Key Points:
- Wilton’s Economic Development Commission kicks off Wilton Restaurant Weeks starting Monday, Sept. 21. The two-week event will promote Wilton as a dining destination, with at least 21 restaurants participating.
- The EDC is supporting the event with social media intended to increase awareness of Wilton restaurants and highlight their unique offerings during the event — with a goal to attract more customers from both Wilton and surrounding towns.
- The EDC hopes to follow Restaurant Weeks with a Wellness Week later this year.
Why It Matters: The event is the result of a new strategy by the EDC to plan and organize more events that will boost economic activity in Wilton and benefit residents’ quality of life.
After months of planning, Wilton’s Economic Development Commission is just days away from kicking off Wilton Restaurant Weeks — a two-week event starting Monday, Sept. 21 and running through Sunday, Oct. 4.
EDC Chair Joe Favarolo emphasized that the goal is to promote Wilton as a dining destination for Wilton residents as well as to attract customers from surrounding communities.
“To our local business owners, I would emphasize that this initiative embodies exactly what the EDC is here to do,” Favarolo said. “Every participating restaurant receives free promotion, through both our digital channels [and] and traditional outreach, at no cost whatsoever.”
“When our local restaurants and other businesses succeed, the entire community benefits,” he added.
Favarolo, who has been leading the initiative and closely involved in the execution, says the response from local restaurant owners exceeded his expectations. At least 21 Wilton restaurants signed up to participate and a few last-minute additions are still possible. (See the full list at the bottom of this story.)
Restaurants have chosen to participate with a variety of deals and special offers, ranging from prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus to price discounts, complimentary appetizers, drink specials, dine-in deals and other offers to entice customers.
Earlier this week, the EDC launched a social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram, with a rapid-fire stream of posts to highlight each participating restaurant and promote their individual special offerings. The social media posts encourage customers to confirm details with each restaurant — in most cases, customers simply need to inform their server when ordering. [Editor’s note: the EDC’s Instagram account also features a Wilton Business Directory and Jobs Board — check the pinned posts and highlights for details.]
Favarolo believes the EDC’s promotion of the event will impact restaurants beyond the two-week time frame.
“The visibility and promotion each restaurant receives is a success in its own right,” he said. “Every participating business is being introduced to an audience, both in Wilton and in surrounding towns, that may not have known about them otherwise, and that exposure carries lasting value.”
Favarolo praised the all-volunteer EDC commissioners for their “effort, dedication and care” in the planning, outreach to restaurants and coordination of the event.
The restaurant week initiative stems from the results of a business satisfaction survey the EDC completed in 2025. In direct response to feedback from local business owners, the EDC embarked on a concerted effort to increase the number and quality of local events that support Wilton merchants and benefit residents.
The EDC’s Restaurant Weeks mark a new era in EDC event activity. In the past, the EDC played a supporting role in helping to promote events such as the Wilton Chamber of Commerce’s Annual “Taste of Wilton”, but now, the EDC is taking the lead role and organizing its own events to drive economic activity in Wilton. The commission is currently in the planning stages for a Wilton Wellness Week, which could be scheduled as soon as November, and expects more events to follow.
In the meantime, Favarolo is urging the public to “take full advantage of this opportunity.”
“Visit as many participating restaurants as you can,” he said. “Make a reservation, stop in for takeout, or gather everyone you know for a meal out.”
Wilton Restaurant Weeks Participating Restaurants:
- Baldanza at the Schoolhouse
- Bangkok Republic
- Cactus Rose Restaurant & Tequila Bar
- CT Coffee & Grill
- Country Deli
- Craft 14 Kitchen + Bar
- Heibecks Stand
- Hunan Cafe
- Little Pub Wilton
- Marly’s Bistro
- Naked Greens
- Nova Cafe
- Orem’s Diner
- Outback Steakhouse
- Press Burger
- Reiki Sushi & Asian Bistro
- Sly Bandit Brewing Company
- Tavern on 7
- Toozy Patza Pizza
- Totsy Turvy Cafe and Play
- Wilton Pizza & Pasta
This list will be updated if GMW learns of any changes. Scroll the slideshow below to see specific offers from each participating restaurant.
Wilton is not a destination town for shopping or dining. That is why there are so many boarded up store fronts and small businesses that have come and gone. One of the reasons is that there is no real Wilton center. Everything is scattered around. People go from one place to the other by car It’s not a problem that can be easily solved because of geography. So many attempts have been made to make it a destination town.
So drive to a restaurant this week and support and celebrate the beautiful town of Wilton. Great that so many restaurants are participating. Thanks for bringing it to our attention