Creating Reservations
How to create and manage reservations
Updated Jan 11, 2026
Learn how to create reservations for your guests, whether they book online or you enter them manually.
Manual Reservations
Create reservations directly from the admin dashboard.
Navigate to Reservations in the sidebar
Click the Create Reservation button
Enter guest information:
- Name (required)
- Email (required)
- Phone number (optional)
Select party size, date, and time
Optionally assign tables (you can select multiple tables for larger parties)
Add optional details:
- Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.)
- Dietary restrictions
- Seating preference
- Guest notes (visible to guest)
- Staff notes (internal only)
Click Create Reservation
Create reservation dialog
Info
If the guest already exists in your system, their information will auto-fill when you enter their email or phone number.
Online Bookings
Guests can book through your public reservation page.
Your Booking Link
Your booking page is available at:
https://your-restaurant.app.tableyeah.com/reservations
Share this link on your website, social media, or Google Business Profile.
Guest Booking Flow
When a guest visits your booking page:
Guest selects a date from the calendar
Guest chooses their party size
Available time slots are displayed based on your hours, table availability, and party size
Guest enters their contact information:
- Name (required)
- Email (required)
- Phone (configurable - can be required for SMS)
Guest can add optional preferences:
- Special occasion
- Dietary restrictions
- Seating preference (if zones are configured)
- Notes
Reservation is created with Booked status
Guest receives an email confirmation
Guest booking flow
Warning
Online reservations require staff confirmation before they're finalized. Check your Unconfirmed tab regularly.
What Controls Available Time Slots?
The time slots guests see depend on several settings:
| Setting | Where to configure | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Operating hours | Settings → Hours | Sets when reservations can be made |
| Reservation start time | Settings → Hours | When booking slots begin (can differ from opening time) |
| Last seating time | Settings → Hours | Final bookable slot (or auto-calculated from turn times) |
| Turn times | Settings → Reservations | How long tables are occupied—affects last seating by party size |
| Table capacity | Settings → Tables | What party sizes can be accommodated |
| Blocked dates | Settings → Reservations | Days with no availability |
Tip
Larger parties see fewer available slots because they need more time. A party of 6 with a 2.5-hour turn time can't book as late as a party of 2 with a 90-minute turn time.
Managing Reservations
Confirming Reservations
Guest bookings arrive with Booked status and need confirmation:
- Go to Reservations and click the Unconfirmed tab
- Review the reservation details
- Click Confirm to confirm the booking
- The guest receives a confirmation email
Assigning Tables
You can assign tables when creating a reservation or later:
- Open the reservation details
- Select one or more tables from the available options
- Tables are automatically filtered by party size compatibility
Tip
For large parties, you can assign multiple tables to a single reservation.
Updating Status
On the day of service:
- When guests arrive, mark the reservation as Seated
- When they leave, mark it as Completed
- If they don't show up, mark as No-Show
Party Size Settings
Control the maximum party size for online bookings in your seating settings. Larger parties can be directed to contact you directly.
The maximum party size is configured globally, but you can also set zone-specific limits in your floor plan settings.
Notes and Preferences
Guest Notes
Notes entered by the guest during booking. Visible to both staff and guest.
Staff Notes
Internal notes only visible to your team. Use these for:
- VIP status
- Previous issues
- Special handling instructions
Preferences
- Special Occasion: Birthday, anniversary, business, date night, etc.
- Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.
- Seating Preference: Specific zones or general preference
All preferences appear on the reservation detail view and in the Service view.
Reservation details with notes and preferences