Updated
What to order at a restaurant: explore your dish picks
Palytt is a free iPhone and iPad app that helps you decide what to order. Where it has enough dish information, an order guide groups picks into get this, add on, popular here and maybe skip. Personal 0–100 scores appear when your taste gives Palytt a basis; friends' verdicts appear when friends have rated a dish.
Open an Order Guide, compare the information available, and keep your verdict for next time: would I order this again?
Android is coming. Get Android updates.

Get the scallop aguachile. Your last three favorites were bright and citrusy.
Example scores and taste notes
How does Palytt pick what you should order?
It learns your taste
Saves, posts, dish ratings and every “I'd order this again” shape your taste profile. No quiz required.
It helps you compare dishes
An Order Guide ranks dishes when there is enough information. A personal match score appears only when Palytt has a basis in your taste.
It shows friend verdicts
When friends have rated a dish, see their verdicts alongside your own match when one is available.
It remembers for next time
Mark what you'd order again or skip. The next visit starts from your own verdicts.
At the table with a printed menu? See how Palytt's restaurant menu scanner reads the dishes it recognizes and adds taste context when available.
What's in an order guide?
Get this
Strong taste matches when enough evidence is available. Read the dish details before choosing.
Add on
Good matches that round out the table: a side, a starter, something to share.
Popular here
Crowd picks shown separately from your personal taste matches.
Maybe skip
Dishes that don't fit what you usually love, or that you said you wouldn't order again.
Why not just order the most popular dish?
- Check your taste. A popular dish may suit you; compare its flavors with dishes you have liked.
- Read about the dish. A restaurant’s overall rating does not describe each plate on its menu.
- Use friends’ experience. Read a friend’s verdict when they have tried that dish.
- Read the labels. Check whether a suggestion is a personal match or a crowd pick. Friends’ verdicts stay separate.
Restaurant order guides
No public restaurant order guides have been published yet. A guide appears here once at least 3 Palytt diners have rated 3 or more dishes at a restaurant.
Explore your own dish picks
In the iPhone and iPad app, Palytt can show an order guide when it has enough information to rank dishes for your taste.
Download on the App StoreRead a menu guide now
These editorial guides use restaurant menus to help you choose by taste. They are separate from diner-rated Order Guides and personal match scores.
Android is coming. Check Android availability.
Other ways to decide
Compare the apps
See how Palytt, Yelp, Google Maps and menu scanners compare in the best apps to know what to order.
Decide with friends
Choosing the restaurant first? Decide where to eat with friends.
Coming from Beli?
Beli ranks restaurants; Palytt picks the dish. Read Palytt vs Beli.
Good to know
Is there an app that tells you what to order at a restaurant?
Yes. Palytt is a free iPhone and iPad app that helps you choose a dish. Where there is enough dish information, an order guide groups picks into get this, add on, popular here and maybe skip. Personal 0–100 scores appear only when Palytt has enough evidence from your taste; friends' verdicts appear when friends have rated a dish.
How does Palytt decide what I should order?
It uses your own signals first: dishes you saved, posted, rated and said you would order again. A match score only appears when it is built from your taste; otherwise the guide says it is showing popularity. Learn more about how taste matching works.
What if none of my friends have eaten there?
When there is enough dish information, the guide can use your taste profile and public posts to suggest dishes, and it labels where each pick comes from. Friend verdicts appear when a friend rates a dish there.
Is there an app that ranks dishes instead of restaurants?
Yes. Palytt helps you choose dishes instead of ranking restaurants. Where it has enough dish information, its Order Guide ranks dishes; personal scores and friends' verdicts appear when those signals are available. Savor, RankIt and Top Dish also work at the dish level. See the best apps to know what to order.
How is this different from Yelp or Google popular dishes?
Yelp and Google Maps show dish photos and reviews, and their menu features can help you research an order. Palytt adds your own dish history, personal matches when enough taste evidence exists, and friends’ verdicts when they have rated a dish. Compare Palytt vs Yelp.
Is Palytt free?
Yes. Palytt is free to download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.
Related reading
- How to decide what to order at a restaurant Start with what you know you love, find the dishes the kitchen is known for, and order the one in both groups. A practical method for any menu.
- How to find the best dish at a restaurant you've never been to Look for the dish that reviews, photos, food writers and friends keep naming, check it against your taste, and confirm it with your server.
- Starbucks fall menu: what to order in 2026, by taste Looking for the Starbucks fall menu? Choose a pumpkin coffee, pecan espresso drink, Chaider or savory bite by the flavors and format you want.
- What to order at a Thai restaurant (a guide for first-timers) Choose one Thai main or a small spread by texture and appetite. Compare noodles, rice and curry, and ask the kitchen about sides, portions and heat.
- Dim sum ordering guide: what to order on your first visit Start with har gow, siu mai, buns and noodle rolls. Check the pieces per plate, choose a first round to share, and add more as the table gets hungry.
