Awards & Rankings

What is the difference between a score, stars and a rank?

- Restaurant Award Score: a calculated score from 0 to 100 based on the evidence used for that release. - Star rating: a rating from an individual review source. It is not the Restaurant Award Score. - Rank: a restaurant’s position within a particular category, geographic area and snapshot. A city rank and a state rank compare different groups. Changing the category can also change the group. Compare like with like and check the date shown. See our methodology for the scoring and ranking rules.

Where does RestaurantAward get its information?

RestaurantAward evaluates publicly available restaurant information, listings, ratings and guest-feedback evidence. Data is normalized and checked before it is used in published profiles and rankings. Different sources can refresh at different times. Not every source contributes to every restaurant, and available evidence can vary between venues. The results are data-led assessments—not a personal inspection or a guarantee of your next dining experience. Read our methodology for more detail. Report factual errors with the venue URL and a reliable source.

What does a RestaurantAward award mean?

An award recognizes a restaurant under the category, location and date stated on that award. Read those details together: a local category award is not a claim to be the best restaurant everywhere. Awards and rankings follow the published methodology. Claiming a profile or buying Premium does not itself earn an award or buy a higher position. An award is not a critic’s inspection, a food-safety certification or a guarantee of future experience. Use the public profile to check the record and distinguish current recognition from historical awards.

Current and historical awards: what is the difference?

Current awards describe recognition marked as current on the profile. Historical awards preserve recognition issued for an earlier period. A historical award can remain a valid record of that achievement without being an active award today. Always include its year or date, category and geographic scope when sharing it. If you see both types, check the selected award and date before downloading or embedding a badge. A subscription or profile claim does not rewrite historical award facts.

When do scores, rankings and restaurant details update?

Rankings are published in dated releases. Source information can refresh at different times, so a new release does not mean every restaurant received new reviews or updated details that week. Check the snapshot or freshness date displayed on the profile or award. Recent changes at a restaurant may not appear immediately. If something is wrong, send the profile URL, the corrected information and a reliable source to [email protected]. A correction request does not guarantee inclusion in the next release or a particular score change.

Why did my rank change, disappear or show Tracking?

A rank belongs to a specific category, location and snapshot. It can change when the evidence, eligible comparison group or published release changes. A missing rank or Tracking is not rank zero. It also does not mean the restaurant has never received an award. Check its historical awards separately. Compare the same category, geographic scope and dates before drawing conclusions. If the page shows a temporary availability error, retry later. For an apparent mistake, email support with the profile URL and the exact comparison you are questioning.