So you’ve decided to go on vacation and experience the best of what a certain destination has to offer. You want to try all the local cuisine, but with so many restaurants around it can be hard to know which ones are worth visiting. Finding a decent restaurant with delicious food and amazing service can be difficult, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar city. There are certain things you should look out for.

To help you out, here are some red flags to look for when researching restaurants to avoid a potentially unpleasant experience.

Not Socially Delicious

Does the website or social media profile lack photos and other information about the restaurant? Are the photos posted on their social not enticing you to want to ear there? This could indicate that the establishment is either outdated or not taking its online presence seriously.

Pursue the Review

What does online research say about it? Search engine results can tell you a lot about a restaurant. Are there any negative reviews from recent patrons? Take note of common complaints, such as bad service and long wait times. Are there any recent reviews that seem suspicious? If a restaurant only has glowing reviews from previous customers, this may be an indication that something isn’t quite right.

However, look at other reviews from the negative posters to ensure they aren't just habitual complainers. Some people have nothing better to do. Taking the time to look into reviews and customer feedback can help you ensure that you have a great experience.

Customer Disservice

I know we talked about social media and online reviews, but one of the things we didn't talk about was how a restaurant responds to comments and reviews. If you are scrolling through reviews and see the restaurant responding rudely or arguing with someone on social, you can pretty much guarantee that if you have a bad experience at this restaurant, they really won't care.

But it's not just social and online reviews. It's also about how they treat their customers in person. Poor customer service can be a sign that the kitchen isn’t running as smoothly as it should be, so pay attention to how waitstaff interacts with customers. If they seem disorganized or unprepared, then it might not be worth your time.

Fishing for Naivety

Too many restaurants are trying this tactic to entice patrons. This is not good for people on a specific budget. Can you imagine walking into a place you think is casual only to sit down and see the prices of a fine dining restaurant? It would be very awkward to get up and leave once you are seated.

If I see an online menu with no pricing, there is no way I am eating at that restaurant. Period.

Size Does Matter

Is the menu overly ambitious? A menu that is too long and offers food from all over the world could be trying to cover up for poor quality. On the flip side, if the menu is too limited or uninspiring, it may be best to keep looking for something with more local flavour.

Unorganized Chaos

If you are able, scope out the restaurant. Walk by or drop in, and pay attention to how the restaurant is run. Do they seem disorganized or unhygienic? A good indication of how serious a restaurant takes its food is how clean the kitchen is and how efficient the staff are in getting orders out on time. If things seem rushed or sloppy, chances are your food may be too.

Reservations Recommended

Be sure to take note of whether the restaurant appears to have a lot of customers. Though not a foolproof measure, if there is a wait for seating it could be an indication that the establishment is favoured by locals and therefore might offer tasty food at reasonable prices. You also don't want to find yourself in an empty restaurant – nothing says "avoid this place" like an eerily quiet dining room!

Avoid a Disappointing Experience

If something doesn’t seem right or looks suspicious, don't hesitate to keep looking until you find somewhere else with better ratings. By being aware of these red flags, you can make sure that the restaurants you visit will provide a delicious and safe experience for your vacation. You can avoid a disappointing experience and savour every bite of your travels by doing your homework ahead of time.

Bon appétit!