If you’re unsure of where you want to eat, the go-to search invariably is “10 best restaurants near me.” The search engine will show results relevant to your search, but it may also throw sponsored links your way. To add to your disappointment, when you do visit the restaurant, chances are that the food isn’t as great as you believed. So here are eight tips for picking the best restaurants near you or when traveling.

Set a budget
Budget is everything when you consider dining at a restaurant. You might find places that charge about $200 for a particular dish, while other diners may charge just $10 for the same item. Therefore, before you walk into a restaurant in your area, ensure that you have checked their menu and rates. Doing so can help you estimate the final bill and avoid any unforeseen costs following the meal.

Ask for recommendations
One of the easiest ways to find a suitable place to dine is by asking for recommendations. These could come from family, friends, or colleagues who have visited a specific restaurant in the recent past. Getting their opinion on the taste, quantity, price, and other aspects of the eating place can help you make a more informed decision when selecting a restaurant. Moreover, if you travel to another state or country, speak to the locals in the area. They are the best people who could recommend a suitable eatery.

Pick a cuisine
You don’t want to walk into a restaurant specializing in Chinese cuisine only to ask for an Italian dish. Yes, they might serve the item you want. However, it might not be as delicious as the one served at the Italian joint. So you must select a particular cuisine before visiting one of the best restaurants in your region.

Check ratings and reviews
Checking for the most recent ratings and delicacy reviews is one of the best ways to find the ideal restaurant in your area. You will find multiple websites where people write about their experiences at a particular eatery. When reading delicacy reviews, check for factors including the price, quality, and quantity of the meal, quality of service, and wait time. Furthermore, people often upload images of the dishes they’ve tried and other elements of the restaurant. You can check these out to determine if the eatery suits your taste.

Identify and ignore poor reviews
You may find reviews with one-star ratings and poor comments. These could be from customers who are picky about their meals or even from fake accounts on the internet that attempt to ruin the image of the restaurant. An example of reviews you ought to be wary about include ones where customers write that they asked for a cheesecake but were not told about it containing gluten and dairy on the menu. Others may rate the restaurant poorly because they could not seat their party of eight during a last-minute reservation. So, please check for genuine reviews.

Consider the distance
One of the most important tips for finding a suitable dining place is to consider the distance. Though the restaurant might serve the best cuisine in the area, it could be situated in a location that is tough to reach. You may even spend more on getting there than the amount you pay for the meal. So before you visit the eatery, check to see how far it is situated. You should also check if you can reach the restaurant by public transport to help keep travel costs at a bare minimum.

Indulge in an ambience check
Several restaurants usually have a particular event set for each day of the week. This includes events like live music, jazz nights, karaoke, and more. So when selecting a restaurant, indulge in an ambience check. Loud music playing in the background won’t always bode well during a meal where you’re discussing business. But the same vibe may work while dining with family or friends. So calling ahead or checking online for the vibe or ongoing event may help you select the best restaurant for the evening.

Look at the online presence
Nowadays, most restaurants create one or more social media pages to create an online presence. Here, they post pictures of unique cuisines and dishes. The restaurant may also put up notices about special events, including all-you-can-eat packages and happy hours. Looking at the content uploaded by the restaurant or other people who have visited the location may help you decide whether the place suits your taste. Several blog sites may also feature certain restaurants on their social media handles. Consider checking them when selecting the best restaurant in your area or when you’re traveling elsewhere.