Frequently Asked Questions

Choose a restaurant and click Reserve a Table. Fill in the form (name, email, WhatsApp, party size, your preferred date/time, and any special requests). Enter a promo code if you have one, accept our T&Cs/Privacy Policy, then complete payment (if a Service Fee applies). After checkout, you'll receive a Payment Received email - we'll then contact the restaurant to secure your booking.

No. Payment means we start securing your table with the restaurant.

After payment, we contact the restaurant to request your booking. Confirmation time depends on the venue and time of day. In many cases, you'll hear back the same day, but some restaurants may take longer. We'll keep you updated by email (and WhatsApp if needed). Once the restaurant confirms, we'll send a Booking Confirmation email with your booking details, deposit status (if any), and a calendar file (.ics) you can add to your calendar.

We primarily contact you by email. We may also message you on WhatsApp if we need a quick response (for example, to confirm an alternative time or clarify a request).

If we need your input to proceed (e.g., alternative times or important details), a delayed response may delay or prevent confirmation.

We'll do our best, but same-day reservations are subject to availability and may be harder to confirm. Providing alternate times greatly increases the chances of success.

If the restaurant can't confirm your requested time and no alternatives work, we'll email you that the reservation was unsuccessful and refund the Service Fee in full.

If you request a change/cancellation more than 24 hours before your booking time, you get one free change or cancellation if the venue permits. We'll send you an email confirming the update. If you request changes/cancellation within 24 hours, or the venue rejects the request, we will either keep the original booking, or process a cancellation where the Service Fee is not refunded.

We recommend booking at least 1 week in advance for popular restaurants, especially weekends. For popular venues, booking several weeks ahead is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Please arrive on time. Many restaurants only hold tables for a short time. If you're running late, contact the restaurant as soon as possible.

We charge a USD 20 Service Fee per booking. This covers our end-to-end concierge support - securing your table, helping you pre-order dishes to avoid language barriers, and guiding special requests like vegetarian options and allergy notes.

The Service Fee is charged per booking (not per person). It includes: Priority reservation coordination with the venue and real-time follow-up; Smart alternatives for high-demand restaurants (backup time slots and, when helpful, comparable top picks); Pre-order concierge to eliminate language barriers (we help confirm key dishes in advance to prevent misunderstandings at the table); Vegetarian guidance in China: vegetarian options are often not clearly labeled, so we help you identify safer choices and communicate preferences clearly; Allergy communication support: food allergies are uncommon in China, so we help you flag allergy notes explicitly and early (final accommodation is subject to the restaurant); Booking updates and a detailed confirmation email (with calendar file when available).

Yes. If your promo code covers the fee, your Service Fee can be reduced to USD 0 at checkout.

We use Stripe. You can pay with major cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, plus supported digital wallets in your area (where available).

Yes. Your payment is processed by Stripe - a globally trusted, industry-leading payment platform. Stripe is PCI-compliant, and we never see your full card details.

If a Service Fee applies, it is charged immediately at checkout. You'll receive a Payment Received email right away.

If you see a payment error, please retry the payment or try a different payment card/wallet.

Some restaurants require a deposit, in which case we will email and explain the requiremnt. We will only proceed with the booking upon receiving your instruction and deposit funds. Your Booking Confirmation email will clearly state the deposit status any related notes.

Black Pearl restaurants are premium dining establishments recognized for outstanding cuisine, service, and overall experience.

Special Experience restaurants offer unique dining concepts, themed environments, or extraordinary culinary journeys that go beyond traditional dining.

Local Favorites are the places locals actually line up for - authentic regional restaurants that many travelers would never find on their own. Most of them don't offer English menus or English-speaking service, so we help bridge the language gap (including key dish recommendations and pre-order support when needed).

No.

Yes. You can book on behalf of someone else. Please include the diner's name (and any key notes) in Special requests, and make sure the contact details you provide can be reached for time-sensitive updates.

Yes, many restaurants can accommodate groups. For 10+ guests, we recommend adding notes in "Special requests".

Yes - and it's especially important in China, where vegetarian options and allergy accommodations are uncommon and not clearly labeled. Please share your dietary needs and any allergies in Special Requests (the more specific, the better). We'll help you phrase the request clearly, flag it to the restaurant early, and suggest safer ordering options when possible. Final accommodation is always subject to the restaurant's confirmation.

Please check your spam/junk folder and confirm your email address was entered correctly. If you still can't find it, please contact our support team on WhatsApp.