Help Centre

Welcome to the Restaurantica Help Centre. This page answers common questions about the Site, our coverage, and how to get the most from your visit.

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What is Restaurantica?

Restaurantica is a modern publishing platform that uses data synthesis and editorial judgement to surface what restaurants actually do best — giving diners an insider playbook and giving restaurants recognition for what they truly excel at. We publish in-depth, documentary-style overviews of restaurants and neighbourhoods, alongside practical listings and a community layer, to help you find great places to eat across Canada. Learn more on How Restaurantica Works and Our Story.

Who publishes Restaurantica?

Restaurantica is owned and operated by PointForm, Inc., an Ontario corporation. Our editorial team researches, writes, and reviews all editorial content published on the Site. Learn more on our About Us page.

Is Restaurantica free to use?

Yes. All content on Restaurantica is freely available to readers. You do not need an account to browse. Creating a free account lets you save restaurants, dishes, and lists, and manage your email preferences.

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How do you choose which restaurants to cover?

We focus on places worth recommending — restaurants with a point of view, a signature strength, or local significance. We don't try to cover everything, and we don't publish takedowns. See our Editorial Standards for the full picture.

What is a neighbourhood guide?

Within each city, we map the dining districts that locals actually reference and curate the places worth knowing in them. Neighbourhood guides help you get your bearings in a new part of town — or a new city entirely.

What is the Playbook?

The Playbook is the heart of Restaurantica: a "how to order" guide that tells you what a kitchen actually does best — the move, the dish locals order without looking — delivered as if a local were walking you in. See For Diners for more.

Can I search by dish, not just by restaurant?

Yes. Open search, use your location, and you can see the top restaurants — or the top dishes — within walking distance. You can also browse verified daily specials at the city, neighbourhood, and restaurant level.

Do you cover restaurants outside the big cities?

Yes. Our coverage spans major metros and the dining and tourism towns that punch above their weight — wine country, ski towns, cottage country, and heritage main streets included.

How do I save a restaurant or dish for later?

Create a free account and use the save option on any restaurant or dish to add it to your saved items. You can revisit your saved items anytime while signed in.

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Can a restaurant pay to be featured?

Restaurants can't pay for editorial coverage, a more favourable write-up, or a better editorial assessment — our editorial judgement isn't for sale. We do offer clearly-labelled commercial options (such as advertising, and we may offer paid placement or enhanced listings), but these are always distinct from editorial and never change what we write. See our Editorial Standards.

How often is content updated?

We update listings and coverage when details change — hours, menus, pricing, ownership, or operating status — and when readers or restaurant owners flag something. Restaurants change constantly, so updating is an ongoing commitment.

I found incorrect information about a restaurant. How do I report it?

Please visit our Report a Listing or Error page. We take accuracy seriously and investigate all reports. Confirmed errors are corrected in accordance with our Editorial Standards.

Should I confirm details before I visit?

Yes. We work hard to keep information current, but hours, menus, and availability change frequently. Always confirm important details — and any dietary or allergen needs — directly with the restaurant before you go.

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Can I write reviews and vote?

Yes. With a free account you can write your own reviews, vote on dishes, apply menu tags (to help settle questions like "best chicken wings in Guelph"), save restaurants and dishes into lists, add restaurants we don't have yet, and follow other diners.

Does Restaurantica review meals?

No — our editorial doesn't review or judge meals. We don't review meals; we synthesize stories. Reviews and votes are part of our community layer and reflect the views of the diners who post them, not Restaurantica's editorial position. The two are distinct by design. See our Editorial Standards.

What do the scores and dish tiers mean?

Restaurants carry structured scores — Uniqueness, Bang for Buck, Food Quality, Local Reputation, and Popularity Factor — and individual dishes can earn Diamond, Gold, or Silver tiers based on sentiment and community votes. We explain what each one reflects, and the kinds of signals behind them, on How Restaurantica Works.

Do I need an account to browse?

No. Browsing, reading overviews, and using the Playbook are all free without an account. An account unlocks saving, reviewing, voting, adding restaurants, and following.

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How do I claim my restaurant?

Visit Claim Your Restaurant to verify that you're authorized to manage the listing and to keep your information current.

How do I update my hours, menu, or contact details?

Once you've claimed your listing, you can submit updates anytime. See Submit Menu or Update Info.

Can I highlight my specials or signature dishes?

Yes. See Add Your Specials or Signature Dishes to show diners what you're known for.

Does claiming or updating my listing affect editorial coverage?

No. Claiming and updating help keep your information accurate. They do not buy editorial coverage or influence how we write about your restaurant.

How do I advertise on Restaurantica?

See Advertising Opportunities for details on advertising and promotional options.

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What are affiliate links?

Some links on Restaurantica — such as links to make a reservation, place an order, or arrange delivery through a partner — are affiliate links. If you complete a booking or purchase, we may earn a commission. The price you pay is the same whether or not you use the link.

Do advertising or affiliate relationships affect your coverage?

No. Neither advertising nor affiliate revenue influences which restaurants we cover or how we cover them. Our editorial process is independent of commercial considerations.

How is advertising identified?

Advertising and sponsored placements are clearly labelled and kept distinct from our editorial content.

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What information does Restaurantica collect?

We collect limited information to operate and improve the Site, including standard analytics data and any information you voluntarily provide (such as an account, a newsletter signup, or a listing submission). You don't need an account to browse. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.

Does Restaurantica use cookies?

Yes — for essential functionality, analytics, advertising (with your consent), and affiliate link tracking. You can manage your preferences through our consent banner and your browser settings. See our Cookie Policy.

How can I opt out of analytics tracking?

You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on, or by blocking third-party cookies in your browser. See our Cookie Policy for browser-specific instructions.

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Is Restaurantica accessible?

We are committed to making Restaurantica accessible to all users, including those who rely on assistive technologies, and we strive to conform to WCAG 2.1 at the AA level. If you encounter a barrier, please let us know on our Accessibility Support page.

I'm having trouble using the Site with a screen reader. What should I do?

Please visit our Accessibility Support page and describe the issue. We will investigate and work to resolve the barrier as quickly as possible.

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The Site isn't loading properly. What should I do?

Try the following:

1. Clear your browser cache and reload the page
2. Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
3. Disable browser extensions that may interfere with page rendering
4. Check your internet connection to ensure it is stable

If the issue persists, please report it on our Report a Listing or Error page with details about your browser, device, and the specific problem.

A link on the Site is broken. How do I report it?

Please visit our Report a Listing or Error page and include the URL of the page where you found the broken link, along with a brief description of where it appears. We will investigate and fix it promptly.

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If your question is not answered here, please visit our Contact Us page for information on how to reach us. We aim to respond to all inquiries within two business days.