Restaurants & cafés
AvailableTable bookings get answered, even while your team is busy serving.
Answerly checks which tables are actually free for the date, time, and party size, then records the reservation. If the right-size table is taken, the AI offers extra chairs, joined tables, or another time, and you make the call in Telegram.
Teras Senja
answered automatically by Answerly
Hi, do you have a table for 6 tonight at 7?
4:20 PM
Our tables for 6 are full at 7:00 p.m. Two options: table A2 (4 seats + 2 extra chairs) at 7:00 p.m., confirmed by our team first, or a 6-seat table at 8:30 p.m.. Which would you like?
4:20 PM
7 is fine, we don't mind sitting a bit closer. Name's Dewi.
4:21 PM
Got it, Dewi. Table A2 at 7:00 p.m. for 6 is on hold for you. Our team will confirm the extra chairs first, and I'll let you know right here.
4:21 PM
Telegram alert to the owner
🍽 Reservation request · needs confirmation
Dewi · 6 guests · today 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Table A2 (4 seats) + 2 extra chairs · Indoor
Why: no table for 6 is free at that time. The AI offered extra chairs so you don't lose the guests, and they agreed to sit a bit closer.
The problem
- 01
A guest asks “Any table for 6 tonight?” while your whole team is busy serving, then books somewhere else.
- 02
Bookings from WhatsApp, phone calls, and walk-ins are tracked in different places, so one table can get promised twice.
- 03
When the right-size table is taken, the answer is just “Sorry, we're full”, even though the guests would happily squeeze in or come later.
What Answerly does
- Takes reservations on WhatsApp 24/7, then checks which tables are actually free for that date, time, and party size.
- Works from the table list you provide: table name, number of seats, and area, such as Indoor, Outdoor, Smoking, or 2nd floor.
- When the right-size table is taken, offers a smaller table with extra chairs, neighbouring tables joined together, or another time that day, so you don't lose the guests.
- Records reservations in your own Google Calendar and Google Sheet. Phone bookings and walk-ins your admin types into the sheet are taken into account.
- Handles reschedules by chat. A deposit that's already paid moves with the reservation and isn't requested again.
Stays in your hands
- Decisions on extra chairs and joined tables. Telegram gives you the context: party size, table, extra chairs, and why.
- Checking deposits against your bank statement. A reservation is final only once you tap “Deposit received”, never from a photo of a receipt.
- Groups above the limit you set (usually handled as events), complaints, allergy questions, and price negotiation.
The moment you reply manually, the AI steps back in that chat.
How it works
- 1
Add your business details
Services, tables, or products, prices, opening hours, payment rules. Connect Google Calendar and Sheets in one click.
- 2
Connect your WhatsApp Business number
You can keep using it on your phone.
- 3
Answerly starts replying
You get notified about bookings, orders, and chats that need you.
FAQ
What if the tables are full?
The AI doesn't just say “full”. It offers a smaller table with extra chairs (up to the limit you set per table), joins neighbouring tables, or suggests other times that day. Extra chairs and joined tables are confirmed by you or your admin in Telegram first, with the full context.
Is a deposit required?
No. Choose no deposit, a deposit per person, or a fixed amount, and you can apply it only to groups from a certain size. With a deposit, the AI sends your bank details. You check your statement and tap “Deposit received” or “Not received” in Telegram, and the reservation is final once the deposit is in.
Can it sync with Google Sheets or Excel?
Yes, through Google Sheets. Reservations go into your own Google Calendar and Google Sheet, and rows your admin types in, like phone bookings or walk-ins, are taken into account. Using Excel? Upload the file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets. You just share the calendar and sheet with Answerly's email address; we never ask for your Google password.
What about walk-in guests?
Tell the bot in Telegram in plain words, like “table A1 has a walk-in party of 4 until 8” or “table A1 is free again”. The AI takes it into account right away, and /meja shows today's table board.
What if my admin is busy?
Tap “⏳ Later” when a confirmation comes in. The guest is politely told the confirmation is on its way and the table stays held, and the bot reminds your admin again later. /pending lists everything that's still waiting.
Can guests chat in English or Mandarin?
Yes. The AI replies in the guest's language: Indonesian, English, or Mandarin. Your summaries and Telegram alerts come in the language you choose.