The Ultimate Guide to Making Restaurant Reservations on Resy

Why Resy Has Become Essential for Modern Dining

Resy is an American online restaurant reservation platform that connects diners with over 16,000 restaurants across 80 cities worldwide. Founded in 2014 by Gary Vaynerchuk, Ben Leventhal, and Michael Montero, Resy was acquired by American Express in 2019 and now serves as a premium booking platform for sought-after dining experiences.

Quick Resy Overview:

• What it is: Restaurant reservation app and platform
• Owner: American Express (acquired 2019)
• Coverage: 16,000+ restaurants in 80 cities globally
• App rating: 4.8/5 stars (202,000+ reviews)
• Key features: Priority Notify, Hit List, editorial dining guides
• Cost: Free for diners, paid service for restaurants

For food lovers seeking authentic culinary experiences, Resy offers more than basic table booking. The platform combines reservation technology with curated editorial content, helping you find hidden gems and secure tables at the world’s most coveted restaurants.

Unlike traditional booking platforms, Resy focuses on quality over quantity. Their closed-loop rating system keeps individual reviews private to restaurants only, while their editorial team creates dining guides that go beyond simple listings.

Whether you’re planning a special celebration or hunting for your next great meal, understanding how Resy works can open up access to dining experiences that might otherwise remain out of reach.

Resy terms made easy:

• Semma nyc
• gen korean bbq
• mission bbq

Resy 101: Origins, AMEX Partnership & Global Footprint

Picture three food industry veterans sitting around a table in 2014, frustrated with how hard it was to book a table at New York’s hottest restaurants. Gary Vaynerchuk (yes, the wine guy turned social media mogul), Ben Leventhal (co-founder of Eater), and Michael Montero decided they could do better than the clunky reservation systems of the time.

Their vision for Resy was refreshingly different. Instead of trying to list every pizza joint and chain restaurant, they focused on the places where getting a table actually mattered—those sought-after spots where a reservation could make or break your evening.

The strategy worked. Resy quickly became the go-to platform for New York’s dining elite, and word spread fast. By 2017, they’d caught the attention of some serious investors, including Airbnb and First Data Corporation, who poured $13 million into the company during their Series A funding round.

But the founders weren’t content to stay local. They started acquiring companies to fuel their global expansion. ClubKviar in Spain gave them a European foothold, while the Reserve app buyout brought new technology and restaurant partnerships to the table.

The real game-changer came in 2019 when American Express acquired Resy. Suddenly, Resy wasn’t just a startup anymore—it was backed by one of the world’s most prestigious financial companies, with deep pockets and millions of cardmembers who loved premium dining experiences.

Today, Resy connects diners with over 16,000 restaurants across 80 cities worldwide. It’s not all been smooth sailing though—the company announced it would shut down its UK operations by August 2024, choosing to focus resources on markets where they could maintain their famously high standards.

Timeline of Key Milestones

2014: Resy launches with founding trio Gary Vaynerchuk, Ben Leventhal, and Michael Montero at the helm

2017: Series A funding brings in $13 million from Airbnb and First Data Corporation, validating their premium approach

2018: Strategic acquisitions of ClubKviar in Spain and the Reserve app expand both international reach and technology capabilities

2019: American Express swoops in to acquire Resy, bringing the platform under a major financial services umbrella

2024: UK shutdown announced as company refocuses on core markets where they can deliver their signature quality

The American Express partnership has been transformative, giving Resy the stability to innovate while offering cardmembers exclusive access to some of the world’s most coveted dining experiences. It’s a perfect match—premium credit cards meet premium dining.

Inside the Resy App: Booking, Features & Rating System

Opening the Resy app feels like having a personal dining concierge in your pocket. With its impressive 4.8-star rating from over 202,000 App Store reviews, it’s clear that food lovers appreciate what this platform brings to the table—literally.

What makes Resy special isn’t just the booking process itself, but how thoughtfully designed each feature is for serious diners. The app goes beyond simple reservations to create a complete dining findy experience.

The Priority Notify feature is where Resy really shines. Think of it as your personal scout for impossible-to-get tables. You tell it exactly what you want—restaurant, date, time—and it watches like a hawk. The moment someone cancels or the restaurant releases new inventory, you get an instant notification. It’s like having insider access without the insider connections.

