Zagat Survey Discussions

I have found that the ambient noise level in restaurants has been increasingly disruptive. It is often hard to hear other people at one's table. In fact, noise level has now become a key criterion for me when I select a restaurant for a group of four or more people.

In future Zagat reviews, I would like to suggest the addition of a noise level rating to the current four categories currently rated (Food, Decor, Service , Cost).

Donald

Hi Donald,

Thank you for your feedback. I will pass along your suggestion to our editorial department. 

In the meantime, please reference the “quiet conversation” index/feature, available in most metro areas, for a list of restaurants that are not noisy. Occasionally in the actual review the noise level is noted (this is dependent on the frequency of comments received from our surveyors).

The topic of noise level in restaurants is interesting and debatable. Therefore, I have moved this discussion to “The Dining Experience” to see how others feel. How important is the level of noise when deciding where to dine? 

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I agree whole heartily. I tried a new place Zagat recommended on Sunset east of Vine. Not only could I not hear someone at my table, I left with ringing in my ears and the biggest headache. Everyone at diffrent tables had to raise their voices to be heard over the volume of the other tables.

Larry

I have tried for years to suggest a noise level rating. This is the first time others have addressed this issue. I too consiider the noise level of paramount importance in choosing a restaurant.
Peter

Noise levels matter! It is the how a choose restaurants....I will take good food in a place I can enjoy conversation vs great food where I can't hear the person next to me or the server.

Too much noise in a restaurant results in my getting a low-order headache: no throbbing, but a dullness in my thinking and general irritation. I have turned around and walked out of restaurants immediately if the noise level is high. Give me a place like Borgo Antico, where the food may not be the greatest, but the tables are a decent distance apart and you can hear your friends talk and yourself think.

YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I HAVE ELIMINATED SOME EXCELLENT RESTAURANTS FROM MY REPERTOIRE BECAUSE YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE EATING ALONE WITH THE CRASHING AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL. EVEN THE WAIT STAFF SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED AND HAVE DIFFICULT HEARING ORDERS.

Hear, hear!! My wife and i eat out two or three times a week, but we are eliminating the trendy restaurants where we cannot hear each other, let alone our friends!

I agree strongly. Many restaurants seem to cultivate noise as a trendy positive attribute, often throwing in background music to an already noisy room, and failing to take steps to control the noise levels through wall and ceiling treatments.  Noise which makes table conversation is the basis for avoiding a restaurant, regardless of how good the food may be. And there are plenty of restaurants that are unreasonably loud, even painfully loud. It would be terrific if this attribute were rated by Zagat reviewers.

I agree wholeheartedly, as well.....Noise and fine dining might as well be oxymorons. Awhile back there was an article (it may have been the NYT) stating that many "modern" restaurants avoid sound proofing or dampening and play loud music because the noisier it is, the more rapid turnover of tables ! You betcha !

 We have also walked out on restaurants that are too noisy. We have noticed the increased popularity of hard surfaces and we often complain and ask to turn the music down. The staff often acts as though we are from another planet. We've had the feeling that restaurants are geared to the young who are used to constant sound in their ears. 
   When we can't hear ourselves or the waiter and it's too dark to read the menu, we just want to go home!

My wife and I will not eat in a noisy restaurant. That destroys the pleasure of the occasion, the cuisine and the wine.

Hi Donald ("Daniel"?) -

Everyone has said it so well and covered just about all the bases, I think. Just want to add my vote that your idea (to add noise-level ratings) is an excellent one. Great dining experience and assaultive noise may indeed be an oxymoron, but the corollary is also true: Moderated, regulated noise levels and carefully prepared, quality food are a marriage made in heaven! We'll seek it out!

I AGREE...thus my profile: "Dining does not have to be at 140 decibels". I also have a gripe about table spacing (another discussion topic) which is a major contributor to noise levels. Why restaurants feel compelled to jam tables together, constantly use hard surfaces and then crank up the music is beyond me.

Chef's and management rightly are concerned about the food product but I'll pass if they don't consider atmosphere. As a mid-level Baby Boomer, (and Boomers still spend), I'll pass on what's trendy and choose the restaurant with the appropriate combination of food and ambiance.

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Dining doesn't have to be at 140 decibels

Hear! Hear!!!