OpenTable is a booking platform, not a restaurant — think of it like Airbnb for dining. You search for restaurants on OpenTable, check real-time availability, and book a table directly. No calling the restaurant needed. Here is how to do it in 3 minutes.
On the Website (OpenTable.ca for Canada)
- Go to opentable.ca — you do not need an account to search, but creating one is free and saves your preferences.
- Enter your search criteria — date, time, number of guests, location (city or postal code). OpenTable shows only available tables right now.
- Filter by cuisine, price, or vibe — use the left sidebar to narrow down (Italian, sushi, fine dining, casual, etc.).
- Click a restaurant — you will see reviews, photos, the menu (sometimes), and available time slots in green.
- Select a time slot — click any green time. OpenTable shows how long the table is reserved for (usually 1.5-2 hours for casual, 2-3 for fine dining).
- Enter your details — name, phone number, email. Add any special requests (allergies, celebration, seating preference) in the notes.
- Confirm — you get an instant confirmation email with your booking reference number. Screenshot or print it.
On the Mobile App (iOS/Android)
Same flow as the website, but faster. The app also shows restaurants near you on a map and sends push notifications when tables become available at places you have bookmarked.
What Happens Next
- You arrive 5-10 minutes early — tell the host your name and confirmation number.
- If you need to cancel — do it in the app or email at least 24 hours before (cancellation policies vary by restaurant; some charge a no-show fee of $15-50 per person if you do not show up or cancel late).
- After dining — OpenTable asks you to leave a review. This helps other diners and the restaurant gets feedback.
Pro tip: OpenTable often has exclusive discounts and special offers in the app (Diner Rewards points, percentage-off promotions). Check the app version on days you are flexible with timing — sometimes a restaurant offers $20 off if you book at 5:30 PM instead of 7 PM. Also, if a restaurant shows no availability at your preferred time, call them directly — they may hold a table for phone bookings that do not show up on OpenTable.