Almost 50 restaurants are set to take part in the fifth annual Bermuda Restaurant Weeks event.

According to the Bermuda Tourism Authority, 45 venues — the most ever involved — will offer three-course meals at reduced prices.

The initiative, which runs until February 5, is aiming to encourage visitors and residents to explore the food options available across the Island.

Launching the event yesterday, Pat Philip-Fairn, the BTA’s chief product and experiences officer, said: “Bermuda authenticity is a signature in almost everything we do and the culinary community has fully embraced the idea.

“This year, 31 restaurants have taken on our challenge to provide Bermuda-inspired dishes in their Restaurant Weeks’ menus — that’s seven more than last year.

“This bodes well for the Island’s food culture identity, which we can then market against to attract visitors, not unlike what you might see in Jamaica or Italy, New Orleans or Paris.”

While the number of restaurants taking part has grown, the price to customers remains the same, with options available for $29, $39 or $49, depending on the restaurant. Returning this year is the People’s Choice Award, allowing diners to vote for the restaurant they feel best incorporates local food culture in their menus.

Enworth Davis, executive chef at Muse and last year’s People’s Choice Award winner, said: “The pride we acquired from the people — the people who were in the restaurant paying their money — was better advertising than we ever could have paid for, and for that we’re very grateful.”

For the first time, mystery diners will also be visiting the participating restaurants, publishing reviews on the Bite of Bermuda website. The public is also invited to share their experiences on social media using #BermudaRW.

Karla Lacey, the BTA’s chief operating officer, said: “When Restaurant Weeks begins tonight, it will be the fifth year of the promotion, which reliably brings a surge of business for our tourism partners in the restaurant industry.

“This year is the biggest yet with 45 restaurants in the mix, two more than last year. We have newcomers Devil’s Isle and Pompano Beach Club, alongside long-term participants like Beau Rivage and Bone Fish Grill.

“Our field team will be on the street handing out flyers. It’ll also be promoted through our Visitor Information Centres and by hotel concierges around the Island as we welcome up to 900 visitors over the next few days for Bermuda Race Weekend.”