book a table

Meaning

This phrase means to make a reservation at a restaurant in advance to ensure you have a place to sit when you arrive. It is standard English used globally, especially in British and Commonwealth English, but widely understood everywhere.

Examples

• That restaurant is very popular, so we should book a table in advance.

  That restaurant is very popular, so we should book a table in advance.

• I called the bistro to book a table for four at 8:00 PM.

  I called the bistro to book a table for four at 8:00 PM.

• Did you manage to book a table for Friday night?

  Did you manage to book a table for Friday night?

• You can easily book a table online through their website.

  You can easily book a table online through their website.

• We didn't book a table, so we had to wait in line for an hour.

  We didn't book a table, so we had to wait in line for an hour.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to order a table for tonight.

  ✓ I want to book a table for tonight.

  You 'order' food or drinks, but you 'book' or 'reserve' a table. Using 'order' in this context is incorrect.

• ✗ We booked a desk at the restaurant.

  ✓ We booked a table at the restaurant.

  In restaurants, you always book a 'table'. A 'desk' is a piece of office furniture used for working.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's a busy weekend, so make sure to ___ ahead of time.

  💡 reserve a place to eat

  Show answer

  book a table

• I'd like to ___ for two people at seven o'clock, please.

  💡 make a dinner reservation

  Show answer

  book a table