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Knowing how to pick a good restaurant is important. 

In order to help international students not waste money on food they dislike, this guide will arm them with strategies and tools to locate delicious and affordable restaurants.

In the United States, there are many cuisines to choose from. In Seattle alone, you can find Northwest, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Thai, Irish and more!

Here are some tips to help you:

1. Set your criteria.  You should ask yourself a few questions before you start looking for a restaurant including, but not limited to: a) What cuisine do you like? American, Chinese,  Indian, Italian, etc.?  b) What's the price range you can afford? c) What is your acceptable commute time d) What's the purpose for the dinning? Dating, business, etc. e) What kind of ambiance you prefer, quiet or noisy.

2. Ask your colleagues. Ask your American peers where they usually dine out and what they like and dislike about the restaurants they go to. Tell them what you are looking for and see if they have any recommendations for you. 

3. Use online restaurant finder apps or websites to search for the restaurant that meet your criteria.

4. Read reviews to know more detail information about the restaurant you are interested in.

5. Search the restaurant's online website and look at their menu to see whether they have the type of food you want. 

6. Find their contact info online and call them to ask, if the restaurant doesn't have an online website. 

7. Visit the restaurant ahead of time to see whether the restaurant has the ambiance you enjoy.

8. If you like, write a review after your meal.  Think about what you liked or did not like about a restaurant.  Reflecting on your dining experience can help you find a better restaurant next time.