Today, it’s nearly impossible to run a successful restaurant without maintaining a strong presence on online review platforms. Before making a reservation or placing an order, most customers will check your ratings across multiple restaurant review sites to ensure they’re making the right choice.
In fact, a growing number of diners won’t even consider a restaurant with less than four stars. These review platforms provide social proof, helping customers decide where to eat based on others’ real experiences—whether it’s for a casual lunch, special celebration, or date night.
Beyond trust and reputation, review sites also play a major role in boosting your visibility in search results. The more positive reviews you gather, the more likely your restaurant is to appear when hungry customers are searching for places to eat nearby or a special venue for a celebration.
In this post, we’ll explore how modern diners use reviews to find new places to dine and reveal the most important websites your business should be featured on in 2025.
Why Restaurant Review Sites Matter
Customer reviews have become one of the most influential factors in a restaurant’s success. Before visiting, many diners turn to online platforms to read feedback from others. Whether they’re browsing on their phones or researching for a special dinner, your online reputation can significantly impact their decision.
These platforms provide four major benefits:
- Social Proof: Online reviews are today’s word of mouth. Over 90% of diners read reviews before visiting a restaurant.
- SEO and Discoverability: Reviews contribute to local SEO rankings, helping your business appear in search results like “best sushi near me.”
- Customer Trust: A high number of positive reviews can instill confidence in new customers.
- Feedback Loop: Reviews can highlight areas of excellence or improvement for your staff and service.
Having a presence on these platforms allows you to manage your brand narrative, respond to feedback, and actively shape public perception.
Top 9 Best Restaurant Review Sites in 2025
1. Google
Google remains the king of search and local discovery. A well-optimized Google Business Profile can significantly enhance your online visibility.
Why it matters:
- Appears directly in search results and Google Maps
- Let customers leave ratings, reviews, and photos
- Includes features like menus, booking links, hours, and Q&A
- Reviews influence your local SEO rankings
Pro Tip: Responding to reviews and encouraging satisfied customers to leave feedback can increase your ranking and credibility.
2. Yelp
Yelp continues to be a go-to platform for detailed restaurant reviews, especially in the U.S.
What makes it valuable:
- Detailed customer reviews with star ratings
- Users often trust Yelp’s long-form, in-depth review format
- Location-based suggestions make your restaurant easier to discover
- Business owners can respond to reviews, adding transparency
- Yelp Elite Squad members contribute detailed, high-quality reviews that are highly influential
Note: While some restaurant owners may view Yelp with skepticism due to the visibility of negative reviews, it’s important to note that the majority of Yelp reviews are actually positive. Leveraging Yelp effectively means focusing on encouraging satisfied customers to share their experiences and engaging constructively with feedback.
3. TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor has grown beyond travel to become a trusted source for restaurant reviews globally.
Benefits include:
- High visibility for tourists and locals alike
- Ability to respond to reviews and customize your profile
- Review filtering options based on traveler type, date, and rating
- Opportunity to showcase badges earned through positive reviews
4. The Infatuation
Known for its editorial-style reviews, The Infatuation appeals to a younger, trendier dining crowd.
Why it stands out:
- Reviews written by a team of experts and influencers
- Strong social media presence and curated city guides
- Ideal for restaurants looking to build cultural credibility
- Often features themed lists like “Best Date Night Spots”
5. OpenTable
OpenTable is both a reservation platform and a review aggregator.
Features to leverage:
- Verified diner reviews after reservations
- Easy-to-navigate listings with availability, menus, and images
- Business owners can publicly or privately respond to reviews
- Helps increase reservations and build trust
6. Gayot
Gayot offers expert reviews and a refined evaluation process based on culinary experience.
What it brings:
- Reviews by food critics with decades of experience
- 20-point scale covering food, service, décor, and ambiance
- Trusted by both locals and international diners
7. Foursquare
Foursquare blends location discovery with peer recommendations using “tips” instead of formal reviews.
How it helps:
- Over 50 million users contributing real-time recommendations
- Tips can be voted up for helpfulness
- Helps diners discover trending dishes or hidden gems
8. Resy
Resy is a reservation platform known for partnering with high-end and trendsetting restaurants, offering diners a curated experience and direct access to some of the most in-demand tables.
Why Resy deserves your attention:
- Curated, upscale dining focus: Resy typically features restaurants with strong reputations, adding prestige to your online presence.
- Verified reservations = authentic feedback: Only guests with confirmed bookings can leave feedback, ensuring reliability.
- Private reviews, public ratings: Individual guest reviews remain private between the diner and the restaurant, but an overall score is displayed publicly.
- Seamless integration: Resy connects with Instagram, Google, and your website for smooth booking experiences.
- Advanced tools: Includes waitlist management, guest tagging, and insightful diner analytics.
Pro Tip: Since Resy caters to experience-driven diners, use the platform to gather meaningful private feedback and track performance trends while benefiting from your visible overall score.
9. Facebook
Though known as a social media platform, Facebook is also a powerful review site.
Key features:
- Allows users to leave recommendations (formerly star ratings)
- Reviews influence algorithmic visibility on newsfeeds
- High engagement potential with customers through comments and direct messages
- Helps promote social sharing of positive experiences
4 Delivery App Review Platforms
1. Grubhub
With millions of active diners, Grubhub allows users to rate their experience and specific dishes.
- Short, delivery-focused reviews
- Option for businesses to respond within a specific window
- Detailed item-based feedback
2. DoorDash
DoorDash has a unique private feedback system.
- Customers rate orders privately
- Businesses receive summarized feedback, including common themes
- Great for tracking long-term satisfaction trends
3. UberEATS
UberEATS combines user convenience with essential review features.
- Star ratings and optional written feedback
- Ratings impact visibility within app search
- Backend analytics available for restaurateurs
4. Caviar
Known for curating premium restaurants, Caviar offers a unique experience.
- No visible reviews, but popular dishes are highlighted
- Staff picks guide users toward top-performing eateries
- Reputation is built more on performance and food consistency
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular restaurant review site?
This often depends on location and demographics, but Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor remain the most commonly used by diners seeking trustworthy restaurant reviews.
What is the best restaurant rating system?
The Michelin Guide is considered the gold standard for fine dining. However, for everyday restaurants, user-generated ratings on platforms like Google and Yelp are highly influential due to their accessibility and volume.
What is the most popular ranking system for restaurants?
The Michelin Star system is the most recognized worldwide, using a 1 to 3-star scale. However, platforms like Yelp and Google use 5-star systems that are more common and accessible to everyday consumers.
My Review Concierge: Your All-in-One Review Management Solution
Managing your reputation across multiple platforms can be time-consuming, but it’s crucial. That’s where My Review Concierge comes in. We help restaurant owners monitor, respond to, and improve their online feedback from one simple dashboard.
Whether you want to boost your average star rating, automate review responses, or gain insights into customer sentiment, our tools make it easier to build trust and grow your business through the power of online feedback.
Not Sure Where You Stand?
Get a real-time Review Performance Scorecard to see how your online reputation compares with others in your area.
