Capture every takeout order and restaurant reservation, even during your busiest hours, with Upfirst's restaurant phone answering service.

Introduction
You know the dinner rush all too well. While you're expediting orders, managing staff, and ensuring your diners have a great experience, the phone keeps ringing. Each unanswered call could be a missed reservation, a lost takeout order, or a catering opportunity slipping away.
That's where Upfirst steps in. Our AI phone answering system for restaurants is like having a dedicated host who never takes a break, never gets overwhelmed, and always represents your restaurant perfectly. Thanks to advanced AI, Upfirst offers the personal touch of a human operator with unmatched consistency and cost-efficiency.
Set it up in minutes, and start turning those missed calls into more bookings and orders—all while you focus on what you do best: creating amazing dining experiences.
Upfirst answers the phone for you so that you can focus on your guests. Let our system handle the distracting phone calls.
Our virtual receptionist answering service can collect all necessary details for reservations, including party size, date, time, and special requests.

Train your AI restaurant phone answering service to provide detailed information about your dishes, including ingredients, preparation methods, and allergen info.

While our restaurant answering service can't process payments, it can collect all necessary order details, making it easy for your staff to quickly prepare and finalize orders.
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Your restaurant phone answering service can gather initial information for event bookings and catering requests, helping you capture these high-value opportunities.

Quick, easy setup
Focus on your guests, not your phone. Upfirst can be set up in minutes and start saving you hours.
Create your account with our restaurant answering service. You can either connect your existing phone number or select a new one. The process takes just a few minutes and requires basic information about your restaurant.
Tailor your AI assistant to fit your restaurant's needs. Choose your AI's voice and create a welcoming greeting that matches your restaurant's style. You can easily set up responses for common questions about reservations, menu items, or business hours.
Once you're satisfied with the setup, activate your restaurant answering service. Your AI assistant will immediately begin handling calls, allowing you and your staff to focus on in-restaurant operations.
Easily keep your AI assistant up to date as your restaurant evolves. Add new menu items, update business hours, or modify response scripts anytime through your dashboard.
Benefits
See how Upfirst can help you serve more customers and increase revenue.
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Don't see your question answered here? Our support team is here to help. Get in touch today.
How much does Upfirst cost?
Our pricing is based on monthly call volume. Most restaurants choose a plan that matches their average number of calls: 30 calls for $24.95/month, 90 calls for $59.95/month, 300 calls for $159.95/month, or 600 calls for $299/month. If you go over your plan, we simply charge per call. Spam and sales calls never count toward your total, and your dashboard shows exactly which calls were filtered out. If you need a larger plan, we can set up a custom option.
How does Upfirst’s restaurant answering service work?
When you sign up, we give you a phone number and an AI agent. You forward calls from your existing business line to that number. When someone calls, your AI answers instantly and follows your instructions. You can customize it with your menu, parking info, policies, and anything else customers ask. It can also take orders, check availability, or gather reservation details.
Can Upfirst take reservations?
Yes. Upfirst can connect to reservation systems through Zapier. It can also collect the details you need — date, time, party size, special requests — and send them straight to your team by email or text. Everything is stored in your Upfirst dashboard too.
Can Upfirst handle takeout or delivery orders?
Yes. Upfirst can follow whatever ordering flow you use for takeout or delivery. It can ask clarifying questions, collect the order, or text callers a direct link to your online ordering page.
Can I keep my current number?
Yes. You can keep your existing restaurant number and simply forward calls to Upfirst. No need to change your phone provider.
Does Upfirst work if my restaurant has multiple locations?
You can use one agent for all locations and have it ask callers which restaurant they’re calling about. If you prefer separate agents, we offer discounted pricing for multi-location groups.
Does Upfirst support multiple languages?
Yes. Upfirst speaks English, Spanish, and more than 30 additional languages. It automatically detects the caller’s language and responds accordingly. Any orders or messages are translated to your preferred language for easy review.
What does Upfirst do when my restaurant is closed?
One of the biggest benefits of Upfirst is that your phone is still covered even when your doors are closed. Your AI can be taught your exact operating hours, so it knows when to stop taking orders and when to simply share your hours with callers. It won’t place takeout or delivery orders after closing time, but it will still capture important calls — like catering inquiries, large reservations, or next-day questions — so you never miss business while you’re off the clock.
Don't let rush hour keep you from your guests — get a virtual answering service that picks up the phone for you. Start a free trial now.
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