Restaurant Week
Fairfax City Restaurant Week is a biannual economic development event organized through a collaboration between Fairfax City Economic Development, the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.
It features participating independent restaurants offering set-price menus and programming aimed at residents, visitors, and the university/college community. The Winter 2025 edition ran February 24–March 2, 2025, marked by a City Council proclamation presented by the Mayor. The Winter 2026 edition was proclaimed February 27–March 8, 2026, and featured 24 restaurants.
A Summer 2026 edition was announced for August 20–30, 2026, timed to coincide with George Mason University's return to campus. The event has grown into an anticipated recurring initiative, with organizers noting 25 participating businesses listed for the 2026 winter edition and an emphasis on the city's independently owned, diverse restaurant scene as a driver of meals tax revenue and tourism.
Still open
- No details have been recorded yet about the outcome or proclamation for the Summer 2026 (August 20–30) Restaurant Week edition.
- A speaker at the March 2026 meeting raised the need for dedicated tourism funding to support ongoing restaurant promotion beyond Restaurant Week; no funding decision has been recorded.
What members have said
- Mayor Catherine S. Reed
Mayor Reed has presented proclamations for each Restaurant Week edition recorded: February 24–March 2, 2025 (presented to the Restaurant Week Committee) and February 27–March 8, 2026 (Winter Fairfax City Restaurant Week). At the February 24, 2026 meeting she highlighted the upcoming restaurant week, noted she encourages meetings at Fairfax City restaurants, and personally endorsed specific menu items. At the July 28, 2026 meeting she reminded the Council of the August 20–30, 2026 summer edition and urged support for local restaurants.
- Council Member Quillen
At the July 28, 2026 meeting, Council Member Quillen echoed the Mayor's reminder about the August 20–30, 2026 Restaurant Week and urged the public to support local restaurants, mentioning this in the same breath as noting the closure of Ornery Beer Company.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Oct 22, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Feb 25, 2025City Council · item 4aProclamation acknowledging Restaurant Week, February 24 – March 2, 2025
Mayor presented a proclamation acknowledging February 24 – March 2, 2025 as Restaurant Week in the City of Fairfax.
- Jul 28, 2026City Council · item 15Council Comments and Committee reports out
Mayor Read reminded the Council that Restaurant Week runs August 20–30, 2026, timed to align with George Mason University's return to campus.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.