In a city packed with big-name dining rooms and flashy concepts, it’s a cozy Southern European wine bar in Orlando’s North Quarter that just snagged the spotlight. Sparrow, the petite nook from Good Salt Restaurant Group, has been crowned Best New Restaurant in the Orlando Sentinel’s 2026 Foodie Awards, cementing its status as downtown’s go-to date-night hideout.
The win was announced today, as reported by the Orlando Sentinel. The paper pointed to Sparrow’s tight, small-plates menu from chef-partner Wendy Lopez, its compact, buzzy dining room, and its focused wine program as the key reasons it flew to the top of the Best New Restaurant list. Lopez also earned a 2026 James Beard semifinalist nod, giving the bar an extra boost on the national radar.
Small plates, big focus
Sparrow bills itself as a Southern European wine bar, pulling inspiration from Spain, Portugal, and France. On the menu: jamón ibérico, conservas, crudo, a rotating short-rib ragù, and a Basque-style cheesecake that regulars whisper about like a neighborhood secret. That blend of intimate service, share-friendly plates, and an Old-and-New-World wine list has fueled the spot’s fast word-of-mouth rise, as detailed by Orlando Weekly.
Chef Lopez's national moment
Lopez, who also runs the kitchen at Reyes Mezcaleria, landed on the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 Best Chef: South semifinalist list, putting both her and Orlando in a brighter regional spotlight. The full roster of semifinalists is published on the James Beard Foundation website.
Good Salt's downtown push
Sparrow is the latest downtown concept from restaurateurs Jason and Sue Chin and their Good Salt Restaurant Group, joining Reyes Mezcaleria, The Osprey, and other spots that have helped shape the North Quarter’s dining identity. The group soft-opened Sparrow in May 2025 before rolling into a formal grand opening later in the year, as reported by Bungalower.
Book ahead
The little wine bar keeps a busy calendar, with aperitivo hours, monthly high tea, and curated wine dinners that keep regulars circling back. Reservations are recommended and can be made through OpenTable or via the restaurant’s official site. With a Foodie Award on the shelf and a James Beard semifinalist in the kitchen, Sparrow’s North Quarter perch looks anything but temporary; menus and event details are available at Sparrow.
