Reservation apps have made it easy for diners to book a table with just a few clicks on their smartphone, but sometimes a table at restaurant you want to book is not available.
Whether it’s a special anniversary or just a night out to experience chef-prepared menus and great service, not being able to secure a table at your desired restaurant can be a disappointment.
And if the restaurant is a hot spot that gets booked up for weeks or even months, it can be even more frustrating.
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However, if you think securing hard-to-find reservations is only for the elite, think again.
Three restaurateurs share insider tricks, tips and strategies to increase your odds of dining at the restaurant on your bucket list.
Top restaurateurs share their best tips and strategies for getting a reservation at your favorite, hard-to-find restaurant. (iStock)
1. Find out when the restaurant opens for reservations
If you know you you want to have lunch on a certain date, a good game plan might be to secure a table as early as possible. This can be achieved by asking the restaurant when it opens for reservations.
Many establishments create this model to level the playing field for securing a table.
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“We open our books on a rolling 60-day basis,” Rachel Candelaria, general manager of Press, a trendy restaurant in St. Louis, told Fox News Digital. Helena, California.
“There are actually no hacks to get a reservation at Press. All of our reservations are available on Tock, a website dedicated to securing restaurant reservations,” Candelaria said.
Try to make a reservation before the restaurant’s normal seating and opening hours. (iStock)
2. Pay attention to the time when you can have lunch
If the usual seating time is 7:30 or 8:00 p.m., you can get an advantage by being flexible about your lunch time.
Often establishments want to turn the tables to make the most of the night.
“In general, most popular restaurants tend to get two seats at each table, so it’s easiest to get reservations within the first hour and a half of opening, and then again three hours after opening,” Candelaria said.
If you can have lunch a little earlier or enjoy it later dinner time, getting a table on the night of your choice might be a better bet.
3. Replace Saturday night with a weekday night
If you have a little flexibility, consider dining on a hot spot after a Friday or Saturday night.
Instead of meeting friends over the weekend, try meeting on a weekday evening for better odds of getting booked. (iStock)
“Mid-week days like Tuesday and Wednesday tend to have less demand, which makes it easier to secure reservations,” Peter Brattander, vice president of food and beverage at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital.
4. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone
While online platforms are convenient, Brattander says calling the restaurant directly can sometimes yield better results, especially if you’re looking to make a reservation on short notice or have special requests.
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“Personal interaction can also provide opportunities not available online,” he said.
Instead of making a reservation online, you decide to call the restaurant and try to reserve a table. (iStock)
If this is a place you like to dine at regularly, “building a relationship with the restaurant staff on previous visits can be an advantage,” Brattander continued.
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Also think about the question your hotel concierge for advantage.
“Resort reservationists often have priority for bookings at popular restaurants, so it would be worth reaching out to them for help, especially for special occasions,” he also said.
5. Watch out for cancellations
If you find that the desired date and time are not available, proceed to the additional step of setting up an alert.
Set notifications for your favorite booking locations to stay up to date on cancellations or openings. (CyberGuy.com)
“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 snagging a spot.”
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In addition, he advised that you already upload your payment information to speed up the process and prevent delays that could cause you to miss your reservation.
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.
Try to call the restaurant on the day you plan to dine there in case of a last-minute cancellation. (iStock)
“Some restaurants may experience cancellations during the day, so checking for late morning or early afternoon openings can be an advantage,” Brattander told Fox News Digital.
What to do after you have secured a reservation
Once you have a reservation, make sure you follow some suggested steps to keep it.
How long will the restaurant keep your table?
As a general rule, restaurants will give patrons a short grace period, but this can vary from place to place.
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“As a courtesy, we’re holding reservations for 15 minutes,” Alex Saitta, general manager of SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada, told Fox News Digital.
It is important to know how long the restaurant will hold your table before giving it to someone else. (iStock)
If you’re going to be late due to traffic or other unexpected delays, calling the restaurant might help, but it’s not guaranteed.
What if you arrive early?
Arriving early can give you a chance to grab a drink at the bar and start your dining experience without rushing.
When you arrive, check with the host or hostess if there is a possibility of earlier seating.
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“If a table is available, we’re happy to accommodate a reservation in advance,” Saitta told Fox News Digital.
Try these top tips to help you book a restaurant near you. (iStock)
Do all members of your party have to be present to be seated?
Rules vary from restaurant to restaurant, so there is no general answer.
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Some fine dining venues allow guests to sit and wait at the table for the rest of their party to arrive.
Others, meanwhile, require everyone in the group to be present before being seated.
