If you appreciate standout bites and beverages, thoughtful hospitality, and establishments that take pride in every detail, this one is for you.
Reno Food & Drink Week returns March 18–31, 2026.
Fourteen days. Twenty-six establishments. Three curated experiences. One competitive, standards-driven celebration of Reno’s culinary scene.
And yes, it looks different this year. Intentionally.
When I founded Reno Food & Drink Week in 2020, it operated like many food events do — establishments registered, paid a fee, and participated. During a challenging stretch for the hospitality industry, that format served its purpose. It generated visibility and helped keep momentum alive.
But Reno has grown. Our dining scene is maturing. Expectations are higher.
Beginning in 2026, Reno Food & Drink Week is invitation-only and performance-based. Participation is competitive by design. Establishments are selected through an ongoing evaluation process rooted in real guest experience, food and drink quality, community involvement, and adherence to health and safety standards.
Only the highest-performing establishments are invited — and that number is intentionally limited to protect the quality of the guest experience.
No registration fees. No pay-to-play placements. Invitations reflect performance, not promotion.
And once the 14 days begin, the competition continues.
Here is The List:
- 10 Torr Distilling & Brewing
- Bangkok Cuisine
- Batch Cupcakery
- Belleville Wine Bar
- Bistro Napa at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
- Bouchée Confections
- Centro
- Charlie Palmer Steak at Grand Sierra Resort
- Daddy’s Tacos
- Dorinda’s Chocolates
- Full Belly Deli
- Great Full Gardens
- Liberty Food & Wine Exchange
- Mix Bakeshop
- Noble Pie Parlor
- Perenn Bakery within the Village at Rancharrah
- R Town Pizza
- Red Bloom at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
- Rising for the People Coffee
- Rolled: Mountain Creamery
- Rum Sugar Lime
- Süp
- The Emerson
- The Wheyfarer
- The Z Bar
- Whispering Vine on 4th Street
In addition, three curated experiences will take place during the 14-day event:
- Great Basin Brewing Co.
- High Mark Distillery + The Wheyfarer
- 10 Torr Distilling & Brewing + Dorinda’s Chocolates
So how do you participate?
You go out. You eat. You sip. You pay attention.
For the 14 days of Reno Food & Drink Week you’re encouraged to try each establishment’s exclusive offering while also exploring the regular menu. Each participating establishment presents something intentional and distinctive alongside its full menu, knowing that guest feedback plays a direct role in determining which establishments advance.
And this year, your evaluation truly matters.
Between March 18 and March 31, you can submit structured evaluations based on three categories: Food & Drink Quality & Execution, Service & Hospitality, and Perceived Cleanliness.
Public feedback determines the top four establishments in The Showcases category and the top four in The Features category. Those eight advance.
Then comes the second stage: secret judging. Anonymous visits. Normal service. No special treatment.
Final awards reflect a weighted combination of real guest experience during the 14 days and independent evaluation after the event.
There are two highest distinctions.
- The Medallion is awarded to one Showcase establishment that demonstrates consistent excellence across food and drink quality, hospitality, and care of its physical space.
- The Silver Star is awarded to one Feature establishment for outstanding creativity, originality, and execution.
Only one Medallion and one Silver Star are awarded each year.
They cannot be purchased.
They cannot be applied for.
They cannot be influenced.
They are earned.
Behind the scenes, Reno Food & Drink Week is independently underwritten by me and supported by partners who believe in protecting the integrity of the process.
Swizzle has been with me from the beginning, leading production of event materials and visual assets while serving as a strategic partner in maintaining the professionalism and credibility of the brand.
Fullsphere Digital joins as the official photography and video partner this year, capturing the story of the 14 days across participating establishments and ensuring each is represented with the caliber it deserves.
Additional partners, including edible Reno-Tahoe, KOLO 8 News Now, and Reno Media Group, help amplify the celebration of Reno’s food-and-drink community across the region.
Reno Food & Drink Week has evolved because Reno is evolving — and we all play a role in that growth. The way we show up, what we celebrate, and the standards we embrace help shape the next chapter of our culinary community.
Excellence doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a community decides it matters.
