Zest Unveils Innovative AI Assistant for Effortless Restaurant Reservations via Text

Zest, a restaurant discovery app that debuted earlier this year, is already envisioning a time when mobile applications may not dominate as the main interface. Recently, the startup unveiled a novel feature: a personal AI-driven “restaurant concierge” that operates within text messages, akin to other familiar AI tools.

This launch signifies a significant evolution in how startups are approaching AI, as conversational agents take on roles that previously required users to engage with standalone mobile applications. For Zest, this innovation translates to providing restaurant recommendations directly via text, enabling users to seamlessly move to table reservations.

“The agent is now the core product,” states Zest’s founder and CEO, Mario Gomez-Hall. “You text it, and it draws from your own dining history and your friends’. It doesn’t take weeks of chatting to understand you, as it begins with what you’ve experienced,” he explained.

Founded in November 2024 with initial funding of $1.8 million from investors like Alexis Ohanian and Steve Jang, Zest uniquely connects to users’ credit cards to understand their dining habits, allowing for personalized suggestions based on their tastes. This data helps Zest to recommend dining options, whether in their hometown or potential spots to explore while traveling.

The app utilizes credit card transaction data processed through Plaid, a financial services platform commonly used by banks and fintech applications. Zest exclusively focuses on transactions categorized under food and beverages to create its tailored recommendations.

Zest’s latest approach focuses on solving the question — where should I dine? — through text messaging, leveraging AI to check availability and make reservations via services like OpenTable and Resy.

To engage with the Zest concierge, users can text (212) 470-6067. Zest can also join group chats, analyzing combined preferences to recommend suitable dining options for everyone. Additionally, it features an in-chat voting option to settle on decisions and can reserve tables for groups without leaving the conversation.

Users are able to request recommendations based on various criteria such as cuisine, cravings, occasions, dietary needs, or locations, and can inquire about specifics like the restaurant’s busyness or Wi-Fi availability. Users can even ask for menus to assist their decision-making.

In initial tests, the AI effectively provided tailored dining suggestions aligned with user preferences, considering elements like time, group size, and location. While other apps have offered table-finding features for years, the convenience of texting back and forth provides a unique ease in discussing options and accessing booking info.

Zest began beta testing the concierge last month but postponed its launch until booking functionalities were integrated. The startup is also contemplating extending its services beyond restaurant recommendations to include other businesses and shopping options.

By integrating text messaging into its service model, Zest aims to expand its user base significantly and create profitable avenues.

“Table booking and food ordering are our initial revenue streams. Zest currently facilitates table reservations through OpenTable or Resy, with plans for food ordering functionality in the future, which includes transactional benefits,” Gomez-Hall stated. “What makes this approach compelling is that Zest can adapt to your tastes more rapidly than a general assistant, as it builds from your actual dining history,” he concluded.