We're BACK! This year we are putting a twist on Alameda Restaurant Week (ARW) March 20-29, 2026.
Inspired by the global excitement surrounding this summer’s international soccer events, this year’s Restaurant Week brings the spirit of worldwide competition to Alameda’s vibrant dining scene.
The world’s premier international soccer tournament—first held in 1930—is celebrated for bringing countries together through friendly competition, culture, and pride. The event was last hosted in the United States in 1994 and will return to North America in 2026, when the City of Alameda will welcome an international team training at the Oakland Roots Training Facility at Harbor Bay Business Park.
In that same spirit, Alameda’s Restaurant Week: Global Flavors Edition celebrates international cuisines, cultural storytelling, and community participation—through food. Instead of countries competing on the field, restaurants showcase the culinary traditions and cultural origins that inspire their menus. Diners build their own brackets, support their favorite spots, and help crown one restaurant as the community’s champion.
This friendly competition encourages diners to explore multiple restaurants, celebrate global flavors, and enjoy Restaurant Week in a fun, low‑pressure way.
Dine During Restaurant Week Visit your favorite participating restaurants.
Build Your Bracket Choose your predicted Champion, Finalists, and Top Restaurants from the full list of participating restaurants.
Submit Your Bracket Submit your completed bracket by the posted deadline.
We Tally the Results Restaurants earn points based on how far diners advance them in their brackets.
Champion Announced The restaurant with the most points at the end of Restaurant Week is crowned the Restaurant World Cup Champion.
Selected as Champion – 10 points
Selected as Finalist – 7 points
Selected as Final Four – 5 points
The restaurant with the highest total points wins.
Rank the businesses based on:
Receipt Raffle (Easy Entry):
Diners who submit a receipt from any participating Restaurant Week restaurant are entered into a raffle.
Each receipt submission = one raffle entry.
Multiple receipts = multiple entries.
Bracket Grand Prize (Triple Bracket Entry):
Diners who submit a completed Restaurant World Cup bracket receive three (3) entries into the Grand Prize Giveaway.
Receipt required to submit a bracket.
Best of Both Worlds:
Diners can enter the raffle by submitting receipts.
Diners can increase their chances of winning the grand prize by submitting a bracket.
As part of the Restaurant World Cup theme, participating restaurants are encouraged to highlight the cuisine and cultural origin their business draws from.
This adds storytelling, celebrates cultural diversity, and helps diners make meaningful connections when building their brackets.
Examples:
Italian • Mexico City–inspired • Filipino • Korean BBQ • Mediterranean • Southern American
Restaurants may highlight:
Country or region of origin
Cultural influences behind their menu
Signature dishes tied to that cuisine
Jennifer Padilla, Economic Development Specialist
Email: jpadilla@alamedaca.gov
Phone:
510-747-6852 (o)
510-410-9207 (c)
Registration here!
Submit your Receipt or Bracket!
Alameda Restaurant Week Website
Public Works Department