OpenTable Reviews: The Restaurant Owner's Complete Guide

The Most Trusted Reviews in the Restaurant Industry

Every review platform has a credibility problem — except OpenTable. On Google, anyone with a Gmail account can leave a review. On Yelp, anonymous users can post without ever visiting. On Facebook, a recommendation could come from someone who drove past your restaurant once.

OpenTable is different. Every single review comes from a verified diner — someone who booked a reservation through OpenTable and actually showed up. No fake reviews, no competitors gaming the system, no drive-by 1-stars from people who've never eaten your food.

For restaurant owners, that makes OpenTable reviews uniquely valuable. They're the most trusted signal a potential diner can find — and they directly influence whether someone books a table at your restaurant or scrolls to the next option. This guide covers how OpenTable reviews work, why they matter more than you think, and six strategies to consistently get more of them.

How OpenTable Reviews Work

Before diving into strategy, let's understand the mechanics. OpenTable's review system is different from other platforms in several important ways:

Who Can Leave a Review

Only diners who completed a reservation through OpenTable can leave a review. OpenTable sends an automated email after the meal inviting the diner to rate their experience. This is the primary way reviews are collected — and it means your review volume is directly tied to your reservation volume.

What the Review Includes

OpenTable reviews include:

• Overall rating: 1–5 stars
• Category ratings: Food, Service, Ambiance, and Value — each rated individually
• Written review: Optional text feedback about their experience
• Noise level: Diners can indicate whether the restaurant was quiet, moderate, or loud

How Reviews Affect Your Ranking

OpenTable's search algorithm weighs several factors, but reviews are critical:

• Recent reviews matter more. A restaurant with 20 reviews in the last 30 days ranks higher than one with 200 reviews but none in the past 3 months. Review velocity is key.
• Overall rating affects visibility. Restaurants with higher average ratings appear more prominently in search results and "Best of" lists.
• Review count builds credibility. More reviews = more social proof = more bookings. OpenTable displays review counts prominently on every listing.

Why OpenTable Reviews Matter for Your Restaurant

If you're already focused on Google reviews (and you should be), you might wonder whether OpenTable reviews deserve separate attention. They absolutely do — here's why:

OpenTable Diners Are High-Intent Customers

Someone browsing OpenTable isn't casually exploring — they're actively looking to book a table. These are high-intent diners with credit cards ready. A strong review profile on OpenTable converts browsers into reservations more directly than almost any other platform.

Reviews Drive Reservation Volume

OpenTable processes over 1 billion seated diners per year. Your review profile is the first thing potential diners see when they find your restaurant on the platform. A restaurant with 150 reviews averaging 4.5 stars will consistently outperform a comparable restaurant with 30 reviews averaging 4.2 stars — even if the food is identical.

The Verified Badge Carries Weight

OpenTable prominently labels every review as "Verified Diner." In an era of fake reviews and AI-generated content, that verification badge carries enormous trust. Diners know the feedback is real — which makes your positive reviews more persuasive and your overall rating more meaningful.

Key insight: OpenTable reviews and Google reviews serve different audiences. OpenTable captures serious diners actively booking reservations. Google captures local discovery — people searching "Italian restaurants near me." You need both to fill tables consistently.

6 Strategies to Get More OpenTable Reviews

OpenTable sends its own post-meal review request email, which helps. But relying solely on OpenTable's automated email means leaving reviews on the table (literally). Here are six strategies to supplement that and boost your review volume.

1. Optimize Your OpenTable Profile

Before asking for reviews, make sure your profile gives the best possible first impression:

• Professional photos: Upload high-quality images of your food, interior, and signature dishes. Listings with photos get significantly more clicks than those without.
• Compelling description: Write a description that captures your restaurant's personality — not just what you serve, but the experience you offer.
• Accurate hours and menus: Nothing frustrates a diner more than outdated information. Keep everything current.
• Special tags: Use OpenTable's tags (outdoor seating, private dining, prix fixe, etc.) to help diners find you for specific occasions.

A polished profile doesn't just attract more diners — it sets expectations correctly, leading to better experiences and better reviews.

2. Send Post-Dinner Follow-Ups via Email or SMS

OpenTable sends its own review request email, but it often arrives the next morning — by which time the dining experience has faded. The sweet spot for a review request is 2–3 hours after the reservation, when the meal is fresh and the diner is relaxing at home.

A short, genuine message works best:

"Thanks for dining with us tonight! If you have 30 seconds, an OpenTable review helps other diners find us — and means a lot to our team. [link]"

StarFlywheel automates these follow-ups and times them perfectly. One system handles review requests for OpenTable, Google, Yelp, and Facebook — so you're not juggling four different outreach workflows.

3. Place QR Codes on Check Presenters and Table Tents

The moment a diner receives the check is the ideal time to ask for a review. They've finished their meal, they're waiting for the card to process, and they're already on their phone. A QR code inside the check presenter or on a small table tent makes leaving a review a 30-second task.

You can create a QR code that links directly to your OpenTable review page — or use StarFlywheel to generate branded QR codes that route to the platform where you need reviews most.