For American Express cardholders, Global Dining Access opens doors that stay closed to everyone else. You’ll see reservation slots before they go public and get access to special seating arrangements that make your dining experience even more memorable.

The Hit List works like a wishlist for your taste buds. Save restaurants that catch your eye, and Resy will keep track of their availability patterns. It’s perfect for building your dining bucket list and staying on top of when those dream tables open up.

The newer Find Tab transforms the app from a booking tool into a dining findy platform. Here’s where Resy‘s editorial team really shows their expertise, curating restaurant stories and guides that help you find places you never knew existed. It’s like having a food-obsessed friend who always knows the best spots.

Wallet integration keeps things smooth when you’re ready to book. Your payment information stays secure, and completing reservations becomes as simple as a few taps.

Step-by-Step: Making Your First Resy

Your first Resy booking doesn’t have to be intimidating. The process flows naturally once you understand how the app thinks.

Start with the search filters—city, date, time, and party size are your basics. But don’t skip the advanced filters for cuisine type and price range. They’ll save you from scrolling through options that don’t match what you’re craving.

When browsing results, pay attention to more than just availability. Resy‘s editorial descriptions often reveal what makes each restaurant worth booking. Maybe it’s the chef’s background, the signature dish, or the atmosphere that sets it apart.

Selecting your time slot requires a bit of strategy. Popular spots show limited availability, so flexibility with timing can be your best friend. Sometimes moving dinner 30 minutes earlier opens up perfect tables.

The booking confirmation process is straightforward—enter your contact details, add any special requests, and Resy handles the rest. You’ll get a confirmation code and email with all the details you need.

The beauty of Resy continues after booking. Need to modify or cancel? The app makes changes simple, usually allowing adjustments up to a few hours before your reservation.

Resy Ratings & Privacy Explained

Resy‘s approach to ratings breaks the mold of traditional review systems. Instead of public reviews that everyone can read, Resy operates a closed-loop system where your feedback goes directly to the restaurant.

After dining, you’ll rate your experience on a 5-star scale and choose what drove your rating: Food, Service, Vibe, or Other. You can also leave detailed comments, but here’s the key—only the restaurant sees your specific feedback.

This system encourages honest, constructive feedback. You don’t have to worry about your review affecting a restaurant’s public reputation, so you can be more genuine about both positives and areas for improvement. Restaurants get actionable insights without the pressure of public judgment.

Your data privacy stays protected through Resy‘s strict privacy policies. While they collect information like your contact details, reservation history, and dining preferences, this data remains linked to your account and isn’t shared in ways that compromise your anonymity.

Comparing Resy and Traditional Reservation Platforms

Feature	Resy	Traditional Platforms
Restaurant Focus	Premium, curated establishments	Broad coverage, all price points
Cost for Restaurants	Lower per-cover fees	Higher commission structure
Editorial Content	Integrated dining guides and stories	Basic restaurant information
Waitlist Tools	Priority Notify, Hit List	Standard waitlist functionality
Credit Card Integration	American Express benefits and perks	Limited financial services integration
Review System	Closed-loop, restaurant-only visibility	Public reviews and ratings
Global Coverage	80 cities, 16,000+ restaurants	Broader geographic coverage

The difference comes down to Resy‘s focus on quality dining experiences rather than trying to be everything to everyone. It’s the platform you choose when the meal matters as much as the company you’re sharing it with.

Resy for Restaurants: Tools, Data Privacy & Competitive Edge

When you’re running a restaurant, every table matters. Resy understands this reality and has built their platform specifically to help restaurant operators maximize both their seating efficiency and guest satisfaction.

The heart of Resy‘s restaurant offering lies in their Advanced Analytics suite. This isn’t just basic reservation tracking—it’s sophisticated business intelligence that reveals patterns you might never notice otherwise. Restaurant managers can dive deep into their reservation data to understand peak times, guest preferences, and seasonal trends.

