The 7 Best Restaurant Reservation Apps

September 4

Have you faced challenges managing high demand and ensuring customer satisfaction at your restaurant? Reservation apps can streamline the booking process, optimizing seating arrangements and enhancing the dining experience for your guests. For diners, these apps make securing a table easy and stress-free, eliminating the hassle of long wait times. Here are the nine best restaurant reservation apps that can improve your operations and delight your customers.

1. OpenTable

OpenTable is one of the most diverse and capable reservation apps on the market. OpenTable has 50K+ restaurants from all around the world listed and ready to accept reservations. Users can search for spots by location or cuisine and receive bespoke recommendations based on their previous searches and reservations. OpenTable also allows users to invite other friends to the restaurant directly from their phone making it easy to bring more people. The more OpenTable is used, the more rewards users get towards other restaurants in the future.

Pros:

Extensive user base and high visibility
User-friendly interface
Comprehensive marketing and analytics tools

Cons:

Higher subscription fees
Complex interface for some users

Pricing: Plans start at around $39 per month plus a $1.50 per cover fee.

Google Play Store: Rating: 4.6 | Total Number of Reviews: 169K
Apple App Store: Rating: 4.9 | Total Number of Reviews: 4.4M

2. Resy

Resy boasts of having access to the most sought-after restaurants in 80 major cities around the world. This minimalistic application is easy to use and can have a table reserved with just two taps. Users simply search for their desired restaurant, click on the appropriate page, and then tap 'Reserve Now' in order to save a table. If a table is not available, Resy sends a notification to the mobile phone when something is free. This application also has an invite function where it can access a person's contact list and invite anyone who is selected. Resy was acquired by American Express in 2019, which has helped expand its reach and capabilities.

Pros:

Customizable reservation and table management tools
Lower fees compared to OpenTable
Valuable customer data insights

Cons:

Not available for Android users
Smaller network compared to OpenTable
Steeper learning curve

Pricing: Plans start at around $249 per month.

Apple App Store: Rating: 4.8 | Total Number of Reviews: 215.7K

3. Tock

Tock was founded in 2014 by Nick Kokonas, a co-owner of the Alinea Group, to improve the reservation process for both restaurants and diners. It supports both traditional reservations and ticketed events and includes thousands of high-end restaurants globally. Tock offers advanced features like prepaid reservations and customer insights.

Pros:

Supports both reservations and ticketed events
Offers prepaid options and detailed customer insights
Seamlessly integrates with restaurant management systems

Cons:

Complex navigation for new users
Higher fees for premium features

Pricing: Plans start at around $199 per month.

Google Play Store: Rating: 2.9 | Total Number of Reviews: 113
Apple App Store: Rating: 4.9 | Total Number of Reviews: 8.3K

4. TableAgent

TableAgent is a free restaurant reservation system that has been gaining popularity, particularly among small to medium-sized establishments. It focuses on providing essential reservation features without the high costs. While the exact number of downloads and users is not specified, it is known for being user-friendly and easy to set up.

Pros:

Free to use with essential reservation features
User-friendly and easy to set up
No per-cover fees

Cons:

Limited advanced features compared to paid platforms

Pricing: Free to use.

5. Tablein

Tablein was established to cater to small and medium-sized restaurants by providing affordable reservation and customer management solutions. It is rapidly expanding in Europe and North America and offers features like online booking, customer management, and marketing tools.

Pros:

Affordable with essential features for small to medium restaurants
Easy to set up and use
Includes customer management and marketing tools

Cons:

Limited advanced features for large establishments
Smaller network compared to industry giants

Pricing: Plans start at around $49 per month.

6. The Fork

The Fork, a TripAdvisor company, was founded in 2007 and has become a leading restaurant reservation platform in Europe and Australia, now expanding its presence in the US. It connects millions of diners with over 80,000 restaurants, offering promotional tools and POS system integrations.

Pros:

Strong presence in Europe and Australia, expanding in the US
Comprehensive promotional tools
Integration with multiple POS systems

Cons:

Less recognized in the US market
May require integration with existing systems

Pricing: Plans start at around $178 per month plus a per cover fee.

Google Play Store: Rating: 4.9 | Total Number of Reviews: 507K
Apple App Store: Rating: 4.9 | Total Number of Reviews: 46K

7. Yelp Guest Manager

Yelp Guest Manager, part of the Yelp platform, offers comprehensive reservation and waitlist management tools. It helps restaurants streamline their booking process and leverage Yelp's extensive reach to attract more diners. Established in 2004 as a part of Yelp, it integrates seamlessly with Yelp’s user base.

Pros:

Integration with Yelp's extensive user base
Comprehensive reservation and waitlist management
Strong customer insights and marketing tools

Cons:

Higher costs for premium features
Can be complex to integrate with existing systems

Pricing: Plans start at around $99 per month.

Google Play Store: Rating: 3.5 | Total Number of Reviews: 9.37K
Apple App Store: Rating: 4.6 | Total Number of Reviews: 1.3K

In conclusion, finding a seat at your favorite restaurant doesn't have to be a frustrating experience. Reservation apps streamline the booking process, allowing diners to easily secure a table without the hassle of waiting in line. These apps provide real-time availability and notifications when a spot opens up, ensuring a smooth dining experience. Whether you're looking for a cozy table for two or planning a large gathering, these apps make it simple to manage your reservations and enjoy your meal stress-free. For restaurant owners, these platforms offer valuable tools to enhance customer satisfaction and optimize seating arrangements.