock boom of the 1990s, but they’ve maintained and evolved while legions of their peers have fallen by the wayside as spent forces. Head monster Russ Rollins, aided…
Best Real Estate Agent
1st: Beth Hobart, Mainframe Real Estate, bethhobart.com 2nd: Jennifer Piper & Lisa Morgan, Mainframe Real Estate, keyseekers.com 3rd: Eve Metlis, Watson Realty Corp, evemetlis.com
Best Store for New Furniture
1st: Washburn Imports, washburnimports.com 2nd: Eyre Home, eyrehome.com 3rd: Artisan Furniture & Finds, artisansorlando.com
Best Drag Event
1st: Drag Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s, hamburgermarys.com/orlando 2nd: Southern Nights, facebook.com/southernnightsorlando 3rd: Off the Record Wednesdays, facebook.com/otrwednesdays
Best Arcade
1st: Player 1 Video Game Bar, player1orlando.com 2nd: Arcade Monsters, arcademonsters.com 3rd: Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Orlando, andrettikarting.com/orlando
Best New Thing in Orlando
1st: Steinmetz Hall, drphillipscenter.org 2nd: I-4 Express, i4express.com 3rd: The Neighbors, theneighborsorl.com
Best Lighting Store
1st: Lightstyle of Orlando, lightstyleoforlando.com 2nd: LBU Lighting, lbulighting.com 3rd: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, ferguson.com
Best Public School
1st: Boone High School, boonehs.ocps.net 2nd: Winter Park High School, winterparkhs.ocps.net 3rd: Audubon Park K8, audubonparkk8.ocps.net
Best Place to Sell Your Car
1st: CarMax, carmax.com 2nd: Facebook Marketplace, facebook.com/marketplace 3rd: Universal Hyundai, universal-hyundai.com
Best Jam Band
1st: The Wilted Chilis, soundcloud.com/wiltedchilis 2nd: Leisure Chief, leisurechief.com 3rd: Shak Nasti, facebook.com/shaknasti
Best Medical Marijuana Clinic or Physician
1st: Fluent/CannaMD Florida, getfluent.com If you’re going to enjoy Florida’s finest cannabis, you’re going to need to visit the doctor first. According to Orlando Weekly readers, the best place to start is CannaMD Florida. Once you’ve found a pot doc, they can help you select the Fluent products that suit your needs. 2nd (tie): Green…
Best Singer-Songwriter
1st: Cat Ridgeway, catridgeway.com 2nd: Sean Holcomb, seanholcomb.com 3rd: Hannah Stokes, hannahstokesmusic.com
Best Local Radio Station
1st: Real Radio 104.1-FM, realradio.iheart.com 2nd: WMFE 90.7-FM, wmfe.org 3rd: XL 106.7-FM, xl1067.iheart.com
Best Real Estate Attorney or Law Firm
1st: Chelsea Metka, Metka Law Firm, metkalawfirm.com 2nd: Barry Miller Law, barrymillerlaw.com 3rd: Rosenthal Meyer PLLC, rosenthalmeyer.com
Best Vintage or Used Clothing Store
1st: The Owl’s Attic, theowlsattic.com Visit The Owl’s Attic in Audubon Park for your vintage garb, accessories and furniture requirements, all offered at a fair price and in a whimsical environment. This boutique also stocks a fine selection of market goods from local makers including original clothing, bumper stickers, handcrafted soaps and candles. 2nd: Out…
Best Film Festival
1st: Florida Film Festival, floridafilmfestival.com 2nd: Orlando Film Festival, offvirtual.com 3rd: Love Your Shorts Film Festival, loveyourshorts.com
Best Attraction That’s Not a Theme Park
1st: Gatorland, gatorland.com If you want to visit a local tourist attraction that exists on a human scale and truly reflects the unique characteristics of the Central Florida that it calls home, all signs point to Gatorland. Enter the gator maw out front and you’ll find yourself in a home to all manner of exotic…
Best Costume Shop or Party Store
1st: Fairvilla Megastore, fairvilla.com 2nd: Embellish FX, embellishfx.com 3rd: Deja Vu Vintage Clothing & Accessories, dejavuvintageclothing.weebly.com
Best Place to Work
1st: For yourself from home The great #WFH lifestyle shift is upon us, even here in Orlando, for those who have the luxury (meaning, not the millions of Orlandoans who work in hospitality). But our readers voted that if you can, you should — and once you’ve tasted the joys of paddling a spring on…
Best Springs
1st: Wekiwa Springs, floridastateparks.org 2nd: Blue Springs, floridastateparks.org 3rd: Rock Springs, floridastateparks.org
Best Record Store
1st: Park Ave CDs, parkavecds.com Park Ave CDs isn’t Orlando’s flagship record shop for nothing. While the once-mighty physical product stream of the music industry has largely vaporized, PACDs has managed to buck the digital sea change and blossom. And they’ve done that by keeping it resolutely indie and catering to the culture of music…
Best Dentist or Dental Practice
1st: Mills Park Dental, millsparkdental.com 2nd: Gordy Family Dental, gordyfamilydental.com 3rd: Winter Park Dentistry, winterparkfldentistry.com
