MainStreetReady

Table reservations guide

Taking table reservations on your website.

This page explains how booking a table on your website works, the different ways bookings can reach you, how to set each one up, and what it costs in Canada and the USA. Take your time. If you get stuck, contact us.

Outside companies' prices checked October 31, 2026. Prices can change, so check the provider's own page before you sign up.

Who does what: This is a step-by-step guide for you to follow. You set up your own accounts and equipment (Tablein, OpenTable, Resy, Google, a tablet) using the steps below. Our part is the website: once your account is ready, we connect your website to it at no extra charge.

How it works

  1. Your guest opens your website and goes to Book a table.
  2. They pick a day (up to two weeks ahead) and how many people (1 to 12). Groups of 13 or more are asked to call.
  3. They pick a time. Times are every half hour during your hours.
  4. They enter their name, phone or email, and any special requests ("birthday", "high chair").
  5. They tap Request this table.
  6. What happens next depends on the option you choose. With the simple options (1 and 2), you get the request and confirm it with the guest. With a booking system (3 to 7), it checks your open tables, books the guest right away, and sends the confirmation and reminder for you.

Your options at a glance

OptionBooks by itself?DepositsMonthly cost from outside companies
1. Email + text requestNo, you confirmNoNone (texts are pennies)
2. Tablet reservation bookNo, you confirmNoNone (tablet you own)
3. TableinYesYesUS$79 to US$209
4. OpenTableYesYesUS: from $149. Canada: by quote
5. Resy / TockYesYesFrom US$289
6. SevenRoomsYesYesBy quote
7. Google "Reserve a table"Through a partnerThrough the partnerFree from Google
Simplest

Option 1: Email and text request, you confirm

How it works: The guest's request comes to you by email and/or text: name, contact, day, time, party size and notes. You call, text or email them back to confirm.

How to set it up
  1. Decide which email and cell number requests should go to.
  2. Decide your reservation hours, time slots and the largest party you'll take online.
  3. Decide how long you hold a table (for example, 15 minutes).
  4. Send us those details. We connect your website's booking form to them at no extra charge.
  5. Make a test booking on your website and check that it arrives.

Good

  • Simple and free
  • You stay in control of every table

Watch out for

  • The guest isn't booked until you reply, so someone has to answer quickly
  • It doesn't know which tables are taken
  • No deposits or no-show fees

Canada

  • Email: no outside cost
  • Texts: about $0.0083 USD each plus carrier fees, and $1.15 USD/month for a number (Twilio)

USA

  • Email: no outside cost
  • Texts: about $0.0083 each plus carrier fees, and $1.15/month for a number (Twilio)
  • Business texting needs a one-time registration ("A2P 10DLC") with extra fees
Simple

Option 2: Tablet reservation book

How it works: Requests show on a private page on a tablet at the host stand, with a sound alert. You see today's and upcoming bookings in one list.

How to set it up
  1. Use a tablet you already own, or buy one. Keep it plugged in.
  2. Ask us for the link to your private reservation page (no extra charge) and open it on the tablet.
  3. Make a test booking on your website and check that it shows up.

Good

  • The whole team sees the same list
  • Nothing gets lost in someone's inbox

Watch out for

  • You still confirm each request
  • No deposits

Canada

  • No outside cost if you have a tablet

USA

  • Same
Good fit for small restaurants

Option 3: Tablein

How it works: A booking system made for small restaurants. Guests book real open times. You manage the calendar, floor plan and reservation list on a tablet, phone or computer. It can secure a booking with a card or ask for a deposit, and it sends email or text notices. Tablein says it charges no commissions, including on bookings that come through Google.

How to set it up
  1. Start Tablein's 14-day free trial (no credit card required).
  2. Set your tables, hours and booking rules.
  3. Send us your Tablein booking link. We put Tablein's booking button on your website at no extra charge.

Canada

  • Same plans as the USA. Tablein bills in euros, pounds or US dollars, so you pay in US dollars
  • Text message prices vary by country

USA

  • Starter: $79/month (50 reservations, then €0.67 each)
  • Growth: $139/month (150 reservations)
  • Success: $209/month (unlimited)
  • No minimum term
Well known

Option 4: OpenTable

How it works: Guests book on your website, in OpenTable's app and site, and through Google. You manage tables, a waitlist, deposits and card holds in OpenTable, and it sends confirmations and reminders automatically.

How to set it up
  1. Contact OpenTable and sign their agreement. They help set up your tables.
  2. Send us your OpenTable booking link. We add OpenTable's booking button to your website at no extra charge.

