For Restaurants, Bistros & Private Dining

Your Restaurant's
AI Receptionist

An unanswered call can be a table you didn't fill. Our AI answers menu and hours questions 24/7 and takes table requests as messages your host confirms, so your team can stay on the floor where it matters.

  • Takes table requests for your host around the clock
  • Handles large-party and private dining inquiries
  • Answers menu, dietary & event questions from your notes
  • Briefs your manager before transferring a call

30-minute onboarding call · First month free on Essential and Growth · Monthly plans cancel anytime

Demo call recording

Fine Dining Restaurant AI Demo

Demo call: hear the agent answer menu and private dining questions, then take a birthday dinner request for the events manager.

A recorded demo call: the receptionist is an AI.

SonaHi, this is Mia at the Rustic Bistro. How can I help you today?

0:00/5:19

Sat

Evening Requested

Noted

Events Manager Callback

Read the full transcript
  1. 0:00

    SonaHi, this is Mia at the Rustic Bistro. How can I help you today?

  2. 0:05

    SonaAre you calling to make a reservation, ask a question about the restaurant, or place a takeout order?

  3. 0:12

    CallerHi Mia, this is Mimi. I'm calling because I'm looking for a restaurant for a small celebration and I wanted to get some information before making a reservation.

  4. 0:24

    SonaOkay, Mimi, I can help with that. What kind of celebration are you planning?

  5. 0:30

    CallerIt's actually my husband's birthday, and we're thinking about having a nice dinner with close friends. Nothing too formal, but still special, hopefully.

  6. 0:41

    SonaThat sounds lovely, Mimi. Great. And how many people are you expecting for your husband's birthday dinner?

  7. 0:50

    CallerProbably around 10 to 12 people.

  8. 0:53

    SonaGot it. 10 to 12 is a nice size. Are you thinking about a regular dinner reservation, or were you considering a semi-private or private dining option?

  9. 1:06

    CallerOoh, I didn't even realize you offered private options. Can you tell me more about that?

  10. 1:12

    SonaYes, we have a semi-private dining area that can comfortably seat up to 14 guests.

  11. 1:19

    SonaIt's separated from the main dining room so it feels more intimate but still has a nice atmosphere. Would you like to know about costs or the menu next?

  12. 1:31

    CallerThat actually sounds ideal. Is there an extra cost for that space?

  13. 1:36

    SonaThere's no room fee, but we do have a minimum spend depending on the day and time.

  14. 1:41

    SonaWould you like to hear what the typical minimum is for evenings and weekends?

  15. 1:48

    CallerYes, please.

  16. 1:50

    SonaFor evenings and weekends, it's typically around $800 total, including food and drinks. Would you like to talk about the menu options for your group?

  17. 2:04

    CallerYes, that actually sounds good. Tell me more.

  18. 2:08

    SonaYes. Our menu is modern Mediterranean, with plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, and we can also create a custom set menu just for your group if you'd like.

  19. 2:18

    SonaDo you or your guests have any dietary restrictions or preferences I should keep in mind?

  20. 2:28

    CallerA set menu actually might be easier. How does that work?

  21. 2:33

    SonaSure. For a custom set menu, we usually offer two or three choices for each course starters, mains and desserts, and then your guests can pick their favorites either ahead of time or on the day.

  22. 2:44

    SonaWould you like to go ahead and use the semi-private area for your husband's birthday or are you still deciding?

  23. 2:54

    CallerI'm actually wondering if you accommodate allergies as well.

  24. 3:00

    SonaYes, we take allergies very seriously. Our kitchen team is happy to make adjustments as long as we know ahead of time.

  25. 3:08

    SonaAre you leaning toward booking the semi-private space for the birthday dinner?

  26. 3:16

    CallerUm, maybe, but I'm also wondering what about the drinks? Like, do you offer wine pairings or cocktail packages?

  27. 3:25

    SonaYes.

  28. 3:26

    CallerWhat do you do in terms of drinks?

  29. 3:29

    SonaYes, we do. We have optional wine pairings for each course, as well as a customized cocktail menu if you'd like something more festive.

  30. 3:37

    SonaAre you thinking more about wine, cocktails, or just a standard drinks menu for the group?

  31. 3:47

    CallerWe'll decide that when we're there or maybe prior to it. I am wondering also, is there a time limit for the reservation?