Best Local Contemporary Composer
1st: Bobby Koelble, facebook.com/bobbykoelblemusic F. Scott Fitzgerald once said that there are no second acts in American life. Well, Orlando musician Bobby Koelble proves him a filthy liar. A young Koelble contributed guitar work to Orlando death-metal icons Death’s seminal 2008 album “Symbolic,” a milestone for the band. Now he’s a music educator at UCF,…
Best Soul Act
1st: Eugene Snowden, eugenesnowden.com Though this indomitable Orlando institution just turned 60, he’ll always be a young soul rebel to Orlando Weekly’s readers. Whether it’s playing solo, fronting Afrobeat outlet Drums of Umoja or the seminal punk-blues orchestra the Legendary JCs, doing splits onstage with a hat cocked jauntily over one eye or weaving yarns…
Best Local Radio Voice
1st: Johnny Magic, xl1067.iheart.com 2nd: Russ Rollins, facebook.com/russrollins 3rd: Jim Colbert, realradio.iheart.com
Best Real Estate Company
1st: Mainframe Real Estate, mainframere.com 2nd: The Nickley Group, thenickleygroup.com 3rd: ALL Real Estate and Investments, allrealestateinvestments.com
Best Vintage or Used Furniture Store
1st: Adjectives Market, adjstyle.com Design experts curate one-of-a-kind interior decor pieces from hundreds of local and international artisans at Adjectives Market. Pieces range from vintage finds to modern, upcycled and custom-made furnishings. 2nd: The Lovely Boutique Market, thelovelyboutiquemarket.com 3rd: Warehaus, shopwarehaus.com
Best Literary Reading Series
1st: Drag Queen Story Hour at The Center, thecenterorlando.org As Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis keeps busy banning books teaching basic history and issuing hateful political directives in our schools, Orlandoans are embracing both our right to read whatever we want and the fabulous art of drag. Drag Queen Story Hour at the Center is Orlando…
Best Event Venue
1st: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, drphillipscenter.org As the city’s most state-of-the-art beacon of performance, this one was a natural choice. The Dr. Phil was already the diamond of downtown before this year. But now that the long-awaited acoustical wonder of Steinmetz Hall is finally open, the center is now a trifecta of…
Best City Park
1st: Lake Eola Park, orlando.gov Lake Eola Park, located at the center of our urban core, is the heart of the City Beautiful and wins Orlando’s Best City Park in this poll pretty much every year. Here farmers markets, aggressive swans and political demonstrations meet. From communal moments of joy like the annual Christmas tree…
Savage Love: Of mindgames and monkeypox
Q: I’ve been with my wife for 10 years. We are both 36 years old. We moved in fast and didn’t take time to learn certain things about one another. For example, I watch porn, which she only found out about after we moved in. She had a visceral reaction. She told me it was…
Best Reason to Live in Orlando
1st: Food and drink and events 2nd: LGBTQ-friendly 3rd: Diversity
Best Smoke Shop
1st: Climax Smoke Shop, climaxshops.com 2nd: Daisy’s Smoke Shop, facebook.com/daisyssmokeshop 3rd: Rock N’ Roll It Vape & Tobacco, rockandrollit.com
Best Dermatologist or Medical Dermatology Practice
1st: Derrow Dermatology Associates, derrowdermatology.com 2nd: Knight Dermatology Institute, knightdermatology.com 3rd: Reflections Dermatology, reflectionsdermatology.com
Best Marijuana Dispensary
1st: Trulieve, trulieve.com Need to restock on your favorite indica flower or grab a cannabis-infused snack? Trulieve medical marijuana dispensaries have got you covered at locations across the Orlando area. Just don’t forget your medical card. 2nd: Fluent Cannabis Dispensary, getfluent.com 3rd: Müv Dispensary, muvfl.com Related Stories
Best Local Activist Group
1st: Zebra Coalition, zebrayouth.org This year, when the elected officials running our state (into the ground) are using our taxes to fund hate and division against LGBTQ+ youth, Orlando Weekly readers have named Zebra Coalition our best local activist group. Zebra Coalition is a network of organizations providing compassionate and confidential services to LGBTQ+ young…
Best Electronic Act
1st: Circle K, soundcloud.com/circlek 2nd: Phoenix Jagger, soundcloud.com/phoenixjagger 3rd: Yokai, wearetheyokai.com
Best Roofer
1st: HD Roofing, hdroofers.com 2nd: Central Homes Roofing & Solar, centralhomesroofing.com 3rd: Janney Roofing, janneyroofing.com
Best Wine Shop
1st: Tim’s Wine Market, timswine.com 2nd: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, abcfws.com 3rd: The Wine Room on Park Avenue, thewineroomonline.com/winter-park
