Use cases/Restaurant reservations
Restaurants

Restaurant reservations with message.com

Guests want to book, modify, or ask “are you open” without waiting on a hostess who's seating a four-top. message.com answers in chat, on Instagram DM, or on the phone, around the clock.

The problem

Restaurants lose seats to missed messages every night. Instagram DMs go unread for hours. The phone rings during service. Booking platforms can't handle the long tail of "can we modify to 5 people instead of 4" or "do you have a high chair." And after-hours bookings are usually a black hole until someone arrives in the morning.

How message.com handles it

One inbox for the website widget, Instagram DM, Messenger, and the restaurant phone number. AI answers FAQ (hours, address, dietary options, kid-friendly) instantly, cites the menu, and books reservations through a connected scheduling tool. After hours, AI captures the booking intent and routes confirmation for morning approval.

conversation
Guest (via Instagram DM)Any tables tonight at 7?
message AI (drafted)Hi, tonight at 7 we have a high-top for 2 by the bar or a 4-top at 7:45 in the dining room. Want me to hold one?
GuestLet's do 7:45.
Host (approves, OpenTable books the slot)See you at 7:45, hold under your IG name.

Common workflows

01

Book a table

AI offers next-available times, books through Resy/OpenTable/Sevenrooms.

02

Modify a booking

Change party size or time, syncs back to the system.

03

Dietary questions

AI cites the menu page with allergen info.

04

After-hours questions

AI captures intent, sends confirmation in the morning.

05

Cancellation save

“We can hold the table for you” with a one-tap reschedule link.

Integrations

Resy, OpenTable, Sevenrooms, Tock for reservations. Instagram and Messenger for inbound DMs. Phone for inbound calls.

Pricing recommendation

Chat at $6 a month flat works for small spots that don't need phones. Business at $19 adds AI booking and the restaurant phone.