Cuisines from around the world are set to be celebrated, as Sunderland’s first Restaurant Week prepares to launch.
Restaurants and cafes around the city centre and beyond have got fully behind the event - which runs from 24 September to 2 October - and will highlight the eclectic food offering in Sunderland.
Egyptian, Italian, Indian, Chinese and Thai restaurants in the city will be running special offers throughout the week, along with those who specialise in American favourites, desserts and “clean” eating.
Around 50 restaurants are taking part, while at the same time many of the city’s bars and cafes are supporting the week, with special day time offers to entice visitors.
Eat Drink Sunderland Restaurant Week is being led by Sunderland BID but is also being supported by a number of restaurants outside of the city centre, including Karbon Grill at the new Hilton Garden Inn and Liberty Brown at Wessington Way.
Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID, is hoping the week will not only encourage the people of the city to visit new restaurants and return to old favourites but that also food fans from further afield with make the journey.
“I think many people may be surprised at the variety of restaurants we have in Sunderland,” he said.
“We have some superb, unique places to eat and we’re hoping that the first Eat Drink Sunderland Restaurant Week will give everyone the opportunity to explore what we have to offer.
“It’s also fantastic to see so many restaurants from across the city agreeing to participate and we are fully confident this will be an annual event.”
Ian Wong, owner of leading Sunderland restaurant Asiana, said he was excited to be involved.
“It’s great to see Sunderland having its first restaurant week and Asiana is delighted to be taking part in it,” he said.
“It will hopefully encourage lots of people to come into the city and enjoy the great places to eat we have here.”
The full list of restaurants participating and the offers available can be found here.
The official hashtag for Sunderland's Restaurant Week will be - #EatDrinkSunderland