They thought everyone did this!

I often plan what I’m going to have at a Chinese or Indian restaurant especially if I’ve had a good meal there previously but change my mind once I get there - it drives my husband mad!

I will sometimes look at the menu online from time to time just to get a feel for the style and price of the planned venue.

But online menus are usually labelled Sample Menu so there is no guarantee that what you see online will be on the menu on the day you have booked.

O the otherhand, for someone trying to lose weight, being able to look at a menu and decide what to eat before you are sitting at the table surrounded by food smells does make sticking to a regime easier.

I am coeliac so often look at a menu. To see if they are able to cater reasonably for gluten free food

I often look at menus beforehand but still change my mind on the day or if someone else recommends a dish at the time.

I too usually read the online menu and have an idea of what I like and don’t like and what sort of prices they are asking so yes I m with your daughter on this one more practical and doesn’t hold others up if you’re dithering around I do however sometimes change my mind on the day

I wish my DD would do this. She always dithers about what to choose and then afterwards wishes she had chosen differently!

Sometimes.
In fact, we're going out tomorrow night and I may just take a look at the menu to get an idea of what is on offer, but may not choose beforehand.

Having a look does save too much time wasted choosing when everyone is hungry. And you can look forward to tasting it.

I like to surprise myself, so I never look.

I don't look at an on line menu,
except for somewhere newly opened so I have an idea of the cuisine.
No point in getting there and they have nothing you like.

Many restaurants have 'specials' on a separate menu and I like to be able to see what is on offer apart from the standard menu which I may already have viewed on line.

Same as Saxifrage. Being gluten-free can be a pain, but am really ill if I get glutened.

I have walked from place to place when out with DD trying to find one that understands, Saxifrage and Fiachna

WIhen possible, I quite like to know what sort of things are on the menu, but once I know that there is more than one thing on the menu that I like, my final choice wouldn't be made until the last minute, based on what I fancy eating at that particular moment, which can vary enormously from day to day or even hour to hour!

I’ll look at the menus to see if they’ve got a good choice at a price I like but I don’t choose in advance - I see what I’m in the mood for once I get there

If I'm going somewhere new I like to look at the menu to see what sort of food is on offer. If I'm going out with my grandsons then I definitely need to know that the restaurant understands and caters for allergies; two of my grandsons have very severe sesame allergies.

This idea has never occurred to me! I just go along and see the day's menu.

Assuming it’s a good restaurant as opposed to a Steak House or Indian, a nice fish dish, something I wouldn’t cook myself. Whichever restaurant I go to, a meal that is worse than I can do myself is not acceptable, an upmarket place that does that is going to get a 1 star review, a steak house usually does a good meal without frills.

I'm vegetarian so generally check beforehand. I like to know that there is more than one veggie item.
I will often try the board for the dish of the day once I'm there.

I must make sure the restaurant I have booked for a family party is vegan friendly.

If I'd looked I'd have forgotten by the time I got there I've even forgettenwhat I've ordered for husband's works Christmas do!

I always check for gf offerings but have been caught out when a menu says 'gluten free option available' as that sometimes just means that they hold back any gluten containing ingredients- like gravy or toast with pate.

I sometimes look at the sample menus online.
Often though, I just go and expect to be delighted with what's on offer.
How can you decide beforehand, when you haven't seen the specials board?

I usually look at online menus to check that there’s enough for me to choose from as I’m pescatarian. Something might appeal but I choose when I’m there, usually very quickly.

Never choose in advance- unless requested to do so for a group event.