Diners can now order and pay for takeout meals right in the OpenTable app with a new offering aimed at bringing your favorite restaurants home in a few simple taps. As restaurants do everything they can to offer safer, more distanced options, OpenTable is working to make takeout as easy as possible for both restaurants and diners.
For restaurants like Denver global spot TAG — one of the places launching takeout on OpenTable as part of its new service — offering takeout is a lifeline.
“We’re optimistic that things will start to open up and obviously we’re hopeful that the cases will go down, but we’re also thinking this is the way things are for the foreseeable future,” TAG Restaurant Group’s marketing and PR director Beth Windle says. “So once the weather turns on us and we lose patio sales, we are going to be completely focused on takeout.”
Many restaurants across the country are also already taking part in takeout on OpenTable, from Cranes in Washington D.C. to Chou Chou Bistro in San Francisco. Here’s a sample of how it all works and what you can find.
How it works
To see which restaurants offer takeout and what you can order, head to the OpenTable app or website and navigate to the “Delivery & Takeout” tab on the home page. From there, you’ll see a carousel marked “Order takeout,” where you can find a list of participating restaurants in your area.
Clicking on a restaurant will send you to its profile page, and an “Order takeout” module will appear towards the bottom of the page. Tap “Start takeout order” to begin choosing your menu items and adding them to your cart, then checkout and pay right from OpenTable in minutes.
Once you place your order, you’ll receive a confirmation pop-up on your screen and an email, both of which give you an estimated pick-up time. To check the status of your order, simply head back to the confirmation screen on the app or website and look for the green checkmark next to “Ready for pickup.”
Restaurants to try
Pasta Brioni in Scottsdale
Modeled after East Coast-style, old-school Italian restaurants, Pasta Brioni serves up highly regarded red sauce classics such as chicken parm, lasagna, and margherita pizza for takeout.
Pasta Eater in New York City
A modernized pasta spot in New York City’s Union Square, Pasta Eater’s menu is chock full of pasta’s greatest hits, from cacio e pepe to lasagna. The best part? They’re all handmade.
Villa Azur in Miami
Located in the heart of Miami Beach, Villa Azur’s French-Mediterranean dishes and chic, French Riviera-like atmosphere have lured raucous crowds since 2012. Takeout dishes add a little luxe to date night, with options such as truffle burrata, branzino with sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, and beef tartare with caper remoulade, plus an extensive wine menu with over 100 options.
Why now
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed dining as we know it. Restaurants that previously focused only on dine-in have started offering meals to be picked up, and they’re doing so in more inventive ways than ever. Diners can now enjoy everything from award-winning dishes to local favorites from the comfort of their own homes, helping to create both a sense of normalcy and a way to support their neighborhood restaurants.
Ordering takeout allows diners to pay restaurants directly for their meals, so the majority of profits go to the restaurant, which receives the funds within the next few days. This eliminates high fees typically associated with delivery services and ensures that your money is going to the restaurant. To help restaurants get back on their feet, OpenTable is waiving all subscription and cover fees through 2020.
Whether you prefer to eat at home right now or you’re just tired after a long day, takeout is here to provide the comfort and convenience you need. For more information check out these FAQs, then head to the app or site to find standout takeout options near you. If your restaurant wants to offer takeout on OpenTable, get started here.
