Sizzle Dining to kick off in Southwest Florida
An annual late-summer dining event across Southwest Florida is returning for its biggest year yet while celebrating a major milestone.
Sizzle Dining, which is marking its 10th year, will run the entire month of September, encouraging the community to “save, support, and celebrate.” The event gives participants a chance to indulge in Southwest Florida flavors and delectable cuisines, as foodies have the opportunity to dine at a record-high number of restaurants throughout the month, for less.
Now in its most expansive format to date, the month-long event will feature 140 restaurants across Lee and Collier counties, from Cape Coral to Marco Island, offering exclusive lunches and dinners at discounted prices, all while giving back to the local community.
“It’s crazy that it’s been 10 years, because it feels like a blink of the eye,” Sizzle Dining founder Guy Clarke said. “But it feels amazing to know that the event has grown, and it’s amazing to see the participation and the community really embrace Sizzle Dining. This is something I’m passionate about. It helps the community. It helps the children.”
For every Sizzle Dining meal purchased, $1 is donated for Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit that feeds local elementary school children who face food insecurity on weekends.
“Being able to help Blessings in a Backpack is really the essence of the event,” he said. “When I talk about Blessings at events, I can barely make it through without choking up. It’s such a great feeling to know the impact we’re having on children, because I was one of those hungry kids. My mom worked three jobs, did a great job raising me and I had a great childhood, but I was one of those kids. It brings me joy to know that year after year, this event keeps growing, and helps us provide more to local children.”
In 2024, Sizzle Dining raised $62,529. The momentum surged in 2025, when 127 restaurants across Collier and Lee counties served a record 87,483 meals during the event’s first four-week run.
Clarke estimates the event’s overall economic impact at roughly $20 million since the event started, supporting not only restaurants but also local farmers, linen and uniform services, and even local boutiques, which benefit when you buy a new dress to go out in.
During the 2025-26 school year, Blessings in a Backpack’s local chapter served 31 programs, fed approximately 8,000 children every Friday, and distributed 256,000 weekend food bags. Sizzle’s consistent support has become a vital part of that greater effort.
This year, he has set an ambitious goal: selling more than 100,000 Sizzle meals and surpassing last year’s record. The guiding mission remains, “Save local restaurants, Support hospitality, and Celebrate Southwest Florida’s vibrant culinary scene,” and is now paired with the rallying cry #DineWithPurpose.
“This event is a call to action,” Clarke said. “Go out one more time. Go to one extra restaurant this year. Find a place you’ve never been to. That one extra dollar really makes an impact if everyone does it.”
There are no passes or tickets required to participate. Diners simply browse the list of participating restaurants online, make their reservations, and go enjoy their meals, knowing that every bite supports a great cause.
He said dining in the month of September also provides a boost during the slow time of the year, and has a ripple effect beyond just the restaurants.
“Obviously the benefit for Blessings is massive and is at the heart of this, but this also helps those restaurants trying to work through these end-of-summer months where it’s usually the most quiet. I think in the 10 years we’ve been doing Sizzle, this is probably the worst summer when it comes to feedback I’ve had from the restaurants,” Clarke said.
For the first time ever this year, Sizzle Dining is allowing the restaurants to pick their own prices — with a strict caveat. Sizzle Dining menus must be 25% to 30% off of the regular-priced menu.
“We have a team of people the scours their regular menu and compares it to their Sizzle Manu, and then we approve it or not,” he said. “It’s easier for them to put together these really great menus, and I think this year is the best we’ve seen. I really do.”
Restaurants participating in Sizzle Dining are in Babcock Ranch, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Marco Island, and St. James City. Clarke added that overall, there are 46 new restaurants participating this year, with a record-breaking 26 new participants coming from Lee County.
“That was really great to see,” he said. “We’ve worked really hard to bring these discounts to customers to help save money. This is the last hurrah before season starts. You don’t have to worry about lines or waiting, you can go to any one of these amazing restaurants and get right in. This is the best deal diners will get all year.”
Sizzle Dining was founded in Naples in 2016 by Clarke, who also is the creator of BaconFest Naples along with his wife, Erin Clarke, a culinary school-trained chef and restaurant management consultant. The promotional event originally launched with 26 restaurants as dinner-only. Today, Sizzle Dining has grown into a month-long event that draws thousands of diners.
To view menus, make reservations, or sign up for updates, visit www.SizzleDining.org.
For more information on Blessings in a Backpack, visit www.swfl.blessingsinabackpack.org.
To reach CJ HADDAD / cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com, please email