Best Local Actor or Actress
1st: Carlos Navarro, iamcarlosnavarro.com Besides his early-morning riffing as a co-host of 104.1-FM’s stalwart “Monsters in the Morning” radio show, Navarro has been putting in the work for years on his acting, and it’s starting to pay big-time pop culture dividends. After one-shots on shows from “Prison Break” to “The Adventures of Kimmy Schmidt,” Navarro…
Best Kept Secret in Orlando
1st: Sanford, sanfordfl.gov Looks like the secret’s out! The people have spoken — logic be damned — and the word on the street is that Sanford’s the place to be. A mere stone’s throw from Metro Orlando up I-4, Sanford offers myriad eateries, drinkeries, live entertainment of all types and block parties to spare, along…
Best Eyewear Boutique
1st: Eola Eyes, eolaeyes.com 2nd: SEE Eyewear, seeeyewear.com 3rd: Oxford Eyes, oxfordeyes.com
Best Lingerie Store
1st: Fairvilla Megastore, fairvilla.com 2nd: Etoile Boutique, etoileboutique.com 3rd: LaBella Intimates & Boutique, shoplabellaintimates.com
Best Local Shoe Store
1st: Track Shack, trackshack.com Longtime local runner-centric footwear emporium gets the blue ribbon in our first year of this category, and it’s a real feel-good story. Going strong since 1977 — it’s a marathon, not a sprint, after all — Track Shack is a hub for local joggers and road racers, fully stocked with footwear…
Best Theme Park Ride
1st: Jurassic World VelociCoaster, universalorlando.com Other roller coasters may be taller, faster or longer than VelociCoaster, but we can’t think of another ride that packs in so many exhilarating elements back-to-back-to-back. Unlike the Incredible Hulk, which now relinquishes its crown as Universal’s most intense coaster, VelociCoaster starts strong and then builds, delivering increasing intensity for…
Best Jazz Act
1st: Sanford Jazz Ensemble, sanfordjazz.org 2nd: Brown Bag Brass Band, brownbagbrassband.com 3rd: Bobby Koelble, facebook.com/bobbykoelblemusic
Best Massage Therapist
1st: Karl Lubbers, imassage, imassageorlando.com 2nd: Ben Keyes, RxMassageTherapy, rxmassagetherapy.com 3rd: Tracy Sipe, Serenity Massage & Day Spa Services, vagaro.com/serenitymassageanddayspaservices
Best Local Animal Rescue
1st: Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, petallianceorlando.org 2nd: Pet Rescue by Judy, petrescuebyjudy.com 3rd: Gatorland, gatorland.com
Best Local Sportscaster
1st: Marc Daniels, ucfknights.com 2nd: Brandon Kravitz, 969thegame.iheart.com 3rd: David Steele, twitter.com/steelemagic
Best OB/GYN
1st: Planned Parenthood, plannedparenthood.org Never has Planned Parenthood’s central tenet — “care, no matter what” — meant so much to so many. The healthcare provider is often the only one accessible to women and LGBTQ+ people, with various programs to make reproductive care more accessible, as well as accepting those fortunate patients with health insurance.…
Best Self-Storage
1st: Extra Space Storage, extraspace.com 2nd: CubeSmart Self Storage, cubesmart.com
Best Art Gallery
1st: CityArts, downtownartsdistrict.com 2nd: College Park Gallery, collegeparkgallery.com 3rd: Jeanine Taylor Folk Art, jtfolkart.com
Best Charter School
1st: Cornerstone Charter Academy, cornerstonecharter.com 2nd: Choices In Learning Elementary Charter School, choicesinlearning.org 3rd (tie): Legends Academy, legendsacademy.org 3rd (tie): Osceola Science Charter School, osceolascience.org
Best Local College or Trade School
1st: University of Central Florida, ucf.edu 2nd: Rollins College, rollins.edu 3rd: Valencia College, valenciacollege.edu
Best Flooring and Tile Retailer
1st: Floor & Decor, flooranddecor.com 2nd: ProSource of Orlando, prosourcewholesale.com 3rd: The Flooring Center, flooringcenterorlando.com
Best Local Sports Team
1st: Orlando City Soccer, orlandocitysc.com 2nd: UCF Football, ucfknights.com/sports/football 3rd: Orlando Magic, nba.com/magic
Best Theme Park
1st: Universal Studios, universalorlando.com 2nd: Universal’s Islands of Adventure, universalorlando.com 3rd: Epcot, disneyworld.disney.go.com
Best Local TV Morning Show
1st: WESH 2 “News Sunrise,” wesh.com 2nd: Fox 35 “Good Day Orlando,” fox35orlando.com 3rd: WFTV “Eyewitness News This Morning,” wftv.com
Best Exercise Studio
1st: Orlando Power Yoga, orlandopoweryoga.com 2nd: All Fit Orlando, allfitorlando.com 3rd (tie): Cycle Bar, cyclebar.com 3rd (tie): Pure Barre, purebarre.com
Best Medical Spa
1st: Luxe Med Spa Aesthetics, luxemedspaaesthetics.com 2nd: Winter Park MedSpa, winterparkmedspa.com 3rd: Boutiq Medical Clinic, boutiqclinic.com