One particularly valuable feature is the My Restaurant Ratings dashboard. Unlike public review platforms that can damage your reputation with a single bad review, Resy‘s closed-loop system keeps guest feedback between you and your diners. Guests rate their experience on a 5-star scale and can highlight specific areas like food quality, service, or atmosphere.

Resy recommends that managers review these reports monthly with their teams. It’s a smart approach—regular feedback sessions help maintain service standards and catch issues before they become bigger problems.

The financial benefits are equally compelling. Resy reportedly offers better cost structures than many reservation platforms, helping restaurants manage their technology expenses without sacrificing functionality. For establishments operating on tight margins, these savings can make a real difference.

What truly sets Resy apart is their editorial marketing approach. How Resy is using editorial content to differentiate their platform includes featuring partner restaurants in carefully curated dining guides and neighborhood spotlights. This means your restaurant doesn’t just get listed—it gets storytelling that attracts the right kind of diners.

The platform’s inventory controls give you complete flexibility over your reservation availability. You can release tables strategically, hold prime slots for VIP guests, or adjust availability based on staffing levels. It’s table management that actually adapts to how restaurants really operate.

Operator-Only Features That Matter

Behind the scenes, Resy provides restaurant operators with tools designed by people who understand the hospitality business. The cover optimization feature analyzes your booking patterns and suggests ways to maximize seating efficiency during different service periods.

Shift reports become invaluable for tracking performance across different days and service times. You can spot trends that help with staffing decisions and identify which periods generate the most revenue per table.

The SMS confirmation system tackles one of every restaurant’s biggest headaches: no-shows. Automated reminders significantly reduce the number of guests who simply forget their reservations, protecting your revenue and allowing you to better predict actual covers.

CRM export functionality ensures you’re not locked into Resy‘s ecosystem. You can download guest data to integrate with your existing customer relationship management systems, enabling personalized marketing and follow-up communications that keep diners coming back.

These tools work together to create a comprehensive hospitality management system that focuses on what matters most: taking great care of your guests while running a profitable operation.

Troubleshooting, Updates & Future Outlook for Resy

Even with Resy‘s impressive 4.8-star rating, no app is perfect. Users sometimes run into frustrating hiccups that can turn a simple reservation into a headache.

The most common complaint involves buggy UI elements that make navigation feel clunky. Some users describe the app as looking sleeker than it actually performs, especially when trying to set up Priority Notify alerts for specific restaurants and time slots. Finding your way through expired notifications in the Hit List can feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack during busy booking periods.

Priority Notify lags represent another pain point for diners trying to snag coveted reservations. When notifications arrive late or don’t trigger properly, you might miss out on that table you’ve been waiting weeks to book. This timing issue becomes particularly frustrating for popular restaurants where tables disappear within minutes.

Many users also criticize the lack of menu information available through the app. Unlike some platforms that display detailed menus and pricing, Resy often leaves diners guessing about what they’ll actually be eating. This restaurant-focused approach aligns with their premium positioning, but it can leave potential guests feeling underprepared for their dining experience.

Recent updates have started addressing these concerns. The introduction of the new Find Tab in 2024 brought editorial content and restaurant stories directly into the app, helping bridge the information gap that many users complained about. AI-powered recommendations are also being tested to provide more personalized dining suggestions based on your booking history.

Resy Support Channels

When things go wrong with your Resy experience, you’ve got several ways to get help. The help center serves as your first stop, offering comprehensive guides for common questions and technical hiccups that might derail your booking plans.

If you need more personalized assistance, the app support link connects you directly with technical support right from within the app. This streamlined approach means you don’t have to hunt around for contact information when you’re dealing with a booking emergency.

For more detailed inquiries or complex problems, email assistance through [email protected] provides thorough problem resolution. The support team typically responds within a reasonable timeframe, though response times can vary during peak dining seasons.

Social media DMs offer another quick option for general questions and support. Resy‘s social media team maintains responsive channels that can often resolve simple issues faster than traditional support methods.

What’s Next for Resy & Diners

The future of Resy looks increasingly intertwined with American Express’s broader dining strategy. Deeper AMEX perks are in development, promising even more exclusive access and benefits for cardmembers who use the platform regularly.

