Restaurant of the week: "A.JU"
A.JU delights with floating plates, playful presentations, and flawless flavors—head chef Joonas...
Is It Okay to Reserve a Table for More Guests than Will Attend?
Last-minute changes to a reservation put pressure on restaurants. Should you always inform them about last-minute changes—or is booking a few extra seats acceptable? We asked top chefs how they deal with fluctuating guest numbers and where they draw the line.
A familiar scenario? The dinner invitation goes out, a few guests respond right away, others hesitate. Eventually, you book a table for six. Then, shortly before evening, two people cancel. The question arises: Should you let the restaurant know?
A Professional Perspective
Taubenkobel's Barbara Eselböck and Alain Weissgerber know this situation all too well. “We understand that group reservations can fluctuate,” they explain. “If it’s just one additional guest, that’s usually not a problem. With more significant changes, it really helps to be informed in advance—so we can plan table arrangements accordingly and seat other guests.”
Top chef Alexander Herrmann shares this view. Small adjustments, he says, are rarely an issue. “One additional guest isn’t a problem,” he notes. “It becomes more of an issue when reservations are made for far more guests than actually arrive. If four people arrive for a table booked for six or eight, that can be detrimental.”
It's Tempting
It is tempting to book an extra seat or two in hopes of securing a better table. Herrmann acknowledges this impulse. “Of course, people sometimes think about adding another guest to get the table they want,” he says. “I understand why that happens.”
Communication is Key
In the end, restaurateurs agree on one point: Honest communication makes all the difference. “Clear communication is what matters most,” Herrmann emphasizes. If, for example, a large table is needed for a business lunch, it’s best to say so upfront.
Eselböck and Weissgerber echo this sentiment: “Communication is everything.” A quick call or message can make service planning much easier, while no-shows and last-minute cancellations are particularly challenging for small restaurants.
The takeaway? Guest numbers change—that’s part of the dining out. Being transparent and proactive helps restaurants plan better and ensures a relaxed evening for everyone involved, whether a couple of friends join at the last minute or cancel unexpectedly.
