Best Of 2018

Best Emerging Dining Strip: Curry Ford Road

Curry Ford Road

The early footprints of the new Hourglass District concept have only punctuated the nascent energy that's already been rising in this unassuming local stretch. In recent years, this old Orlando corridor has become surprisingly diverse in cuisine, with noteworthy newcomers joining established favorites of every cuisine: Italian (Pizza Bruno), Mexican (La Fiesta, Cilantro's Taqueria, Los Generales), Cuban (Zaza New Cuban Diner), Mediterranean (Theo's Kitchen, JJ's Grille) and Vietnamese (Pho and Roll). On the beverage side, Ocean Sun Brewing, Roque Pub, the newly reopened Claddagh Cottage, Foxtail Coffee and the upcoming opening of Hourglass Brewing distinguish the strip. Collectively, it's become an unlikely and organic frontier for accessible quality food and drink.

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.