The Ultimate Guide To New York City Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week is back in New York City this year for its 20th anniversary.

Luckily for you, this "Week" actually lasts much longer. Beginning July 16 and ending Aug. 10, these special offers are available for just short of a month.

If there's a special place you've always wanted to try but you've never been able to afford it (or even get a reservation for that matter), now is your chance.

All of the restaurants featured in Restaurant Week are offering three-course prix fixe menus. Some only offer lunch, some only offer dinner, and some offer both, but the prices are all the same.

Lunch costs $24.07 and dinner is $35. These prices do not include drinks, gratuity, or tax, but they are still a huge bargain. The deals exclude Saturdays, and Sundays are optional.

The Daily Meal has chosen more than 20 restaurants we feel are the most important to visit during this once-a-year event.

Ai Fiori: Located in Midtown, this Italian restaurant from esteemed chef Michael White will be offering the prix fixe menu for lunch only. Choose from dishes such as chilled zucchini soup or house-made pâté for your appetizer. Then move on to pan-roasted skate wing or pan-roasted chicken. Finish it off with chocolate creameaux. 

Daniel Boulud: Five of chef Daniel Boulud's restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week. Bar Boulud, Café Boulud, and Boulud Sud are all offering lunch only, while db Bistro Moderne and DBGB Kitchen and Bar are offering both lunch and dinner. At Bar Boulud, opt for the braised pork rillette, and at Café Boulud, try the poached Maine shrimp. At the Mediterranean Boulud Sud, the Long Island seared flounder is sure to make an impression. At db Bistro Moderne, the pan-seared dorade is the perfect choice, and at DBGB Kitchen and Bar, try the chilled carrot soup.

David Burke: David Burke Kitchen, David Burke Townhouse, and Fishtail by David Burke will all be participating in Restaurant Week for lunch, dinner, and Sunday dinner. The American new cuisine at Kitchen should not be missed. At Townhouse, be sure to try the pretzel-crusted crabcake or the ginger-crusted salmon. At Fishtail, seafood is key. Opt for the dry-roasted angry mussels and the shrimp dumplings.

The Dutch: The Dutch in SoHo will be offering its prix fixe menu for lunch only. This American cuisine offered at this restaurant by chef Andrew Carmellini includes such classics as a smoked brisket sandwich, and novelties such as a Peach Melba sundae. (photo above courtesy of Evan Sung)

The Harrison: This American restaurant will be serving prix fixe menus for lunch, dinner, and Sunday dinner in TriBeCa. Smoked bluefish dip, grilled hanger steak, and a falafel sandwich are on the menu.

Hill Country Barbeque Market: This Flatiron Southern joint will surely cure your craving for brisket. The lunch and dinner (including Sundays) prix fixe menu includes drinks, cornbread, the pitmaster combo, which comes with brisket, ribs, chicken, and sides, and dessert (with dinner only).

La Fonda Del Sol: Located in the MetLife building, this tapas restaurant will be offering lunch and dinner for Restaurant Week. Lunch and dinner both come with five tapas, including two appetizers, two second course tapas, and a dessert. The paella and chorizo should not be passed up. (photo above courtesy of Maryse Chevriere)

La Mar Cebicheria Peruana: Try the quinoa salad at this Pan-Latin restaurant from renowned Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, located in the Flatiron district. Offering the prix fixe menu for both lunch and dinner, it should be one of your top choices. Other offerings: grilled salmon and green tea tarte.

La Promenade des Anglais: Get your French on at La Promenade des Anglais in Chelsea. The Restaurant Week menu is available for lunch, dinner, and Sunday dinner. With dishes such as branzino fillet and scallop and shrimp ceviche from executive chef Alain Allegretti, how could you pass this up?

Le Cirque: Don't miss your chance to dine at Le Cirque for almost unthinkable prices. Offering their French prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner, this Midtown East restaurant is a must. Try the heirloom tomatoes and watermelon salad to start. Move on to the lamb navarin, and finish with an apricot tart.

Lincoln Ristorante: Try lunch, Italian style, at this Upper West Side restaurant. Try the melanzane ripiene (eggplant, squash, Swiss chard, pine nuts, sultanas, ricotta) and spaghettoni alla bottarga (with green onion, lemon, and chile).

Maialino: This Italian eatery is open for lunch in Gramercy for Restaurant Week. Classics like spaghettini alle vongole and tonnarelli a cacio e pepe will go far. Finish the meal with gelati for the perfect Italian ending. (photo above courtesy of Cherrylet)

The National: The National will be serving its restaurant week prix fixe menu for dinner, including Sundays. The Midtown East restaurant will serve appetizers such as gazpacho and asparagus salad. For your main course, summer vegetable pasta would be perfect for the weather, and yogurt panna cotta should round out the meal.

Petrossian: This Continental restaurant will offer its Restaurant Week menu for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday dinner. For lunch, try the salmon mousse, pan-roasted Pacific cod, and mixed fruit cocktail cake. At dinner, opt for the cured beef tenderloin, seared white sturgeon, and black and white chocolate mousse cake.

SD26 Restaurant & Wine Bar: Located in the Flatiron district, SD26 Restaurant & Wine Bar will have a special menu for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday dinner. Try the "SD26 Uovo" specialty, which is soft egg yolk-filled raviolo with truffle butter. Or, taste the beef cheeks braised in Barolo wine, soft polenta, taragna, and carmelized onions.

Zengo: At Zengo, Asian Fusion is what it's all about. Try the prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner at the Midtown East restaurant. Coconut salmon ceviche, stewed chickpea curry, and churros are just a few of the delectable dishes available.

Try them out and let us know what you think!