- What to order at Subway, by taste Choose a Subway order by deli sandwich, meatball sub, vegetables or wrap, with official menu sources and a simple approach to bread and sauces.
- What to order at Chili's, by taste Choose a Chili's order by burgers, Chicken Crispers, fajitas or appetizers, with official menu sources and a practical plan for sharing.
- What to order at KFC, by taste Choose a KFC order by chicken sandwich, nuggets or bone-in meal, with official menu sources and a practical way to decide on spice and sides.
- What to order at Jersey Mike's, by taste Choose a Jersey Mike's order by cold or hot sub, toppings and appetite, with official menu sources for the Original Italian, Philly and Veggie.
- What to order at Panera Bread, by taste Choose a Panera Bread order by sandwich, soup and appetite, with official menu sources for Bacon Turkey Bravo, veggie choices and a warm lunch.
- What to order at Texas Roadhouse, by taste Choose a Texas Roadhouse order by steak cut, sides and appetite, with official menu sources and suggestions for your first visit or a chicken dinner.
- Gyro vs shawarma: which should you order? Gyros and shawarma share a spit-roasted format but differ in meats, seasoning and sauces. Compare common US menu styles before choosing a wrap or plate.
- Lo mein vs chow mein: which should you order? Lo mein is usually soft and saucy; chow mein can be soft or crispy. Compare noodles, cooking methods and what to ask at a US Chinese restaurant.
- What to order at Raising Cane's, by taste Choose a Raising Cane's order: compare The Box Combo, The 3 Finger Combo and the sandwich, with official menu sources and first-visit suggestions.
- What to order at Wingstop, by taste Choose a Wingstop order by format and flavor: Classic or Boneless, Garlic Parmesan or Original Hot, plus sides, with official US menu sources.
- What to order at Five Guys, by taste Choose a Five Guys order by appetite and taste: Little or regular burgers, toppings and fry styles, with official US menu sources and suggestions.
- What to order at Wendy's, by taste Choose a Wendy's order by taste: Dave's Single, Baconator, spicy chicken, fries or a Frosty, with official menu sources and first-visit suggestions.
- What to order at Popeyes, by taste Choose a Popeyes order by taste: Classic or Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Signature Chicken, tenders and sides, using public US menu information.
- What to order at Panda Express, by taste Choose a Panda Express Bowl, Plate or Bigger Plate, then compare Orange Chicken, other entrees and bases with this public-menu ordering guide.
- Best Waffle House order, by taste The best Waffle House order depends on your taste. Pair a waffle with eggs, or order hashbrowns your way, matched to bold or mellow cravings.
- Best McDonald's order, by taste The best McDonald's order depends on your taste. Pick a Big Mac, Spicy McCrispy, Egg McMuffin or McFlurry to match bold or mellow cravings.
- Best Dunkin' order, drinks and food by taste The best Dunkin' order depends on your taste. Match a Cold Brew, Iced Americano or Signature Latte with a Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich or donut.
- Best Shake Shack order, by taste The best Shake Shack order depends on your taste. Pick a ShackBurger, SmokeShack, Chicken Shack or Shack Stack, then add fries and a shake.
- Best Dutch Bros order, by taste The best Dutch Bros order depends on your taste. Pick a Golden Eagle, Annihilator, Americano, Vanilla Chai Latte or a Rebel energy drink by flavor.
- Omakase: what to expect and what to ask for At an omakase you don't order dishes; the chef serves a set sequence. Here's how the meal flows, what to tell the chef, and what's worth asking for.
- What to order at Cheesecake Factory, by taste Choose Avocado Eggrolls, Chicken Madeira, a fresh salad or Four Cheese Pasta by taste, then share one cheesecake if your table wants dessert.
- What to order at Olive Garden, by taste Choose Chicken Alfredo for creamy comfort, Zuppa Toscana for a bolder soup or Minestrone and Fettuccine Alfredo for a vegetarian meal.
- What to order at Chick-fil-A, by taste Pick a Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich for a classic first order, a Spicy Chicken Sandwich for heat or a Market Salad for fruit and greens.
- What to order at Whataburger, by taste Start with the original Whataburger, choose a Patty Melt for creamy pepper sauce or a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit for a sweet-savory breakfast.
- What to order at CAVA: build a bowl, pita or salad First CAVA order: a bowl with rice, greens, grilled chicken and hummus, or Falafel Crunch for a vegetarian pick. When to get a pita or salad instead.
- What to order at Dave’s Hot Chicken: sliders or tenders? Best first order at Dave’s Hot Chicken: the #3, one Tender and one Slider with Fries, so you can compare both. Heat levels from No Spice to Reaper.
- How to remember what you ordered at a restaurant Remember a great restaurant meal with a simple dish note: exact name, place, one useful detail and whether you would order it again next time.
- How to find restaurants similar to your favorite Find restaurants like your favorite by matching the dish, texture, sauce and occasion you love, then checking menus before trusting a similar rating.
- What to order at a Mediterranean restaurant, by taste Find your Mediterranean restaurant order: grilled skewers, crisp falafel, bright salads or rich baked dishes, plus useful menu questions.
