Rockford Restaurant Week Celebrates 2026 “Best Of” Winners

Rockford, IL – GoRockford proudly announces the recipients of the 2026 Rockford Restaurant Week “Best of” Awards and celebrates another record-breaking year for the annual culinary promotion.

A record 82 locations participated this year, offering specially curated prix fixe menus and bundled meal deals across the region. In its sixth year, Rockford Restaurant Week continued to inspire residents and visitors to discover new dining destinations while supporting longtime favorites, and 2026 proved to be the most impactful year yet.

According to post-event survey responses, many returning restaurants reported their most successful Restaurant Week to date, with numerous participants seeing sales increases exceeding 25% compared to previous years. Several establishments noted gains of 50% or more, underscoring the growing momentum and community support behind this signature culinary event.

“Rockford Restaurant Week continues to raise the bar,” said John Groh, GoRockford president/CEO. “We saw a record number of participating businesses, tremendous community engagement, and measurable impact for our restaurants. From sold-out specials and millions of social media marketing views, it’s clear this initiative is growing every year and delivering real results for our creative culinary community.”

“Rockford’s dining scene keeps getting stronger every year, and Rockford Restaurant Week highlights what makes our culinary scene special,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. “When residents and visitors show up and support local restaurants, that’s more than a great meal. It’s real support for our small businesses and our local economy.”

2026 Restaurant Week Highlights:

• A record 82 participating businesses, up from 65 in 2025
• Several locations reported selling out of specials during the celebration
• Website traffic to the Rockford Restaurant Week page reached 87,724 views in 2026
• Social Media engagement skyrocketed to over 3.5 million views, up from 1 million views in 2025
• Marketing efforts included social media advertising and billboards in the Chicago suburbs, Milwaukee, and Rockford, generating over 1.5 million impressions
• 17 restaurants offered giveaways, which were promoted on GoRockford social media channels
• Local and regional media mentioned Rockford Restaurant Week 473 times (up from 274 in 2025)
• More than 30 area restaurants were featured in local media broadcasts, radio, and articles
• More than 45,000 partner referrals were made from the GoRockford website to restaurant websites
• A record number of community votes were cast for award categories, at nearly 2,000 per category

The 2026 Restaurant Week Winners Are:

Best Experience:  27 Aluna

This award honors the establishment that delivered an exceptional overall dining experience. During Restaurant Week, 27 Aluna impressed guests with two distinct fusion concepts: a Mexi-Pino brunch and a Frenchie-Pino dinner. From carnitas al pastor served on a house-made ube bun to blueberry and mango tres leches, the thoughtfully crafted menus offered Rockford diners a creative and memorable culinary journey.

“We are grateful for this win, and we appreciate everyone who voted and supported our small Filipino restaurant, said Patrick Alberto, 27 Aluna owner. “Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat! Mahal namin kayo! (Which means, ‘thank you very much and we love all of you!’ in Tagalog.)"

Best Main Course: Harvey Wallbangers
This award recognizes the eatery that presented the most authentic and uniquely prepared main course. As one of Rockford’s newest culinary additions, Harvey Wallbangers made a strong debut during its first Rockford Restaurant Week. Signature dishes such as shrimp pot pie in a white-wine cream sauce and a classic New York strip steak topped with garlic butter and red-wine mushroom gravy left a lasting impression on diners.

“Downtown Rockford continues to show up in the best way, and we’re incredibly honored to share that Harvey Wallbangers took home Best Entrée for Rockford Restaurant Week,” said the Harvey Wallbangers staff. “This recognition belongs to our entire team. From the prep lists to the final plate hitting the table, every detail matters to us. To see that effort celebrated by our community means more than we can put into words. Thank you to everyone who dined with us, voted, shared kind reviews, and continues to support local. We’re proud to be part of the Rockford restaurant scene and even prouder of the people behind this place. We’ll keep the plates coming. You just bring the appetite.”

Best Dessert (Tie): Hidden Creek Estates and Plume
This award recognizes the restaurant offering the most irresistible sweet finish.  This year, the honor was shared.

