Can callers tell they're talking to an AI?

Yes, the agent introduces itself as the restaurant's voice assistant right at the start of the call and never pretends to be human.

What if a group calls without a reservation on a Friday night?

The agent asks how many guests and notes that they showed up without booking. With transfer enabled, for a larger group or when the restaurant is full, it hands the call straight to staff; otherwise it says staff will confirm capacity with a call back - it never promises a table it isn't sure about.

How much does an AI receptionist cost for a restaurant?

You pay only for the minutes that actually happen plus a monthly fee for the number, no extra package for calls. There's a rough monthly example further up this page.

Can it handle a reservation for a large group or a corporate event?

It always notes the request - with transfer enabled on the agent, it hands a larger group or an event straight to staff, otherwise it just notes that staff will confirm capacity.

Does the agent need to know in advance how many guests it can confirm without checking?

Yes - it won't guess that number on its own. Put it in the prompt along with your opening hours and when a larger group should be transferred to staff; the ready-made prompt is further up this page, just fill in your restaurant's name, and setup takes a few minutes.

An AI receptionist for restaurants that takes reservations even during the rush

Set up a number in minutes and the agent keeps answering on weekends and in the middle of the dinner rush. It takes table reservations, states opening hours, and for larger bookings, says staff will confirm capacity.

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Where it hurts

Reservations ring exactly during the rush

The reservation line rings most when staff have the least time to answer it - Friday evening, weekend lunch, in the middle of plating food. A guest who can't get through usually books somewhere else, and the restaurant never even finds out it lost the booking.

How it works

Buy a number and write a few sentences

Buy a number in the portal and tell the agent your opening hours, capacity, and when it should transfer a reservation straight to staff. Copy the ready-made prompt below and just fill in your restaurant's name.

Put it on your website and Google profile

Add the number to your website, your reservation form and your Google profile - the agent answers just as reliably no matter where the call comes from.

Reservations show up in the portal and your own system

The agent writes the name, party size and time into fields you define for it in advance (dataFields), which show up in the call transcript and the call.completed webhook.

What it handles

Takes a table reservation

Asks for name, party size, day and time, then repeats the booking back so the guest knows it's confirmed.

States opening hours and basic information

Opening hours, address, and whether the restaurant has a terrace or step-free access are all written into the prompt in advance.

Never invents availability it isn't sure about

For a larger party it isn't sure it can seat, it says staff will confirm the booking with a call back.

Transfers for large groups or events

With transfer enabled for the agent, a reservation above the table size you set, a birthday party or a corporate event gets handed straight to a person to work out the details.

Keeps answering on weekends and during the rush

Friday evening, weekend lunch, or after closing time, the agent still answers and takes the reservation.

Sample conversation

AI receptionistHello, this is [restaurant name], you're speaking with the voice assistant, and this call is recorded for quality purposes. How can I help?

CallerHi, I'd like to book a table for tonight.

AI receptionistHappy to help. For how many people, what name should I put it under, and what time would you like to arrive?

CallerFour people, under the name Smith, at seven in the evening.

AI receptionistGreat, a table for four under the name Smith at seven this evening is booked. Anything else I can help with?

CallerDo you have an outdoor terrace open?

AI receptionistYes, the terrace is open all day. So that's tonight at seven, table for four under Smith.

CallerPerfect, thank you.

AI receptionistYou're welcome, we look forward to seeing you, have a great rest of your day.

The prompt you can copy

Paste it into the portal (Agent -> New agent) and fill in only the company name and opening hours in the brackets - otherwise it works as is.

text

You are the voice receptionist for [restaurant name]. You speak warmly, naturally and briefly - the way an experienced host would greet a caller, not a robot.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- At the start of the call, say that the call is recorded for quality purposes.
- Take table reservations: ask for the name, party size, day and time, then repeat the booking back at the end so the guest knows it's confirmed.
- State the current opening hours: [opening hours].
- Answer basic questions about the restaurant that are in your instructions (terrace, step-free access, parking).
- If a caller asks whether they're speaking to a person, tell the truth - you're the restaurant's voice assistant.
- Confirm bookings of up to [the guest count you can confirm without checking] directly; for larger parties, say staff will confirm capacity.
- If a guest mentions an allergy or a special request, note it against the reservation so staff know about it in advance.

WHAT YOU NEVER DO:
- Never invent availability for a larger party you're not sure about - say staff will confirm it with a call back.
- Never promise a specific table by the window or any other placement you have no way to guarantee.
- Never take payments or deposits over the phone - you don't have that authority.
- Never modify the menu or promise a specific dish that isn't part of today's offering.

If a guest wants to book for more than [the guest count you can confirm without checking], is planning a corporate event or a party, or insists on speaking to a person, and transfer is enabled for the agent, hand off the call - let the guest know they'll need to repeat the details briefly.

HOW TO END THE CALL:
Repeat the reservation or next step, wish them a good day, and end the call. If a guest needs something you can't handle, tell them to call again during opening hours.

What it costs in this industry

At 30 calls a day averaging 2 minutes, an AI receptionist costs 5,425 CZK (~EUR 226.04) a month - the number, call minutes and the agent surcharge combined.

Number: 25 CZK
Calls: 900 CZK
Agent: 4,500 CZK
Total per month: 5,425 CZK (~EUR 226.04)

Prices exclude VAT; it's added when you top up credit.

Work out the exact price for your volume in the calculator on the AI receptionist page.

Call the demo line

+420 266 266 641

Listen to how the AI receptionist answers a call and talks - ask it something like your opening hours.

Call the demo

This is volai's shared demo line, not this industry's own receptionist - your own operator bills the call at its standard rate; volai charges you nothing and it signs you up for nothing.

Frequently asked questions

Can callers tell they're talking to an AI?: Yes, the agent introduces itself as the restaurant's voice assistant right at the start of the call and never pretends to be human.
What if a group calls without a reservation on a Friday night?: The agent asks how many guests and notes that they showed up without booking. With transfer enabled, for a larger group or when the restaurant is full, it hands the call straight to staff; otherwise it says staff will confirm capacity with a call back - it never promises a table it isn't sure about.
How much does an AI receptionist cost for a restaurant?: You pay only for the minutes that actually happen plus a monthly fee for the number, no extra package for calls. There's a rough monthly example further up this page.
Can it handle a reservation for a large group or a corporate event?: It always notes the request - with transfer enabled on the agent, it hands a larger group or an event straight to staff, otherwise it just notes that staff will confirm capacity.
Does the agent need to know in advance how many guests it can confirm without checking?: Yes - it won't guess that number on its own. Put it in the prompt along with your opening hours and when a larger group should be transferred to staff; the ready-made prompt is further up this page, just fill in your restaurant's name, and setup takes a few minutes.

Try an AI receptionist for free

Registration takes a minute, no card required - you get 50 CZK of credit on us.

Get 50 CZK free