The annual Center City District Restaurant Week (CCDRW) returns on Sunday, September 8 and runs through Saturday, September 21. That means it’s time to start planning where to get the best deals on lunch and dinner. This year is especially enticing, with over 100 restaurants participating and new cocktail combinations featuring brands from Suntory Global Spirits, A. Overholt Whiskey and Tres Generaciones Tequila.
For many Philadelphians, Restaurant Week is a rite of passage. And for many restaurants, it’s a much-needed lifeline after a quiet summer season when locals are often out of town. In other words, diners play a big role in keeping the city’s nationally renowned restaurant scene alive. After you’ve perused the full list of offerings, it’s time to make a game plan. Here’s how to do Restaurant Week right.
Take advantage of the $20 lunch specials
Philly is finally turning a corner on lunch and all-day dining options post-pandemic—but it still has a long way to go. Now is the time to treat yourself to a lunch outing, especially if you’re looking to sneak out of the office (RTO folks, we’re looking at you). For $20 for two courses, you can turn it into a power lunch with a potential new colleague, mentor, business partner, or that person who keeps wanting to “question” you?
Experience an expensive tasting menu for less money
Not sure if you’re the type who enjoys multi-course, multi-hour meals? Then take a crash course in formal dining during Restaurant Week. Tasting menus easily cost over $100 and don’t include a drink pairing, so if you’re new to prix fixe menus, why not try it for less? Restaurant Week offers two options for three-course meals priced at $40 and $60, so here’s your chance to score reservations at some high-profile restaurants.
Treat the staff well and support the people in the local catering industry
Philly’s dining scene continues to garner national attention – but it’s the people who take your orders, make your drinks and greet you at the door that keep this industry going. Customer service is a double-edged sword, and restaurants are often crowded during Restaurant Week, so be friendly and patient, and tip at least 20 percent.
Here’s a tip: Small talk at the bar is appreciated if you’re genuinely interested in getting to know the person behind the bar. Ask a bartender about their current favorite drink or underrated cocktails. Don’t be afraid to ask about non-alcoholic options, most bars in this city are well equipped to mix an interesting mocktail. Ask the staff for their recommendations. What dishes are a must-order? What surprise hits are there? And if you liked the recommendations, say so. Also, feel free to introduce yourself if the mood is right. You’ll want to remember the names and faces of the staff the next time you come back.
Finally try that new restaurant you’ve had your eye on for a long time
Do you have a must-visit list of restaurants? Here are 20 of the city’s best restaurants where you can book a table now for Restaurant Week. If you’ve always wanted to visit a place but just haven’t had the time or completely forgot it’s still open, now is the time. Thanks to the city’s dynamic restaurant scene, there’s a restaurant for almost every taste, even for your gluten-free and plant-based friends.
Become a regular customer
If you enjoyed a particular experience, share that feedback with the staff and reserve your next table before you leave. The best restaurants feel like an extension of your home; there you find community and leave feeling comfortable and cared for.
Restaurant week can be the reason you fall in love with a restaurant and become a regular. A successful restaurant week isn’t about getting the most bang for your buck; it’s about finding your new favorite neighborhood restaurant that you can brag about to all your friends and return to again and again.
