Chow Downtown, Greensboro's restaurant week, ran Jan. 25-31, 2026, with 29 downtown spots. 2027 dates usually come out in early January.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each year. Organizer: Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI), 532 S. Elm St., 336-379-0060, Chow Downtown event page.

Chow Downtown is Greensboro’s restaurant week, run each winter by Downtown Greensboro Inc. For one week, downtown restaurants, cafes, breweries and dessert spots offer special menus, featured dishes or limited-time deals that are only available that week. The 2026 edition ran Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31, according to DGI’s announcement.

What this means for you

  • 2027 dates are not out yet. DGI announced the 2026 week on Jan. 8, 2026, 17 days before it began.
  • There is no ticket, pass or sign-up. Walk in and order the special.
  • Most restaurants are on or near South Elm Street.

When is Chow Downtown?

The week falls in late January, a slow season for restaurants that the event is designed to help. Recent editions:

Edition Dates Announced
2026 Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31 Jan. 8, 2026
Earlier edition Sunday, Jan. 21, to Saturday, Jan. 27

The earlier dates are from DGI’s wrap-up release. We will add the 2027 week here as soon as DGI posts it.

How it works

DGI’s 2026 guide sets out four steps:

  • Choose one or more participating restaurants.
  • Visit during the week.
  • Order the Chow Downtown special or featured offering.
  • Share it on social media with #ChowDowntown, if you like.

There is no single fixed price. Each business sets its own offer, from a coffee deal to a full meal. A few of the 2026 offers DGI published:

  • Crafted: The Art of the Taco, 219 S. Elm St.: a burger, fries and soda for $16, or three street tacos with fries and a soda for $12.
  • Cincy’s Downtown, 115 E. February One Place: a medium Cincy’s 2-way with a slice of chocolate brownie pie and a drink for $15.
  • Chandler’s, 341 S. Elm St.: soup and a sandwich for $10.
  • Cheesecakes by Alex, 315 S. Elm St.: a free small coffee with a slice of cheesecake or cake.
  • Crooked Tail Cat Cafe, 604 S. Elm St.: 15% off cafe items.

Offers change every year, so check DGI’s list before you go.

Who took part in 2026

DGI listed 29 businesses for 2026:

  • Blue Denim
  • Boxcar Bar + Arcade
  • Chandler’s
  • Cheesecakes by Alex
  • ‘cille & ‘scoe
  • Cincy’s Downtown
  • Crafted: The Art of the Taco
  • Crooked Tail Cat Cafe
  • Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
  • Deep Roots Market
  • Flavoures
  • Hidden Gate Brewing
  • Jake’s Diner
  • Lewis & Elm
  • Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails
  • Machete
  • Natty Greene’s
  • Northern Roots Coffeehouse
  • Pangaea Bistro + Bar
  • Parkside Pull-up
  • Pryme
  • Pura Vida
  • Savor the Moment Dessert Bar
  • The Bodega
  • The Historic Magnolia House
  • The Pines
  • The Rhino
  • Undercurrent
  • Yokai

Does it make a difference?

After an earlier edition, DGI reported a 9% rise in downtown foot traffic at dinnertime, based on cellphone data. A daily gift card drawing that year drew 278 entries, and 63% of those who entered said Chow Downtown brought them downtown, according to the same release.

Parking

Downtown has city decks, city lots and private lots. DGI’s parking list includes the Greene Street Deck, 211 S. Greene St., the February One Deck, 110 S. Davie St., the Church Street Deck, 215 N. Church St., and the Eugene Street Deck, 215 N. Eugene St., plus surface lots along South Elm Street.

Tips

  • Weekend nights fill first. Book a table where the restaurant takes reservations.
  • Go more than once. The week is built for trying several places.
  • Ask your server for the Chow Downtown offer by name.

Related: downtown Greensboro, brunch in Greensboro, date night ideas and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is Greensboro restaurant week?

Chow Downtown, Greensboro’s downtown restaurant week, runs for one week in late January. The 2026 edition was Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31.

When is Chow Downtown 2027?

Downtown Greensboro Inc. has not announced 2027 dates yet. It announced the 2026 week on Jan. 8, 2026, so expect the news in early January.

Do I need a ticket or pass for Chow Downtown?

No. You pick a participating restaurant during the week and order its Chow Downtown special or featured offering.

Which restaurants take part in Chow Downtown?

In 2026, 29 downtown businesses took part, from Natty Greene’s, Undercurrent and The Historic Magnolia House to coffee shops, breweries and dessert spots.