This month, we’re getting back to something we haven’t done since the Before Times – and no, it’s not wearing hard pants. Time Out editors and writers around the globe are reviewing restaurants and bars once again. That’s right – we’re bringing back those iconic red stars, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
You see, early on in the pandemic, we decided to pause restaurant and bar reviews – it didn’t feel right to nitpick the doneness of a steak or wax on about heirloom tomatoes when chefs and operators were just trying to keep the lights on. Instead, we poured our hearts into Time Out’s Love Local campaign, which tirelessly celebrates the small independent businesses that make our cities so special.
This isn’t to say that we’re out of the woods just yet or that the fight to save our cities’ restaurants and bars is over. Far from it. The Delta variant rages on, news headlines feel borderline-apocalyptic and small business owners are still trying to get their heads on straight.
At the same time, many of our cities have lost journalists, critics and entire publications to the pandemic. Whether you realize it or not, your news cycle is shrinking. As editors, we have the incredible responsibility of reintroducing you to your city – and we know that thoughtful, honest, unbiased restaurant and bar reviews are a part of that.
In reviving reviews, our ultimate goal is to connect you directly with your city’s best chefs, bartenders and makers. Let us sift through the hype and shine a spotlight on must-try destinations that might not be on your radar just yet.
We hope you’ll join us as we set out to rediscover our cities together – one meal at a time.
Want to know more about how we review and recommend restaurants? Take a peek behind the curtain.