As spring settles over Highlands, the season brings a renewed sense of movement and anticipation – the perfect backdrop for a new culinary celebration this year, that seasonal energy comes with something entirely new: the inaugural Highlands Restaurant Week, taking place April 6–12, a weeklong celebration of the flavors, creativity, and hospitality that define this mountain town.
Restaurant Week is designed with one goal in mind: to invite guests to explore Highlands through its food. From chefdriven tasting menus to special multicourse offerings, wine tastings, classes and exclusive discounts, visitors will have the chance to experience the town’s culinary talent in fresh and memorable ways. Each participating restaurant chooses its own approach, giving diners a wide range of options – from elevated dining rooms to beloved local favorites.
This idea for Restaurant Week came from Clarissa Emily Kirmss of Stubborn Seeds Hospitality, who saw an opportunity to bring the community together during a quieter stretch of spring. With years of hospitality experience and a deep love for Highlands, she envisioned an event that would highlight the town’s dining scene while giving guests a reason to explore and savor.
What began as a simple idea quickly gained momentum.
Clarissa and her business partner at Stubborn Seeds Hospitality, Kiki Donikian, crafted invitations and connected with hospitality leaders. Restaurants responded enthusiastically, eager to showcase their seasonal menus and help shape an event that feels true to Highlands — collaborative and rooted in local pride.
Lodging partners are also joining the celebration, offering special incentives that make it easy for guests to turn a single meal into a full week in the mountains. With longer days and milder weather, April is an ideal time to enjoy Highlands’ trails, waterfalls, shops, and scenic overlooks between meals.
What defines Highlands Restaurant Week is the collaborative spirit behind it, offering visitors a delicious way to enjoy the town’s restaurants in a single, celebratory week. Guests can expect thoughtful menus and the chance to discover new favorites while revisiting familiar ones. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a friends’ weekend, or simply a spring escape, the week offers a delicious way to experience the Plateau.
As Clarissa shared, the heart of the event is simple: bringing people together around good food and good hospitality. Highlands Restaurant Week celebrates what many already know – that this small mountain town has a big culinary soul.
To explore participating restaurants, hotels, and specialty purveyors and start planning your visit, go to HighlandsRestaurantWeek.com.
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