NASHUA — There isn’t much time left until Main Street’s outside dining heads indoors for the season, but patrons are being encouraged to make the most of the time remaining during Fall Restaurant Week, now under way.

The dining festival, which takes place each fall, is highly anticipated by downtown restaurant owners and their regular customers, according to Rebecca Dixon, executive director of Nashua’s Great American Downtown.

“People are very receptive to this event. It is hard to quantify, but we estimate about 5,000-6,000 extra diners throughout the week,” said Dixon.

Fifteen local restaurants are participating in Nashua’s Fifth Annual Fall Restaurant Week, which kicked off Monday and will continue until Sunday.

Special discounts and promotions are being offered throughout the week-long event, which is designed to entice residents to eat and shop downtown, according to organizers.

Hosted by Great American Downtown, the dining festival is traditionally held in October, but this year’s event was pushed ahead, partly because of the nice weather, Dixon said.

“It is a good time – now that the kids are back in school – for parents to have a special date night, reconnect and unwind after the summer months,” she said. “In this type of economy, it is nice to get out every once in awhile to try a new restaurant or dining experience. There are a lot of great specials, discounts and fixed-price menus being offered.”

Eateries have been featuring special week-long promotions to best showcase their restaurants, including seasonal dishes, prix fixe dining, 20 percent-off meal deals, special wine pairings and other extraordinary offers, according to organizers.

“With a wide range of restaurants and numerous bargains, downtown Nashua’s Fall Restaurant Week appeals to every consumer’s taste and budget,” a release says.

Participating in the dining festival for the first time will be the Portland Pie Co., a newly featured restaurant that is offering a two-for-$29.99 menu.

Another familiar establishment participating is Stella Blu, which is serving up 20 percent off special wild game dishes such as bison, venison and alligator.

Unums on East Pearl Street is providing a special menu of short ribs in a Madeira wine sauce, and cedar-plank, oven-roasted salmon.

Some other participating restaurants include: Cafe India, offering a two-for-$29.95 menu, Fody’s Great American Tavern, offering a buy one entree and receive a second entree free, Giant of Siam offering 20 percent off every check, Margaritas Mexican Restaurant offering $10 off a $25 food purchase, Saffron Bistro, offering a three-course dinner for $30, and San Francisco Kitchen, offering a 20 percent discount off every menu item.

For a full listing of participating restaurants, visit www.downtownnashua.org.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.