Best Of 2018

Best Civic Minded Shot: "The Buddy Dyer" at Shots

"The Buddy Dyer" at Shots

For better and worse, John "Buddy" Dyer's 15-year (and counting!) reign as the mayor of Orlando has left an indelible impact on the city. And what better way to honor that impact than by knocking back a sugary, alcoholic confection at a live-action LMFAO song of a bar owned by a group out of Miami? The "Buddy Dyer" at Shots is a tasty, Creamsicle-flavored – though maybe unintentional – commentary on the Dyer era: orangey, citrusy and oh-so vanilla.

Food and Drink: Orlando's best coffee shops, restaurants, food trucks and more

Best Bakery: Valhalla Bakery

1. Valhalla Bakery, valhallabakery.com

2. Se7en Bites, se7enbites.com

3. Buttermilk Bakery, buttermilk-bakery.com

Best Barbecue Restaurant: 4 Rivers Smokehouse

1. 4 Rivers Smokehouse, 4rsmokehouse.com

2. Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa, pigfloyds.com

3. Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, bubbalous.com

Best Beer for Bands: Namesake beers for local bands at Ten10 Fest

Namesake beers for local bands at Ten10 Fest

ten10fest.com

Live music at a brewery isn't exactly a new concept, but Ten10 Brewing Co. on Virginia Drive went a step beyond for their Ten10 Fest this past October. In addition to inviting 10 mostly local bands to throw an all-day hootenanny in their back parking lot, they invited five of those bands to brew their own signature suds to serve. From American Party Machine's Fireball cinnamon whiskey-inspired red ale to Fat Night's hibiscus-infused pale ale, the variety of brews gave the festival a little extra local love that we hope to see replicated again.