Does Red Robin Take Reservations? [Find Out]

You’re in the mood for a juicy gourmet burger and bottomless fries.

Red Robin immediately comes to mind with their mouthwatering menu.

But do you need a reservation or can you just walk right in?

The short answer is no, Red Robin does not accept reservations.

As a popular casual dining chain, they operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, there are ways to minimize your wait time if you want to enjoy Red Robin without a long wait.

Call Ahead for Large Parties

While you can’t book a reservation, Red Robin recommends calling ahead if your party has 8 or more people.

Give them a heads up that your large group is coming by calling the restaurant directly. Provide details like:

Date and arrival time
Number of people
Any special needs like highchairs

Calling ahead doesn’t guarantee a table will be waiting for you. But it gives the staff a chance to try and accommodate large parties.

Check Wait Times Online

Many Red Robin locations now have waitlist integration with Yelp. You can check in online to get in the virtual line before leaving your house.

You’ll still have a short wait when you arrive, but it should move faster than if you didn’t waitlist through Yelp.

Avoid Peak Times

Like most restaurants, weekends and holidays will be busiest at Red Robin. For shorter wait times, opt for:

Weekday lunches earlier in the afternoon
Weeknights after the dinner rush, so after 7pm
Late nights on Fridays and Saturdays after 9pm

You’ll have minimal wait times during non-peak hours.

Sit at the Bar

The bar area at Red Robin is first come, first served.

If you see open seats at the bar when you arrive, head straight there to be seated right away.

Just know they may require you to order some food if you want to sit at the bar during busy times.

Check in with the Host

Let the host know you’re waiting for a table as soon as you arrive. They can provide an estimated wait time and hand you a buzzing pager.

Periodically check in with the host stand so they know your group is still here waiting. The friendly and patient customers often get seated faster.

Order Apps and Drinks While You Wait

Waiting is never fun, so enjoy some appetizers and drinks at the bar while your table is prepared. Some tasty options are:

Chicken wonton tacos
Pretzel bites with queso dip
Whiskey River BBQ chicken nachos
Cocktails like strawberry lemonade or Red’s sangria

Time flies by when you have good food and drinks! Before you know it, your buzzer will be going off.

Be Flexible with Table Size

If you only need a table for 2-4 people, consider sitting at a high top or two top table.

This will get you seated much faster than holding out for a large booth.

If you have kids with you, be open to a table instead of a booth to fit a high chair. Flexibility pays off when wait times are long.

Get on the Cancellation List

Ask the host to add your name to the cancellation list.

Large groups cancel all the time, so you may get lucky with an unexpected opening.

Let them know how many are in your party and they’ll call if they get a cancellation that fits your size.

Make Reservations at Similar Chains

While Red Robin doesn’t take reservations, other casual chains like Chili’s, Applebee’s, and TGI Fridays do.

Consider making reservations at one of these places next time you want guaranteed seating right away.

Red Robin’s no reservation policy aims to seat guests as quickly as possible.

Using these tips will help minimize your wait time and get you chowing down on gourmet burgers sooner!

So grab the family or call up some friends for a fun night out at Red Robin. Follow these tips and you’ll be sink