30+ AI Dining Prompts — Copy, Paste, Eat Better

I'm looking for a restaurant in [neighborhood/city] for [occasion — casual dinner, date night, birthday, business lunch]. Here are my constraints:

- Cuisine preference: [cuisine type or "open to anything"]
- Budget: $[amount] per person including drinks
- Party size: [number]
- Dietary needs: [allergies, vegetarian, etc. or "none"]
- Atmosphere: [quiet/lively/romantic/family-friendly/trendy]
- Must-haves: [outdoor seating, parking, walkable from X, reservations available]

Recommend 3 restaurants ranked by how well they match ALL my criteria. For each, explain: why it fits, what to order, what to expect for price, and any caveats.

I'm in [city/neighborhood] and I'm hungry but can't decide what I want. Here's what I know:
- I'm NOT in the mood for: [list cuisines or styles to avoid]
- Last 3 restaurants I loved: [name them and what you liked]
- Tonight's vibe: [quick and casual / sit-down and relaxed / adventurous / comfort food]
- Budget: [low/medium/high or specific amount]

Based on my taste pattern, suggest 3 unexpected options I probably haven't considered. Explain why each matches my preferences even if the cuisine is different from my usual choices.

I live in [city] and I'm tired of the same popular restaurants everyone recommends. I want genuinely hidden gems — places that locals love but tourists and food media haven't discovered yet.

My preferences: [cuisine, budget, neighborhood preferences]
I've already been to: [list well-known restaurants you've tried]

Find 3 under-the-radar restaurants. For each: what makes it special, what the regulars order, best time to go, and why it hasn't blown up yet.

I'm traveling to [city/country] for [number] days. Prepare a complete dining briefing:

1. **Must-try local dishes** — the 5-10 foods I absolutely cannot miss, with descriptions
2. **Restaurant categories** — explain the local dining tiers (street food, casual, mid-range, fine dining) with price expectations in local currency and USD
3. **Neighborhood guide** — which areas are best for eating, what each is known for
4. **Cultural etiquette** — tipping, reservation customs, meal timing, dress codes, ordering protocol
5. **Dietary note** — I have [dietary restrictions]. How easy/hard is this in [destination]? Key phrases I should know in the local language.
6. **Scam/tourist trap warning** — restaurants or areas to specifically avoid

Format as a printable day-by-day dining plan I can reference on my phone.

Here's the menu from [restaurant name] (I've copied/photographed it below):

[paste menu text or describe what you see]

I need help deciding. My constraints:
- Budget for food (before drinks/tax/tip): $[amount]
- Dietary restrictions: [list or "none"]
- I prefer: [rich/light, adventurous/familiar, protein-heavy/vegetable-forward]
- Dining with: [alone, partner, group of X]

Recommend: one appetizer (or skip if budget is tight), one entrée, and whether dessert is worth it here. Flag any dishes that are likely overpriced for what they are or that scream "tourist trap item." Identify the dish that's probably the kitchen's strongest based on the restaurant's cuisine style.

I have the following food allergies/intolerances: [list all — be specific: "tree nuts but not peanuts," "celiac-level gluten intolerance," "dairy including casein and whey"]

Here's the menu from [restaurant name]:
[paste menu]

For each menu item, classify as:
🟢 SAFE — no allergen ingredients expected
🟡 ASK — might contain allergens depending on preparation (list what to ask the server)
🔴 AVOID — definitely or very likely contains my allergens

Also flag any items where the allergen risk is hidden (e.g., flour in sauces, butter in "olive oil" dishes, soy in dressings). What specific questions should I ask the server before ordering?

I'm dining at [restaurant name] with a budget of $[amount] per person including tax and tip. The menu is:

[paste menu or describe key items and prices]

Help me get the absolute best value:
1. Which dishes offer the best quality-to-price ratio?
2. Are there any sharing strategies that would stretch the budget further?
3. What should I definitely skip (overpriced for what it is)?
4. What's the optimal order for a party of [number] to maximize variety within budget?

Calculate the total with 20% tip and [local tax rate]% tax to make sure we stay in budget.

I'm organizing dinner for [number] people with these dietary needs:
- Person 1: [e.g., "vegetarian, no mushrooms"]
- Person 2: [e.g., "gluten-free celiac, also lactose intolerant"]
- Person 3: [e.g., "no restrictions but hates seafood"]
- Person 4: [e.g., "keto, dairy-free"]
[add more as needed]

Location: [city/neighborhood]
Budget: $[amount] per person
Occasion: [casual/celebration/business]

Find 3 restaurants where EVERYONE can eat well — not just "has one sad option for the restricted person." For each restaurant, map out what each person would order. Prioritize cuisines that naturally accommodate diverse diets.

I'm trying to [lose weight / build muscle / manage blood sugar / eat anti-inflammatory / reduce sodium] and I'm eating at [restaurant name or cuisine type] tonight.

My targets: [calories per meal, macro goals, specific nutrients to maximize or minimize]

Here's the menu: [paste menu]

Recommend 3 meal options ranked by how well they support my health goals. For each:
- Estimated calories, protein, carbs, fat
- Modifications to request (dressing on side, swap starch for vegetables, grilled not fried)
- What to avoid that looks healthy but isn't
- Best drink choice (non-alcoholic)

I'm traveling to [country] and I have these food allergies: [list all allergies]

Create a dining allergy card in [language] that I can show to restaurant servers. Include:
1. A clear statement of my allergies in the local language
2. Specific ingredients to avoid (including local names for those ingredients)
3. A request to check with the kitchen
4. Common dishes in this cuisine that are typically safe for me
5. Common dishes that look safe but actually contain my allergens
6. Emergency phrases: "I'm having an allergic reaction" and "Call an ambulance"

Format it as a compact card I can save as a phone screenshot.