Best Local Big Shot Who’s Not an Elected Official
1st: Scott Maxwell, twitter.com/scott_maxwell 2nd: Lulu the Thornton Park Cat, instagram.com/lulunleashed 3rd: Savannah Boan, facebook.com/thesavannahboan
Best Local Talk News Radio Station
1st: Real Radio 104.1-FM, realradio.iheart.com 2nd: WMFE 90.7-FM, wmfe.org 3rd: Florida Man Radio 105.5-FM, floridamanradio.com
Best Personal Injury Attorney or Firm
1st: Morgan & Morgan, forthepeople.com 2nd: Moses R. DeWitt, The DeWitt Law Firm, dewittlaw.com 3rd: Todd Miner Law, toddminerlaw.com
Best Tattoo Studio
1st: Golden Tarot Ink Club, goldentarotinkclub.com 2nd (tie): Primrose Tattoo Parlor, primrosetattooparlor.com 2nd (tie): Rise Above Tattoo, riseabovetattoo.com 3rd: Built 4 Speed Tattoos, built4speedtattoo.com
Best Arts Event or Art Festival
1st: Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, orlandofringe.org 2nd: Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, wpsaf.org 3rd: Immerse, immersefest.org
Best Local Author
1st: Michael Wanzie, wanzie.com 2nd: Owl Goingback, owlgoingback.com 3rd: Paige Lavoie, paigelavoie.wordpress.com
Best Local Festival
1st: Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, orlandofringe.org The Orlando Fringe faced numerous challenges in 2022, from being forced to cancel January’s in-person Winter Mini-Fest in the face of COVID’s resurgence to the departure of several longtime staff members (most recently, producing artistic director Lindsay Taylor). Through it all, they not only brought their signature spring…
Best Framing Shop
1st: Sam Flax, samflaxorlando.com 2nd: Colonial Photo and Hobby, cphfun.com 3rd: Let Us Frame It, letusframeit.com
Best Pop-up Market
1st: Milk Mart, instagram.com/milkmartorlando 2nd: Grandma Party Bazaar, instagram.com/grandma_party 3rd: Orlando Local Makers, instagram.com/orlandolocalmakers
Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
1st: The House on Lang, houseonlang.com The hand-curated Laundry on Lang clothing selection ranges from well-loved vintage to thoughtful, trendy pieces. The house always has fun events going on. You can pop into a painting class or a jewelry workshop right after adding an eclectic new piece to your wardrobe. 2nd: The Owl’s Attic, theowlsattic.com…
Best Local TV News Reporter
1st: Michelle Meredith, WESH-2 , wesh.com 2nd: Allison Walker, Spectrum News 13, mynews13.com 3rd: Jamie Seh, WKMG, clickorlando.com
Best Eye Doctor or Ophthalmology Practice
1st: Eola Eyes, eolaeyes.com 2nd: Dr. Thanh Nguyen, O.D., You & Eyes, youandeyes.com 3rd: Dr. Michelle Hanley, O.D., Innovation Eye Care, innovationeyecare.com
Best Nutritionist
1st: Kait Richardson, RDN, LD, CPT, Nutrition Awareness, orlandodietitian.com 2nd: Megan Poczekaj, RDN, LD, Nutrition Awareness, orlandodietitian.com 3rd: Anthony Filardo, D.C., Wymore Laser and Anti Aging Medicine, wymorelaser.com
Best Local Charitable Group
1st: Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, feedhopenow.org 2nd: Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, petallianceorlando.org 3rd: The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, facebook.com/mustardseedoffl
Best Local TV Anchor
1st: Amy Kaufeldt, facebook.com/amykaufeldtfox35 2nd: Martha Sugalski, instagram.com/marthasugalski 3rd: Greg Warmoth, facebook.com/gwarmothwftv
Best Pest Control
1st: Massey Services Pest Control, masseyservices.com In Florida, insects outnumber humans by approximately a bajillion to one, and every resident knows about the eternal battle to keep the creeping hordes at bay. Whether it’s discouraging invaders from eating holes in the lawn, ensuring that termites don’t take roost under the roof, or combating intermittent ant…
Best Veterinarian or Veterinary Clinic
1st: Winter Park Veterinary Hospital, wpvet.com 2nd: McAbee Veterinary Hospital, mcabeeveterinary.com 3rd (tie): Animal Medical Clinic, amcoforlando.com 3rd (tie): Underhill Animal Hospital, underhillanimalhospital.com Related Stories
Best Water Park
1st: Universal’s Volcano Bay, universalorlando.com 2nd: Aquatica, aquatica.com/orlando 3rd: Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, disneyworld.disney.go.com
Best Daycare
1st: Primrose School of Lake Nona, primroseschools.com 2nd: Primrose School of Avalon Park, primroseschools.com 3rd: The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando, orlandojcc.org
Best Local Mural
1st: Pulse Mural at the Center, thecenterorlando.org 2nd: RBG tribute mural at Burton’s by Andrew Spear, instagram.com/spearlife 3rd: Liquid Death Pigeon Mural at the Commission Beer Chamber by Phels Alonso, facebook.com/thecommissionbeerchamber
