How to Make Restaurant Reservations with OpenTable

OpenTable is a free app and website that lets you book a table at thousands of restaurants across the United States without making a phone call. You search for available restaurants, pick a time that works for you, and confirm your reservation in under a minute — all from your phone or computer.

Many restaurants now take reservations primarily through OpenTable rather than by phone. If you have ever called a popular restaurant and been put on hold or told the next available table is three weeks away, OpenTable can sometimes show you times the phone line does not advertise — like a table that just opened up, or a specific seating area with more availability.

OpenTable also has a "Dining Rewards" program. You earn points (called Dining Points) each time you dine at a participating restaurant through a reservation made on OpenTable. After collecting enough points, you can redeem them for a dining check — essentially a discount on a future meal.

The app lets you set special requests when booking, like "window table if possible," "birthday celebration," or "dietary restrictions." The restaurant sees these notes before you arrive.

OpenTable works for restaurants in most US cities, especially at sit-down restaurants with table service. Many diners and fast-casual spots are not on OpenTable, so it works best for nicer restaurants where reservations are expected.

You can also use OpenTable to read restaurant reviews, view menus, and see photos of the food and dining room before you decide where to go.