There are several online table reservation systems available in the UK, and the best option for your restaurant or establishment may depend on your specific needs and requirements. Many offer features, functions and facilities that may sound useful, but may never be used, especially if you do not have the in-house expertise to maximise these, and are more often charged for!
Here are some of the popular online table reservation systems in the UK and some of their features and cost guidelines:
- OpenTable: One of the most well-known and widely used online reservation systems in the UK, OpenTable allows customers to browse availability and book tables at participating restaurants in real-time. Features include customisable floor plans, automated waitlists, and the ability to take payments and deposits. OpenTable also offers marketing and promotional tools for restaurants to attract more diners. COSTS: Fixed fee + a bookings fees from their referrals, which can be up to £2.50 PER BOOKING! Note you also do not own your customer data, they have permission to market other restaurants in your area to bookers via their own portal.
Ideal For: Busy venues who don’t mind paying the booking fees, or only market through their own website. Can be expensive per cover charges. Also referral fees via their portal. - ResDiary: Another popular online reservation system in the UK, ResDiary offers customisable reservation widgets that can be embedded on a restaurant’s website or Facebook page. Features include table management, waitlist automation, and the ability to offer promotions and discounts to customers. ResDiary also integrates with other restaurant software, such as POS systems and marketing tools. COSTS: From £119 per month for up to 450 bookings. The scaled upwards to £245+ per month. Add gift vouchers for £35+ per month + 3% of sales! Ideal For: Quieter venues who don’t mind paying the booking fees, or only market through their own website
- Bookatable: (now The Fork, part of TripAdvisor) Allows customers to search and book tables at restaurants in the UK, as well as in other European countries. Features include real-time availability, customisable booking widgets, and the ability to take payments and deposits. Bookatable also offers marketing and promotional tools for restaurants to attract more customers. Integratable to TripAdvisor. COSTS: Monthly listing fee + a per cover charge on referrals.
Ideal For: restaurants with on site marketing support - Eveve: Eveve offers a range of reservation and management tools for restaurants, including online booking widgets, waitlist automation, and table management. The system also integrates with other restaurant software, such as POS systems and marketing tools. COSTS: Eveve’s pricing is based on a flat monthly fee, rather than a commission-based model. Ideal For: Restaurants with rooms and hotels with restaurants
- DesignMyNight: While primarily known as a nightlife and event platform, DesignMyNight also offers a table reservation system for restaurants. Features include real-time availability, automated waitlists, and the ability to take deposits and payments. DesignMyNight also offers marketing and promotional tools, such as targeted email campaigns and social media advertising. Ideal For: Branded/high end operators, multiple sites, or those with a fully trained front of house or marketing manager.
- SevenRooms: A cloud-based US based reservation and guest management platform designed to help restaurants, hotels, clubs and enterprises acquire, engage and manage clients. Features include request management, payment processing, tagging, customer segmentation, event ticketing and reporting. Requires internal organisation skills to manage the system to its best effect and a very strong FOH. COSTS: Premium prices start from approx £300 per month depending on your business needs, Plus add-ons, PLUS £800 set up fee! Ideal For: High end operators, multiple sites, or those with a fully trained front of house or marketing manager.
- SugarvineTables: Non nonsense bookings platform which delivers the restaurant user a full diary, desktop or list view of their bookings. COSTS: One of the few which has NO PER COVER CHARGE or referrals fee. Simple annual fee equivalent to £58 per month (flat annual fee £699 per annum) You own your customer data, which is sent to you by request for customer Email data targetting. Gift voucher and experience solutions available as a free add-on service!
Ideal For: Independent food pubs, restaurants and those operators seeking a simple cost effective online booking solution.
Example of Sugarvine’s FREE central marketing and online table listings here
These are just a few of the online table reservation systems available in the UK, and there may be others that better suit your specific needs. It’s worth doing your research and considering factors such as pricing, features, and integrations with other restaurant software when choosing a reservation system for your establishment. NOTE: ‘COSTS’ indicated are a guideline only, based on our experience and industry research. Each operator offers a range of prices and promotions.
Referral Discounts Available: Paid to you on our recommended online booking systems above. Contact us via the form below for more information and a no obligation referral.