First Table: How to Get 50% Off Restaurant Meals in Melbourne
Ever looked at a restaurant menu and thought, that looks lovely… but maybe another time?
With dining prices creeping up, it’s easy to hesitate. But what if you could enjoy the same restaurant, the same menu, and simply pay half price for the food? That’s exactly the idea behind First Table. My husband and I now use it regularly and wonder why it isn’t more popular.
If you enjoy dining out in Melbourne but also appreciate good value, this clever little app might become your new favourite find.
Half-price meals? What is First Table?
First Table is a restaurant booking app that offers 50% off the food bill if you book the first table of the service.
Restaurants often open with a few empty tables before the evening crowd arrives. Instead of leaving those tables empty, they offer them at half price to diners willing to arrive early.
The only catch?
You need to take the first booking of the night via the First Table app and pay a booking fee of around $10.
In return, you receive half-price food for the whole table (for a maximum of four guests).
Drinks are full price, but the food discount alone can make a big difference.
Why restaurants offer it
Restaurants use First Table to bring in diners at quieter times.
It helps them:
- create some atmosphere early in the evening
- introduce new people to their restaurant
- fill tables that might otherwise sit empty
For diners, it’s a simple exchange: arrive early and enjoy a generous discount.
Why it suits many of us perfectly
Let’s be honest. Not everyone enjoys eating dinner at 8.30 pm.
Many of us prefer an earlier dinner, especially during the week. With First Table, the booking time is often around 5.00 pm or 5.30 pm.
That means quieter restaurants, attentive service and half-price food.
It’s also ideal for pre-theatre dining if you’re heading into the city for a show. Not a bad combination.
How to use First Table (step-by-step)
If you’re comfortable using a smartphone, the process is quite straightforward.
1. Download the app
Search for First Table in the App Store or Google Play and install it on your phone.
You can also book through their website if you prefer using a computer.
2. Create a free account
You’ll enter your email address and create a password.
3. Choose your city
Select Melbourne to see the participating restaurants.
4. Pick a restaurant
Browse the list and see what appeals. You’ll find a mix of cuisines and neighbourhood locations.
5. Select the first table time
This will usually be the earliest dining sitting.
6. Pay the booking fee
There is a small booking fee (usually around $10 per table, not per person).
7. Turn up and enjoy
When you arrive, let the restaurant know you have a First Table booking.
You can order from the normal menu and receive 50% off the food bill (drinks are at full price).
What’s new with First Table
The booking system for First Table has recently become even easier to use.
You can now book up to 14 days in advance
This makes it much easier to plan ahead with friends or family.
New tables are released at midday
Instead of checking late at night, you can now browse and book around 12 pm each day.
Occasional early access for regular users
Some users receive early access to new tables before general release.
These small changes make the whole process feel much more relaxed.
Melbourne restaurants currently on First Table
The list of participating venues changes regularly, but there are typically around 100 restaurants across Melbourne offering First Table bookings.
You’ll find options across the CBD and suburbs, with cuisines ranging from casual pizza and Vietnamese to more refined dining.
Some Melbourne restaurants that have appeared on First Table include:
- The Green Man’s Arms, Carlton
- Dolly at Le Méridien Hotel, CBD (pictured throughout this article)
- Lollo at W Melbourne, CBD
- Henry and the Fox, CBD
- Salted Egg, CBD
- The George on Collins, CBD
- Saigon Cuisine, Oakleigh
- Farro Pizzeria, Fitzroy
- BangPop, South Wharf
- La Camera, Southbank
- Ripponlea Food & Wine
- Stranger Coffeehouse, Balwyn
Because availability changes frequently, the best way to see what’s currently on offer is to browse the Melbourne listings in the app.
It’s not just CBD venues either, there are many local haunts in Melbourne suburbs offering this deal if you’d rather eat out close to home.
Tip for getting the best restaurants
If you have somewhere in mind, it’s worth checking the app around midday or booking a few days ahead. Popular spots are often snapped up quickly.
Another reason people love First Table
It’s not just us who’ve been enjoying the value of First Table.
In her article about useful apps in retirement, Nadine describes it as “a great way to try excellent restaurants at a reasonable price.” She also notes that the early dining times can be a real advantage.
Nadine has tried several Melbourne restaurants through First Table, including The Green Man’s Arms, Dolly, Lollo and Allegro at The Westin.
After dining at Allegro with a group of four, she shared that “the meal and service were excellent, and the desserts memorable.”
It’s exactly the kind of experience that makes the app worth exploring.
Is First Table safe to use?
If you’re not used to booking restaurants through apps, it’s completely normal to wonder whether something like First Table is safe to use.
The short answer is yes. It’s an established platform used by restaurants across Australia and beyond.
Here’s how it works:
You create an account
Just your email and a password.
You pay a small booking fee
Usually around $10 per table, paid securely online.
The restaurant receives your booking
Just like any normal reservation.
You pay the rest at the restaurant
The food bill for food is reduced by 50%, and you pay the balance directly.
Many people find this reassuring because the app only handles the booking fee.
A few conditions to be aware of
Like most dining offers, there are a few standard conditions commonly including:
- Each diner is expected to purchase at least one beverage (beverages are at full price)
- Some restaurants exclude one or two premium menu items
- The offer can’t be combined with other specials or promotions
- Maximum of four diners, including children
- Dine-in only — takeaway is not included
These are clearly listed, so check them in the app before you book to avoid surprises.
Our experience
When my husband and I first tried First Table, we dined at Dolly restaurant at Le Méridien Hotel, and the process was surprisingly easy.
We booked via the app, arrived at the allocated time, and ordered from the regular menu. The waiter noted upon arrival that we had booked via First Table and explained the menu process. At the end of the meal, the food portion of the bill was simply halved, and we paid directly.
Our total food bill came to $168, and $84 was taken off. Many of the images throughout this article show the delicious food we enjoyed that night. We were delighted with this saving! And the timing worked perfectly before seeing a show at the Comedy Theatre.
This feels a bit like a small secret the rest of Melbourne hasn’t discovered yet.
More background
First Table was created by Mat Weir, a tech entrepreneur who wanted to solve the problem of slow starts to evenings at restaurants.
From humble beginnings as a one-man band in Queenstown, this Kiwi founder embarked on a journey to build a creative solution that would be a win-win experience for foodies and restaurants alike. It’s now available in most major cities across Australia.
Want to give First Table a try?
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, you can download the First Table app to your phone and browse the Melbourne restaurants currently offering early tables.
And if you’d like a small head start, you’re welcome to use my referral code when signing up:
Referral code: amya289
It gives you $5 credit towards your first booking, and I receive the same credit once you’ve made your first reservation.
If you’d like more ideas like this, you can also read Nadine’s guide to useful apps, where she shares other simple ways to enjoy Melbourne for less.
I hope this post has inspired you to get out and explore Melbourne! Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to find out more ways to discover (or rediscover) the joy of exploring Melbourne.
