Started by the founders of Zagat Restaurant Guides, Restaurant Week allows guests to dine at some of the most popular restaurants at significantly reduced prices. We LOVE Restaurant Week because it gives us the chance to try out a new restaurant or return to some of our more expensive favorites at an affordable price point.
The best part about living in the tri-state area is that we have access to SO many outstanding restaurants! Which means we get to enjoy the discounts of not only Maryland's Restaurant week, but also Washington and Virginia Restaurant Weeks as well! Woot!
I posted my 2018 Maryland Restaurant Week guide earlier here. As I have done for Maryland, now I am sharing with you a list of the many Virginia Winter 2018 Restaurant Week events below:
JANUARY Restaurant Week Events
Alexandria Restaurant Week
January 26th - February 4th, 2018
More than 60 Alexandria restaurants will feature a $35 three-course dinner for one OR a $35 dinner for two (such a bargain!). More than 30 restaurants will also offer lunch menus at $10, $15 or $20 per person in addition to the dinner specials. For a complete list of participating restaurants and their menus, visit www.visitalexandriava.com/restaurants/restaurant-week/.
Charlottesville Restaurant Week
January 19th - January 28th, 2018
We love Charlottesville so much that it has now become an annual trip. We love it in all seasons for it's versatility. Skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer. The downtown is charming and the area is full of history and good restuarants. Of course, we can't forget one of the main reasons we visit Charlottesville is for the gorgeous views while tasting all of the craft beer, virginia wines, and ciders. Charlottesville Restaurant Week is offering $25 or $25 three-course specials. Several of our favorite spots are participating, such as Maya, Orzo, and Zocolo. But so many others are worthy of trying, too! To see the participating list of restaurants, visit www.c-villerestaurantweek.com/participants-january-2018/
Fairfax County Restaurant Week
January 22th-28th, 2018
Tagging onto Metro Washington's Restaurant Week, some of Fairfax's most celebrated restaurants participate. Try a 3-course brunch or lunch for $22, or a 3-course dinner for $35. Visit www.fxva.com/fairfax-virginia-restaurants/restaurant-week/ for a list of participating restaurants.
Fredericksburg Restaurant Week
January 12th - 21st, 2018
Choose from either two-course or three-course meals for either $10.18, $20.18, or $30.18. Some restaurants offer lunch specials as well.
New this year is the Winter Restaurant Week Passport. Anyone who eats at five or more participating restaurants qualifies to win $250 worth of downtown gift cards. To qualify:
1. You need a Fredericksburg Restaurant Week passport. You can pick up a passport at the Fredericksburg Visitor Center, any participating restaurant or print one here.
2. Get the passport stamped when you dine at participating restaurants.
3. Bring the stamped passport (with 5 or more stamps) to the Fredericksburg Visitor Center no later than 5pm on 1/22 to be entered into the drawing to win $250 of downtown gift cards.
Visit www.visitfred.com/blog/winter-restaurant-week-rundown-2018 for a list of participating restaurants.
Newport News Restaurant Week
January 20th - February 3rd, 2018
Offering two-course lunches for either $10 or $15 and three-course dinners for either $20, $30, or $40.
During the span of Newport News Restaurant Week 2018, they will be giving away tons of gift certificates from participating restaurants! To enter and stay up to date with the latest contest, like and follow them on Facebook! Visit www.newportnewsrestaurantweek.com/restaurants.html for a list of participating restaurants.
Norfolk Restaurant Week
January 14th-21st, 2018
Restaurants offering lunches for only $12 and three-course dinners for either $25 or $35.
While you are there for Restaurant Week, make a stop at Selden Market, Downtown Norfolk's newest and most unique shopping destination. For Participating restaurants, visit www.downtownnorfolk.org/explore/restaurant-week1
Williamsburg Restaurant Week
January 21st - 31st, 2018
We love Williamsburg and are fortunate to spend a week there each year thanks to the generosity of my in-laws sharing their timeshare with us. Sadly, we won't be in town for 2018 Restaurant Week, but some of our favorite restaurants are participating this year, such as The Trellis (get the chocolate cake!), The Cheese Shop, Gabriel Archer Tavern, Berret's, and Guiseppe's. Visit williamsburgarearestaurants.com/events for a full listing of participating restaurants.