International strategy remains somewhat uncertain following the UK shutdown announcement for August 2024. Rather than pursuing aggressive global expansion, Resy appears to be focusing on markets where they can maintain their quality standards and premium positioning. This selective approach might mean slower growth, but it should result in better user experiences in supported cities.

Sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly important as both restaurants and diners become more environmentally conscious. Resy is exploring ways to help users make more sustainable dining choices through their platform, though specific features haven’t been announced yet.

The integration of expanded street food tours and more casual dining experiences could broaden Resy‘s appeal while maintaining their focus on curated, high-quality experiences. This expansion would help the platform serve food enthusiasts across different price points and dining styles.

Frequently Asked Questions about Resy

How does Resy differ from other reservation apps?

Resy takes a completely different approach by focusing on quality over quantity. Instead of trying to list every restaurant in town, they curate premium establishments that prioritize hospitality and exceptional dining experiences.

The platform combines reservation technology with editorial content, so you’re not just booking a table—you’re finding stories and insights about the restaurants you visit. Their closed-loop rating system keeps individual reviews private between guests and restaurants, encouraging honest feedback without public shaming.

American Express cardmember benefits add another layer of exclusivity, offering early access to reservations and special perks that you won’t find on other platforms.

What regions currently support Resy bookings?

Resy operates in 80 cities worldwide, serving over 16,000 restaurants globally. The platform has strong coverage across major US cities, with select international locations in key dining destinations.

However, the landscape is shifting. The company announced they’re shutting down UK operations by August 2024, signaling a strategic focus on core markets where they can maintain their service quality standards. This approach means Resy prioritizes doing fewer markets really well rather than spreading themselves too thin across the globe.

How secure is my personal data on Resy?

Resy takes data security seriously, using industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information. The platform collects basic details like your contact information, reservation history, and dining preferences to improve your experience.

What sets them apart is their approach to privacy in reviews. Your individual identity remains completely private in their rating system—restaurants can see feedback trends, but they can’t connect specific reviews to individual diners. This guest anonymity encourages honest feedback while protecting your privacy.

Your personal data isn’t shared publicly in reviews or ratings, and Resy maintains strict privacy policies about how your information is used and shared with third parties.

Conclusion

The world of dining has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and Resy stands at the forefront of this revolution. What started as a simple idea to improve restaurant reservations has evolved into something much more meaningful—a gateway to extraordinary culinary experiences.

Resy‘s journey from startup to American Express acquisition tells a story about understanding what diners truly want. It’s not just about booking a table; it’s about accessing experiences that create lasting memories. The platform’s focus on premium establishments and curated content reflects a deeper understanding of modern food culture.

For restaurants, Resy offers more than technology—it provides partnership. The platform’s closed-loop rating system protects establishments while providing valuable feedback. Their editorial support helps restaurants tell their stories in ways that resonate with discerning diners.

The American Express integration has liftd Resy beyond a simple booking platform. Cardmembers gain access to exclusive reservations and special perks, while restaurants benefit from a customer base that values premium experiences. This symbiotic relationship creates value for everyone involved.

Looking ahead, Resy‘s commitment to quality over quantity positions them perfectly for the future of dining. As travelers become more sophisticated and seek authentic culinary trips, platforms that prioritize curation over convenience will thrive.

The platform’s recent innovations—like AI-powered recommendations and improved editorial content—show they’re not resting on their success. They’re continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of modern diners who want more than just a meal.

At The Dining Destination, we’ve seen how Resy transforms the way people find and experience restaurants. The platform doesn’t just book tables; it opens doors to culinary trips that might otherwise remain hidden.

Whether you’re planning an intimate anniversary dinner or exploring a new city’s food scene, Resy provides the tools and access that serious food lovers need. The platform’s combination of sophisticated technology and human curation creates experiences that go far beyond traditional dining.

As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, Resy remains our top recommendation for food enthusiasts who understand that great dining experiences are worth seeking out. The platform’s dedication to excellence mirrors our own commitment to helping travelers find extraordinary culinary trips around the world.

For more info about travel inspiration, explore our comprehensive guides to global culinary destinations and find how the right tools can transform your food tourism journeys into unforgettable experiences.