Why You Should Always Check a Restaurant’s Bathroom Before Ordering

When you walk into a restaurant, your focus is often on the menu, the ambiance, and the food. But there’s one important thing you should always do before you settle in to eat: check the bathroom. While it may seem like an unusual step, inspecting a restaurant’s bathroom can tell you a lot about the overall cleanliness and standards of the restaurant. Here’s why you should always check a restaurant’s bathroom before ordering—and how it can help you make an informed decision about where to eat.

1. The Bathroom Is a Reflection of the Kitchen

The cleanliness of a restaurant’s bathroom is often a direct reflection of the hygiene practices in the kitchen. If a restaurant takes the time to keep the bathroom tidy, well-stocked, and sanitized, it’s a good indication that they apply the same level of care in their food preparation area. On the other hand, a dirty or neglected bathroom might signal that the restaurant is less committed to cleanliness overall, which could extend to their food handling practices. A quick bathroom check can give you a clue about the restaurant’s attention to detail and hygiene.

2. Bathrooms Are Often Overlooked by Restaurants

It’s easy for restaurant owners and managers to focus on the dining area and food quality while neglecting less visible areas like the bathrooms. However, a bathroom is one of the most frequented spaces in a restaurant, and its condition matters. If a restaurant’s bathroom is dirty, smells unpleasant, or lacks basic necessities like soap or paper towels, it shows a lack of attention to even the smallest details. These signs can make you question how much effort the restaurant is putting into other aspects of the dining experience, including food safety.

3. Poor Bathroom Maintenance Can Indicate Poor Food Practices

Maintaining a clean bathroom requires the same commitment to hygiene that a kitchen does. If a restaurant’s bathroom is poorly maintained—clogged toilets, overflowing trash, dirty floors—it may suggest that the restaurant is neglecting other areas, such as food handling and storage. While this is not always the case, dirty bathrooms often correlate with a lack of overall cleanliness, which can extend to food preparation areas, dishes, and utensils. Checking the bathroom can help you make a more informed decision about the restaurant’s overall commitment to hygiene.

4. Bathrooms Can Give You an Idea of the Restaurant's Popularity and Care

The condition of the bathroom can also tell you how well a restaurant is cared for overall. A well-maintained bathroom signals that the restaurant cares about the comfort and experience of its customers. Clean, stocked bathrooms often mean the restaurant is focused on providing a quality experience for diners, from the food to the facilities. Conversely, a poorly maintained bathroom might suggest that the restaurant doesn’t prioritize customer comfort or cleanliness, which could impact your dining experience.

5. A Clean Bathroom Shows Commitment to Customer Experience

When a restaurant invests in keeping the bathroom clean and well-maintained, it demonstrates a commitment to providing a positive experience for all customers—not just in the dining room but in every part of the restaurant. Restaurants that value cleanliness understand that every detail counts in creating a welcoming environment. If they go the extra mile to ensure the bathroom is spotless, you can feel more confident that they are also putting care and effort into food safety and service quality.

6. Bathrooms Can Reveal the Level of Attention to Detail

Restaurants that care about cleanliness typically pay attention to the finer details, such as making sure the bathroom is equipped with essentials like soap, clean towels, air fresheners, and a properly functioning hand dryer or paper towel dispenser. These small touches show that the restaurant values the well-being of its customers and is mindful of their experience. On the other hand, bathrooms that are neglected or lack essential items can indicate a lack of attention to detail, which may carry over into the kitchen and dining area.

7. It Helps You Avoid Foodborne Illness

One of the most important reasons to check a restaurant’s bathroom before ordering is to protect yourself from potential foodborne illnesses. Dirty bathrooms may signal poor hygiene practices that could be present in the food preparation area. Restaurants with unclean bathrooms may also have staff members who are less diligent about handwashing or following proper sanitation procedures. A quick bathroom inspection can alert you to hygiene concerns that could ultimately affect your health, helping you make a better decision about whether to eat at that particular restaurant.

8. It’s a Quick and Easy Test

Checking a bathroom doesn’t take much time, but it can provide valuable insight into the restaurant’s cleanliness and overall standards. If you’re unsure about a restaurant’s reputation or hygiene, taking a quick trip to the bathroom can give you the information you need to decide whether or not to stay. It’s an easy and effective way to assess the restaurant’s commitment to cleanliness and hygiene before you make your final decision to dine there.

9. It Helps You Avoid Potential Discomfort

A dirty bathroom can often indicate that the restaurant isn’t putting effort into the comfort of its patrons. From unpleasant odors to unsanitary conditions, dining at a restaurant with an unkempt bathroom can make your dining experience less enjoyable. If the bathroom is neglected, you might also feel uncomfortable eating your meal there, knowing that the restaurant might not be prioritizing cleanliness in other areas. Checking the bathroom ensures that you're setting yourself up for a more comfortable and pleasant experience.

10. A Clean Bathroom Can Enhance Your Dining Experience

Ultimately, the condition of the bathroom plays a significant role in your overall dining experience. A clean, well-maintained bathroom signals that the restaurant values your experience, making you feel more comfortable and confident about the quality of the food and service. When everything is in good order, from the bathroom to the dining area, it enhances your entire visit and allows you to relax and enjoy your meal with peace of mind.

So, next time you’re headed to a restaurant, take a moment to check out the bathroom. It’s a quick and simple step that can tell you a lot about the overall cleanliness and quality of the establishment. By making sure the bathroom meets your standards, you’re more likely to have a pleasant, safe, and enjoyable dining experience.