Best Golf Course
1st: Dubsdread, historicaldubsdread.com 2nd: Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge, ocngolf.com 3rd: Winter Park Golf Course, cityofwinterpark.org
Best Mini Golf
1st: Congo River Golf, congoriver.com 2nd: Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, piratescove.net 3rd: Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, disneyworld.disney.go.com
Best Use of Public Money
1st: Orange County Library System, ocls.info 2nd: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, drphillipscenter.org 3rd (tie): Affordable housing 3rd (tie): I-4 expansion and express lanes, i4express.com
Best Local TV Weather Forecaster
1st: Tom Terry, WFTV 9, instagram.com/tomterrywftv 2nd: Tony Mainolfi, WESH 2, facebook.com/tmainolfiwesh 3rd: Eric Burris, WESH 2, facebook.com/meteorologistericburris
Best Eyelash and/or Brow Salon
1st: Brow and Beauty, browandbeauty.co Some studios offer all kinds of services, from lash lifts and extensions to eyebrow threading, dyeing and microblading, but Brow and Beauty does one thing and does it well — our readers are devoted to the impeccable ombré powder brows provided by owner Sharon Rojo, and they turned out in…
Best Local Record Label
1st: Smartpunk Records, smartpunk.com 2nd: Applejazz records, applejazz.com 3rd: Solar Records, solarmusic.com
Best Local Evening News
1st: WESH Channel 2, wesh.com 2nd: WFTV Channel 9, wftv.com 3rd: WKMG News 6, clickorlando.com
Best Pet Groomer
1st: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, woofgangbakery.com 2nd: Just 4 Dogs Pet Salons, just4dogs.com 3rd: All Creatures Pet Grooming, allcreaturespetgrooming.com
Best Wedding Venue
1st: Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, casafeliz.us Casa Feliz in Winter Park: the house so nice, they’ve named it twice. First it was a residence known as the Barbour Estate, designed and built in 1932 by architect James Gamble Rogers. Then, many years later, preservationists had the building picked up and moved 300 feet to…
Best Adult Entertainment
1st: Dancers Royale, dancers-royale.com 2nd: Rachel’s North Men’s Club and Steakhouse, rachelscasselberry.com 3rd: Thee Dollhouse Orlando, theeoriginaldollhouse.com
Best Local Beer Label Design
1st: Moon Boots, Sideward Brewing Co., sidewardbrewing.com 2nd: Beach Hippie IPA, Persimmon Hollow Brewing, persimmonhollowbrewing.com 3rd: Joyland, Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co., ivanhoeparkbrewing.com
Best Neighborhood to Drink In
1st: Mills 50, mills50.org Once the desolate runway of street punks and summer-roll seekers, this perennially shifting strip of cool has achieved such a full-fledged renaissance that there’s a very tangible danger it will steal the “real Orlando” crown from downtown permanently. A glow-up of nicely curated eateries like Black Rooster Taqueria, Pig Floyd’s Urban…
Best Garden Store
1st: Lukas Nursery & Butterfly Encounter, lukasnursery.com 2nd: Palmer’s Garden & Goods, palmersgarden.com 3rd: The Heavy, theheavywp.com
Best Preschool
1st: Primrose School, primroseschools.com 2nd: Maitland Montessori School, maitlandmontessori.org 3rd: All Saints School, allsaintsschoolwp.com
Best Mall
1st: The Mall at Millenia, mallatmillenia.com 2nd: The Florida Mall, simon.com/mall/the-florida-mall 3rd: Altamonte Mall, altamontemall.com
Best Experimental Act
1st: Bacon Grease, bacongrease.bandcamp.com We’ve long been singing the praises of Orlando outsider music stalwart Andrea Knight (Bacon Grease). Recently, no less than NPR Music and the BBC echoed our inky hosannahs. And now Orlando Weekly’s readers have joined the chorus. Besides being a champion of local creativity going back many years, Knight’s ever-evolving and…
Best Group Fitness
1st: Hardcore Fitness, hardcorefitnessbootcamp.com 2nd: All Fit Orlando, allfitorlando.com 3rd: Camp Gladiator, campgladiator.com
Best Metal Act
1st: Trivium, trivium.org Even among hardcore Orlando music-heads, we sometimes forget that there are bona fide metal superstars in our midst. But Orlando Weekly’s readers did not. Maybe it’s because Matt Heafy and crew aren’t swanning around town like legends in their own mind, instead keeping their heads down, touring, streaming on Twitch and writing…
Best Local Influencer
1st: Jessie Dee, jessiedee.net 2nd: Savannah Boan, facebook.com/thesavannahboan 3rd: Benjamin Ptashinsky, instagram.com/equityben
Best Bicycle Shop
1st: Orange Cycle, orangecycleorlando.com 2nd: Kyle’s Bike Shop, kylesbikeshop.net 3rd: Bicikleta Bike Shop, bicikletabikeshop.com
Best Antique Store
