ZAGAT® - Celebrating 30 Years

It's Our Birthday! Help Us Celebrate.

As we celebrate our 30th year, we take a look at what's changed, what's stayed the same – and everything that's yet to come in the world of restaurants, nightlife and travel.

Then and Now

30 Dining Trends

Huge changes have occurred in the world of food since 1979.

Chateaubriand

Kobe Beef

Back then, in October of 1979, we based the 1980 NYC Restaurant Survey on the opinions of 100 savvy diners (including many friends)... today, Zagat ratings and reviews cover the globe and reflect the collective wisdom and palates of over 350,000 of you!

Read some of the original reviews that started it all and survived in style.

From Tim & Nina

A Note from the Founders

Back in 1979, we never imagined that an idea born during a wine-fueled dinner with friends would take us on an adventure that's lasted three decades – and counting.

The idea – that the collective opinions of avid consumers can be more accurate than the judgments of an individual critic – led to a hobby involving friends rating NYC restaurants. Read More