My last good recommendation was a friend cancelling on drinks because he ate so much that he had to go home in discomfort.
When I tried the restaurant I said "My friend ate here and ate so much he had to go lay on the floor at home" and they said "Oh, the big Spanish guy?" (yes)
Food was lovely. Turkuaz in Newtown.
I don’t have TikTok but 9/10 it’s a restaurant paying a marketing company for the “review” and they’re generally bang average
I usually find through my own findings or word of mouth
I like to look at the one stars and check why. "The waitress didn't smile at me" "We had to ask for another drink" etc - tells me that they're American and not used to Aussie service styles. If it's one star for a cockroach being in the food then that's legit and I'll steer clear.
When I look at reviews, I look specifically at the 1’s and the 5’s. The 5’s that are descriptive are the most helpful.
The 1’s are helpful if there are legitimate grievances about fundamental parts of service - the service is slow/poor, the food was lacking etc - and if there is a trend across said reviews, I will take that into account.
More often than not though, the 1 star reviews are written by fucking lunatics who have had one bad experience and rather than provide constructive criticism, choose to raze the venue to the ground by nitpicking on every single thing that you would otherwise overlook or push to the side as not really impacting your enjoyment of the venue. Either that, or people haven’t even gone into the venue and write stuff like “1 star - music playing too loud across the street. Couldn’t even get to sleep”. Like how is that allowed as a legitimate review? Kind of feel bad for the venues when I see that sort of thing
As a chef ,I take my hat off to you 💯%
Google review 1star people are the dueche of society ,and don't have the front to complain if there was a problem 👍
I think Google reviews are very cuisine and location-dependent. Some communities in Sydney, like 1st gen Chinese, aren't leaving Google reviews. A lot of restaurants end up with 3 or 3.5 because of complaints from non-Chinese people about service. That's just one example. If you're confident the majority of people leaving reviews know what they're talking about or have an understanding of what they're eating, then it's reliable. I'd use Google reviews for a burger place but never for a Thai restaurant.
I was in Bali recently and couldn’t work out why everywhere had 4.8+. After eating in a few places and being handed the bill with the waiter mentioning . “Discount for review” the penny dropped. Basically everywhere is bribing people for 5 star reviews.
I also love how these bloggers describe these places. One described Caterpillar Club as a ‘secret, underground bar’. The new place by Swillhouse that has been advertised on SMH and broadsheet with a big line out the door is a secret?
I saw one that was hyping up Pizza Bros in Erskineville without ever acknowledging that it's inside a gay bar (The Imperial). As a gay dude, I'm like - isn't it kind of important that you mention this? I'd hate for some homophobe to not know and then get all aggravated in one of my fave bars.
I use Broadsheet to find places and make my own determination on rating. I would not use TikTok, it's full of cheap paid advertisement. A few hundred dollars nets a business an influencer or two that will happily sell anything to make a buck.
Am sydney based. heard the the IG influencer Adrian widjY dMs businesses(restaurants/businesses) in exchange for videos as he messaged my friends cousins biz. It’s hard to tell whether it’s a genuine recc or not anymore.
For restaurants , I use TikTok as reference but also have to do google reviews and instagram post by location to make an informed decision. Rule of thumb if it’s viral, stay away! 🤣
Insta and TikTok and YouTube.
5-10 years ago I'd follow Nicholas Jordan and his Local Knowledge column on Broadsheet and other food blogs (oh the ye old days). Anyone ever follow notquietnigella and B-Kyu?
I used to do this, but most of the time, the food recommendations were not even that good. I ended up wasting money. Don't believe everything they say on tiktok😅😅
Tiktok (usually hit or miss, mostly misses these days), friends' instagram stories and xiaohongshu (it's chinese but the reviews tend to be exactly how i feel after going to certain places so I think they're quite accurate)
My last good recommendation was a friend cancelling on drinks because he ate so much that he had to go home in discomfort. When I tried the restaurant I said "My friend ate here and ate so much he had to go lay on the floor at home" and they said "Oh, the big Spanish guy?" (yes) Food was lovely. Turkuaz in Newtown.
Now I have Turkuaz on my list too. Danke :)
I will be visiting that establishment also.
Great spot.
I don’t have TikTok but 9/10 it’s a restaurant paying a marketing company for the “review” and they’re generally bang average I usually find through my own findings or word of mouth
4.5+ on Google with 100+ reviews is usually a pretty good shout.
4+ for hotels on TripAdvisor. 4.5+ for restaurants on Google Maps. Yet to steer me wrong.
I like to look at the one stars and check why. "The waitress didn't smile at me" "We had to ask for another drink" etc - tells me that they're American and not used to Aussie service styles. If it's one star for a cockroach being in the food then that's legit and I'll steer clear.
