Reserve

How Reserve Works

We partner with NYC's best restaurants to fill their empty tables. You get paid (as cash back) when you help.

Most diners never lose their deposit—it's only charged if demand drops significantly or you don't show up.

Book in 4 simple steps

1

Browse tables

Find reservations at top restaurants. Green badges show cash back amounts.

2

Secure your spot

We place a temporary hold on your card. For cash-back tables, this is released after you dine.

3

Dine as usual

Pay the restaurant directly. No minimum spend, order whatever you like.

4

Get paid

Cash back hits your wallet the next day after the restaurant confirms you showed up.

For cash-back reservations

Two types of reservations

Every restaurant on Reserve offers both types. Price depends on demand—the same restaurant might pay you for Tuesday dinner and charge a fee for Saturday night.

Earn $29

Off-peak times

Book a slower time and we'll pay you cash back. The money is credited to your Reserve wallet after you dine.

  • Tuesday dinner, weekday lunch
  • Early (5pm) or late (9:30pm+) seatings
  • Last-minute availability

New cash-back tables appear daily.

$75

Prime-time tables

Secure a hard-to-get slot. Pay the reservation fee upfront and dine when you want.

  • Friday and Saturday nights
  • Peak 7–9pm seatings
  • Special occasions & holidays

Where does the money come from? 100% of prime-time fees are paid back to diners who book cash-back tables—Reserve and restaurants don't keep any of it. Restaurants pay Reserve a separate commission for every additional guest we send them.

Here's an example

You book a 5pm table for 4 at Miss Ada on a Thursday—a cash-back reservation.

  • 1.We place a $200 hold on your card ($50 per guest) to secure the table. This isn't charged unless you no-show.
  • 2.You show up, order whatever you want, and pay the restaurant directly for your meal.
  • 3.The hold is released and $29 cash back hits your Reserve wallet the next day.
  • 4.Withdraw to your bank in one tap, or use it toward your next reservation.

Cash back means real cash

This isn't a loyalty program with restrictions. It's actual money.

Real cash

Withdraw your balance to your bank account anytime—no minimum, no waiting period.

Not a discount

Your restaurant bill is completely separate. Cash back isn't tied to how much you spend.

Not a gift card

No restrictions on where or how you use it. It's your money.

Flexible cancellations

Unlike other platforms, we don't have strict cutoff times. Your refund depends on current demand for that table.

If demand is high

Cancel and get a full refund. If the table is now worth more than when you booked, we'll credit you the difference—guaranteed.

If demand has dropped

Part of your deposit may be charged to cover the difference. You'll see the exact amount before confirming cancellation—no surprises.

If you don't show up

The full deposit is charged. Restaurants depend on these tables being filled.

Why this model? Traditional cancellation fees punish you for canceling late, even if the restaurant can easily fill the table. Our demand-based system means you're only charged when there's a real cost to the restaurant.

Why restaurants partner with us

We help restaurants fill tables that would otherwise sit empty—and they pay us a small commission for each guest we send.

Fill slow periods

Tuesday lunch and early weekday dinners are hard to fill. We bring guests exactly when restaurants need them most.

No discounts needed

Instead of offering happy hour specials that hurt their brand, incentives are funded by prime-time diners—not the restaurant.

Pay only for results

Restaurants pay a commission only when we fill their table. Zero upfront cost, zero risk.

Common questions

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When do I get paid?

Cash back is credited to your Reserve wallet the day after your reservation, once the restaurant confirms you showed up.

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How do I withdraw my cash back?

Your Reserve wallet balance is real cash. Withdraw to your bank account in one tap—no minimum amount, no waiting period, no restrictions.

?

Is there a minimum spend at the restaurant?

No. Order whatever you like, tip as you normally would. The cash back you earn is completely separate from your restaurant bill—it's not tied to how much you spend.

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What's the deposit for?

The deposit (a temporary hold on your card) secures your table. For cash-back reservations, it's released automatically after you dine. It's only charged if demand drops significantly when you cancel, or if you don't show up.

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How often are cash-back tables available?

New cash-back opportunities appear daily, especially for weekday dinners, early/late seatings, and last-minute openings. The more flexible you are, the more you'll earn.

?

Are these the same restaurants as Resy?

Yes. We partner directly with popular NYC restaurants that use Resy. The tables are real, the experience is the same—we just add the ability to earn cash back or buy prime-time access.

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What cities do you cover?

We're currently NYC-only, focused on Manhattan and Brooklyn. More cities coming soon.

Ready to get paid to dine?

Browse cash-back tables at NYC's best restaurants—or secure a prime-time spot when you need it.

Browse restaurants