Hidden Creek Estates delighted guests with two standout desserts: a rich chocolate truffle tart layered with salted caramel and vanilla bean whipped cream, and an apple cheesecake topped with cider caramel, apple compote, and cinnamon streusel.

Plume impressed diners with a decadent Nutella pot de crème, crafted with house-made Nutella, premium Valrhona chocolate, and finished with Frangelico whipped cream.

Both establishments delivered memorable finales that left Restaurant Week guests savoring every last bite.

“When we set out to start our business, we wanted to bring the culture and stories from the places we’ve dined and traveled into our own community, said Jared Malavolti Hidden Creek Estates, Director of Operations. “Being recognized year after year during Rockford Restaurant Week, from Best Experience to Best Dessert and now co-winning Best Dessert again, tells us that vision is resonating. We’re grateful to be part of a vibrant local restaurant community and thankful for the guests who continue to support us.”

“Rockford Restaurant Week simply wouldn't exist without the incredible support of the Rockford community, filling dining rooms and showing up for local,” said Lia Pennacchi Plume Owner. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to the community and our amazing team for their dedication. We're so honored to be recognized again and can't wait for next year!”

Best Deal: Cheezy’s Grilled Cheeses
This award honors the eatery that delivered the most creative and value-driven offering during Restaurant Week. Cheezy’s Grilled Cheeses stood out with bundled meal deals priced between $8 and $10, making it easy for guests to enjoy bold flavors at an affordable price point. Featured options included the Original Grilled Cheese, the B.S.T. (Bacon, Spinach and Tomato) Grilled Cheese, and the Big Cheezy—stacked with a burger patty for an extra hearty twist. The combination of comfort, creativity, and value made Cheezy’s a clear favorite among diners.

“Rockford Restaurant Week continues to be an amazing opportunity for local restaurants, and we’re grateful for all the work your team puts into making it such a success each year,” said Dustin DiBendetto, Cheezy’s Grilled Cheeses owner. “The exposure, support, and sense of community it creates means a lot to small, local businesses like ours.”

Best Cocktail or Brew: Crave Kitchen & Cocktails
This award recognizes the establishment that showcased the most innovative cocktail or brew during Restaurant Week. Crave Kitchen & Cocktails captivated guests with imaginative creations crafted by award-winning Beverage Director Ava Vitale. Standout selections included the Psyche, featuring grapefruit-hibiscus tequila paired with passionfruit-hibiscus tea, and the Screw City Smoked Old Fashioned, an elevated twist on a classic favorite. Each cocktail reflected creativity, precision, and a bold approach to flavor, resonating with diners.

“Thank you to each and every guest who joined us during Restaurant Week,” said Ava Vitale Crave Kitchen & Cocktails Co-Founder and Beverage Director. “It was such a pleasure seeing familiar faces and welcoming so many new ones. My goal with the cocktail program has always been to be inventive yet approachable — to create something exciting, while making sure every guest can find a drink they truly love. I’m sincerely grateful for the recognition and encouragement from our guests. It’s an honor to serve such an incredible and supportive community.”

Legacy Award: Franchesco’s Ristorante 
The Legacy Award was presented to Franchesco’s Ristorante in recognition of 40 years of serving authentic Italian cuisine in Rockford. A longstanding staple in the community, Franchesco’s marked the milestone during Restaurant Week with its special “4 for $40” prix fixe menu, featuring a thoughtfully curated four-course dining experience that honored both tradition and innovation.

"Receiving the Rockford Restaurant Week Legacy Award is a profound honor that truly touches our family,” expressed Benny Salamone, owner of Franchesco’s Ristorante, Benny’s Bar & Lounge and Fresco at the Gardens. “For 40 years, Franchesco's has been proud to serve this incredible community, sharing our traditions, homemade dishes, and warm hospitality. Hosting the 2026 Rockford Restaurant Week Awards new conference was a special honor that allowed us to celebrate not only our milestone anniversary, but also the impact Rockford Restaurant Week has had in spotlighting local restaurants and bringing people together over great food. We’re deeply grateful for the recognition and for every guest who has made this journey possible. We look forward to many more years of creating memories at our table."