Placement ideas beyond the check presenter:

• Table tents near the salt and pepper
• Small cards tucked into takeout bags (for OpenTable pickup orders)
• The host stand — visible while guests wait for their table
• Restroom signage (diners are on their phones anyway)

4. Train Front-of-House Staff to Mention Reviews

A genuine, personal ask from a server or host is one of the most effective review tactics — and it costs nothing. The key is timing and tone:

• When: During the goodbye, not during the meal. "Thanks for coming in tonight — if you enjoyed it, we'd love an OpenTable review" feels natural at the end of the experience.
• Who: The server who built a rapport with the table, or the host during farewell. Not a manager they've never met.
• How: Keep it casual and genuine. "If you have a minute, an OpenTable review really helps us out" is plenty. No scripts, no pressure.

Combine the verbal ask with a QR code and you've made it effortless for the diner to follow through.

5. Respond to OpenTable Reviews

OpenTable allows restaurant owners to respond to reviews publicly. Use this feature — every time.

• Positive reviews: A quick, personalized thank-you shows diners you value their feedback. "Thanks for the kind words about our risotto, Maria — Chef David will be thrilled! Hope to see you again soon." Specific beats generic.
• Negative reviews: Respond professionally and empathetically. Acknowledge the issue, apologize where appropriate, and offer to make it right. "We're sorry the service didn't meet your expectations on Saturday — that's not the experience we aim for. We'd love the chance to welcome you back. Please reach out to us at [email]."

Responding to reviews signals to potential diners that you care about the experience — and it encourages others to leave reviews knowing the restaurant is paying attention.

6. Use a Multi-Platform Review Tool

If you're checking OpenTable, Google, Yelp, and Facebook separately for new reviews, you're wasting valuable time — time that could be spent running your restaurant.

StarFlywheel brings all four platforms into one dashboard:

• Monitor new reviews across OpenTable, Google, Yelp, and Facebook in real time
• Automate review requests via SMS and email — timed for maximum response rates
• Track review velocity, average ratings, and trends over time
• Generate QR codes that route to the platform where you need reviews most

Starting at $0/month, it's built for restaurants that want more reviews without more work.

OpenTable vs. Google Reviews: You Need Both

A common question: "Should I focus on OpenTable or Google reviews?" The answer is both — because they serve different purposes.

Factor	OpenTable Reviews	Google Reviews
Audience	Diners actively booking reservations	Local searchers discovering restaurants
Verification	Verified diners only	Anyone with a Google account
Impact	Reservation conversion	Local search ranking (Google Maps, Local Pack)
Review Format	Stars + category ratings (Food, Service, Ambiance, Value)	Stars + text
Reach	OpenTable platform users	Everyone searching Google
Best For	Fine dining, upscale casual, reservation-driven restaurants	All restaurants — especially casual and walk-in

The takeaway: OpenTable reviews convert serious diners into reservations. Google reviews drive local discovery and bring new customers to your door. A restaurant with strong reviews on both platforms has the complete picture covered. StarFlywheel manages both — plus Yelp and Facebook — from a single dashboard.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These pitfalls are more common than you'd think — and they can hurt your OpenTable standing.

Offering Incentives for Reviews

Don't do this. Offering discounts, free desserts, or any incentive in exchange for a review violates OpenTable's terms of service. If flagged, your restaurant can face penalties — including removal of reviews or suspension from the platform. The same rule applies to Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Earn reviews through great experiences and easy ask processes, not bribes.

Only Asking Happy Tables

It's tempting to only nudge the tables that are clearly delighted. But cherry-picking limits your review volume, and OpenTable's algorithm rewards consistent review flow. Place QR codes on every table and send follow-ups to every diner. Volume matters alongside quality.

Ignoring Negative Reviews

An unanswered negative review on OpenTable tells every potential diner that you don't care about their experience. A thoughtful response, on the other hand, demonstrates accountability and professionalism. According to ReviewTrackers, 67% of consumers say they'd change a negative review if the business responded well. Always respond.

Neglecting Your OpenTable Profile

Outdated photos, a generic description, and incorrect hours set your restaurant up for disappointed diners — which leads to negative reviews. Treat your OpenTable profile like your front door: keep it inviting, accurate, and up to date.

Relying Only on OpenTable's Automated Email

OpenTable sends its own post-dining review request, but not every diner opens it. Supplementing with your own SMS follow-up (timed 2–3 hours post-meal) and QR codes at the table significantly increases your review rate. StarFlywheel handles this automatically.

Turn Verified Diners Into Your Best Marketing

OpenTable reviews are some of the most trusted in the restaurant industry. Every review comes from someone who actually sat at your table, ate your food, and experienced your service. That level of verification is rare — and incredibly valuable.

The restaurants that consistently fill tables through OpenTable aren't just cooking great food. They have a system: an optimized profile, well-timed review requests, trained staff, and a tool that brings it all together.

StarFlywheel makes that system effortless. Collect reviews on OpenTable, Google, Yelp, and Facebook from one dashboard. Automate follow-ups. Generate QR codes. Track your growth. Starting at $0/month — built for restaurants like yours.