How OpenTable Works: Booking, Notify, and Fees
OpenTable is a large consumer reservation network spanning casual to fine dining, with real-time availability, alert tools when a slot opens, and venue-set cancellation and deposit policies.
The short answer
OpenTable is a large consumer reservation network spanning everything from casual neighborhood spots to fine dining. You search by date, time, and party size, and book a table that the restaurant has released into the system.
Availability is real-time, so openings can appear and disappear quickly, especially at high-demand rooms.
Booking and Notify alerts
When a restaurant is full, OpenTable offers a Notify-style alert that lets it tell you when a slot opens. It is a heads-up rather than a held seat, so you still have to act fast when the alert lands.
- Search and book against the restaurant's real-time released availability.
- Use the Notify-style alert to be told when a full restaurant frees a slot.
- Act immediately on an alert, since the freed seat is open to everyone notified.
Policies and fees
Restaurants set their own cancellation, no-show, and deposit policies, so the rules differ from room to room. Read the policy before you book a high-demand table.
Note on fees: OpenTable began adding a 2 percent service charge to some transactions in 2026. Because fee details can change, verify the current terms at the time you book.
Rose watches OpenTable availability continuously and books the moment a table opens.
Why tables still slip away
Because availability is real-time and alerts go to everyone at once, a freed seat can vanish in the time it takes to open the app. The race is decided by who books first, not who was notified first.
Frequently asked
Is OpenTable free to use?
OpenTable has long been free for diners to search and book, though OpenTable began adding a 2 percent service charge to some transactions in 2026. Fee details can change, so verify the current terms when you book.
What is OpenTable's Notify feature?
When a restaurant is full, OpenTable offers a Notify-style alert that tells you when a slot opens. It is an alert, not a held seat, so you must act quickly when it lands.
Who sets cancellation and deposit policies on OpenTable?
Restaurants set their own cancellation, no-show, and deposit policies. The rules vary by venue, so read the policy before booking a high-demand table.
Why do OpenTable openings disappear so quickly?
Availability is real-time and alerts reach everyone at once, so a freed seat can be claimed in seconds. The first person to book wins, not the first to be notified.