One of San Antonio's favorite dining traditions, Culinaria Winter Restaurant Weeks, is coming back January 17-31. The biannual promotion gives Alamo City eateries a boost in the sluggish warm-weather months while encouraging cost-conscious diners to discover new favorites — and take a break from cooking.

Long-time San Antonians are likely to be familiar with the basic formula, but thousands of newcomers arrive in the city each year. Here's how it works: Twice a year, more than 150 restaurants offer three-course menus for a discount price, covering Sunday Funday brunches, corporate power lunches, romantic dinners, and everything in between.

Brunch prices are set at $25, lunch can vary from $20-$30, and dinners can run $35-$55 depending on the menu. Many of the participants also feature wine pairings, specialty cocktails, and additional add-ons for guests who want to treat themselves to a wallet-friendly splurge.

Each year, the participating concepts are a roll call of local culinary talent. This year, the line-up includes classics like Paloma Blanca, upscale favorites like Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, and promising newcomers like The Desert Spoon. Hotel Emma is also returning to the lineup, offering as-yet-to-be-revealed dine and stay deals.

Local hospitality industry advocacy nonprofit Culinaria started the promotion in 2010 as a way to help restaurants ride out the off-peak dining seasons. With 2025’s string of closures, it’s an especially ideal time to support favorite restaurants.

Be warned, however, chefs are traditionally slow in submitting menus, but the Restaurant Week's website is updated regularly. And besides, one of the points of the promotion is to try new things. We suggest picking an eatery at random and letting fate do the rest.