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How to Use a Restaurant Waitlist App

Join the line from your phone instead of standing outside the door.

  1. Install the app and allow location access

    Installing a restaurant waitlist app and allowing location access lets you immediately see live wait status for restaurants nearby.

  2. Search a restaurant and check live wait times

    Search for the restaurant you want and check the current number of waiting parties and the estimated wait time; if it's not connected to the app, only in-person waitlisting may be available.

  3. Join the waitlist remotely

    You can enter your party size in the app and join the line without physically being there yet. Some restaurants cap remote joining to people within a short walking distance.

  4. Get an alert as your turn approaches

    As your turn gets close, a push notification usually tells you how many parties are ahead of you and roughly when to expect to be seated.

  5. Head over once your turn is near

    If you don't respond to or arrive after a call notification within a set window, your spot can be automatically canceled, so it's safer to be near the restaurant as your turn approaches.

  6. Know the no-show penalty

    Repeatedly joining a waitlist and not showing up can get your remote waitlisting feature restricted for a period on some apps.

What remote waitlisting can and can't do

Waitlist apps mean you don't have to physically stand outside a restaurant, but not every restaurant is connected to a given app, and popular spots can close remote joining early during a rush.

Popular restaurants can fill their remote list fast

Joining right when a restaurant's waitlist opens for the day meaningfully improves your odds at very popular spots, since remote slots for the busiest times can disappear within minutes. Some restaurants also limit remote joining to a short walking distance from the door, so check that restriction before assuming you can join from anywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I join the waitlist remotely, can I arrive whenever I want?

No β€” if you don't respond to or arrive after a call notification within a set time, your spot can be automatically canceled, so it's safer to wait near the restaurant as your turn approaches.

What if a restaurant isn't connected to a waitlist app?

You'll need to join in person using a tablet or paper waitlist at the restaurant itself, since remote waitlisting isn't possible there.