Our rating process

Inspire conscious change

Discover the why and how of a big-picture restaurant rating platform.

We’re working to build a healthier restaurant industry that’s good for both people and planet.

To do this, we’ve redefined what makes restaurants great. Going beyond just food, we use five values—Cuisine, Experience, Story, Sustainability, and Diversity—to rate eateries in a more comprehensive, forward-looking way.

Table Sage's conscious dining values (cuisine)- healthy, local vegetarian food pictured at Cafe de Ceuvel, sustainable restaurant

Cuisine

Taste | Quality |
Suitability

Table Sage values all food styles equally— from casual and rustic plates to fine dining experiences. What matters is if it's worth your while.

Taste

Is the food enjoyable?

Quality

Are quality ingredients used? Are the dishes prepared with expertise and care?

Suitability

Is the cuisine and presentation appropriate to where it's being consumed?

Table Sage's conscious dining values (experience)- great ambience shown at Oleg Pelmeni sustainable restaurant with beautiful table setting

Experience

Service | Ambience |
Uniqueness

Your experience is just as important as the food you eat, so we look at how patrons might feel when they go to a restaurant.

Service

Is staff polite, friendly, and timely? Do diners feel comfortable and seen?

Ambience

What sort of atmosphere does the restaurant curate? Do diners feel good spending time there?

Uniqueness

Does the eatery’s design or concept set it apart from other establishments?

Table Sage's conscious dining values (story)- oldest vegetarian restaurant in Amsterdam, Golden Temple, serves Indian food in cozy cafe

Story

Menu | Physical space |
Philosophy

There’s more to an establishment than meets the eye. Knowing the story behind a restaurant can help diners connect to its vision and lead to more meaningful experiences.

Menu

Does the restaurant readily share from where it sources its ingredients? Is its menu informed by a strong concept?

Physical space

Is the eatery’s interior interesting, inviting, or enjoyable in some other way?

Philosophy

Is it clear who the owners and chefs are? Is it clear what motivates them?

Table Sage's conscious dining values (sustainability)- sustainable Dutch salad bar, SLA, serves local food in green space with hanging plants

Sustainability

Ingredients | Physical
structure | Business

Behind every conscious eatery is a purpose. We celebrate restaurants that are committed to fair practices, environmental sustainability, and the preservation of customs.

Ingredients

Are they local, organic, plant-based, free range, or fairly traded?

Physical structure

Is the restaurant based in a space that is well maintained or energy efficient? Is the furniture recycled or sustainably sourced?

Business

Is environmental sustainability core to the eatery’s mission? Are staff and suppliers fairly paid on principle? Is the location family run?

Table Sage's conscious dining values (diversity)- Asian male chef of Amsterdam restaurant Rijk's prepares fine dining dish in Michelin star kitchen

Diversity

Dishes | Workforce |
Leadership

We believe an equitable dining industry is essential for an equitable society. That’s why we showcase culturally and socially inclusive restaurants.

Dishes

Does a restaurant clearly cater to different dietary needs?

Workforce

Does the restaurant engage in inclusive practices to ensure its workforce is diverse across gender, race, ethnicity, age, orientation and other?

Leadership

Do the owners and chefs embody diversity and community?

In our process, we research and find restaurants that have a good reputation. Then we objectively assess them to create an holistic evaluation for each. Our platform highlights what eateries choose to do well in a positive way, raising awareness amongst diners and restaurants alike.

The goal is to lead eaters to more meaningful meals, and to inspire stakeholders to do their part for a better future through food. We call this Conscious Dining.