By: Natasha Archary
Restaurant reservation etiquette is important for the hospitality industry for many reasons. Most restaurants aim to provide a memorable dining experience for patrons.
Inconsiderate or demanding diners do however push the limits and expect restaurant owners to accommodate all their needs, especially if there’s a special occasion.
Take a minute to reflect on your last restaurant meal and what that was like. Chances are it was noisy, busy and a rushed dining
experience. If it’s a kid friendly establishment, with a designated play area, then add in the frenzied bustling about of little ones.
Throw in a celebration or two and you have a chaotic ambience that is far from the relaxed meal out you were hoping for.
Before you test how far a restaurant is willing to go to prove their customer is king, a guide of restaurant reservation do’s and don’ts outlines a number of things you should consider.
Restaurant do’s
- Have your booking information on hand
- Notify the restaurant if there are changes to your reservation ie. cancellations or additions to the number of people
- Honour your booking time especially for large parties
- Request permission to bring in a birthday cake and/or decor items
- Keep the noise down to be respectful of other diners
- Select your menu options when making the reservation
- Wait to be seated
- Be courteous to the waiting staff
- Pay a booking fee if it’s expected for a large party
Restaurant don’ts
- Be nonchalant about time
- Blame the staff for the restaurant’s reservation policies
- Threaten the restaurant
- Disregard reservation policies or fees applicable
- Bring your own decor, food items and/or drinks
- Set up for the event before your booking time
- Order waiting staff around
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Drive:
Also read: Kaya Drive: Eating out alone is not the social suicide you think it is!



