Top 20 Online Review Sites for Restaurants and their Pros and Cons
Top 20 Online Review Sites for Restaurants and their Pros and Cons
Posted By
Localyser
March 1, 2023

In an ever-changing digital landscape, online reviews can make or break a restaurant's reputation. With so many review sites to choose from, it can be overwhelming for restaurant owners to decide which ones to focus on. In this list, we've compiled the top 20 online review sites specifically designed for restaurants around the world. For each site, we've provided a brief description, instructions on how to set up a listing, and a list of pros and cons to help restaurant owners make informed decisions about which sites to use.

Yelp

A popular platform for user-generated restaurant reviews and ratings. Restaurants can claim their Yelp listing by creating an account and providing their business information, including their hours, menu, and photos.

Pros:

  • Large user base and high search engine visibility
  • Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers
  • Offers free tools for businesses, such as analytics and messaging

Cons:

• Some businesses may receive biased or fake reviews

• Advertisers may receive more visibility than non-advertisers

Google

A free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google Maps, including reviews and ratings. Restaurants can claim their Google Business Profile listing by verifying their business information, including their location and hours, and adding photos and menus.

Pros:

• High search engine visibility and integration with Google Maps

• Offers free tools for businesses, such as analytics and messaging

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Some businesses may receive biased or fake reviews

• Reviews from non-Google users may not be as visible

TripAdvisor

A travel website that features reviews and ratings for restaurants, hotels, and other travel-related businesses. Restaurants can claim their TripAdvisor listing by creating an account and providing their business information, including their hours, menu, and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base and high search engine visibility

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

• Offers free tools for businesses, such as analytics and messaging

Cons:

• Some businesses may receive biased or fake reviews

• Advertisers may receive more visibility than non-advertisers

Zomato

A restaurant search and discovery platform that offers user reviews and ratings, as well as menus and photos. Restaurants can claim their Zomato listing by creating an account and providing their business information, including their hours, menu, and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base in certain regions, such as India and the Middle East

• Offers free tools for businesses, such as analytics and messaging

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Some businesses may receive biased or fake reviews

• Limited user base in certain regions

OpenTable

A restaurant reservation and management system that also offers user reviews and ratings. Restaurants can sign up for OpenTable by creating an account and providing their business information, including their location, hours, and menu.

Pros:

• Offers online reservation management and marketing tools for restaurants

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

• Offers targeted marketing opportunities to reach diners

Cons:

• Only applicable to restaurants that accept reservations

• Limited user base in certain regions

Foursquare

A location-based social network that offers user-generated tips and recommendations for restaurants and other businesses. Restaurants can claim their Foursquare listing by creating an account and providing their business information, including their hours, menu, and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base and high search engine visibility

• Offers free tools for businesses, such as analytics and messaging

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Limited user base in certain regions

• May not be as relevant to fine dining establishments

Facebook

A social media platform that allows users to leave reviews and ratings for businesses, including restaurants. Restaurants can create a Facebook page for their business and add their business information, including their hours, menu, and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base and high search engine visibility

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

• Offers free marketing tools, such as Facebook Ads and Pages

Cons:

• Some businesses may receive biased or fake reviews

• Advertisers may receive more visibility than non-advertisers

Zagat

A restaurant guide that offers user reviews and ratings, as well as editorial content. Restaurants can create a Zagat listing by providing their business information, including their hours, menu, and photos.

Pros:

• Well-known and respected restaurant guide

• Offers curated reviews from professional critics and regular diners

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Limited user base in certain regions

• May not be as relevant to casual or inexpensive restaurants

UberEats

A food delivery platform that allows users to order from local restaurants. Restaurants can sign up to become an UberEats partner by providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base due to integration with the Uber ride-sharing app

• Offers a wide range of delivery options and cuisine types

• Easy to use for both customers and restaurants

Cons:

• May not be as focused on reviews as other platforms

• Restaurant owners have limited control over their listings

Grubhub

A food delivery platform that allows users to order from local restaurants. Restaurants can sign up for Grubhub by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Offers online ordering and delivery management tools for restaurants

• Large user base in certain regions

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Only applicable to restaurants that offer delivery

• May charge high commission fees for orders

Caviar

A food delivery platform that offers high-end cuisine from local restaurants. Restaurants can apply to become a Caviar partner by providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Offers online ordering and delivery management tools for restaurants

• Large user base in certain regions

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Only applicable to restaurants that offer delivery

• May charge high commission fees for orders

DoorDash

A food delivery platform that offers online ordering and delivery from local restaurants. Restaurants can sign up for DoorDash by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base due to integration with the DoorDash delivery platform

• Offers a wide range of delivery options and cuisine types

• Easy to use for both customers and restaurants

Cons:

• May not be as focused on reviews as other platforms

• Restaurant owners have limited control over their listings

Deliveroo

A food delivery platform that operates in over 200 cities around the world. Restaurants can sign up to become a Deliveroo partner by providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base in certain regions

• Offers a wide range of delivery options and cuisine types

• Easy to use for both customers and restaurants

Cons:

• May not be available in all regions

• May charge high commission fees for orders

Just Eat

A food delivery platform that operates in 13 countries and offers online ordering from local restaurants. Restaurants can sign up for Just Eat by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos

Pros:

• Large user base in certain regions

• Offers a wide range of delivery options and cuisine types

• Easy to use for both customers and restaurants

Cons:

• May not be available in all regions

• May charge high commission fees for orders

EatStreet

A food delivery platform that offers online ordering and delivery from local restaurants. Restaurants can sign up for EatStreet by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Large user base in certain regions

• Offers a wide range of delivery options and cuisine types

• Easy to use for both customers and restaurants

Cons:

• May not be available in all regions

• May charge high commission fees for orders

AllMenus

A restaurant discovery platform that offers menus and user reviews and ratings. Restaurants can claim their AllMenus listing by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Offers a wide range of information about restaurants, including menus and reviews

• Large user base in certain regions

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• May not be as widely used as other review sites

• Limited to certain regions and may not have comprehensive coverage

TheFork

A restaurant reservation platform that operates in Europe. Restaurants can sign up for TheFork by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Offers online reservations and table management tools for restaurants

• Large user base in certain regions

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• May charge high fees for reservations

• Limited to restaurants that offer reservations

Resy

A restaurant reservation platform that offers online reservations and waitlist management. Restaurants can sign up for Resy by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Offers online reservations and table management tools for restaurants

• Large user base in certain regions

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• May charge high fees for reservations

• Limited to restaurants that offer reservations

MenuPages

A restaurant discovery platform that offers menus and user reviews and ratings. Restaurants can claim their MenuPages listing by creating an account and providing their business information, including their menu and photos.

Pros:

• Offers online ordering and delivery management tools for restaurants

• Large user base in certain regions

• Allows businesses to respond to reviews and build relationships with customers

Cons:

• Only applicable to restaurants that offer delivery

• May charge high commission fees for orders

Conclusion

Online reviews are a powerful tool for restaurants to attract new customers and build their reputation. By understanding the pros and cons of each review site and taking steps to set up and manage their listings, restaurant owners can leverage these platforms to grow their business. While no single review site is right for every restaurant, the sites on this list represent some of the most popular and influential platforms for diners to share their experiences and discover new restaurants.

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