How many people can you book a restaurant table for?

Most restaurants take up to eight without special arrangements; beyond that expect a set menu, a deposit or both.

How do you handle people who cancel late?

Book for confirmed yeses only and set a deadline for changes the day before, which is usually when the restaurant wants the final number anyway.

A group dinner is the most common plan there is and the one most often ruined by one detail: booking for a number nobody has actually confirmed.

Lead times are the difference between a plan and a group chat. This is roughly how it goes when it goes well.

Two weeks out: two dates to the group, and ask for a firm yes rather than interest.
Ten days out: book for the number of confirmed yeses, not the number of people in the chat.
Five days out: collect dietary requirements in one message.
The day before: reconfirm and send the address and time.

Treat a maybe as a no when you book. Adding one seat on the night is easy; four empty covers is an awkward phone call and sometimes a charge.

Agree before you order whether it is even or itemised. Groups of eight who did not decide this in advance always end up short.

Most places make groups over about eight order from one. Send it round before booking, not after.

Paste this straight in and change the details: “Dinner out, Thursday or Saturday, table for eight, about £30 a head.”

One idea, a couple of dates and a rough cost per head is enough for people to answer with a tap rather than a paragraph.

How many people can you book a restaurant table for?: Most restaurants take up to eight without special arrangements; beyond that expect a set menu, a deposit or both.
How do you handle people who cancel late?: Book for confirmed yeses only and set a deadline for changes the day before, which is usually when the restaurant wants the final number anyway.