How to make a restaurant reservation

How far ahead to book

Timing depends entirely on the kind of place and the night. As a rule of thumb:

• Casual restaurants: same day, or walk in.
• Popular bistros, weekend dinner: a few days to two weeks ahead.
• Special occasions or larger groups: about a month.
• In-demand tasting menus and 'it' restaurants: one to three months, sometimes the moment seats are released.

Many sought-after rooms release tables on a fixed schedule — for example exactly 30 days in advance, at midnight, or every Friday for the following week. Find out the rule and set a reminder.

How to land hard-to-get tables

• Know the drop time. Reservations often open at a precise moment. Be logged in and ready, with payment details saved if a deposit is required.
• Be flexible. Off-peak slots (early or late), weeknights, and the bar or counter are far easier than 8pm Saturday in the dining room.
• Try smaller party sizes. Tables for two turn over more often than tables for six; solo seats and counters open up last-minute.
• Join the waitlist and enable notifications — cancellations are common, especially 24–48 hours out.
• Call directly. Not every table is on the app; a polite phone call sometimes finds availability the system won't show.
• Check back late. Many no-shows and cancellations free up on the day itself.

What to say when you book

Whether by phone or app, give the restaurant what it needs to seat you well:

• Date, time and party size — the essentials.
• The occasion, if any — 'it's our anniversary' often earns a nice touch and helps with table placement.
• Dietary needs and allergies — flag serious allergies now so the kitchen can prepare. See our dietary dining guide.
• Access needs — step-free access, high chairs, a quieter table.
• Get a confirmation — note the name and time, and confirm if asked.

Deposits, cards and no-show policies

To curb no-shows, many in-demand restaurants now take a card to hold the booking, or charge a deposit — redeemed against your bill or refunded if you cancel in time. This is normal and fair:

• Read the cancellation window (often 24–48 hours). Cancel within it and you usually pay nothing.
• A 'no-show fee' applies if you simply don't turn up — the table sat empty and the kitchen prepped for you.
• Prepaid tasting menus are sometimes ticketed like an event; treat them as a purchase.
• Always cancel if your plans change. A freed table can be re-sold and the staff don't lose out.

Reservation etiquette

• Arrive on time — ideally a few minutes early. Late arrivals compress the kitchen's whole service.
• Tell them if your numbers change. Two extra guests can be impossible to seat unannounced; one fewer still matters for planning.
• Honour the table time on busy nights — some rooms run two seatings.
• Don't double-book several restaurants 'to decide later'. It's becoming a real problem and it leaves tables empty.

Walk-ins and the bar option

No reservation? You still have moves:

• Ask about the bar or counter. Many restaurants keep these for walk-ins, and they're often the most fun seats in the house.
• Go early or late. Arriving right at opening, or after the main rush, dramatically improves your odds.
• Be gracious about waiting. Leave a number, grab a drink nearby, and you'll often be seated sooner than quoted.
• Have a backup. Line up a second option close by so a 'sorry, fully booked' doesn't end the night.

Frequently asked questions

Mustafa Bilgic

Editor, Arsenal Rest

Reviews dining etiquette, menus and food-service practice for Arsenal Rest. Fact-checked against established culinary references and public sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-13.