FEBRUARY Restaurant Week Events
(also see above since many of the January weeks continue into early February)
Best of Bath County Restaurant Week
February 4th - 10th, 2018
This year is the first ever Restaurant Week Event for Bath County! Featured restaurants offering three-course meals for $30. Sounds like an early Valentine's Day trip to The Historic Omni Homestead Resort in Bath County is in order! For more information on participating restaurants, visit www.virginia.org/listings/Deals/WinterRoomPackageatTheInnatGristmillSquare/.
Virginia Beach Restaurant Week
February 19th-25th, 2018
New in 2018, Virginia Beach Restaurant Week will now feature "the most important meal of the day". Yay, breakfast specials! Participating restaurants will offer specially priced breakfasts starting at just $5, two-course lunches starting at $10, and three-course dinners from $20. We are happy that we will be able to take advantage of it this year as we will be traveling to VA Beach for a quick day trip that week for another planned activity that I am excited to share with you soon! Visit www.dineinvb.com/restaurant-week/ for participating restaurants.
Winchester Restaurant Week
February 19th - 24th, 2018
Participating restaurants will be announced later in January 2018. Check www.winchesterrestaurantweek.com/restaurants-2/ for updates.
MARCH Restaurant Week Events
Culpepper Downtown Restaurant Week
March 5th - 11th, 2018
Share a meal with family and friends with specially priced menu options. Culpepper Restaurant Week is offering three-course dinners for $25 per person. Participating restaurants to be announced. Check the website regularly for updates at www.culpeperdowntown.com/restaurant-week.html
Hampton Restaurant Week
March 4th - 10th, 2018
Diners can enjoy two-course lunches for $10 or a three-course dinner for either $20 or $30 at participating restaurants. Please note that some restaurants are only offering lunch. Visit www.visithampton.com/restaurantweek/ for a list of participating restaurants.
Harrisonburg Restaurant Week
March 5th - 11th, 2018
We were surprised by Harrisonburg when we stopped through on our way to The Homestead last year and are planning to return soon. More than just a college town, there were several cute shops and restaurants to explore. We had some of the best Brussel Sprouts ever at Jimmy Madisons. Participating restaurants have not been announced as of yet. Check back closer to March at www.visitharrisonburgva.com/harrisonburg-restaurant-week/.
Northern Virginia Restaurant Week
March 19th - 26th, 2018
Enjoy value pricing for lunch or dinner at Reston, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William restaurants. Participating restaurants to be announced. Check back closer to March at novarestaurantweek.com
Tips for getting the most out of Restaurant Week:
Make reservations as early as possible. Many of the restaurants will book up beforehand. I like to use Open Table for our reservations to get the points :) If you are not familiar with Open Table, it is a site where you can book online and earn rewards points for each reservation. You can rack up rewards points and cash out to spend at your next Open Table participating restaurant. Not all restaurants use Open Table to book reservations, but I always check before making my reservation. I'd rather earn the points if I can.
When making your reservation, ask about the promotion dates. Many restaurants will extend their Restaurant Week specials for a week or two. So, it may be easier to get a reservation at a popular restaurant after the buzz has settled.
Most restaurants will allow you to order off of their full menu in addition to the Restaurant Week menu. To maximize the experience, sometimes one of us will order off the Restaurant Week menu while the other orders their main dish off the regular menu. The three-course prix fixe Restaurant Week menus all come with dessert and an appetizer, so we usually just share those and everyone is happy ;)
Some restaurants offer prix fixe menus throughout the year. So, the specials offered this week may not equal big savings. Be sure to check the posted menus and specials on the website before you go. I would definitely rather dine at a restaurant that does not regularly offer similar specials so I can maximize the benefit of Restaurant Week.
Not all local restaurants participate in Restaurant Week. Be sure to check the list of participating restaurants before making reservations.
There are a few more Virginia Restaurant Week Events in the Spring. I will be sure to update you once the dates are available.
What restaurants are on your bucket list this year? Are any of them participating in one of the upcoming Virginia's Restaurant Weeks?
I am already planning dates nights for February and March. How about you?
xo,
Meredith