NYC Restaurant Week, one of the best deals on the planet – is back with three weeks, not one, when you can dine at 350+ top restaurants offering special two-course prix-fixe lunches for $29 or $39 and three-course dinners for $49.
Resaurant Week 2022 is through Feb. 13, and it’s the ideal time to try a top eatery for the first time, or revisit a fav for less “cabbage”.
Here are the top tips for getting a NYC Restaurant Week reservation at the restaurant you want on the date you prefer, especially if you are pairing a meal with your theater tickets.
Good deal – Restaurant Week overlaps with Broadway Week, when you can get 2-for-1 tickets to top Broadway shows.
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Tips for making the most of NYC Restaurant Week:
Check the list of participating restaurants here, on the website of the member-supported NYC tourism marketing agency. But do not make your reservations here.
Make reservations through Open Table or directly with participating restaurants, where you can also search by location, type of food, or whether you prefer lunch or dinner. Of course, as always, beverages, taxes and tip are additional.
Make reservations directly with the restaurant of your choice, mentioning the Restaurant Week promotion. Many restaurants have special Restaurant Week links on their websites, where you can view the special selections.
Lunch is recommended – Not because it’s cheaper than dinner, but because dinners usually sell out first and you are likely to have more choice at lunch. Simply, it’s easier to get reservations for lunch than dinner. The exception is Wednesday matinee day.
NYC insider deal – If you have a Mastercard, register it for this special event, and get $5 back on each $35+ spent at a participating Restaurant Week dining spot.
Weekends vs. weekdays – Many restaurants do not participate during the weekends, so don’t expect a Saturday night prime time table.
Theater District – Don’t book dinner in the peak pre-theater hour, or for lunch on Matinee Wednesday
Review the menu in advance – Restaurant Week menu choices are more limited than the full menu. If you have eating restrictions, you may be limited even more.
Day of week – Reservations early in the week are easier to get than later in the week.
Confirm – Be sure to mention Restaurant Week when you make a reservation, and when you arrive at the restaurant.
Ask – When you are seated, if you are not offered the Restaurant Week menu, ask for it.
Tips – Tip the wait staff based on the regular price of the meal, not the discounted Restaurant Week price, especially if you’ve had good service.
Thanks for these tips for making reservations. I didn’t know that lunch could be a good time to get reservations because it’s easier. It also seems like a great way to still have the rest of the day to do whatever you want.