How To Make Fuss-Free Restaurant Bookings When You Travel

Last Updated on: 26th May 2026, 08:33 pm

As you might have already guessed from my blog, I love to travel, but my biggest downfall is not being organised when I do so. Even my 16-year-old knows better than I do! We can be waiting at a train station in Europe, and she will ask me if I booked some seats. Of course, I didn’t, but the horrified look on her face when the train arrives, and there is standing room only, says it all. I am the same with restaurant bookings when I go away somewhere too. I will look online and find somewhere to eat. I will see where it is on Google Maps, and I will look at the menu to make sure there are meals to suit the family with their dietary restrictions. But I do not book because the whole idea of booking a foreign restaurant actually horrifies me.

Finding An Easier Way To Make Restaurant Bookings

If there is a way to make my life easier, then I need it. And finding a website to book all of my restaurants is a saviour. It means all of my bookings are in one place and I can easily find them. If I can also add my payment card to a booking site, then I am all for that! I mean, who has time to keep putting in their card details when they are making travel arrangements? Luckily, the answer is Square Meal.

Decide Where You Are Going

When I know which city I am visiting, I usually decide what I want to eat when I am there. If I am in Italy, I want to eat pasta or pizza, so I will look for a pasta restaurant. If I want something else to eat, then I will look for those types of restaurants instead. Then I check on Google Maps to see where the restaurant is. After all, I don’t want to be visiting a city and then taking a bus for an hour outside of the city to eat. Check the budget for the place you decide to eat, because you don’t want to arrive and not have the money to pay for the food.

Check When It Is Open Before You Make Restaurant Bookings

Have you ever decided you really need to eat somewhere and then you arrive there, but find it closed? Not all restaurants stay open throughout the day. After the lunch rush, they might close until dinner or later on in the evening. Equally, you don’t want to arrive at a restaurant and find that you only have half an hour to order and eat because they are closing soon.

Connect Your Bank Card To Your Restaurant Bookings

Being organised is not my best point, but if I can add my debit or credit card to a booking, then I do not have to worry about having my card on me or not having enough cash. You often get rewards too if you attach your card to a booking website.

Check Out The Reviews

I love looking at restaurant reviews on TikTok and Instagram Reels because thats where you find people’s honest reviews. If someone had a lovely time somewhere, they would let the world know. Also, if someone has had a bad experience somewhere, they will also let the world know. You can also check Trustpilot reviews and website reviews.

Make Sure You Book With Plenty Of Time

Many restaurants book up weeks or months in advance, especially during holiday seasons. Please ensure you book with plenty of time to secure your place. You don’t want to miss out, as I have done in the past. If you know a new local restaurant is opening, and you really want to eat there, make sure to book a reservation as soon as they become available. Also, make sure you book for the number of people who are attending, because you cannot turn up with extra people on the day.

Check The Dress Code At The Restaurant

Some restaurants have dress codes, and you don’t want to turn up for your meal in the wrong attire. You will be turned away and will miss out. You might even lose a deposit because of it. Check online to see what the acceptable dress is, and follow the rules. Even some shoes are unacceptable in restaurants.

Enjoy Your Food And Soak Up The Atmosphere

If you have found the most amazing place, take in the atmosphere and enjoy it. You are making memories. Make a video and take photos of your experience, and enjoy every mouthful of your food.

How To Win £50 Cash To Eat Out

Pop over to the Square Meals website and tell me which local restaurant in the UK you would love to spend your £50 in. Write the name of the restaurant and the city in the comments. The restaurant must be from the Square Meals website, and it will be checked. I will be looking for unique answers that nobody else has written, this is to make sure people do not copy and paste answers. Enter the Gleam below to let us know you commented. Other entry points will give you more chances to win. You don’t need to enter them all, but the more you enter, the more chances you have to win.