Reservation software · Direct bookings
Restaurant Reservation Software for Direct Table Bookings
IAMenu is restaurant reservation software for accepting direct table bookings from a digital menu or link. Guests book without downloading an app; the restaurant manages availability, confirmations, reminders, cancellations, customer history and no-shows from its own dashboard. IAMenu adds no per-diner fee to these direct bookings.
How does restaurant reservation software work?
A restaurant booking system connects the guest-facing form with the establishment's hours, booking policy, customer records and reservation statuses. IAMenu keeps that flow inside the same platform as the digital menu.
1. Guest taps "Reserve"
From your QR menu or your Google/Instagram link. They pick date, time and party size — the calendar only offers slots based on your real opening hours.
2. You decide
The booking lands as pending in your dashboard. Confirm it with one tap, or let clear slots auto-confirm.
3. Reminder workflow
About 2 hours before, the system can send a reminder email with a cancellation link. No reduction in no-shows is guaranteed.
4. Seated and measured
Mark the guest as seated, completed or no-show. Their history is stored: you will know who books and never shows up.
Reservation software vs. a booking marketplace
Direct reservation software manages bookings generated by the restaurant's own menu, website or link. A marketplace may also provide consumer discovery. Restaurants can use both, but should compare data access, booking controls, integrations and the provider's current pricing instead of assuming they are the same service.
| Aspect | Reservations with IAMenu | Typical reservation portals |
|---|---|---|
| IAMenu cost per diner | €0 — included in the applicable flat plan | Check the provider's current terms |
| Where the guest books | On the restaurant's IAMenu experience | On the provider's marketplace or widget |
| Customer records | Managed in the restaurant's IAMenu account, subject to privacy obligations | Check the provider's data terms |
| Phone/WhatsApp bookings | Manual entry with returning-customer detection | Depends on the provider |
| Reminder workflow | Email about 2 h before, with cancellation link | Depends on the provider |
| Languages | Localized in supported interface languages | Depends on the provider |
Reservation FAQs
How much does the IAMenu reservation system cost?
It's included in IAMenu's Professional (€39/month) and Premium (€69/month) plans. IAMenu does not add a per-booking or per-diner commission; third-party marketplace and payment-provider terms are separate and can vary.
Does the guest need an app or an account to book a table?
No. The guest opens your digital menu (via QR, Google or your website), taps "Reserve", picks a date, time and party size, and leaves their name and contact details. No apps, no sign-up. They receive an email confirmation with a link to cancel if plans change.
How do I manage no-shows?
Every reservation moves through clear states: pending, confirmed, seated, completed, cancelled or no-show. The system automatically emails a reminder about 2 hours before the booking with a cancellation link, and you mark no-shows from the dashboard. Each customer's history shows their bookings and accumulated no-shows, so you can decide with data.
Can I log reservations that come in by phone or WhatsApp?
Yes. In real hospitality most bookings still arrive by phone: the dashboard has a 3-step manual reservation flow (source → customer → date) that detects returning customers by phone number and shows you their history. Every reservation — web, phone, WhatsApp or walk-in — lands in the same list.
Can I limit party size or how far in advance guests can book?
Yes. You configure your booking policy: minimum lead time (e.g. no bookings for 30 minutes from now), maximum days ahead, minimum and maximum party size, and where the button appears on your menu. If you're closed on a given day, the calendar simply offers no slots.
What if I already use a reservation portal like TheFork or OpenTable?
You can keep an external discovery channel and also accept direct requests through your IAMenu menu. IAMenu does not charge a per-diner commission for those direct requests; verify the external portal's current contract and fees separately.
Do reservations work in multiple languages?
The public reservation flow is localized in IAMenu's supported interface languages. Menu content and the interface are separate: restaurants should review menu translations and confirm the guest-facing flow available for each audience.
Reservations, orders and menu in one system
Reservations live inside your AI digital menu: the same system that translates your menu, detects allergens and takes QR orders at the table. One dashboard and no IAMenu commission per reservation or order.