1st: Renninger’s Flea Market & Antique Center, renningers.net Much like its sister locations in Pennsylvania’s Amish Country, Renninger’s Mount Dora location is like an organically powered time machine, where you can turn back the calendar a couple of decades by rummaging through the collective attics of ten thousand grandmas. You can easily get lost for…
Best Zip Line or Ropes Course
1st: Gatorland Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, gatorland.com 2nd: Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park Zip Line, orlandotreetrek.com 3rd: Seminole Aerial Adventures, centralfloridazoo.org/attractions/saa
Best Local Comedian
1st: Benjamin Ptashinsky, instagram.com/equityben 2nd: Rauce Padgett, facebook.com/raucepadgettcomedy 3rd: Ryan Holmes, facebook.com/ryanholmescomedy
Best Axe-Throwing Place
1st: The Axe Hole, theaxeholeapopka.com 2nd: The Axe Trap, theaxetrap.com 3rd: Epic Axe Throwing, epicaxethrowing.com
Best Orlando Weekly Event
1st: Tacos & Tequila, tacosandtequilaorlando.com 2nd: Orlando Beer Festival, orlandobeerfestival.com 3rd: Taco Week, orlandotacoweek.com
Best Paddleboard Company
1st: Epic Paddle Adventures, epicpaddleadventures.com 2nd: Buena Vista Watersports, bvwatersports.com 3rd: Dante’s Beach Rentals, dantesbeachrentals.com
Best Motorcycle Shop
1st: Harley-Davidson of Orlando, orlandoharley.com 2nd: Central Florida PowerSports, centralfloridapowersports.com 3rd: Ducati Sanford, ducatisanford.com
Best Acupuncturist or Acupuncture Practice
1st: Be Well Holistic Care, bewellcfl.com 2nd: Cortney Singleton, The Salt Room, saltroomorlando.com 3rd: Community Acupuncture of Orlando, communityacupunctureoforlando.com
Best Gym
1st: Hardcore Fitness, hardcorefitnessbootcamp.com 2nd: All Fit Orlando, allfitorlando.com 3rd: YMCA of Downtown Orlando, ymcacf.org
Best Music Festival
1st: Electric Daisy Carnival, orlando.electricdaisycarnival.com You can’t dispute the will of the people on this one. Everything about Electric Daisy Carnival is bigger, grander, louder and splashier than pretty much any other fest in the city. Party people from all over get dolled up and converge on downtown Orlando for a lost weekend of pounding…
Best Local Leader During the Pandemic
1st: Anna Eskamani, annaforflorida.com Eskamani is a no-nonsense public servant who works for constituents and non-constituents alike on real-time, actual solutions to issues facing the citizens of Orlando, Orange County and Florida at large. She may be elected to represent District 47, but anyone who turned to her office for help with Florida’s sickeningly broken…
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
1st: Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, petallianceorlando.org Orlando Weekly readers gave a hand (paw) to this local pet shelter that is doing the most for dogs and cats that just need a home and some love. Even after a fire devastated their main hub last year, the Pet Alliance soldiered on, moving pets to satellite…
Best Burlesque Troupe
1st: Les Vixens Burlesque, lesvixens.com 2nd: Bad Witch Burlesque, badwitchburlesque.com 3rd: Corsets and Cuties, corsetsandcuties.com
Best Local Graphic Artist/Designer
1st: Doug Berger, r3mx.com 2nd: Sean Walsh, Secret Society Goods, secretsocietygoods.com 3rd: Adam McCabe, adamiscreative.com
Best Neighborhood to Eat In
1st: Mills 50, mills50.org 2nd: Winter Park, cityofwinterpark.org 3rd: Thornton Park, thorntonparkdistrict.com
Free Will Astrology: ‘You can’t afford to remain unchanged’
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Now that I’m free to be myself, who am I?” Virgo-born Mary Oliver asks that question to start one of her poems. She spends the rest of the poem speculating on possible answers. At the end, she concludes she mostly longs to be an “empty, waiting, pure, speechless receptacle.” Such a…
Best Place for Family Fun
1st: Walt Disney World, disneyworld.disney.go.com 2nd: Universal Orlando, universalorlando.com 3rd: Gatorland, gatorland.com
Best Musical Instrument Store
1st: Band Room, bandroomorlando.com 2nd: Blackbird Vintage Music, facebook.com/blackbirdvintagemusic 3rd: Discount Music Center, discountmusic.com
Best Aesthetician
1st: Brenda Martinez, Derrow Dermatology, derrowdermatology.com 2nd: Michaela Bailey, Mosaic Hair Studio, mosaichairstudio.com 3rd: Kat Angel, KittyKat Coven, www.kittykatcoven.com
Best Hair Salon
1st: Privé Salon & Spa, privesalonorlando.com 2nd: Mosaic Hair Studio & Blowout Bar, mosaichairstudio.com 3rd: Leal Marston Salon, lealmarston.com
Best Open Mic
1st: Austin’s Coffee, austinscoffee.com 2nd: Celery City Craft, celerycitycraft.com 3rd: Rockpit Brewing, rockpitbrewing.com
