I realized coffee had a taste only when I was 22. Before that, I used to drink it while holding my nose shut. So, it’s not hard to admit that I’m far from being a gourmet—maybe even worse than that.
But today, I found myself pondering a question: What truly matters when we evaluate food? How do we decide if a dish is actually good?
Imagine you visit a restaurant with a 4.9-star rating on Google Maps—a very high score. While enjoying your meal, can you subconsciously determine whether it leaves a positive impression on you?
Or, let’s say you find a dish incredibly delicious, mainly because of its spices. However, its salt content might be way above the ideal level. Would you still give the dish and the restaurant a high rating? Or do you base your rating entirely on how you feel in the moment?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Looking forward to your comments!
Interesting that you mention “rate a meal”. When reviewing a restaurant I typically rate the overall experience, with the food obviously being one of the elements. But I’m certainly not in a good position to give advice on rating meals, as I am more or less the opposite of a foody
Hello,
This might vary depending on the region, but in Turkey, Google Maps allows us to rate a restaurant in multiple categories. These categories are food, service, and atmosphere.
Atmosphere: I evaluate this based on the design, interior decoration, and overall harmony of the place.
Service: I rate it by considering the staff’s attitude and the restaurant’s overall approach to service.
Food: This category is solely based on the taste of the dishes.
Google then calculates an overall rating automatically by averaging these three values. However, the detailed ratings for each category are visible to everyone in the details section.
In your region, how do you rate a restaurant? Is it just a single overall rating, or do you also have the option to rate it in different categories? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
@verbaluce It is a really interesting debate to talk about. First of all food rating is based on various factors from taste to surrounding environment or ambiance. Indeed a highest rated restaurant will influence our thoughts about the restaurant before we will try it. But everyone have their own perspective. So in my opinion it is subjective. Also it is nearly impossible to maintain the taste, For example A restaurant maintaining food taste and service very well and unfortunately one day it serves food not up to mark, and people give low rating.
Rating taste objectively is probably not possible. It depends on so much more than the food itself. Also, your prior experiences (dislikes, traumatic events, and sweet memories) play important roles. So I think we should simply aim to be honest and try to explain why we like or dislike a meal, dish, or food item.
Then when a lot of reviews are posted the average star rating will probably be as accurate as it can be.
PS, did you take that photo? Sharing photos not taken by us is not allowed. ‘Taken from the internet’ does not count😜
Wonderful topic and great question @verbaluce
When it comes to food rating, it goes with the service as well.
I can ignore the service and yet rate the food if it was indeed great.
But at the same time, I will give no-so-good food a good rating if the service is outstanding.
