How We Review Restaurants
Every review is based on real visits, paid for by us. No sponsored placements, no freebies. Here's exactly how we score.
Last updated: 18 February 2026
A restaurant review is only worth reading if it's honest. Every restaurant in our guides is assessed using the same criteria, with scores weighted to reflect what actually matters to diners. Below is the full breakdown of how we work.
Our 6-Step Review Process
Minimum Two In-Person Visits
Every restaurant receives at least two visits before we publish — typically on different services to account for variation. All meals are paid for independently. No advance notice to the restaurant, no comped tables.
Ordering Across the Menu
We order from multiple sections — starters, mains, desserts, and drinks — to get a broad picture. We look for consistency between dishes and assess value at each price point.
Food Quality Assessment
Scored on flavour, freshness, technique, and whether the menu is genuinely seasonal or just claims to be. We're experienced enough to tell the difference between made-from-scratch cooking and shortcuts.
Service Evaluation
We look at attentiveness, knowledge of the menu, the pacing of the meal, and how staff handle requests. A rushed experience is noted and scored accordingly.
Atmosphere Assessment
The physical space, noise levels, comfort, and whether the atmosphere matches the restaurant's price point and style.
Value for Money
Benchmarked against comparable restaurants in the same area. We consider portion sizes, ingredient quality, and the realistic cost of a full meal including drinks.
Score Weighting
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Food Quality | 40% | Flavour, freshness, technique, and consistency |
| Service | 25% | Attentiveness, knowledge, pacing, and handling of requests |
| Value | 20% | Price vs. quality and comparable alternatives in the area |
| Atmosphere | 15% | Comfort, noise, cleanliness, and fit with price point |
Independence
We do not accept payment, free meals, or advertising in exchange for reviews or rankings. If you believe a review is inaccurate, contact us and we'll look into it.