Best AI tools for restaurants
For most small restaurants, Square for Restaurants is the best place to start: its free plan includes online ordering, and it’s testing AI voice ordering that answers calls and sends orders to the kitchen. Slang AI is the pick if you want AI to answer every call and book reservations, and OpenTable is the reservations system many restaurants already use.
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The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Square for Restaurants | Orders and AI phone answering | Free; Plus US$49/mo |
| Slang AI | AI phone answering | See Slang AI’s pricing page |
| OpenTable | Reservations (no stated AI) | From US$149/mo |
Prices are each maker’s regular list price in US dollars, read on the date shown. We never convert currencies. Square’s paid plans are priced per location, and card fees are extra. Slang AI’s prices aren’t shown in US dollars.
1. Square for Restaurants: best overall
Why it stands out. Square Free has no monthly fee; you pay only processing fees. It includes menu management, pickup and local delivery, a branded online ordering page, and commission-free online orders. Square is testing two AI features: voice ordering, which answers calls and sends orders straight to the kitchen, and Square AI, which you can chat with for business recommendations based on your data. Plus is US$49 a month per location and Premium is US$149, each with a free 30-day trial.
Watch out. Voice ordering and Square AI are in beta. Kitchen display and kiosk apps cost extra per device, starting at US$20 a month, and aren’t available on Square Free.
Visit Square for Restaurants →
2. Slang AI: best AI phone answering
Why it stands out. Slang AI is a voice AI built for restaurants. It answers calls, takes reservations through platforms like OpenTable, SevenRooms, Yelp, and Resy, and sends guests text confirmations. It passes callers to your staff when they ask or when it can’t answer. Premium adds 97 languages and custom voices. For prices, see Slang AI’s pricing page.
Watch out. It’s priced for full-service restaurants with lots of calls; for a small takeout spot, Square’s voice ordering may be enough. Slang AI quotes prices per location.
3. OpenTable: best for reservations (no stated AI)
Why it stands out. OpenTable puts your restaurant in front of diners on its network and manages bookings in one place. Every plan includes your OpenTable listing, a booking widget, and automated reservation messages. Core (US$299 a month) adds table management, a waitlist, and POS integration. Pro (US$499 a month) adds guest profiles and automated email campaigns. On Core and Pro, you pay cover fees only for seated diners who find you through OpenTable, not for phone bookings, walk-ins, or no-shows.
Watch out. Contracts run one year and auto-renew. Basic (US$149 a month, US only) charges US$1.50 per cover after 30 days, even for bookings from your own website. OpenTable’s plans page doesn’t describe any AI features; it’s here for reservations.
How to choose
- Missing phone orders? Square’s voice ordering is built for that, but it’s still in beta.
- Taking bookings? OpenTable handles reservations, waitlists, and deposits.
- Phone ringing all night? Slang AI answers every call and books tables.
- Watch the fees. Compare card fees and per-cover fees, not just the monthly price.
Questions people ask
What is the best AI tool for restaurants?
For most small restaurants, Square for Restaurants. Its free plan covers online ordering, and its AI voice ordering, now in beta, answers calls and sends orders to the kitchen (checked October 2026).
Is Square free for restaurants?
Yes. Square Free has no monthly fee, and you pay processing fees on each payment. Plus is US$49 a month per location.
How much does OpenTable cost?
OpenTable’s plans are US$149, US$299, and US$499 a month, plus cover fees for diners who book through OpenTable. Contracts run one year.
Can AI answer restaurant phone calls?
Yes. Slang AI answers calls and books reservations; see Slang AI’s pricing page for prices. Square is testing AI voice ordering that takes orders by phone.
Related pages
- Best AI receptionist for small business
- Best AI scheduling assistant for appointments
- Customer chat & support tools
- How we pick
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