Restaurant Week is a twice-yearly event where select New York City restaurants offer discounted lunch or dinner menus. This is a great opportunity to try restaurants that may be regularly out of your budget, or just to try a different style of cuisine.
Despite the reduced prices, you can expect the same friendly service and a variety of high-quality menu items during Restaurant Week as you would any other time of the year.
New York City Restaurant Week takes place over a few weeks in both winter and summer. While the exact dates change each year, winter restaurant week typically takes place in late January or early February, and summer restaurant week is typically late July and early August.
Participating restaurants
The restaurants that choose to be part of this event change each time Restaurant Week arrives. The list of participating restaurants is usually updated about five to six weeks before the event when the selection of the best places is the beginning of the reservation frenzy. Past entrants include famous restaurants like ABC Kitchen, Tavern on the Green, and Park Avenue Fall / Winter / Spring / Summer.
The best restaurants to visit during restaurant week
With so many high quality and renowned restaurants participating each year, no matter which restaurant you choose, you will not be disappointed. With that said, the list of restaurants can be overwhelming, so here is a list of guides that can help you select the right restaurant for you and your group:
- Weekly picks of restaurants near New York City landmarks and attractions
- Participating classic NYC restaurants
- General Restaurant Week Picks
- Restaurant Week Lunches
How much does the restaurant week cost?
Restaurant Week prices change constantly, as do rotating restaurants, but the most up-to-date Summer Week Restaurant Week prices were set at $ 29 for a 3-course prix fixe lunch and $ 42 for a 3-course price-Fix dinner .
Please note that not all participating restaurants offer the Restaurant Week offer for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant list indicates what meals are on offer, but be sure to confirm when making your reservation and indicate that you are interested in the Restaurant Week menu.
How can I have the best restaurant experience in the week?
Make sure to make reservations as soon as possible and be realistic in your expectations. ABC Kitchen, Morimoto, and any of Jean Georges’s restaurants fill up almost immediately, so even with proper planning, you may end up disappointed if you don’t secure reservations for your first choice. It’s important to have a list of backups ready so that after trying the most popular places, you can scroll down until you find a matching reservation.
The Restaurant Week experience varies dramatically from year to year, as well as from restaurant to restaurant. For a specific example, see this detailed account of dining out during Restaurant Week at Gramercy Tavern.
