Making a Restaurant Reservation
Use these phrases to confidently book a table, specify dietary requirements, or make changes to an existing reservation at an Italian restaurant.
Key Phrases
Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per quattro persone per stasera.
neutralI would like to book a table for four people for tonight.
A standard and polite way to request a table.
Sarebbe possibile avere un tavolo per due verso le otto?
politeWould it be possible to have a table for two around eight o'clock?
Uses the conditional 'sarebbe' for a very polite request.
Avete un tavolo libero per stasera alle nove?
neutralDo you have a free table for tonight at nine?
Direct and standard, good for phone calls.
C'è posto per tre tra una mezz'oretta?
casualIs there room for three in about half an hour?
Informal, great for walking into a restaurant or calling last-minute.
Se c'è posto, ci piacerebbe stare all'aperto.
neutralIf there's room, we would like to sit outside.
Uses the conditional 'ci piacerebbe' (we would like).
Preferiremmo mangiare fuori nella terrazza, se non è un problema.
politeWe would prefer to eat outside on the terrace, if it's not a problem.
A soft, polite way to state a preference.
C'è una persona celiaca, fate anche piatti senza glutine?
neutralThere is a celiac person, do you also make gluten-free dishes?
Clear and essential for asking about specific food needs.
Volevo avvisare che uno di noi ha un'intolleranza al lattosio.
politeI wanted to let you know that one of us has a lactose intolerance.
Uses 'volevo' (imperfect tense) as a form of politeness to soften the statement.
Ho già prenotato, ma vorremmo aggiungere due persone al tavolo.
neutralI have already booked, but we would like to add two people to the table.
Use this when your party size changes before you arrive.
Sì, esatto. La prenotazione è a nome Bianchi.
neutralYes, exactly. The reservation is under the name Bianchi.
Common when arriving at the host stand.
Siamo in ritardo di dieci minuti, tenete comunque il tavolo?
neutralWe are ten minutes late, will you hold the table anyway?
Polite way to ensure your reservation isn't canceled.
Scusate, abbiamo trovato traffico. Arriviamo il prima possibile.
casualSorry, we hit traffic. We'll arrive as soon as possible.
A natural, everyday excuse using standard Italian phrasing.
Purtroppo devo disdire la mia prenotazione di stasera per un imprevisto.
neutralUnfortunately I have to cancel my reservation for tonight due to something unexpected.
A respectful way to cancel without giving too many details.