Given the fact that we’ve been tossing around some of these ideas for a few years, it is more than understandable that we are a little excited to finally share what we’ve got in store for the first of the year in 2026.

As you know, Eat It and Like It has been putting together Savannah’s Restaurant Week since 2018. When you measure digital traffic and number of participants, Restaurant Week in Savannah 2025 was the biggest this city has ever seen. We are proud of that fact, of course, (especially when you recall the ice storm that delayed its start) but we felt it might be a good time to try to make an already great thing better.

How do we do that?

The first word that might come to mind is ‘bigger.’ However, not only does bigger not always translate to better, but it’s not the right word in this application. The only thing that can make Savannah Restaurant Week bigger is an increase in the number of participating restaurants, which is something we can’t predict.

Instead, our vision is to evolve Savannah Restaurant Week, right alongside our ever evolving food scene.

We are calling it Hostess City Eats! (yes, exclamation point very much intended) and it is coming to Savannah January 26th through February 8th.

Very simply put, we’ve created a few events that will happen during our 11 day celebration of food we’ve come to know as Eat It and Like It Restaurant Week. Those events will enhance an already exciting time for food in Savannah. I know for a fact, some people’s favorite pastime during those miserably cold nights in January is to look at the collection of menus that are offered during Restaurant Week so they can make their plans to Eat It and Like It a few short weeks later.

Now we will have a few other things going on during an otherwise slow time of the year to get out and support our food scene. Some that have never been attempted before.

Like what, you ask? Of course you do.

The fun will kick off on Monday night, January 26th at District Live at the JW Marriott with Eat It and Like It Live! That night, I’ll be hosting a spirited panel discussion featuring a few local chefs. We’ll talk about the State of Savannah’s food scene, what we would like to see going forward and what we can expect in the next 24-36 months. Following our program, guests will move into the Riverfront Ballroom at Plant Riverside District to enjoy a collection of bites and sips prepared by our evening’s participants. Find tickets here.

Drink It and Like It’s Rooftop Hop – January 28 through February 7th

This ongoing ‘event’ will directly coincide with our regular Restaurant Week across the city. Are you up for a challenge? This is your chance to visit up to 10 rooftops in 11 days. Guests will register their visit at participating rooftops. Those who visit 7 or more will be entered in a drawing for a series of prizes. Including a Savannah Weekend Staycation and other goodies that you will very much enjoy.

#fancyfishfry (pronounced just like that “Hashtag Fancy Fish Fry”). Sunday, February 1st 1pm-4pm. (Location TBA)

The humble fish fry, re-imagined. A collection of area chefs will put their spin on Southern classics with local ingredients, handmade sauces and endless Lowcountry flavors. Put a cold beer or 2 in your hand and what more could you ask for? This will be an outdoor event in the spirit of an Oyster Roast. Find tickets here.

We are offering Early Bird pricing to the two events on sale today. Good through November 30th.

Beyond that, we are planning an evening to benefit First Responders in our area and one special surprise I cannot wait to share…with all proceeds going to charity.

If you are a little confused, don’t be. All of this will be happening at the same time as Savannah’s Restaurant Week, January 28 through February 8, 2026. Nothing at all is going to change there. You’ll still be able to enjoy 3 courses at your favorite spot for a special price same as you ever have.

Our vision-as it has been for a while now-is to elevate our growing food scene by promoting it all to surrounding markets and give visitors a reason to celebrate it with us.

The festivities will have their own website, hostesscityeats.com. That site will very likely be live by Saturday morning as we write this. It will be your one-stop-shop for new event announcements, chef participants and of course, Restaurant Week participants and menus once it is time to begin rolling those out.

I can very much assure you, this will not be the last you will be hearing about any of this. We hope you will make plans to join us for Savannah’s best 11 day celebration of food.

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