Best Local Music-Focused Radio Station
1st: XL 106.7-FM, xl1067.iheart.com 2nd: WPRK 91.5-FM, wprk.org 3rd: WJRR 101.1-FM, wjrr.iheart.com
Best Bridal Store
1st: Lily’s Bridal, lilysbridal.com 2nd: Minerva’s Bridal, minervasbridal.com 3rd: Gray Collective Bridal Boutique, graycollectivebridal.com
Best Comedy Club
1st: SAK Comedy Lab, sakcomedylab.com The decades roll on and SAK never lets up. The improv theater is nothing if not a reliable place to catch some laughs — and the interactive nature of the make-it-up-as-you-go skits and sketches guarantees surprises every time. 2nd: Improv Orlando, theimprovorlando.com 3rd: Bull & Bush, bullandbushorlando.com
Best Local Visual Artist
1st: Jessie Dee, jessiedee.net 2nd: Kristy Lee, kristyleeart.com 3rd: Andrew Spear, instagram.com/spearlife
Best Neighborhood to Live In
1st: Winter Park, cityofwinterpark.org 2nd: College Park, collegeparkmainstreet.com 3rd: Thornton Park, thorntonparkdistrict.com
Best I-Drive Attraction
1st: Icon Park and the Orlando Eye, iconparkorlando.com 2nd: Fun Spot Theme Park, fun-spot.com 3rd: WonderWorks, wonderworksonline.com/orlando
Best Private School
1st: Lake Highland Preparatory School, lhps.org 2nd: Bishop Moore Catholic High School, bishopmoore.org 3rd: Trinity Preparatory School, trinityprep.org
Best Pawn Shop
1st: Mike’s Pawn & Jewelry, mikespawn.com 2nd: A&M Pawn and Gold Buyers, webuygoldorlando.com
Best Folk Act
1st: The 502s, the502s.com 2nd: Jordan Foley & the Wheelhouse, jordanfoleymusic.com 3rd: Terri Binion, terribinionmusic.com
Best Hair Stylist
1st: Luis Marston-Vega, Leal Marston Salon, lealmarston.com 2nd: Demi Heinsen, Aveda TCG Salon & Spa, tcgsalon.com 3rd: Lisa Hayman, Moriah Brandon’s Hair Salon, moriahbrandons.com
Best Opera Company
1st: Opera Orlando, operaorlando.org 2nd: Opera del Sol, operadelsol.org
Best Local OnlyFans
1st: Jessica Barton, facebook.com/jessmbarton Jessica Barton’s OnlyFans account exists to make you cum. By “you,” we mean those of you who for whom a solo, tatted blonde gets the job done. Her fan base loves her perfectly even, head-to-toe tan and her fearless display of T&A (and a few other parts). 2nd: LetsEatCakeXx, instagram.com/letseatcakexx 3rd:…
Best CBD Shop
1st: Surterra Wellness, surterra.com CBD products, which don’t get you high but are used for pain relief, are all the rage right now. Our voters this year say Surterra Wellness is the place to go to get the best that Orlando has to offer. 2nd: The Hemp Depot Orlando, thehempdepotorlando.com 3rd: Daisy’s Smoke Shop, facebook.com/daisyssmokeshop
Best Comedy Night
1st (tie): Shit Sandwich, Bull & Bush, bullandbushorlando.com 1st (tie): Teachers Night at the Improv, theimprovorlando.com 2nd (tie): Bull & Bush Underground Comedy Show! Wednesdays, bullandbushorlando.com 2nd (tie): Open Mic at The Falcon, thefalconbar.com 3rd: Open Mic at Game On Avalon, gameonavalon.com/open-mic-night
Best Movie Theater
1st: Enzian Theater, enzian.org This local arthouse institution has been going since the 1980s, providing cinematic thrills of all persuasions. The cozy Maitland theater’s bill of fare takes in the cutting-edge and the blockbuster, along with plenty of one-night-only special screenings, themed series, local showcases and the prestigious Florida Film Festival. Unlike your typical multiplex,…
Best Neighborhood to Shop In
1st: Winter Park, cityofwinterpark.org 2nd: Audubon Park, helloapgd.com 3rd: Ivanhoe Village, ivanhoevillage.org
Best Gift Store
1st: Good Crowd, goodcrowdshop.com 2nd: Adjectives Market, adjstyle.com 3rd: Hellcats USA, hellcatsusa.com
Best Place to Bike
1st: West Orange Trail, orangecountyfl.net 2nd: Cady Way Trail, orangecountyfl.net 3rd: Sanford RiverWalk, sanfordfl.gov
Best Pet Supplies Store
1st: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, woofgangbakery.com 2nd: Pet Bazaar, facebook.com/petbazaarflorida 3rd: Woof! Orlando, wooforlando.com
Best Barre Studio
1st: Pure Barre, purebarre.com 2nd: The Bar Method, barmethod.com 3rd: Barre3, barre3.com
Best Live Music Club
1st: Will’s Pub, willspub.org Few places are as authentically and notably Orlando as Will’s Pub. In the 27 years since it first opened, this church of rock & roll has kept it 100 percent real. Its stage has hosted an incredibly long, impeccably legit list of music acts, both touring and local. Forget Disney. Will’s…
Best Pop Act
1st: Layla Brisbois, laylabrisbois.com 2nd: Marc With a C, marcwithac.com 3rd: Run Raquel, runraquel.com
Best Local Podcast
