Consumer Evaluations of Restaurants in Bolu on Digital Platforms: The Tripadvisor Case

This study examines user reviews of restaurants in Bolu on Tripadvisor. The research uses a qualitative approach and employs descriptive content analysis as the analytical method. A total of 274 user reviews from 10 restaurants that provided meaningful content and were posted between January and December 2025 were analyzed. The findings indicate that most reviews were positive, with taste being the most frequently emphasized dimension. Analyses of food and beverage offerings confirm the meat-based nature of Bolu cuisine, while local dishes such as mantı, gözleme, and soups strongly reflect the region’s gastronomic identity on digital platforms. Additionally, staff and service quality, atmosphere and ambiance, cleanliness and hygiene, and price–value perception were identified as key themes shaping the user experience. Overall, the results support the influence of digital user evaluations on restaurant image and consumer preference decisions, and demonstrate that both product quality and service performance in gastronomic destinations are perceived and evaluated through online platforms.