Writing a Restaurant Review (B1 Level)
1. Structure
A good review should be clear and organised. Use four short paragraphs.
Paragraph 1. Introduction
Say where and when you went and give your general opinion.
-Mention the name, type of restaurant, and why you went there.
Examples:
Last weekend, I went to Bella Italia, a lovely Italian restaurant near my house.
A few days ago, my family had dinner at The Green Burger. It was amazing!
Paragraph 2. Description of the Place and Service
Describe what the place was like and how the staff behaved.
Examples:
The restaurant was small but comfortable, with a modern design.
The waiters were really friendly and helpful.
It was quite busy, but the service was fast.
Paragraph 3. Food and Prices
Talk about what you ate and drank, what you thought of it, and how much it cost.
Examples:
I ordered pasta with tomato sauce, and it was delicious!
The portions were big, and everything tasted fresh.
The prices were reasonable for the quality.
Paragraph 4. Recommendation and Opinion
Give your final opinion and say whether you recommend it.
Examples:
I really enjoyed my meal there, and I’d definitely recommend it.
It’s a perfect place for families or friends.
I wouldn’t go back because the food wasn’t very good.
2. Informal Register Tips
DO:
Write as if you’re talking to a friend.
Use contractions (it’s, didn’t, wasn’t, I’ve, we’re).
Be enthusiastic — use adjectives and express opinions.
Use exclamation marks sometimes to sound natural.
❌ DON’T:
Write too formally (I am writing to inform you about…).
Use long or complicated sentences.
Forget to describe both good and bad points.
3. Most Appropriate Tenses
Using the right verb tenses makes your review more natural and accurate.
Tense When to Use It Examples
Past Simple To describe your visit (main actions). I went there last weekend. / The food was great.
Past The restaurant was full, and people were talking
To describe background situations.
Continuous loudly.
Present Simple To give general opinions or facts. The staff are friendly. / The food tastes amazing.
I’ve been there twice. / I’ve never tried sushi
Present Perfect To talk about experiences.
before.
Would + To make recommendations or express I’d recommend it to anyone who loves pizza. / I’d
infinitive opinions politely. definitely go again.
Be going to / To talk about future plans related to the I’m going to take my parents there next time. / I’ll
Will restaurant. probably go again soon.
Tip for Students:
Most of your review will be in the Past Simple because you are describing a past experience, but use
Present Simple for general opinions and Would for recommendations.
4. Useful Vocabulary
Positive Adjectives
delicious – tasty – amazing – excellent – perfect – cosy – wonderful – friendly – enjoyable – fresh
Negative Adjectives
awful – terrible – disappointing – boring – rude – expensive – noisy – slow – greasy
Describing Food
spicy – sweet – salty – bitter – crunchy – soft – juicy – creamy – hot – cold
Describing Atmosphere
modern – quiet – comfortable – elegant – romantic – crowded – relaxed
Useful Nouns
menu – dish – dessert – main course – starter – waiter/waitress – bill – table – service
5. Useful Phrases
Introduction
Last weekend, I went to…
I recently visited…
My family and I decided to try…
It’s a popular restaurant in…
Describing the Place
The restaurant looks…
It has a nice / modern / traditional atmosphere.
The staff were friendly and polite.
The music was too loud / relaxing.
Describing the Food
I ordered… and it was…
The food was delicious / not very good.
My favourite part was the dessert!
The portions were huge / small.
Giving Opinions
I think it’s a great place for…
In my opinion, the food was amazing.
The best thing was… / The worst thing was…
Recommendation
I’d definitely recommend it.
If you like Italian food, you should try it.
I wouldn’t recommend it because…
I’ll probably go there again soon.
6. Example (Model Review)
A Review of “The Green Burger”
Last Saturday, my friends and I went to The Green Burger, a new vegetarian restaurant in the city centre. I’d
heard a lot about it, and it really didn’t disappoint!
The place was small but cosy, with colourful decorations and relaxing music. The waiters were friendly and
always smiling, which made us feel welcome.
I ordered a veggie burger with cheese and sweet potato fries. It was delicious and full of flavour! The prices
were also very good — about €12 per person.
Overall, I loved The Green Burger. The food was healthy and tasty, and the atmosphere was great. I’d
definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys good vegetarian food!