I'm ordering [describe your dishes — appetizer, main, dessert] at [restaurant type or specific restaurant].

My wine preferences:
- I tend to like: [describe wines you've enjoyed, or "I don't know much about wine"]
- I prefer: [red/white/either, dry/sweet/medium, light/bold]
- Budget for wine: $[amount] per bottle or $[amount] per glass
- Party size: [number] — will we share a bottle or order by the glass?

Recommend wine pairings. If I provided the wine list, match to specific bottles. If not, tell me what TYPE of wine to look for (grape, region, style) so I can ask the sommelier. Include one adventurous pick I might not normally choose.

I'm at [type of bar/restaurant — craft cocktail bar, Mexican restaurant, sports bar, etc.]. I typically enjoy [describe flavor preferences — sweet, bitter, spirit-forward, fruity, herbaceous, smoky].

Spirits I like: [e.g., bourbon, mezcal, gin]
Spirits I don't like: [e.g., vodka, tequila]
How adventurous tonight: [playing it safe / moderately adventurous / surprise me]

Recommend 3 cocktails to try in order — starting with something approachable and progressing. If this is a craft bar, suggest what to ask the bartender for if they do custom drinks.

I'm planning [occasion — anniversary, proposal, birthday, Valentine's Day, first date] for [date].

Details:
- City: [city]
- Budget: $[total budget for the entire evening, not just dinner]
- Partner's preferences: [cuisine likes/dislikes, dietary restrictions, atmosphere preferences]
- Past wins: [restaurants or experiences they've loved before]
- Past misses: [things that didn't work]
- Logistics: [need parking, accessible, specific neighborhood, time constraints]

Plan the complete evening:
1. Restaurant recommendation with specific table/seating request
2. What to order (including whether to do tasting menu vs à la carte)
3. Wine/drink strategy
4. Pre-dinner or post-dinner plans (drinks, dessert elsewhere, walk)
5. Reservation timing and any special requests to make when booking
6. Budget breakdown showing the evening won't exceed $[budget]

I'm hosting a business dinner for [number] people. The goal is [close a deal, celebrate a win, build relationship, team bonding, impress a client].

Context:
- City: [city]
- Their company/industry: [context about the guests]
- Budget: $[amount] total (this will be expensed — can I justify it?)
- Dietary restrictions I know about: [list or "unknown — need safe choices"]
- Vibe needed: [impressive but not ostentatious, casual networking, power dinner]
- Conversation needs: [quiet enough to talk business, lively enough to feel social]

Recommend a restaurant and plan the logistics: reservation time, table preference (round for group dynamics vs rectangular for hierarchy), ordering strategy (should I pre-select a menu?), wine approach (bottle for the table vs individual ordering), and how to handle the check gracefully. Also flag any cuisine types to avoid for business contexts.

I'm organizing a [birthday party / reunion / holiday dinner / graduation celebration] for [number] people on [date].

Requirements:
- Location: [city/area]
- Budget: $[amount] per person OR $[total]
- Group includes: [age range, dietary mix, mobility considerations]
- Style: [sit-down dinner, family-style sharing, buffet, cocktail party with bites]
- Must-haves: [private room, BYO allowed, they handle cake, AV for toasts]
- Deal-breakers: [no prix fixe only, no auto-gratuity over X%, must accommodate kids]

Recommend 3 venues. For each: capacity, private dining options, estimated cost with all fees, what's included vs extra, how far in advance to book, and red flags to watch for in the contract.

I'm spending [number] days in [city] and food is my #1 priority. I'm a [casual foodie / serious food enthusiast / professional-level food nerd] with a daily food budget of $[amount].

Build me a meal-by-meal itinerary:
- Breakfast/coffee spots
- Lunch recommendations (mix of quick and sit-down)
- Dinner reservations needed (which restaurants require advance booking and how far?)
- Must-try street food and snacks between meals
- One splurge meal recommendation
- Food markets or food halls to visit
- Food experiences beyond restaurants (cooking classes, food tours, specialty shops)

For each recommendation: what to order, expected cost, best time to go, and how to get there. Flag anything that needs advance booking NOW.

I want to explore [cuisine type — Ethiopian, Szechuan, Basque, Peruvian, Georgian, etc.] for the first time. I'm in [city].

Prepare me:
1. **Cuisine 101** — the fundamental flavors, techniques, and philosophy of this cuisine in 3 paragraphs
2. **Essential dishes** — the 10 dishes every first-timer should try, explained simply
3. **Ordering strategy** — how meals typically work in this cuisine (shared plates? courses? specific order?)
4. **Restaurant pick** — the best place in [city] for an authentic first experience (not the fanciest — the most representative)
5. **What to order** — a specific order for [number] people that covers the essential range
6. **Etiquette** — anything I should know about how to eat this food (utensils? hands? shared dishes?)
7. **What to skip** — dishes that are polarizing or require acquired taste (save for visit #2)

What are the 5 most overrated restaurants in [city] and what should I go to instead?

I have leftover [ingredient 1], [ingredient 2], and [ingredient 3] in my fridge. What restaurant cuisine would use all of these, and what dish would they make? Now give me a recipe.

Explain the difference between a $15 pasta and a $45 pasta at an Italian restaurant. When is the expensive one actually worth it?

I'm at a sushi restaurant. Rank the fish on a typical menu by: quality-to-price ratio, sustainability, and "if you only try 3 things." Assume a mid-range restaurant, not omakase.

What questions should I ask a server that will actually get me useful information about the food, without being annoying?

I tip 20% at full-service restaurants. Am I undertipping anywhere? Give me a complete tipping guide for every dining scenario in [country].

I'm trying to eat out 3x per week on a $150 weekly dining budget in [city]. Build me a sustainable rotation that maximizes variety and value.