Canada

  • Core and Pro plans only. Monthly prices aren't shown on the Canadian page, so ask OpenTable for a quote
  • No per-guest fee for bookings from your own website or by phone
  • You only pay for seated guests who found you on OpenTable, never for no-shows or cancellations
  • Premium text messages: $25/month add-on

USA

  • Basic $149/month (US only): OpenTable guests free for 30 days, then $1.50 each. Bookings from your website: $0.25 per guest or $49/month flat
  • Core $299/month: $1 per guest from OpenTable. Your website bookings included
  • Pro $499/month: same per-guest fees as Core
  • Prepaid experiences: 2% fee

Contract: one year, and it renews automatically. Tell OpenTable 30 days before renewal if you want to stop.

Pricier

Option 5: Resy and Tock

How it works: Resy and Tock are now sold together, backed by American Express. They handle reservations, table management, a walk-in waitlist, deposits, card holds with cancellation fees, and prepaid events.

How to set it up
  1. Book a demo with Resy.
  2. Once you're set up, send us your booking link. We add it to your website at no extra charge.

Canada

  • Canadian prices aren't published. Ask Resy

USA

  • Platform: $289/month. Essential: $289/month + 3% on prepayments
  • Platform 360: $459/month. Premium: $459/month + 2% on prepayments
  • No per-guest fees. Normal card fees apply
For busy or multi-location restaurants

Option 6: SevenRooms

SevenRooms is built for busy and multi-location restaurants. It doesn't publish prices (quote only). For most small Main Street restaurants, options 1 to 4 are a better fit.

Free from Google

Option 7: Google "Reserve a table"

How it works: Diners book right from your Google listing on Search and Maps.

How to set it up
  1. In your Google Business Profile, choose Bookings, then Get started.
  2. Pick your booking provider (for example OpenTable or Tablein), or add your own booking link to your website's reservation section.
  3. It shows on Google within about a week.

Cost: Google doesn't charge for this. Google says your provider might, so check with them. Tablein says it charges no commission on Google bookings. OpenTable's Canadian plans include Google's "Reserve a table" button. A Google waitlist is for restaurants only and needs a provider that offers it.

What about Square?

Square for Restaurants doesn't have its own table reservations. It connects to OpenTable: when a guest is marked seated in OpenTable, a check opens in Square automatically. This needs a paid Square restaurant plan (in Canada, Square for Restaurants Plus is $60/month per location) plus OpenTable Core or Pro. If you already use Square at the till, OpenTable is the way to go.

Deposits, no-shows, reminders and walk-ins

  • Deposits and no-show fees: the simple request form (options 1 and 2) doesn't take cards. If no-shows are a real problem, use Tablein, OpenTable or Resy/Tock. All three offer deposits or card holds.
  • Reminders: the booking systems send confirmations and reminders automatically. With options 1 and 2, you confirm by phone, text or email.
  • Big groups: your website can ask large groups (for example, 13 or more) to call instead. Tell us the number you want.
  • Walk-ins: your website can say walk-ins are welcome. OpenTable (Core and Pro) and Resy have walk-in waitlists, and Google can show a waitlist button through a provider.

Differences for US restaurants

  • Prices are in US dollars. OpenTable's lower-cost Basic plan is only offered in the US.
  • Business texting in the US needs a one-time registration (A2P 10DLC) with fees.
  • Booking confirmations and reminders are normally fine to send. Marketing emails and texts need the guest's permission in both countries (Canada's anti-spam law, CASL; US federal and state rules).

Common questions

What does MainStreetReady charge for this?

Nothing extra. Connecting your website to your booking system is included at no extra charge. The only costs are the outside companies' fees listed on this page.

Do guests pay to book?

With options 1 and 2, no. With a booking system, guests pay nothing unless you choose to take a deposit or hold their card.

Can I stop online bookings for a night?

The booking systems let you block times. With options 1 and 2, tell us the dates (holidays, private events), and we update your website so online booking is closed on those days.

What if I'm already full?

With options 1 and 2, call or text the guest and offer another time. Booking systems only show times you have room for.

Do I have to sign a long contract?

OpenTable's standard contract is one year and renews automatically. Tablein says it has no minimum term. Ask any provider before you sign.

Sources (checked October 31, 2026)

Questions? We're happy to walk you through it.

The MainStreetReady team

Email: support@mainstreetready.com
Text or call 226-583-1464 (send a text)