Richmond Restaurant Week is trying something different in 2021 as it celebrates 20 years of fighting hunger through supporting local business. This year, the team has designed a choose-your-own, safe + tasty adventure.

Max's serves a Belgian staple, this traditional seafood stew called Waterzooi. | Photo by @maxsonbroad

There’s over 2 dozen local spots you can try to suit your tastes. Several restaurants have created new menus specifically for this week, such as Max’s on Broad.

The French-Belgian restaurant is debuting a butternut squash soup, a maple vinaigrette kale salad, savory pumpkin hummus + a red wine meatloaf to be served through Wed., Nov. 3. Pro tip: make those reservations at Max’s as soon as possible.

You don’t have to dine in either. There’s takeout or curbside pickup options at most of these participating restaurants, like at Barrio, Fat Dragon + Southern Kitchen.

You can order these Schezuan Pepper Wings from Fat Dragon on location or online | Photo by @fatdragonrva

No matter how you’re involved, you can add a donation to Feed More to your receipt. The Richmond-based hunger relief organization has worked with Restaurant Week since 2001 for both its Fall + Spring events.

Feed More distributes food across the city of Richmond + 29 neighboring counties, which includes Meals on Wheels, the Kids Cafe, Mobile Pantry, and the Weekend Backpack program. If you’d like to give more of your time, donations or goods, you can also contact them for volunteer, career, or corporate giving opportunities.

Each participating restaurant has a $5 donation option available on their online menu. That 5 dollars can help provide up to 20 meals for neighbors who need it. Restaurant Week has raised about $818,500 for hunger relief over the past 2 decades.

You have through this Sun., Oct. 31 to schedule a local dinner date to support our community.

Check out the full list of participating restaurants from Short Pump to the Arts District.