Food lovers should mark their calendars! VisitHATTIESBURG is pleased to announce the eighth annual Hattiesburg Restaurant Week, scheduled for Oct. 5 – 11. This year’s theme is “Sugar Rush,” and local restaurants have taken on the challenge of incorporating their interpretation of sweets into small plates, mains, drinks, and desserts. Hattiesburg is home to nearly 200 local restaurants, making it a culinary hub in Mississippi, drawing both locals and visitors.
“Hattiesburg Restaurant Week has truly become a can’t-miss celebration for food lovers, and this year’s sweet theme is already creating plenty of excitement,” said Kristen Brock, Vice President of Marketing & Programs at VisitHATTIESBURG. “Not only does the event boost our local economy in a fun and flavorful way, but it also showcases the creativity and variety of Hattiesburg’s vibrant culinary scene.”
During the week-long celebration, more than 30 of Hattiesburg’s local eateries will be participating. To match this year’s theme of "Sugar Rush," each restaurant will offer exclusive dishes featuring a sweet element that promises to delight and surprise patrons. From sweet and sour to sweet heat – or even a sugar-packed dessert – there’s something to satisfy every craving! The choices will showcase the versatile and decadent role of sugar in Hattiesburg's rich culinary landscape.
Some of this year’s exclusive dishes include:
- Sugar Daddy’s Bakery, Honey Bun Cake
- Mo-Bay Beignet Co, Blackberry Cream Cheese and Fresh Blackberries
- Zelaya's Bakery, Stuffed Appleicious
- Benson’s Steakhouse, Old-Fashioned Apple Cobbler
- Topher's Burgers & Biscuits, Chocolate Caramel Crunch Frozen Coffee & Crème Brûlée Milkshake
- Ladah's Cantina at the Hattiesburg Zoo, Bourbon & Maple BBQ Chicken Tacos, Maple Blackberry Mojito, and Berry Chantilly Cheesecake Shake
- Southern Prohibition Brewing, Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese
- Mercury Pizza Midtown, Fuji Apple Dessert Pizza
- Mercury Pizza West, Fuji Apple Dessert Pizza
- Trattoria Pizzeria, Classic Italian Zeppoli with Powdered Sugar & Lemon Zest
- Mulukakao, Earl Grey Chocolate Truffle
Restaurant Week, a program of VisitHATTIESBURG, would not be possible without the support of local chefs and restauranteurs. To create a cohesive dining experience throughout the city, several customized items with the HBURG logo and #EatHBURG hashtag will be featured at participating businesses.
“Hattiesburg’s front-line servers and back-of-the-house teams are truly some of the hardest workers in the industry, and we always enjoy partnering with them,” said Marlo Dorsey, CEO of VisitHATTIESBURG. “In keeping with this year’s Sugar Rush theme, we’re excited to outfit them with HBURG aprons and share a little extra sweetness with diners - a VisitHATTIESBURG measuring spoon to take home as a keepsake.”
Plans are underway to engage the community with a series of gift card giveaways on social media, and diners are encouraged to share their Restaurant Week experiences on social media with the hashtag #EatHBURG.
The latest details, as well as a comprehensive list of participating restaurants, will be available at www.visithburg.org/eatlocal/. The Foodie Guide is conveniently sorted by neighborhood to help diners plan their culinary adventures.