- Dinner ideas worksheet: compare two dishes by mood Use a copyable dinner worksheet to compare two menu options by texture, flavor, budget and timing, with worked examples for solo meals and sharing.
- What to order at a Mexican restaurant, by taste Choose what to order at a Mexican restaurant by taste, from tacos al pastor and mole to pozole, chiles rellenos, enchiladas suizas and elote.
- What to order at Din Tai Fung: xiao long bao, noodles, greens Start with Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao, then one noodle or fried rice and a garlicky green. How much to order for 2 or 4, plus vegan and spicy picks.
- What to order at Taco Bell, by taste Best first order at Taco Bell: the Crunchwrap Supreme, a Crunchy Taco vs Doritos Locos Tacos, or a Chicken Quesadilla. Plus vegetarian picks from the official menu.
- What to order at Chipotle, by taste Choose a Chipotle bowl, burrito, tacos, salad or quesadilla by the flavors you like, from bright salsas to mellow rice, beans and guacamole.
- What to order at a Vietnamese restaurant beyond pho Choose a Vietnamese dish by the meal you want: pho for broth, bun thit nuong for grilled and fresh, com tam for a hearty rice plate, or bun bo Hue for heat.
- How to rate a restaurant dish so the note helps next time Rate the dish you ate, decide whether you would order it again, and record one specific reason. Use this simple method to make future menu choices easier.
- How to eat out as a picky eater without menu stress Check a menu for two workable dishes, ask one clear preparation question and keep a backup option. A practical restaurant plan for selective adult eaters.
- How to order sushi for the first time, by taste Start with a familiar roll, add one nigiri to compare, and order another round only after tasting. A practical sushi menu guide for first-timers.
- How to order pho: beef cuts, chicken and first orders Order pho with confidence: choose beef or chicken, decode cuts such as brisket, tendon and tripe, then add herbs and sauces after tasting the broth.
- How to order hot pot at a restaurant for the first time Choose a broth, then a small first round of meat or tofu, vegetables and noodles. This beginner guide covers menus, sauces, cooking and group orders.
- Best Ethiopian dishes to order for your first meal Start with a mixed platter on injera: try a lentil or vegetable sampler, then add doro wat or tibs if you want meat. Choose by spice and texture.
- Best Sweetgreen order for your taste Choose a Sweetgreen bowl by flavor and texture: Harvest for sweet-savory comfort, Crispy Rice for crunch and heat, or Guacamole Greens for freshness.
- Best Taco Bell order for your taste Pick a complete Taco Bell order by taste: a crunchy Crunchwrap, a mellow quesadilla, a bean-based pair or a potato taco with more heat.
- Butter chicken vs chicken tikka masala: which to order? Butter chicken is usually richer and milder; chicken tikka masala often tastes tangier and more spiced. Choose by your taste, then check the menu.
- What to order at an Indian restaurant, by taste Butter chicken, chana masala, biryani and dosa are a good Indian restaurant order. Choose dishes by taste, with guidance for first-timers.
- Pad see ew vs pad thai: which should you order? Pad see ew is usually savory and wok-charred; pad thai is usually tangy-sweet and nutty. Compare the noodles, sauces and textures before you order.
- What to order at In-N-Out: first order & secret menu First visit? Choose a Double-Double or a smaller Hamburger. Compare Animal Style, Protein Style, fries, shakes and official Not-So-Secret Menu options.
- How to find new dishes you'll actually like Start from a dish you already love, name what you love about it, then order a dish that shares those traits in a new cuisine. Here's how, with examples.
- Bold or mellow? What your Palytt pal flavor letter means The fifth letter in your Palytt pal says how loud you like your food. What Bold and Mellow mean, how they change your order and how to feed a mixed table.
- What to order for your Palytt pal, family by family Suggestions for what to order and where, for all 16 Palytt pals, from tasting menus to the corner deli, plus why a per-dish match score is the sharper answer.
- What to order if you love spicy food, cuisine by cuisine The spiciest dishes to order at Sichuan, Thai, Indian, Korean, Mexican and Ethiopian restaurants, what kind of heat each brings, and how to ask for more.
- How to find your food taste profile and use it at restaurants Learn a practical way to map your food preferences across flavor, texture, heat and novelty, then use that profile to choose better dishes at restaurants.
More Palytt guides
- How taste matching works
- Decide where to eat with friends
- Restaurant picker
- Best dishes near you
- Palytt vs Yelp
- Palytt vs Google Maps
- Best apps to know what to order
- Restaurant menu scanner app
- Palytt vs Beli
- Beli alternatives
- Restaurant tracking app
- What am I in the mood to eat?
- What to order for lunch
- What to order for dinner
- Yelp alternatives
- Best apps to save restaurants to try
- Best apps to decide where to eat
- Best apps to share restaurant recommendations
- How we designed Palytt
Stop guessing at the menu.
Know what to order.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone and iPad
Android is coming. Get Android updates.