Reservation apps have made it a simple process for customers to reserve a table with just a few clicks on a smartphone, but sometimes a table at the restaurant you want to reserve is not available.
Whether it’s a special anniversary or just a night to experience the chefs’ menus and great service, not being able to get a table at your desired restaurant can be a disappointment.
And if the restaurant is a hot spot that gets booked for weeks or even months, it can be even more frustrating.
However, if you think securing hard-to-get reservations is only for the elite, think again.
Three restaurateurs shared insider tricks, tips and strategies to increase your chances of dining at the restaurant on your bucket list.
1. Find out when the restaurant opens for reservations
If you know you want to dine on a certain date, a sound game plan might be to secure a table as soon as possible.
This can be achieved by asking the restaurant when it opens for reservations.
Many institutions create this model even in the playing field for providing a table.
“We open our books on a 60-day basis,” Rachel Candelaria, general manager at Press, a trendy restaurant in St. Louis. Helena, Calif., told Fox News Digital.
“There really is no hack to get a Press booking. All our reservations are available on Tock,” said Candelaria, a website dedicated to providing restaurant reservations.
2. Be smart about when you can eat dinner
If the usual seating time is 7:30 or 8:00 p.m., you can benefit from being flexible about when you dine.
Often, establishments want to turn the tables to maximize the night.
“Generally, the most popular restaurants try to get two seats at each table, so the easiest times to get reservations are within the first hour and a half of opening and then again three hours after opening,” Candelaria said. .
If you can dine early or enjoy a late dinner, getting a table on your chosen evening may be a better bet.
3. Swap a Saturday night for a weeknight
If you have some flexibility, consider dining at the hot spot beyond Friday or Saturday nights.
“Midweek days, like Tuesdays and Wednesdays, typically have less demand, making it easier to secure reservations,” Peter Brattander, vice president of food and beverage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, told Fox News Digital. in New Jersey.
4. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone
While online platforms are convenient, Brattander said calling the restaurant directly can sometimes yield better results, especially if you’re looking for a reservation on short notice or have specific requests.
“Personal interaction can also provide opportunities that are not available online,” he said.
If this is a place you like to dine on a regular basis, “building a rapport with the restaurant staff on previous visits can be helpful,” Brattander continued.
Also, consider asking your hotel concierge for a tip.
“Resort concierges often have priority access to reservations at popular restaurants, so it may be worth reaching out to them for help, especially for special occasions,” he also said.
5. Stay alert for cancellations
If you find that the desired date and time are not available, go to the additional step of setting up alerts.
“Reservation platforms like OpenTable, Resy, etc. often allow you to set notifications for cancellations or openings,” Brattander said.
“Using these tools can give you real-time updates and increase your chances of landing a spot.”
In addition, he advised that payment details are already uploaded to speed up the process and prevent delays that could cause you to lose a booking.
6. Be open to last minute deals
Things happen and sometimes people have to cancel their dinner plans – so their loss can be your gain.
“Some restaurants may experience cancellations during the day, so checking for late morning or early afternoon openings can be helpful,” Brattander told Fox News Digital.
What to do after you have secured a reservation
Once you’ve made your reservation, you’ll want to make sure you follow a few suggested steps to keep it.
How long will a restaurant hold your table?
It is a general rule that restaurants will give customers a short grace period, but this can vary from country to country.
“As a courtesy, we hold reservations for 15 minutes,” Alex Saitta, general manager of SW Steakhouse inside Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada, told Fox News Digital.
If you will be delayed due to traffic or other unforeseen delays, calling the restaurant may help, but this is not guaranteed.
What if you arrive early?
Arriving early can allow you to grab a drink at the bar and start your dining experience without rushing.
When you arrive, check with the host or hostess to find out if early seating is an option.
“If the table is available, we are happy to accommodate the reservation in advance,” Saitta told Fox News Digital.
So all members of your party must be present to sit?
Policies vary from restaurant to restaurant, so there is no general answer.
Some delicious places allow guests to sit and wait at a table for the rest of their party to arrive.
Others, meanwhile, require everyone in the party to be present before being seated.
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