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Original poster

Sharing plates

115 replies

cupfinalchaos · 15/04/2026 08:38

This is now the norm in many restaurants. Much easier for them to bring out dishes whenever they’re ready and not have to remember who ordered what.

But am I on my own in not wanting to eat what other people order and not wanting to share the only dish I fancy on the menu? Even if I tell the waiter/waitress I’m ordering for myself, it gets placed in the centre of the table for everyone. Recently I didn’t even get to try what I’d ordered as I was in conversation and when I looked down it was gone! In one restaurant i had to ask for extra cutlery so the person with a cold wasn’t sticking his fork in..

AIBU to think restaurants have normalised an easy option for themselves?

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 15/04/2026 08:55

Restaurants are sociable places and sharing food is a sociable thing to do. It probably doesn't occur to them that people would only want one thing off a menu and that they want to keep all that to themselves.

Nowvoyager99 · 15/04/2026 08:53

I’m ND and will only share food with my DC.

Luckily my friends are well aware of this, so it’s never a problem.

Original poster
cupfinalchaos · 15/04/2026 08:51

FieryA · 15/04/2026 08:49

I have never experienced this at any restaurant. The server always names the dish and then we tell them where to put it. Though as the others say, it's your friends that are the problem here. They are the ones without any manners. I wouldn't ever expect my friend/s to just dig in or even finish what I ordered, without me even getting a bite in.

This was with one particular couple and I won’t be making many arrangements with them in future!

OP posts:
Original poster
cupfinalchaos · 15/04/2026 08:50

Obviously not a popular view then so I’m not surprised restaurants are getting away with it.

OP posts:
FieryA · 15/04/2026 08:49

I have never experienced this at any restaurant. The server always names the dish and then we tell them where to put it. Though as the others say, it's your friends that are the problem here. They are the ones without any manners. I wouldn't ever expect my friend/s to just dig in or even finish what I ordered, without me even getting a bite in.

CarolinaLiar · 15/04/2026 08:46

We love sharing plates because I don’t eat much and my husband can have most of it. But there are always lots of other options.

RedToothBrush · 15/04/2026 08:45

I like the smaller sharing plates. I do not have this problem because my friends and family aren't twats.

Didimum · 15/04/2026 08:44

cupfinalchaos · 15/04/2026 08:43

Not where I am in London.

Show quote history

Sounds like you’re restricting where you eat too much.

RedToothBrush · 15/04/2026 08:44

The problem is who you are going to the restaurant with not what you are ordering or the restaurant if your food is being eaten before you get it.

Didimum · 15/04/2026 08:43

Never experienced this unless it’s a classic sharing, small-plate cuisine, such as tapas. Never had waiting staff not deliver what I ordered to me, specifically, either. And I eat out a fair bit. Perhaps even out with a big group and it’s something casual like Indian, but sharing dishes will always be discussed before ordering.

Where are you going and who with?

caffelattetogo · 15/04/2026 08:43

Sounds like it’s more a problem with who you choose to dine with?

Original poster
cupfinalchaos · 15/04/2026 08:43

toastofthetown · 15/04/2026 08:42

I love sharing plates. But if it’s not for you there’s more restaurants which aren’t sharing plates than restaurants which are, so just go to those ones.

Not where I am in London.

OP posts:
Original poster
cupfinalchaos · 15/04/2026 08:42

Unfortunately the dishes I actually like are at the sharing ones!

OP posts:
toastofthetown · 15/04/2026 08:42

I love sharing plates. But if it’s not for you there’s more restaurants which aren’t sharing plates than restaurants which are, so just go to those ones.

frozendaisy · 15/04/2026 08:40

The restaurants we go to still have options of sharing platers or individual meals which are placed in front of who ordered them.

Check at places before booking?

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