How I score

MysteryCritic is one anonymous diner ranking every restaurant they actually eat at. No sponsorships, no free meals, no paid placements — every visit is paid for like any other customer. That independence is the whole point.

The score

Every venue gets a single MysteryCritic score out of 5. For dine-in restaurants it's a weighted blend:

Takeaway-only spots are judged on their food alone, since service and atmosphere aren't really part of the experience:

How dishes are rated

Each dish ordered is scored individually out of 5 on what actually matters: flavour, execution, and whether it's worth ordering again. The dish average is the backbone of every restaurant's score, which is why dishes carry the most weight. Standout dishes are flagged as a must-try.

What the numbers mean

• 4.5–5.0 — excellent; seek it out.
• 4.0–4.4 — very good; happily return.
• 3.5–3.9 — good; worth a visit.
• 3.0–3.4 — solid but with caveats.
• Below 3.0 — mixed; manage expectations.

Independence

Spotted something out of date, or have a place worth reviewing? Get in touch.