Eating out is always a treat, whether it be for a celebration such as a birthday or anniversary, a hot date or even just a catch-up with an old friend or family member. Special meals can be made even more memorable if you bag a hard to get reservation at an exclusive restaurant, secure the best table or even get more for your money by receiving money off your meal.

 

Lucy Taylor, head of restaurant relations at toptable, the leading consumer destination site for restaurant reservations in the UK, shares her top tips on how to ensure that you make the most of your dining experience:

 

Eat at a less popular time to bag a table: If you have always wanted to eat at that exclusive restaurant but have never been able to get a reservation why not to make a booking at a time that is less in demand such as dinner before 6pm, brunch or lunch.

 

The time of day and week that you go out can also have an impact on how much you spend with some restaurants offering mid-week or ‘early-bird’ special offers. Look out for toptable’s special 1,000 point booking slots at top restaurants that allows users to earn bonus points for booking at selected restaurants and times. Book two 1,000 point tables and receive a £10 dining cheque, which can be used at most restaurants on toptable

 

Don’t be afraid to make a special request: If you want to impress during your meal and make it a memorable experience, don’t be afraid to put in a special request upon booking. Are you celebrating? Tell the restaurant. Do you want that table by the window? Well why not go ahead and ask. It is however, important to arrive on time and be polite and well-mannered at all times as first impressions do count.

 

Special Offers: Look out for special offers and money off vouchers, these allow your money to stretch further when eating out. The toptable mobile site and app available for iPhone, iPad and Android, allows you to see a list of all restaurants that have special offers available within close vicinity of your current location.

 

Try something you wouldn’t try at home: When dining out, try dishes that you wouldn’t be able to make yourself at home. Instead of a pasta dish why try delicacies such as sashimi or monkfish and try deserts such as chocolate fondant or crème brulee to ensure a truly memorable experience.

 

Always read the reviews: If you are venturing somewhere a bit more lavish for that special meal, always ensure that you read up on the restaurant first to ensure that you are happy with your choice, that it works for your budget and that you like the menu it offers.

 

Diner reviews can often be deciding where to eat. toptable.co.uk features reviews that are written by people that have actually visited and eaten at the restaurants. These reviews can be filtered by categories such as ‘good for kids’ ‘good for romance’, ‘good for special occasions’ and help to ensure that you pick the right restaurant to suit what you are looking for.