Best of Central Florida® 2020

   Held on December 3, 2020, The Orlando Local News' Best of Central Florida awards luncheon turned out to be a massive success, bringing together political leaders and entrepreneurs of all stripes. Hosted at the University Club of Orlando, the event included a concert by world renown pianist Dariusz Grabowski and keynote speeches by Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award winners Congressman John Mica and former U.S. Surgeon General Antonia Novello. Award winners were selected by both votes from the public and our Editorial Board's non-voting categories. Listed below, the winners from our 2020 competition. Photos from the University Club luncheon can be found in the a gallery here.

Food & Night Life

Top 3 Orlando Fine Dining Restaurants:

Best Fine Dining Italian Restaurant: Christini's Ristorante Italiano*

7600 Dr Phillips Boulevard,

Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 545-6867

Best American Fine Dining: Chatham's Place*

7575 Dr Phillips Blvd Ste 150

Orlando, FL 32819

(407) 345-2992

• Runner Up: Chef's Table*

Best Steakhouse: Christner's Prime Steak and Lobster*

729 Lee Rd

Orlando, FL 32810

(407) 645-4443

Casual Dining and Lounges

Best Pub: Fiddler's Green

Best Lounge/Bar: Mather's Social Gathering

• Runner Ups: M-Lounge, Imperial Wine Bar, Propag8

Best Cafe: White Wolf Cafe

Best Diner: College Park Cafe

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Cedars

Best German Restaurant: Hollerbach's Willowtree Cafe

Best Casual Mexican Restaurant: PR's Taco Palace

Best BBQ: Four Rivers

• Runner Up: Yellow Dog Eats

Best Burger: Hangry Bison

Best Cigar Lounge: Corona Cigar

• Runner Up: Admiral Cigar Lounge
• Honorable Mention: Cigarz On the Avenue

*Reservations Recommended

Museums and Recreation

Best Art Museum: Mennello Museum of Art

• Runner Up: Morse Museum

Honorable Mention: Cornell Museum of Art, Rollins College

Best Aviation Museum: War Bird Adventures

Best Transportation Museum: Winter Garden Rail Museum

Best Catholic Church: St. James Catholic Church

Best Protestant Church: First Orlando

Best City Center: Winter Park

Best Spiritual Retreat: Cassadaga, Florida

Best Movie Theater: Enzian Theater

Best Chain of Lakes: Winter Park Chain of Lakes

• Runner Up: Butler Chain of Lakes

Goods & Services

Best Debt Relief Firm: Nest Egg Financial

Best Winter Park Law Firm: Vose Law Firm

Best Apopka Law Firm: McLeod Law Firm

Best Political Consultant: Greg Fournier, Envisage Public Relations and Political Management

Best in Political Advocacy: Jon Miller, Majority Strategies

Best in Government Affairs: Dick Batchelor Management Group

Best Haberdashery: John Craig and Current

Media and Politics

Best Congressman: Congressman Daniel Webster

Best State Legislator: State Rep Anthony Sabatini

Best Local Leader: Mayor Dave Henson, Casselberry

Best News Anchor: Nancy Alvarez

Best Report: Valerie Boey

Best Local Inventor: Emmett Imani

Best in Philanthropy: John Crossman

Best in Judicial Excellence: Judge Meredith Sasso

Awards and Recognitions

American Dreamer Award: Glen Gilzean, Central Florida Urban League

Educational Hero Award: Dayle Seneff

Woman of the Year: Mary Demetree, Demetree Global

Veterans Advocate of the Year: Harvey Massey

Best Central Florida Musician: Dariusz Grabowski

Central Florida's Finest Award: Omar Delgado, Eatonville Police Department

The publication established the Lifetime Achievement Award as a means to honor the legacy of Roger S. Swanson, founding Editor of The Local News, by highlighting the momentous lifetime achievements of two extraordinary men or women. Our 2020 honorees were presented awards on December 3rd, 2020.