Tallahassee continues to blossom into a food hub with local chefs and restaurants spearheading the movement and social groups, food influencers and community gatherings fueling its momentum. Tallahassee’s restaurants have reached new heights through innovation and creativity — even earning recognition from the official Michelin Guide website.
Now, a new event aims to bring all that excitement together.
Social food group Tallahassee Foodies and tourism marketing organization The Leon County Division of Tourism (Visit Tallahassee) have partnered together to launch Tallahassee Restaurant Week this summer.
“Tallahassee’s food scene has grown tremendously with exciting new concepts and so many longtime gems that continue to thrive,” Tallahassee Foodies founder Jennifer Leale said in a text exchange with the Tallahassee Democrat. “I wanted to wait until everything aligned so we could create something that really celebrates our restaurants and showcases Tallahassee in the way it deserves.”
All the details you need
The 10-day culinary celebration aims to spotlight “bold flavors, chef-driven concepts and Southern sophistication that define Florida’s Capital City.”
From Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 26, Tallahassee residents are invited to more than 25 locally owned restaurants as they serve curated three-course menus, signature dishes and exclusive dining experiences inspired by “the cultures and creativity of Tallahassee and Leon County.”
For 10 days only, the participating restaurants will offer a curated lunch and dinner menu at set price points with hopes that patrons will use this time to “discover new favorites, revisit longtime favorites and explore different parts of the community through food.”
Guests’ tabs can be as low as $20 for an entree and dessert at spots like Southern restaurant Earley’s Kitchen or craft brewery and kitchen Deep Brewing Co. On the higher end, prices can reach up to $75 per person for an appetizer, entree and dessert experience at the downtown steakhouse IL Lusso.
Building momentum for a growing food destination
Visit Tallahassee officials say the timing of Restaurant Week reflects the city’s rapidly evolving culinary identity.
“Tallahassee-Leon County Restaurant Week arrives at a time when the community’s culinary scene is experiencing remarkable momentum,” it said in a release shared with the Tallahassee Democrat. “Leon County has evolved into one of Florida’s most exciting culinary destinations by blending elevated Southern cuisine, globally inspired flavors, craft cocktail programs and refined dining experiences that continue drawing regional attention.”
Leale said the concept of a restaurant week has been requested by the Tallahassee Foodies community for years, but she wanted to ensure the timing — and the partnership — were right.
“Visit Tallahassee was the perfect partner because we both share the same goal of showcasing the very best of Tallahassee and helping people discover what makes our city special,” she said. “They bring extensive experience in destination marketing and tourism, while Tallahassee Foodies brings a highly engaged local audience that is already passionate about supporting local dining, as well as strong relationships within the restaurant community.”
She knows that together they “can tell a much bigger story about Tallahassee’s unique culinary scene.”
Restaurants featured
For more information visit dinetlh.com.
Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Taste the city’s best flavors during Tallahassee restaurant week
Reporting by Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Kyla A Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
