How can you tell a restaurant is good before you order?

You cannot be sure until you eat, but a few clues stack the odds in your favor. Most of them are visible from the door or the menu.

Good signs

• A short menu. Fewer dishes usually means fresher ingredients and practiced cooks.
• Seasonal changes. A menu that shifts with the produce shows someone is cooking, not reheating.
• Regulars. People who look like they eat there every week, especially at odd hours.
• A focus. One cuisine done with confidence beats five done halfway.

Warning signs

• A huge menu spanning many cuisines
• Staff pulling people in from the street
• Photos of every dish on a board outside

Once you sit down

Ask what the kitchen is proud of today. A good server answers quickly and specifically. Then order the dish the place is built around.

More on how we judge food, or read whether to trust online reviews.

All questions