congratulations to the
​ winners!

Mount Dora Buzz readers cast their ballots in the annual "Best of Mount Dora" awards to show local businesses some much-deserved love.  Here are the winners for 2026!

2026 WINNERS!

DINING   WINNERS

Best Appetizers:
Goblin Market

Best Breakfast or Brunch:
Peach Valley

Best Burgers:
Frog & Monkey Restaurant & Pub

Best Pizza
Shadrach's Fiery Furnace Pizza Company

Best Lunch Spot
Butcher's Nook

Best Asian Restaurant:
Wave Asian Bistro

Best Latin Restaurant
Fiesta Grande

Best Tacos:
Fiesta Grande

Best Wings
Frogger's

Best Salads
Goblin Market
​
Best Seafood
Pisces Rising

Best Coffee Shop or Cafe
Serendipity Brews

Best Sweets Shop
Allyson A Bakeshop

Best Restaurant Desserts:
Goblin Market

Best Take-out:
Mount Dora Pizza & Subs

Best Chain Restaurant:
Longhorn Steakhouse

Best Deals on Meals:
Key Foods Cafeteria

Best Restaurant:
Goblin Market

​Best Date Night
Goblin Market

2026 WATERING HOLE WINNERS

Best Happy Hour:
1921
​
Best Wine Spot:
Maggie's Attic

Best Craft Beer:
Eden Abbey Brewing Community

Best 'Beertender:
Winner:  Jake Jordan (The Nest at Papilio)
Runner-up:  Jerome (Maggie's Attic)
Second Runner-up:  Trevor (Wolf Branch Brewing)

Best Mixologist:
Winner:  Ashley (Frog & Monkey)
Runner-up:  Dakota (Handlebar)
Second Runner-up:  Caleb (Handlebar)

Best Old Fashioned:
HandleBar

Best Margaritas:
Fiesta Grande

Best Cocktails:
HandleBar

RETAIL THERAPY WINNERS

Best Women's Apparel Store (a tie):
Ivy's Boutique
Emz on 5th

Best Men's Apparel:
Walk in the Woods

Most Unique Gifts:
Papilio

Best Vintage Store:
Renningers Antique Center

Best Home Goods:
Papilio

Best Place to Buy Plants:
The Yard Stop

Best Specialty Foods:
KKO Chocolates
​
Best Place to Buy Art:
Renningers Antique Center

Best Jewelry:
Gold in Art

ENTERTAINMENT   & ACCOMMODATIONS WINNERS

Best Festival:
Mount Dora Arts Festival (Feb.)

​Favorite Local Musician:
Sal & Izy

Best Live Music:
Pisces Rising

Best Attraction Outdoor Activity:
Palm Island Park

​Best Accommodations:
Lakeside Inn
​
Best Place to Watch the Sunset:
Deck at Pisces Rising

STELLAR SERVICES

Best Salon:
Pure Aveda
​
Best Barber Shop:
AJ Barber Shop

Best Massage & Facial Spa
Essential Therapies

Best Mani-pedis:
Mount Dora Nails & Spa

Best Gym or Workout:
Fitness CF

Best New Business:
​Salt & Ember
Best Annual Festival:  Mount Dora Art Festival
Best Pizza:  Shadrach's Fiery Furnace
Best Outdoor Activity:  Palm Island Boardwalk
Favorite Local Musician: Sal & Izy
Best Seafood: Pisces Rising
Best Craft Beer:  Eden Abbey Brewing Community
Best Cocktails: 
​HandleBar
(Click on parking map to enlarge)