First Table Celebrates A Decade Of Half-Price Dining

As First Table marks its tenth anniversary in September 2024, the restaurant discovery platform is celebrating a decade of connecting diners with restaurants via a 50% off food offer on the first table of the night. This innovative approach has revolutionised the way food enthusiasts engage with venues and cuisines, providing restaurants with a unique tool to attract off-peak diners.

The concept for First Table was sparked by founder Mat Weir’s experience at a small French restaurant in Queenstown, which offered 50% off the food bill when you booked the first table of the night. The restaurant used the ‘locals’ secret’ as a promotional tool to attract other diners by seating them at a table visible to those passing by outside. This idea led Mat, a software developer, to create an online marketplace that benefits both diners and restaurants by enhancing visibility and dining traffic during quieter times.

After humble beginnings in Queenstown, New Zealand, in 2014, Mat took a leap of faith and introduced First Table to Manly, Sydney, just one year later. He recalls, “First Table really took off in New Zealand, and in September 2015 we decided to launch the platform in Sydney, our first Australian city!”

“I remember walking the streets of Manly, pitching to restaurant owners, and sharing how we could help their business. It was daunting but exciting, and seeing the positive reception and the impact we could make reinforced that we were on the right path,” he added. Since then, the company has grown to operate in over 50 cities globally.

Reflecting on the past decade, Mat expressed his enthusiasm for the future: “Looking back, I am amazed at what we’ve accomplished. Since we launched in Sydney, we’ve delivered over 300,000 off-peak covers for over 150 partner restaurants here. As we move forward, we’re excited to continue evolving and growing the platform, ensuring that we keep connecting people with fantastic food experiences around the world.”

Since 2019, Solander Dining and Bar at the West Hotel Sydney has been a proud partner restaurant. Nathan Kengike, Hotel Manager, says, “The First Table platform is unique because it combines two key drivers for diners and two key needs for businesses. Diners get to try something new and they get a great deal doing so – and businesses such as ourselves are able to increase exposure to unexplored markets and also drive incremental revenue. Everybody wins!” Popular Sydney restaurant Long Chim has also been on the platform since 2021. General Manager Jill Vasuvanich notes, “First Table has been a game-changer for our venue, bringing in nearly 2,800 extra diners during quieter periods and significantly boosting revenue. The platform integrates with our existing reservation system, making it easy to incorporate, with reservations seamlessly syncing into our diary.”

Today, First Table connects over 1.5 million foodies with over 1,800 restaurant partners across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The platform’s success lies not only in its numbers but also in how it has transformed dining culture. It encourages people to try new cuisines, enjoy more meals with friends and family, and support the hospitality industry by filling otherwise empty tables.

The First Table app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.