If you want to dine at one of the best restaurants on the West Coast, patience is a virtue. Trust me, I should know. It all started in 2021, when my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and I wanted to snag a restaurant at The French Laundry in Napa Valley. We heard reservations were available two months in advance on the first day of every month at 10:00 a.m. PST, so we promptly logged online in hopes of snagging a reservation. To our surprise, and total displeasure, tables were snatched at a supersonic rate. So we tried the next month. And the month after that. In fact, we tried for years and just recently scored a covetable spot.
While calling some restaurants impossible-to-book might seem melodramatic, industry insiders say it’s more common than ever before. “Few forces are as powerful as word of mouth and social media,” says Cheryl Paniagua, vice president of restaurant sales and services at OpenTable. “Once there’s a critical mass of buzz—whether stemming from a hot opening, an industry award or recognition from people of influence—demand takes off.”
Since luck will only get you so far, we asked a few dining insiders to share their top, pro-approved tips for finally snagging that impossible-to-score reservation.
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Be Flexible
“If you only try for peak times or weekends, you’ll likely miss out,” says Megan Walker, general manager of State Bird Provisions in San Francisco. That’s exactly why the pros say it’s crucial to be flexible. Walker says that weekdays, especially Tuesday and Wednesday, tend to have more availability than those buzzy weekend bookings.
You’ll also want to be open-minded on the time of your reservation. “A lot of restaurants feel ‘fully booked’ if you’re only aiming for that prime time slot, around 7:00 p.m.,” says Colleen Booth, managing partner and COO of Lazy Bear in San Francisco. “The reality is, most restaurants can’t seat everyone at the exact same time, so looking at earlier or later times—say, 5:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m.—opens up many more options.”
Enlist Help
When it comes to fine dining, you’ll get by with a little help from your friends. Paniagua says perks Visa Dining Collection and Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables unlock primetime availability for eligible guests, which makes it easier to nab a hot table. Alternatively, you can have a look at OpenTable’s Icons, a carefully curated list of buzzy spots and their upcoming openings. “How people search for the hardest to get tables is less ‘where can I go this Saturday night’ and more ‘when is the soonest I can get in,’” she explains. “With OpenTable Icons you can see the next available reservation first.” Translation: A great meal, minus the headache.
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Look for Last-Minute Openings
They say the early bird gets the worm, but in the dining scene, good things come to those who wait. According to Ryan Cole—CEO and partner at Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group, which boasts high-end eateries like 7 Adams and Trestle in San Francisco—it’s a good idea to join the notify list on Resy or OpenTable and check back in when that free cancellation deadline creeps closer.
“If a restaurant requires cancellations 48 hours in advance, most cancellations actually come in around the three-day mark, right up until the cutoff,” he explains. “At 7 Adams, we’ve seen plenty of people make reservations as soon as they go live, hold them just in case, and then cancel when plans change.” As long as you leave your calendar open, Cole says the eleventh hour is your best chance to slip in at the last minute.
Play with Your Party Size
Most people want to schedule a fancy, shmancy dinner for date night, so reservations for two can be particularly tough to secure. “If there’s a new spot you’re eager to try, coordinate with friends and look for a four-top instead,” Cole recommends. However, that’s not the case for every eatery. Walker says State Bird Provisions is a relatively small restaurant, so one- to two-person tables are easier to secure than reservations for larger parties. Want to suss out the perfect party size, research your desired restaurant’s capacity before you book.
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Make a Call
Just because a reservation platform says a restaurant’s fully booked doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. If you’re willing to take your chances, show up sans reservation. “Many high-demand restaurants, including ours, hold space for walk-ins. It’s part of the energy of the dining room and can be one of the most fun, spontaneous ways to get a table.”
Booth agrees, and says a quick call or e-mail can make a big difference. “If you’re traveling somewhere, don’t be shy about reaching out to the restaurant before their reservations open, or even in the week leading up to your trip,” she explains. “Availability changes constantly, and a quick inquiry can sometimes get you a table you didn’t expect.”
Finally scored a table and can’t wait to visit again? Paniagua recommends making another reservation with the host before you leave. “That in-person connection can make all the difference,” she says.
