Questions & answers
Questions, answered
Whether the places are real, how the cat picks, and what happens to your information.
Picks
Are the places it recommends real?
Yes. Today's Mealow first looks up real places near you on a map service, then picks only from those places. It never makes up a restaurant. Check opening hours and prices with the place or on the map.
How does the AI pick dishes?
The AI sees your answers and a handful of nearby places the map found: name, type, rating and price, plus the dishes a place is known for when the map lists them (mostly for places in China). It can only choose from those places, and writes one dish and one line on why for each. The dish name is the AI's best guess from the kind of place it is, so check the menu to be sure it's there.
Can I trust it with things I skip?
The things you skip go to the AI, and after it picks, code checks every dish name against a word list for each one and removes any match. That's why you sometimes get fewer than 3 dishes. Only the kitchen knows every ingredient, so if you have an allergy, check with the place before you order.
What if I don't like the picks?
Tap "Show me others" and the cat picks a new round, trying to avoid the places and dishes you just saw. Tap × on a card to remove just that one. Or go back and pick a different way to eat.
Why do I sometimes get fewer than 3 dishes?
There were only a few good places nearby, or a dish matched something you skip and was removed. Try another spot, loosen your answers a bit, or tap "Show me others".
Using it
Is it free? Do I need an account?
It's free, there's nothing to install, and you don't need an account. Signing in with Google just keeps your saved dishes and profile in the cloud.
Why does it need my location?
To know which places are near you. Only Fruit works without nearby places. If your browser won't share your location, the site guesses your city from your network instead, and the picks are less precise.
Where does it work?
Pretty much anywhere with restaurants. It picks the map for you: Amap in China and some nearby areas, Google Maps everywhere else.
How is it related to the WeChat Mini Program?
Same app, same backend. The web version signs in with Google and the Mini Program with WeChat. Those are two separate accounts, so saved dishes don't carry over.
Feedback
How do I report a problem?
In the app, open Me and tap "Not great today? Tell the cat". It works without signing in. Or email hello@mealow.app.