AI-Powered Restaurant Booking App Launches In English Ahead of Eurovision

Israeli startup Order.Chat, which developed a service to book tables at restaurants and eateries across Israel using chatbots, is launching in English ahead of the much-anticipated Eurovision events in Tel Aviv next month. Thousands of tourists are expected in the country for the finale and the surrounding events starting May 14.

Order.Chat, founded in 2018, launched in Hebrew last year and is available in Israel only, with future plans to expand. The company says it does away with the frustrations associated with trying to book tables at restaurants such as placing multiple calls, holding on the line, miscommunicating or not being understood.

“With Order.Chat, diners can easily place a reservation via chat to any restaurant, in less than 60 seconds and without making any phone calls. The service helps find an available table, make the reservation, or identify recommended alternatives in case the restaurant is fully booked,” the company said in a statement.

The service is based on technologies such as chatbots and Artificial Intelligence and is available 24/7.

Order.Chat CEO and co-founder Alon Schwartzman said that with the influx of tourists expected in Tel Aviv, “demand for restaurants in the city will be high,” and Order.Chat’s solution “will remove language barriers, and help tourists get around much more comfortably.”

“We’ve decided to launch the service in English at this timing, with the aim of helping tourists get familiar with local restaurants, find and book a table just like locals do, with top speed and convenience,” he said.

According to Schwartzman, since its launch last year, Order.chat has processed table reservations for some 300,000 diners at 1,800 different restaurants.