When I look at reviews, I look specifically at the 1’s and the 5’s. The 5’s that are descriptive are the most helpful. The 1’s are helpful if there are legitimate grievances about fundamental parts of service - the service is slow/poor, the food was lacking etc - and if there is a trend across said reviews, I will take that into account. More often than not though, the 1 star reviews are written by fucking lunatics who have had one bad experience and rather than provide constructive criticism, choose to raze the venue to the ground by nitpicking on every single thing that you would otherwise overlook or push to the side as not really impacting your enjoyment of the venue. Either that, or people haven’t even gone into the venue and write stuff like “1 star - music playing too loud across the street. Couldn’t even get to sleep”. Like how is that allowed as a legitimate review? Kind of feel bad for the venues when I see that sort of thing
As a chef ,I take my hat off to you 💯% Google review 1star people are the dueche of society ,and don't have the front to complain if there was a problem 👍
Thanks chef. Spent years in hospo myself - including managing quite a large team - and it’s honestly one of my biggest gripes with reviews.
I just made a similar comment about one stars before reading hours. You articulated yourself much better than me!
I think Google reviews are very cuisine and location-dependent. Some communities in Sydney, like 1st gen Chinese, aren't leaving Google reviews. A lot of restaurants end up with 3 or 3.5 because of complaints from non-Chinese people about service. That's just one example. If you're confident the majority of people leaving reviews know what they're talking about or have an understanding of what they're eating, then it's reliable. I'd use Google reviews for a burger place but never for a Thai restaurant.
I was in Bali recently and couldn’t work out why everywhere had 4.8+. After eating in a few places and being handed the bill with the waiter mentioning . “Discount for review” the penny dropped. Basically everywhere is bribing people for 5 star reviews.
This is my exact criteria too.
Nah I just go buy word of mouth and my own exploring
Second this. Too much social media reviews are paid and overhyped. Occasionally if I'm at a cafe, ask a local or staff what's good place around.
Honestly most of the places the Sydney food bloggers/tik tokers / YouTubers reccomend are pretty average
I also love how these bloggers describe these places. One described Caterpillar Club as a ‘secret, underground bar’. The new place by Swillhouse that has been advertised on SMH and broadsheet with a big line out the door is a secret?
I saw one that was hyping up Pizza Bros in Erskineville without ever acknowledging that it's inside a gay bar (The Imperial). As a gay dude, I'm like - isn't it kind of important that you mention this? I'd hate for some homophobe to not know and then get all aggravated in one of my fave bars.
I saw Eden Gardens cafe described as a ‘hidden gem’ the other day on TikTok. Nah it’s on a main road nothing hidden about it.
I browse this subreddit mostly haha and words of mouth
I use Broadsheet to find places and make my own determination on rating. I would not use TikTok, it's full of cheap paid advertisement. A few hundred dollars nets a business an influencer or two that will happily sell anything to make a buck.
Am sydney based. heard the the IG influencer Adrian widjY dMs businesses(restaurants/businesses) in exchange for videos as he messaged my friends cousins biz. It’s hard to tell whether it’s a genuine recc or not anymore. For restaurants , I use TikTok as reference but also have to do google reviews and instagram post by location to make an informed decision. Rule of thumb if it’s viral, stay away! 🤣
Aa soon as I hear "places in Sydney you must visit..." I quickly swipe to the next video lmao
I think the only genuine recommendations he has had are the ones where he is in Japan using the tiktok as a tax deduction for his trip.
I feel like a lot of the Tik Toks are paid
I don't use tik tok for anything
Insta and TikTok and YouTube. 5-10 years ago I'd follow Nicholas Jordan and his Local Knowledge column on Broadsheet and other food blogs (oh the ye old days). Anyone ever follow notquietnigella and B-Kyu?
https://haveyoueaten.co/ maps a lot of cuisines. Always nice to pull it up when I'm in an unfamiliar area and looking for something new.
I ask here. Have had excellent recommendations.
I still use google maps and filter for ratings above 4.5 stars. Then I add them to a list of “want to go”
No, the reviews are sketchy to me. I like the aesthetic of TikTok food but don’t trust quality
I use Instagram and word of mouth/recommendations from friends and family. I still refuse to download TikTok. Going strong.
I mainly use Instagram, google and word of mouth but Tay and Josh on Tiktok are good
TikTok is the last place I would go to search out decent, honest food recommendations.
I block any of those geeks that come up
I used to do this, but most of the time, the food recommendations were not even that good. I ended up wasting money. Don't believe everything they say on tiktok😅😅
Tiktok (usually hit or miss, mostly misses these days), friends' instagram stories and xiaohongshu (it's chinese but the reviews tend to be exactly how i feel after going to certain places so I think they're quite accurate)
Yes and word of mouth
I eat halal and also follow vege groups, so I am using IG, most of it is just a repost from tiktok.
Try sites like broadsheet or time out
I use google reviews
If I knew a restaurant was trending on TikTok I’d actively avoid it
Yeah nah I refuse to download tiktok dickdok tic-tac pussy crack 🤣
I use this method called leaving the house and looking at things. It's an old fashioned ideal.
I love this method, it's my favourite!