Citywide $26 Restaurant Deals Roll Out for World Cup Season

Hundreds of New York City restaurants are set to offer $26 dining specials this spring and summer, aligning with the start of the World Cup. The initiative, announced by City Hall earlier this week, comes as local diners voice concerns over rising menu prices, including recent attention on $72 roast chickens and $20 cocktails across Manhattan.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office described the program as a six-week partnership with restaurants across all five boroughs. The goal is to provide affordable fixed-price meals while the city hosts World Cup matches and sees an uptick in visitors. Unlike the city’s Restaurant Week, which typically runs for two weeks, this promotion is scheduled to last through the bulk of the tournament.

On Friday afternoon in Astoria, restaurant owners said they welcomed the move. “It’s a chance to fill seats during game nights and attract regulars who’ve cut back,” said Maria Ortiz, manager at a neighborhood bistro participating in the deal. She noted that her $26 menu will include a main course and a drink.

The city said participating restaurants will display window decals for easy identification by passersby. The list of venues is expected to go live on a city-backed website later this month. Some operators expressed concerns about profit margins but said they hoped increased foot traffic would offset lower per-diner spending.

The dining promotion coincides with the first days of warm weather and the close of the school year, drawing more locals and tourists to outdoor seating. With World Cup matches running through June and July, the city’s food scene is bracing for a busy, and potentially more affordable, summer.