The new offering turns a once time-consuming process into a seamless booking experience for both diners and restaurants

OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant tech, announced the launch of its new all-in-one marketplace for private and group dining. The product replaces scattered searches, calls, and emails with one reliable hub – making it easier for diners to plan large gatherings and for restaurants to drive revenue with less friction.

Booking a group or private dining space has traditionally meant hours of online research, followed by multiple layers of communication and guesswork. OpenTable’s new survey* of U.S. consumers found it takes an average of 17 hours to find and book the right venue for private and group dining. More than two-thirds (68%) said they’d organize more events if the process were easier, while nearly half (42%) of respondents said they’ve abandoned booking altogether due to the hassle.

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Offering an intuitive city discovery page, diners can browse and compare private dining rooms, semi-private spaces, and large group tables, along with transparent pricing, menus, ambiance details, capacity and imagery. In a first for reservation platforms, a growing selection of venues within the marketplace will offer instant booking, enabling diners to view real-time availability and secure their booking in seconds. For restaurants, the marketplace will generate incremental large booking leads through an easy set up, helping to generate more revenue.

“We’ve heard countless times that searching for and booking large group and private dining is frustrating and complicated for both restaurants and diners. It’s been an overlooked area of the industry that is ripe for innovation,” said Amy Wei, Chief Operating Officer for OpenTable. “Our marketplace is the perfect place to source profitable leads for restaurants and connect diners to exactly what they’re looking for. Now, it’s simple and seamless for restaurants to grow revenue and maximize underutilized private dining spaces.”

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OpenTable’s consumer research* underscores the demand behind the launch. Birthdays, family gatherings, and corporate events – including company celebrations, client meetings and team bonding – were identified as the most common drivers of private dining reservations. Almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) said they would rather host a group dinner at a restaurant than at home, and 66% reported they are willing to spend more per person for a private or group dining venue than they would a la carte at a restaurant. Together, these findings point to a shift in how consumers want to celebrate and gather, and the untapped potential for restaurants.