In an effort to attract more diners to Fifth Avenue South during the slow summer months, 17 restaurants have teamed up to offer prix-fixe specials through August.
Building on its inaugural event with 10 dining spots last summer, Flavors of 5th offers various local discounts on three-course menus from the participating restaurants from July 14 through Aug. 28. The event is sponsored by the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District, and $1 from each meal benefits Beverly’s Angels, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Naples’ essential workforce and their families, especially during the holiday season.
“Last year proved that purposeful partnerships can spark real change,” said Meg Stepanian, executive director of the Fifth Avenue South BID. “With even more restaurants involved this year, we’re proud to grow this flavorful tradition and continue empowering those who make our district shine.”
This year’s participating restaurants include Aqua, Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro, Bistro 821, Caffe Milano, Chops City Grill, Del Mar, The French, Keewaydin’s on Fifth, Le Colonial, Lola 41, Ocean Prime, Ottimo on 5th Cucina & Bar, Pazzo Cucina Italiana, Sails Restaurant, Truluck’s, Osteria Tulia and Vergina.
Eight of these restaurants — Aqua, Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro, Bistro 821, Chops City Grill, Del Mar Naples, Keewaydin’s, Lola 41 and Pazzo Cucina Italiana — also are among the restaurants participating in the similar but unrelated Sizzle Dinning annual restaurant promotion set for Sept. 3-30 this year. Sizzle will have more than 100 local restaurants participating from Cape Coral to Marco Island.
“It’s really important in the shoulder months for all our residents but then in the summer for our full-time residents to be able to bring programs where we can offer a better value and more parking,” Stepanian said.
Although all of the Flavors of 5th restaurants are offering prix-fixe menus, each restaurant has its own dedicated menu options with different pricing for the special event. Prices for three-course dinners range from $30 per person at Aqua to $99 at Sails Restaurant. Variations include Bistro 821 with two entrees and bottle of wine for $57; and Del Mar offers a complimentary starter and dessert with the purchase of any entree.
A Flavors of 5th landing page on the Fifth Avenue South website has links to each restaurant’s details and reservations.
Not only are the prix-fixe menus a special value for guests, the promotion is timed to support the local employees during a time of need. Although they are employed on Naples’ iconic avenue, many of them juggle multigenerational responsibilities and typically travel hours to and from work.
“It’s hard to be one of the most exclusive destinations in the country or the world and knowing our families are having sleepless hours trying to keep their businesses going,” said Stepanian, who notes that higher rents, insurance costs, employee salaries and food prices are some of the realities faced by local restaurants in an industry with already slim profit margins.
Michael Mir, chef and owner of Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro on Fifth Avenue South, said the summer dining promotions demonstrate the spirit of solidarity and collaboration of independent restaurants, customers and neighbors working together to keep the doors of local businesses open during the slowest part of the year, while supporting meaningful local causes.
“As a chef and small business owner in Naples for more than two decades, I’ve weathered many seasons, both culinary and otherwise. But nothing tests a restaurant quite like August in Southwest Florida. The sun is at its hottest, the snowbirds have long flown north, and the rhythm of our tourist-driven economy slows to a crawl,” Mir said. “For many of us in the hospitality business, this time of year is less about creativity and cuisine and more about survival. That’s why partnerships like Flavors of 5th are not just appreciated — they are essential.”
The overarching goal of Flavors is to fill restaurant seats during the summer slump and also enliven Fifth Avenue, Stepanian said.
“This avenue is a whole lot more fun when it’s buzzing,” she said. “Our Evenings on Fifth, even in the heat of summer, are so well attended. People just love to see each other and be out. I even get charged when I’m down here. It’s something special.”
The idea for Flavors of 5th was born when Beverly’s Angels first connected with the BID in 2024 to bring holiday joy to local workers through its “Dear Santa” initiative. The inaugural event last year raised more than $10,000 for Beverly’s Angels.
“Thanks to Flavors of 5th, we were able to deliver nearly 70 ‘Santa Sacks’ to deserving families last year,” said Faith Schwalback, founder of Beverly’s Angels. “Our mission is to help every child feel the magic of the season, and to uplift the everyday heroes who rarely ask for help. We’re thrilled to be a part of Flavors 2.0.”
