Dining do’s & don’ts
How to navigate the dos and don’ts of doggy bags in 2025
Alice Zaslavsky dishes up the latest etiquette on taking your leftovers home.
- Alice Zaslavsky
‘She ate her entree, the penguin did not’: Hospo staff share Valentine’s Day stories that got their hearts racing
From customers bringing furry dates to managing proposals, February 14 can be a high-wire act for restaurant staff.
- Scott Bolles
- Opinion
- Don’t @ me
Creating a stink: Five everyday foods that should be banned from the office
Bringing lunch to work might be great for your budget, but please – think about your workmates before unleashing these.
- Andrea McGinniss
- Opinion
- Stirring the pot
‘The main purpose of Lunar New Year is to get your life to rain money like in a rap video’
Red packets, eating fish, making dumplings, yee sang – Adam Liaw on how every Lunar New Year tradition relates to one crucial purpose – getting rich.
- Adam Liaw
Is it acceptable to put ice cubes in a glass of wine to cool it down?
Plus other pro tips for serving red, white and sparkling wines in hot weather.
- Huon Hooke
You might think you’re ‘helping’, but leave the plate-stacking to the professionals
When empty plates disappear without you even realising, you’re in good hands. However, we don’t always make it easy for waitstaff.
- Terry Durack
But I didn’t even drink! How to fairly split the bill without the side serving of awkwardness
Forget fighting over who drank what and whose turn it is to pay. Follow these tips for friends with differing budgets to dine together without friction.
- Alice Zaslavsky
The classic cocktail Melburnians can’t get enough of right now – and where to find the best ones
You can order them frozen, dusty and with a deli cabinet’s worth of garnishes. But don’t mess with the fundamentals, say bartenders.
- Emma Breheny
Don’t season a dish before you’ve tasted it (and other modern dining rules)
Elbows on table? Don’t worry about it. The time is right to lighten up a bit at restaurants. Just try not to be late.
- Alice Zaslavsky
‘Eat around the mains’: How to order better (and save money) at restaurants
Throw out the rule book and prepare to share if you want to get the best value out of a menu.
- Alice Zaslavsky
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/topic/dining-do-s---don-ts-6fw2