First Table is one of my favourite websites to book restaurant dining through.

You can get 50% off food at thousands of restaurants in over 50 cities around the world, for between 2-4 diners.

If I want to eat out, I will prioritise trying new restaurants that are available on this site.

This post provides a quick overview of the website.

What is the concept?

First Table lets you book the ‘first’ table of a particular dining session, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are also ‘last’ table options, for where you book a table later within a dining session.

You can book up to seven days in advance. You must arrive within 15 minutes of your reservation time, which is common courtesy anyway.

Note that there are no discounts on drinks - food only!

How much do I pay for a booking?

You pay NZ$10 to make a booking. However if you make your first booking via this link, you’ll get NZ$5 free credit (and so will I).

Are there any constraints?

Some restaurants will have specific terms and conditions, e.g. specific menu items that are not eligible for a discount. Some also require you to purchase at least one drink per person (does not need to be alcoholic).

Final word

I met Mat Weir (the founder) a few years ago. He’s a great guy who has built a fantastic business supporting restaurantuers from around the world. You can read more about the story of First Table.

It’s important to support dining establishments at this time, so if you’re looking to eat out and try somewhere new, start by looking at First Table.