Understanding Our Rating System

Reviewing restaurants can be incredibly subjective. Everyone has their unique tastes and preferences, not to mention budget restrictions.

Also, how do you actually rate a restaurant? Is it just on the food, do you factor in the ambience and service? Does it matter if you can make the food at home yourself?

After experimenting we’ve come up with an easy way to rate the restaurants that we visit. We’ve stopped trying to give restaurants a score and instead, we use a system that actually helps you plan your visit.

Star Ratings

Our star ratings are essentially a copy of the Michelin Guide's foundational principles (very few people know that this is what the stars were supposed to mean).

• 1 star - Pop by if you’re in the area. This signifies a restaurant which is worth going to only if you’re in the area. Good cooking and food but nothing extra special.

• 2 stars - Worth a detour – Here, a restaurant offers a more distinctive dining experience that justifies going a little out of your way.

• 3 stars - Make a special trip. This rating is reserved for the best experiences. A meal that is worth booking in advance and making a special journey to. Think birthdays, reunion meals, date nights or when you’re craving a meal you can really look forward to.

We review the restaurants on an overall feel. Yes, the food is the most important factor but we will also judge the restaurant on several other factors such as atmosphere, service, uniqueness, authenticity and general feel-good factor.

You might find extremely cheap 3-star street food vendors as well as 1-star fine dining restaurants.

Price Guide

To complement our star system, we've incorporated a straightforward price guide to help you anticipate the costs associated with your meal. The price is an estimate of what it would cost per head for a full meal and a drink.

• £ (under £20)

• ££ (£20 to £50)

• £££ (£50 to £100)

• ££££ (over £100)

Our system aims to empower you with more than just a generic score; it provides practical insights that help tailor your dining decisions to your expectations and budget.

By blending a clear star rating with a detailed price indicator, we want you to have all the information you need to choose your next great meal, perfectly aligned with your taste and wallet.

If you have any feedback on our rating system, let us know.