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You don't have to book a reservation or travel across the country to celebrate National Restaurant Month. This July, food lovers can turn their own dining rooms, patios or backyards into destinations by bringing together hometown favorites with iconic dishes from some of America's most celebrated restaurants.
Whether you're hosting a casual summer barbecue, planning a family dinner or gathering friends for a weekend tasting party, National Restaurant Month offers the perfect excuse to celebrate great food while supporting restaurants both locally and nationwide.
This year's Goldbelly National Restaurant Month celebration makes it even easier to build a memorable menu. Through the promotion, customers receive $50 with every purchase as part of the celebration, and can also save $20 on orders of $100 or more using promo code BELLY20. More information is available at Goldbelly.com.
No National Restaurant Month celebration would be complete without recognizing the restaurants that help define Long Island's dining scene.
For many families, that could mean beginning the evening with fresh bagels and spreads from Bagel Boss, knishes and sandwiches from Lido Kosher Deli in Long Beach, Italian specialties from Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace or pie from Umberto's Pizzeria. These neighborhood favorites have served generations of Long Islanders.
Mixing hometown favorites with nationally recognized restaurants creates an entertaining experience that feels both familiar and adventurous.
One of the easiest ways to make a dinner party memorable is to build the menu around different regions of the country.
Dive-into the event with award winning lobster rolls from The Clam Shack, an iconic seafood spot serving up fresh catch since 1968.
Head to Chicago with deep-dish pizza from Lou Malnati's, one of the city's most recognizable pizza makers.
Bring authentic Texas barbecue to the backyard with brisket from Franklin Barbecue in Austin.
Kansas City fans can sample championship-caliber barbecue from Joe's KC BBQ.
Finish the evening with world-famous banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery.
Hosting becomes more interactive when guests can sample foods from several regions while learning the stories behind the restaurants that made them famous.
Restaurant-quality entertaining goes beyond what's on the plate.
Set the table with simple linens, cloth napkins and order some fresh flowers for presentation. Create playlists inspired by New Orleans, Nashville, New York or California depending on your menu, and serve beverages that complement each course.
Instead of serving everything at once, consider creating tasting stations where guests can compare different styles of pizza, barbecue or desserts. Small menu cards describing where each dish originated can spark conversation and give everyone a chance to discover new favorites.
Outdoor string lights, candles and comfortable seating can transform even a backyard into an inviting summer dining destination.
National Restaurant Month is ultimately about appreciating the people behind every memorable meal.
While iconic restaurants across the country have earned devoted followings, local independent eateries continue to serve as gathering places for families, friends and neighborhoods throughout Long Island. Consider pairing your Goldbelly order with takeout from a favorite local restaurant, purchasing a gift card from a neighborhood establishment or planning your next night out close to home.
That combination allows families to experience nationally renowned cuisine while continuing to support the restaurants that make their own communities unique.
Whether the menu includes East Coast seafood, New York bagels, Chicago pizza or Texas barbecue, National Restaurant Month is an opportunity to gather around the table, try something new and celebrate the restaurants that bring people together one meal at a time.
