5 Fun Ways to Decide Where to Eat with Friends

We've all been there. The group chat has 47 messages, all some variation of "I'm good with whatever" and "You pick!" Meanwhile, everyone's getting hungrier and crankier by the minute. Here are five actually fun ways to break the deadlock and get to eating already.

1. The Elimination Tournament

This method works great for groups of 4-8 people and turns dinner selection into a game. Here's how it works:

• Everyone submits one restaurant suggestion (no duplicates)
• Randomly pair up the restaurants into brackets
• Vote on each head-to-head matchup
• Winners advance until you have a champion

The tournament format makes even the losing suggestions feel validated—your pick made it to the semi-finals! It also naturally narrows down options without anyone feeling like their choice was immediately dismissed. Pro tip: Use our Team Generator to randomize the initial bracket pairings for extra fairness.

2. The Veto Round

Sometimes it's easier to say what you don't want than what you do. This method works backward from traditional selection:

• Start with a list of 10-12 nearby restaurants
• Each person gets 2-3 vetoes (depending on group size)
• Go around the circle using vetoes until only one option remains

The beauty of this approach is that it surfaces dealbreakers early. Someone's allergic to shellfish? That sushi place is vetoed. Someone had a bad experience at the Italian spot? Gone. You end up with an option that everyone can at least tolerate, which is often better than an option that only half the group loves.

3. The Spin-to-Win Method

This is our personal favorite (obviously). Load up the Hunger Wheel with your group's suggestions, and let fate decide. The key to making this work is commitment: everyone must agree beforehand that the wheel's decision is final.

What makes the wheel special is that it removes the social dynamics from the equation. No one has to feel like they're being pushy or worry about disappointing others. The wheel chose—it's out of everyone's hands. Plus, there's something genuinely exciting about watching the wheel slow down, not knowing where it'll land.

For best results: limit the wheel to 6-8 options maximum, and make sure everyone's had a chance to add at least one suggestion before spinning.

4. The 5-3-1 Method

This classic technique works perfectly for couples or small groups and ensures both parties have input:

• Person A suggests 5 restaurants
• Person B narrows it down to 3
• Person A makes the final pick from those 3

The genius here is the balance of power. Person A sets the boundaries but doesn't have final say. Person B has elimination power but must choose from A's selections. Both people are invested in the outcome because both contributed to the decision.

For groups of 4, try the 8-4-2-1 variation, where each person takes a turn narrowing the list.

5. The Price is Right Rules

This method adds a fun competitive element and works especially well when budget is a consideration:

• Everyone secretly writes down a restaurant and their estimated average entrée price
• Look up the actual prices on the restaurants' websites/menus
• Whoever's guess is closest without going over wins, and their restaurant is selected

Not only does this make the selection process into a game, but it also naturally filters toward places within everyone's budget. Nobody wants to suggest the super expensive steakhouse and then lose because they underestimated the prices.

Bonus: What NOT to Do

A few anti-patterns to avoid in group restaurant selection:

• "I'm easy" – This helps no one. Even if you genuinely don't care, throw out a suggestion anyway. It gives others something to react to.
• The endless "what do you want?" – If the loop has gone around twice, it's time for a different approach. Try one of the methods above.
• The hostile takeover – Don't just announce where you're going without input. Even if everyone really is "fine with whatever," the lack of buy-in leads to grumbling.
• Scope creep – "Should we try that new place?" Keep adding options and you'll never decide. Set a deadline for suggestions.

The Ultimate Hack

Here's the real secret: most group members genuinely don't have a strong preference—they just don't want to be the one to decide. By introducing any structured method, you remove the social pressure and give everyone permission to simply enjoy the outcome.

So load up the wheel, start the tournament, or break out the vetoes. The method matters less than having a method at all. Your hungry friends will thank you.

Ready to end the dinner debate forever? Head to our Hunger Wheel and add your group's favorite spots. One spin, no arguments, more eating. That's the Decidr way.