  32. 4:01

    SonaThere's no strict time limit, but for larger groups, we usually plan on about two to two and a half hours so you can relax and enjoy the evening.

  33. 4:09

    SonaAre you feeling ready to book the semi-private space or do you prefer a regular reservation for now?

  34. 4:19

    CallerI think the semi-private space sounds good.

  35. 4:23

    SonaFor parties of eight or more, we like to ensure you have the best experience with a dedicated server.

  36. 4:29

    SonaLet me take a few details and our events manager will call you back shortly to arrange everything. Do you already have a date in mind?

  37. 4:41

    CallerWe were thinking about Saturday the 22nd in the evening.

  38. 4:47

    SonaOkay, Saturday the 22nd in the evening. Got it. Mimi, can I get your full name, please?

  39. 4:56

    CallerIt's Mimi Anderson.

  40. 4:59

    SonaThanks, Mimi Anderson. What's the best phone number for our events manager to reach you?

  41. 5:08

    CallerIt's, uh, [phone number].

  42. 5:14

    SonaThank you for calling the Rustic Bistro. Have a great day.

  • 7 PM

    Mid-Rush Calls

  • Brief

    Before Transfer

  • 24/7

    Answering

  • None

    Setup Fee

Built for Hospitality

Everything Your Restaurant Needs

From the first call to a request your host confirms, our AI handles the phone so your team can deliver an exceptional dining experience.

  • 24/7 Table Requests

    Guests can ask for a table at any hour: late nights, weekends, holidays. Your host stand doesn't need to be staffed for requests to come in, and your host confirms each one.

  • Several Calls at Once

    Friday at seven, one caller wants the patio and another is running late. Sona takes several calls at once, up to your plan's limit, all without tying up your staff.

  • Warm Transfer to Your Manager

    A supplier, a complaint, a caterer on a deadline. Sona rings the person you choose, tells them who is calling and why, then connects the call. If nobody answers, it takes a message.

  • Menu & Event Inquiries

    Sona answers questions about the menu, dietary options, private dining and special events from your notes, and takes a message when they don't cover it, freeing your team to focus on the dining room.

  • Special Occasion Handling

    Sona captures dietary restrictions, allergies, seating preferences, celebrations and custom requests with each table request, so your host has them before calling the guest back.

  • Group & Private Dining

    Sona handles inquiries for large parties and private events, collects the date, headcount and budget, and routes each one to the right person with a warm transfer or a message.

Works for Any Type of Restaurant

Fine dining, casual bistro or a neighborhood favorite: our AI adapts to your style, your menu and your house policies.

  • Fine Dining
  • Casual Bistro
  • Italian & Pizza
  • Asian Cuisine
  • Steakhouse
  • Seafood
  • Brunch & Café
  • Private Events

How It Works

From missed call to a table request your host confirms.

  1. Guest Calls In

    A guest calls to book a table or ask about the menu. When the host can't pick up, the call forwards to your Sona number and Sona answers, saying first that it's an AI.

  2. AI Takes the Request

    Collects the guest's name and number, party size, date, time, dietary needs and special occasions. Answers questions from your notes, or briefs your manager and transfers the call.

  3. Your Host Confirms the Table

    The request, the transcript and a call summary wait in your dashboard. Your host checks the book and calls the guest back to confirm.

Made for Restaurants

Two example calls, for operations teams tired of a ringing phone.

  • Example · After hours

    A guest calls after close to ask whether the patio is open for Sunday brunch and whether dogs are welcome.

    What Sona did

    Sona answered both from the notes the restaurant gave it, then took a request for a patio table for four, for the host to confirm in the morning.

  • Example · Mid-service

    A caller planning a rehearsal dinner wants to know whether the back room can be booked on a Friday in June.

    What Sona did

    Sona took the date, headcount and budget, rang the events manager with a one-line brief, and when she didn't accept the call, left the inquiry in the inbox as a message.

Restaurant AI Receptionist FAQ

What restaurant operators ask before switching the phone over.

First month free on Essential and Growth

Ready to Keep Your Team
on the Floor, Every Night?

See how the AI will handle your restaurant's calls on a 30-minute onboarding call. An Essential or Growth plan started there has its first month free.

No setup fee · Metered per second · Monthly plans cancel anytime