During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association is here to serve you.

Support those impacted by COVID-19

The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, through its 501c3 foundation (Virginia Restaurant Lodging & Travel Association Educational Foundation/VRLTAEF) has formed a new industry relief fund to aid workers displaced by the recent restaurant and hospitality industry shutdowns.

The Virginia Restaurant & Hospitality Relief Fund will be providing direct cash support to workers that have been laid off due to the recent COVID19-related business downturn in Virginia. The VRLTAEF will be funding the new trust with donations from individual donors and grants from local private foundations and corporate partners. VRLTA has also partnered with the Virginia Tourism Corporation to create a Virginia is for Restaurant Lovers t-shirt, and other merchandise, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Fund. Donations may be disbursed to organizations around the state which can connect the support to individuals, or, in some cases, made directly to affected individuals.

VRLTA is asking all of the industry’s suppliers, distributors, allied vendor partners, and other corporations to support the Fund. The restaurant and hospitality industries in Virginia are not only large employers, but also greatly contribute to the Commonwealth's economy.

All donations to the Fund are fully tax-deductible, subject to applicable laws and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. If you would like to direct your donation to a particular area, please reach out to marketing@vrlta.org for assistance.

Make a donation today!

Downtown Harrisonburg Restaurant Month - March 2021

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance has expanded on its popular Taste of Downtown restaurant week celebration for 2021 by declaring March as Downtown Harrisonburg Restaurant Month. Fans of downtown are encouraged to eat, drink, and shop at their favorite downtown restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, breweries, cideries, grocery stores, and the farmer’s market all month long to show their support for our culinary district and help their favorite businesses start 2021 strong after a turbulent 2020. Downtown diners can expect to find specials, promotions, exclusive menus, and other limited-time offers as well as a month-long giveaway that will reward supporters of downtown food and drink establishments with Downtown Dollars. Each Monday in March multiple winners will be drawn from receipts submitted the week prior to win $50 in Downtown Dollars to spend at Downtown Harrisonburg establishments. Interested participants can learn more and enter the giveaway at tasteofdowntownhburg.com.

VA Beach

Virginia Beach Restaurant Month - March 2021

The first annual Virginia Beach Restaurant Month begins on March 1 and is sure to fill your plate with mouthwatering deals and endless ways to win! Just sign up for a Dine Pass, and you can check-in to participating restaurants to redeem exclusive offers and special menu items, including on alfresco dining or take-out. Each check-in is an entry into daily foodie giveaways and weekly grand prize getaways – the more you check-in, the more opportunities you have to win! With savings this tasty, make sure to dig into everything Virginia Beach Restaurant Month has to offer! Learn more here.

Spotsylvania Restaurant Week - March 5 - 14, 2021

Spotsylvania County will be hosting Spotsy "TO GO" Restaurant Week from March 5-14, 2021. help us support and celebrate Spotsy's locally-owned restaurants offering take out, curbside pick up and delivery options during the COVID-19 pandemic! Be sure to download your PASSPORT or pick one up at the Spotsylvania visitors center or a participating restaurant! Learn more here.

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Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, March 7 - 14, 2021

The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience began as a celebratory week dedicated to the support of Richmond’s black-owned restaurants, food truck/cart operators, caterers, local chefs and promoting the Richmond region's growing culinary tourism scene. It aims to counter economic disparity within Minority Owned businesses with fun and interactive solutions that engage, excite and ignite a deeper understanding and love of Richmond food culture. Learn more here.

Hampton Restaurant Week

Hampton Restaurant Week, March 7 - 21, 2021

Hampton Restaurant Week is back March 7–21 with takeout specials available for the first time! Support local restaurants, savor local faire, and enjoy Hampton Restaurant Week wherever you go! Specials include Eat in or Take out: $10 lunch, $20 and $30 multi-course dinner
Learn more here.

Culpeper

Culpeper Restaurant Week, March 8 - 14, 2021

Celebrate Local Flavors during Culpeper Downtown Restaurant Week March 8 - 14, 2021

Started by local restaurateurs in 2009, the event encourages diners to break out of typical work-week patterns and share a meal with family and friends at eleven different independently owned Culpeper Downtown restaurants. With specially priced menu options -- $35 per person includes a 3-course dinner to include an appetizer, entrée, and dessert -- it's a great excuse to revisit old favorites or try something new. Learn more here.

We are saddened that many food and drink events have been cancelled or postponed. Check back here to see updates. In the meantime, support Virginia's restaurants and employees!

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Submit your story.

Let us know about the good things coming out of the current unprecedented situation. How is your team coming together? What good things are happening in your community? Share the latest with us, and we may feature it on the site.

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Member recognition

Glory Days Grill Raises $69K in Golf Event

JANUARY 13, 2020

Glory Days Grill hosted its 32nd annual golf tournament at the Westfield’s Golf Club in Clifton, Virginia, on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. The annual tournament raised a record $69,031 of which $40,000 has been designated for the tournament's main beneficiary, The Sunshine Foundation. Glory Days Grill will make additional contributions totaling $29,031 to a variety of local charities and foundations serving the Washington-Baltimore corridor. Past recipients include local organizations such as: Jill’s House; Lorton Community Action Center; Life with Cancer; Little Flower Community; CASA – Baltimore County; and The Fisher House.

Over the past 16 years, Glory Days Grill has raised more than $714,000 through their annual golf tournament allowing the company to financially support the missions of many local and regional charities. Glory Days Grill has been recognized over the years for a variety of charitable contributions and fundraising efforts including the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Award (15x); The Washington Regional Alcohol Program’s ‘WRAPPY’ Community Partnership Award (7x); and an eleven-time winner of the Restaurant Association of Maryland’s Cornerstone of the Industry Award. This award recognizes companies that operate as the cornerstone of their communities, through positive job creation, community support, and charitable contributions.

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