Honestly, if you're waiting for a single "week" to happen, you've already missed the boat. The name is a total lie. It hasn't been just seven days in years. Right now, as the city shivers through January 2026, the real question isn't just "when is New York Restaurant Week," but how you’re going to snag a table at the places that actually matter before the tourists realize the dates shifted again.
The 2026 Winter Dates You Actually Need
Mark your calendar: January 20 through February 12, 2026.
That is nearly four weeks of discounted eating. Reservations actually went live on January 7, which means the "high-value" spots—the ones where the $60 prix-fixe dinner feels like a heist—are already filling up. If you're looking for the summer iteration, historically it lands in that sweltering window between late July and mid-August. Think July 20th-ish to August 15th-ish.
But let’s talk about right now. We are currently in the thick of the winter season, and the rules of the game have changed.
The Price Tiers Are Different This Year
Gone are the days of a flat $25 lunch. In 2026, the city has leaned hard into a three-tier system. You’re looking at:
- $30 meals: Usually two-course lunches at casual spots.
- $45 meals: A mix of three-course lunches or elevated two-course mid-day menus.
- $60 meals: The gold standard three-course dinner.
You’ve gotta be careful, though. Some spots only do the $60 tier for lunch too, which... well, it’s not always a "deal" depending on where you go.
When Is New York Restaurant Week Not Actually Happening?
This is where people get burned every single year. You show up on a Saturday night with your date, dreaming of a cheap steak at Gallagher’s, only to find out you're paying full price.
Saturdays are blacked out. Period.
✨ Don't miss: Mar Hall Hotel Scotland: Why This Reimagined Estate Is Better Than You Remember
The program is designed to drive traffic when restaurants are normally dead. Saturday in Manhattan is never dead. Sundays are a "maybe"—it’s up to the individual restaurant. Most of the heavy hitters like The Clocktower or Crown Shy will participate on Sundays, but you have to check the official NYC Tourism site or the restaurant’s own landing page to be 100% sure.
The "Big Names" Participating Right Now
It’s a massive list this year—nearly 600 restaurants across all five boroughs. But let’s be real, you aren't going to Staten Island for a $30 pasta unless you live there. You want the heavyweights.
Currently, Delmonico’s in the Financial District is doing the $60 dinner, which is a steal considering a single ribeye there usually costs more than the entire three-course Restaurant Week menu. Then you’ve got Manhatta with those insane 60th-floor views. Pro tip: if you can get a $60 dinner at Manhatta, you’re essentially getting the view for free and the food at a 40% discount.
💡 You might also like: Sixt Rent a Car Tampa Downtown: What Most People Get Wrong
Other standouts for the 2026 winter run include:
- Bad Roman: Because the TikTok hype is still weirdly high and a $45 lunch is the only way to justify the "roni cups" pasta.
- Fish Cheeks: One of the best Thai spots in NoHo. Usually hard to get into, but the RW menu makes it slightly more accessible.
- Gramercy Tavern: Always the classiest move in the city. If they’re on the list (and they usually are for lunch), you book it immediately.
Why Does This Even Happen Twice a Year?
It’s basically a survival tactic. January and February are brutal for the NYC hospitality industry. Everyone is broke from the holidays, it’s freezing, and nobody wants to leave their apartment. By slapping the "Restaurant Week" label on it, the city forces us out of our shells.
The summer version exists for the opposite reason—everyone flees to the Hamptons or Europe in August, leaving the city’s dining rooms echoing and empty.
Strategies for 2026
Don't just walk in. You won't get a table.
You need to use the filters on the official booking site. Look for the "James Beard Foundation" or "Michelin" filters if you want quality. There are over 60 Michelin-recognized spots in the 2026 winter lineup. That’s where the real value lives.
Also, check the menu before you go. Some places "Restaurant Week-ify" their offerings by serving cheaper cuts of meat or smaller portions. If the menu is just "Chicken Breast" or "Pasta Pomodoro," skip it. You want the places serving their signature braised short ribs or high-end seafood.
📖 Related: Why Carmel-by-the-Sea Still Feels Like a Different Planet
Your Immediate Action Plan
- Check the Calendar: We are between Jan 20 and Feb 12. If you are reading this on Feb 13, you're too late for the winter deals.
- Verify the Day: Is it Saturday? If yes, the deal isn't active.
- Cross-Reference with Broadway Week: Right now, NYC Broadway Week is running simultaneously (2-for-1 tickets). If you’re smart, you’ll pair a $45 lunch with a 2:00 PM matinee of whatever is currently winning Tonys.
- Look Beyond Manhattan: Some of the best $30 deals right now are in Astoria and Long Island City. M. Wells or Casa Enrique (if they’re participating) offer way more soul than a midtown tourist trap.
The window is closing fast. If you haven't booked your Sunday dinner for the final week yet, do it today. The "off-peak" dining hours—like a 5:30 PM or a 9:30 PM slot—are usually your only hope for the big-name steakhouses at this point in the month.