Wine Spectator magazine has announced its annual “Restaurant Awards” winners for 2024.
Across all categories, Southwest Florida boasts 23 winners, with several restaurants making their debut.
Since its 1981 inception, this handy guide to 3,700 global dining spots with outstanding wine lists remains prestigious. Accolades are distributed across three tiers: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and most coveted of all, the rare Grand Award.
Restaurants are not judged for their overall quality but by the strength of the wine lists submitted to the elite judging panel comprising the magazine’s top editors.
How it works
Restaurants submit a non-refundable $695 application fee with their wine list, menus, inventory storage details and executive staff for the judges’ assessment.
Here’s the thing: Just because a restaurant applies, it doesn’t necessarily earn a spot.
Case in point: Barry Larkin , co-owner of Seventh South and famous for his stellar craft cocktails, applied for recognition in 2023.