A North Texas dining tradition is preparing for a milestone summer.
DFW Restaurant Week returns this August for its 30th year, bringing together restaurants and diners across the Metroplex for a month-long culinary celebration with a charitable mission at its core.
Since debuting in 1996, the annual event has paired prix fixe dining with community giving, raising more than $13 million for local nonprofit partners. Organizers recently announced that the 2025 campaign added another $681,327 to that total, benefiting the North Texas Food Bank and Fort Worth-based Lena Pope.
Last year’s event featured more than 150 participating restaurants spanning Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties. Through the program, restaurants contribute a portion of designated menu sales — typically about 20 percent — to charity. The 2025 campaign directed $505,235 to the North Texas Food Bank and $176,092 to Lena Pope.
For the North Texas Food Bank, those donations translated into meaningful impact.
“Because of your support, the funds raised provided over 1.5 million meals for children, families and older adults facing hunger in our community,” said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the organization.
Alongside the fundraising announcement, DFW Restaurant Week recognized standout restaurants for their charitable contributions. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse led fundraising efforts in the Dallas area for the second straight year, while B&B Butchers & Restaurant topped the Tarrant County list for a fourth consecutive year.
Southlake also earned a place among the honorees, with Del Frisco’s Grille on Southlake Boulevard recognized as one of the event’s top Tarrant-area fundraising restaurants supporting Lena Pope. The annual Star Restaurant awards spotlight establishments whose diners and teams helped generate significant charitable impact throughout the campaign.
The event also honored Culinary Dropout as Newbie of the Year after the restaurant’s first year of participation and additional fundraising efforts.
The 2026 edition officially launches Aug. 10, with many restaurants expected to participate during Preview Weekend beginning Aug. 6 and continue through Labor Day, Sept. 7. The full restaurant lineup and reservation details are scheduled to be announced later this summer.