Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria wins 2026 Best of Florida Award

Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria in Maitland has been named a 2026 Best of Florida Award winner, recognizing the family-owned restaurant's decade-plus run of scratch-made Sicilian and Italian cooking. The honor highlights a local dining staple that plans to keep growing its catering and private dining business.

Why it matters: - The award puts a longtime Maitland restaurant in the statewide spotlight and reinforces demand for independently owned, scratch-made dining concepts. - The recognition may help strengthen Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria's visibility as it expands catering and private dining.

What happened: - Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria was named a recipient of the 2026 Best of Florida Award. - The restaurant is located on South Orlando Avenue in downtown Maitland. - Chef and owner Francesco Aiello said the award reflects the community's support over the years. - Aiello said the restaurant set out to bring a taste of Sicily to Maitland. - More information

The details: - Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria opened in 2012. - The restaurant is family-owned and independently operated. - The kitchen centers its menu on wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta and a daily fish special based on the freshest catch. - Pizza dough is baked in a wood-burning oven that runs at 700 degrees. - The oven produces the thin, charred crust that has defined the restaurant's reputation. - Pasta sauces are made in-house. - The wine list is curated to pair with specific dishes. - The restaurant also offers catering and private group dining for office events and celebrations. - Aiello grew up in Palermo, Sicily, where he watched his father work as a pastry chef. - Aiello trained at Italy's Instituto Alberghiero before moving to Central Florida. - Aiello later worked under a longtime mentor in the local restaurant scene before opening the Maitland restaurant. - The restaurant has become a fixture on Orlando Avenue and has received regular local press coverage. - Aiello said the award belongs to everyone who has walked through the restaurant's doors.

Between the lines: - The award underscores how a narrow focus on consistency and scratch cooking can still build staying power in a competitive local market. - The restaurant's emphasis on a curated wine list and private dining suggests it is positioning itself for both neighborhood loyalty and higher-margin special events.

What's next: - Francesco's Ristorante & Pizzeria plans to keep serving lunch and dinner seven days a week. - The restaurant plans to expand catering and private dining over the next year. - The award gives the business another credibility boost as it continues to lean on its wood-fired pizza and Sicilian roots.