1st: “A Mediocre Time With Tom & Dan,” tomanddan.com This understated podcast nails the eternally popular yet difficult-to-pull-off format of “a coupla guys sittin’ around shooting the shit.” It’s basically “two dudes that decided to go out and do something on their own and were successful,” Tom Vann once said; he and Daniel Dennis have…
Best Cigar Store
1st: Corona Cigar Co. & Diamond Crown Lounge, coronacigar.com 2nd: Nora’s Sugar Shack Beer Wine & Cigars, norassugarshack.com 3rd: Celery City Cigars, celerycitycraft.com
Best Apartment Building or Community
1st: The Yard at Ivanhoe, theyardivanhoe.com 2nd: Horizon West, horizonwestmagazine.com 3rd: Park Place Apartments, parkplacemaguire.com
Best Museum
1st: Orlando Science Center, osc.org 2nd: Orlando Museum of Art, omart.org 3rd: The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, morsemuseum.org
Best Beach
1st: New Smyrna Beach, visitnsbfl.com 2nd: Siesta Key, visitsarasota.com/siesta-key 3rd: Clearwater, clearwaterbeach.com
Best Independent Bookstore
1st: Writer’s Block Bookstore, writersblockbookstore.com With two locations in Winter Park and Winter Garden, your new and used book options abound at Writer’s Block Bookstore, an independent venue that also stocks your journaling and gift bag needs. Our readers recommend enjoying a glass of wine while browsing titles during Wine Down Wednesday or Thirsty Thursdays.…
Best Place to Take Your Dog to Play
1st: Lake Baldwin Dog Park, cityofwinterpark.org 2nd: Paw Park in Sanford, sanfordfl.gov 3rd: Dr. Phillips Dog Park, orangecountyfl.net
Best Place to Buy a Luxury Car
1st: Tesla, tesla.com 2nd: Fields BMW, fieldsbmworlando.com 3rd: Mercedes-Benz of North Orlando, mercedesbenznorthorlando.com
Best Chiropractor or Chiropractic Practice
1st: Baker Family Chiropractic, bakerfamilychiro.com 2nd: Winter Park Chiropractic & Acupuncture Center, winterparkchiropractic.com 3rd: Pavlik Center for Health and Wellness, pavlikchiropractic.com
Best IV Spa
1st: Vitalounge, vitalounge.com 2nd: Revival IV Lounge Orlando, revivalivlounge.com 3rd: Luxe Med Spa Aesthetics, luxemedspaaesthetics.com
Best Punk Act
1st: The Supervillains, thesupervillains.com 2nd: Wet Nurse, wetnurse.bandcamp.com 3rd: Magnolia Park, magnoliaparkband.com
Best Club DJ
1st: Angel of Boom, instagram.com/itsoffcialangel 2nd: DJ GAY-Z, djgayz.bandcamp.com 3rd: DJ Magic Mike, djmagicmike.com
Best Plumber or Plumbing Company
1st: Frank Gay Services, LLC, frankgayservices.com 2nd: Emerald Plumbing, emeraldplumbing.net 3rd (tie): Harvey Baker Plumbing, Inc., harveybakerplumbing.com 3rd (tie): Maitland Winter Park Plumbing, maitlandwinterparkplumbing.com
Best Boutique Hotel
1st: Grand Bohemian Hotel, kesslercollection.com/bohemian-orlando 2nd: The Alfond Inn at Rollins College, thealfondinn.com 3rd: The Wellborn, thewellbornorlando.com
Best Recurring Arts Nights
1st: CityArts 3rd Thursday, downtownartsdistrict.com 2nd: Thornton Park Wine Walk, thorntonparkdistrict.com 3rd: FAVO First Fridays, faithartsvillage.com
Best Comic Book Shop
1st: Gods & Monsters, godmonsters.com Nestled in the heart of the I-Drive area, this eclectic comic book and collectibles shop gives locals incentive to venture into the tourist zone. Packed to the gills with funnybooks, graphic novels, toys, statues and gaming supplies, Gods & Monsters has it all … including an apocalyptic speakeasy, Vault 5421,…
Best Place to Show People the Real Orlando
1st: Lake Eola, orlando.gov 2nd: Mills 50, mills50.org 3rd: Downtown Orlando, downtownorlando.com
Best Public Swimming Pool
1st: Oviedo Aquatic Facility, cityofoviedo.net 2nd: Fort Gatlin Recreation Complex, orangecountyfl.net 3rd: College Park Pool, orlando.gov
Best Place to Buy a New Car
1st: Tesla, tesla.com We’re no fans of Elon Musk, but hey, Henry Ford wasn’t exactly a peach of a guy, either. And it must be admitted that, alongside all of his juvenile media antics, Musk has achieved the seemingly impossible: He’s made electric vehicles achingly popular. Even better, there’s the knock-on effect of forcing other…
Best Cycling Studio
1st: Cycle Bar, cyclebar.com 2nd: Rukus Cycling Studios, gocyclenow.com 3rd: Warrior One, wearewarriorone.com
Best Laser Eye Surgery
1st: Dr. Konrad W. Filutowski, M.D., Filutowski Eye Institute, filutowskieye.com 2nd: Magruder Eye Institute, magrudereye.com 3rd: Lasik Pro, mylasikpro.com
Best Recording Studio
1st: Phat Planet Studios, phatplanetstudios.com 2nd: Bynx Records, bynx.co/bynx-records 3rd (tie): Red Lion Studios, redlionrecordingstudio.com 3rd (tie): Studio 18, studio18fl.com
Best Local Politician
1st: Rep. Anna Eskamani, annaforflorida.com 2nd: Mayor Buddy Dyer, orlando.gov 3rd: U.S. Rep. Val Demings, demings.house.gov
