For novice diners, a challenge is not knowing what to order or worrying about the cost. Instead, the challenge is booking a reservation. Most Michelin-star restaurants do not allow walk ins like a normal restaurant and do not even offer reservations for the day of. This is not because they are snobby, it is because they must plan their menu and stock their food according to how many people are coming because they have limited seating. Because the ingredients are very perishable, chefs require reservations to avoid waste.
If you are trying to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant for the first time, you may not know how or where to book a reservation. This post breaks down reservation apps to clear any confusion that I hope will make it easier for you.
Reservation Apps
1. OpenTable
Many Michelin-starred restaurants can be booked through OpenTable. This is the largest restaurant reservation platform in the US so it is the most practical. Each user can create an account and start earning points towards redeemable dining rewards through the site. This platform has the highest number of restaurants and the easiest functioning system to start booking restaurants.
2. Yelp
Yelp is not primarily a reservation system. It is much better for researching which restaurants to visit. Think about it kind of as the American version of a Michelin guide. I look up restaurants on Yelp to read the reviews and get the important information I need before I make a reservation.
Although Yelp has added reservation capabilities, this is not a useful way to reserve a spot at a Michelin starred restaurant. This is a great site to use for smaller restaurants or restaurants which are not as established.
Its innovative new-restaurant search feature is great for finding newly opened restaurants in your area.
3. Resy
Resy mostly includes higher-end restaurants. Or at least, the ones that are on this platform tend to have a sophisticated atmosphere and aesthetically pleasing interior. The cities Resy covers are fewer than those of OpenTable, but they are still growing to include a number of major cities in the United States.
Resy is often the next best option to check when OpenTable is fully booked. While it doesn’t come close to the number of restaurants connected to OpenTable, Resy offers availability to restaurants that are more selective with their reservation systems.
4. Reserve
Reserve is also similar to Resy, however, it caters to much more upscale clientele in a much more pronounced manner. Some websites of Michelin star restaurants redirect users to Reserve to make their reservations, meaning that the platform has partnerships with those restaurants. Like Resy, it’s best to consider Reserve as a secondary option and OpenTable is my preferred platform.
5. Tock
Tock does things a little differently. Instead of reserving a table, it may require diners to purchase their meal ahead of time. Many Michelin restaurants offer set-price tasting menus, so Tock likely charges diners the menu price (and possibly the price of the wine pairing) when making the reservation. No further payment is required when dinner is for the prepaid portion of the meal experience.
This method helps diners manage their time and money, and it helps restaurants eliminate uncertainty. Each reservation that has not yet been paid states clearly that there is a deadline for free changes or cancellations. After that deadline, the full price may be charged.
Tock is similar to purchasing a ticket for a meal, and it is accepted by several three-Michelin-star restaurants. The booking process is simple, straightforward, and user-friendly.
Conclusion
OpenTable is still the best choice for making reservations, but it will not include all Michelin restaurants. For instance, the three-star restaurant French Laundry cannot be booked through OpenTable. You must call the restaurant directly, or make a reservation through the restaurant’s website. This is the case for several Michelin restaurants in the Napa Valley area.
The best approach is to use OpenTable first, then visit the restaurant’s website if you still can’t find a reservation. Look for the word “Reservation” and follow their instructions. When it comes to Michelin-star dining, planning is essential, but so is persistence.
