Sonoma County’s 16th annual Restaurant Week is almost upon us, and local diners will be able to enjoy the luxuries of a tasting menu at a reduced price point from Monday, Feb. 24, through Sunday, March 2.
For students, Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of some restaurants they may not be able to check out on a normal day.
Dining at local establishments that use fresh Sonoma County produce not only supports sustainable food practices but also stimulates our local economy.
More than 80 restaurants are participating in the 2025 Restaurant Week. Aleena Decker, conference and communications coordinator for Sonoma County’s Economic Development Collaborative, which operates Restaurant Week, notes that 2025 has the most restaurant participation since operations began in 2009.
“We do know that from 2023 to 2024, there was a 12% increase, and that was because we had more restaurants participating and more diners,” Decker said.
Restaurant Week helps bridge the gap between the busy and slow seasons, as industry professionals call them.
“The benefit of Restaurant Week for restaurants is that it encourages diners to come in, especially during what is considered a slower season for hospitality businesses, particularly in Sonoma County,” Decker said.
No buy-in is required to participate. Each participating restaurant will offer at least one dinner prix fixe menu to enjoy, as well as one or two special options for breakfast, lunch and dessert. Typical Restaurant Week dinner prix fixe menus will offer a choice of starter, main and dessert for a reduced price, compared to a regular five-to-six-course tasting menu.
Restaurant Week is a public initiative meant to spur locals to go out and explore restaurants they may not have frequented before. The unique breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options are designed to encourage diners to hop out of their comfort zones.
“Sonoma County is an absolutely delicious place and has so many wonderful, locally owned restaurants here, and [Restaurant Week] is a really great opportunity to go try some of those out,” Decker said.
“SRJC students can definitely help support our local economy here in Sonoma County and support our workforce,” Decker added. “When they go out and dine, they’re most likely eating at a small business or a business that hires locally, so it is a really great economic benefit, too.”
Visit http://socorestaurantweek.org to see the complete list of participating restaurants and menus, and to begin tasting.
