Artificial Intelligence

Zest Introduces Text-Based AI Agent for Restaurant Bookings

Restaurant discovery app Zest has expanded its platform with a new text-based AI agent designed to coordinate group dining choices and handle reservations directly from text message threads.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 31, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026 · 3 min read

Zest Introduces Text-Based AI Agent for Restaurant Bookings — Image: TechCrunch

Expanding Beyond the Mobile App Interface

Zest, the restaurant discovery app that launched earlier this year,, is shifting its focus toward a future where standalone mobile apps are no longer the primary user interface. The startup introduced a personal AI-powered restaurant concierge that lives directly inside text messages, joining other popular AI agents in the conversational space.

This rollout highlights a broader trend among startups deploying conversational AI agents to handle tasks that previously required opening a dedicated mobile application. For Zest, this means transitioning recommendations from its interface into text threads, enabling users to seamlessly move from discovering a dining spot to booking a table.

How the Zest AI Concierge Operates

The AI agent is designed to tackle the common dilemma of deciding where to eat by operating inside a text message thread at (212) 470-6067. According to the company, the concierge can check availability and finalize reservations through connected services such as OpenTable, Resy, and SevenRooms.

When incorporated into group chats, the AI can aggregate everyone's individual preferences to propose options that fit the entire party. It also features an in-thread voting mechanism to help resolve indecision before booking a table without requiring participants to leave the messaging environment.

Users can query the Zest concierge based on various criteria including cuisine, specific cravings, dining occasions, dietary restrictions, or neighborhoods. Additionally, participants can ask situational questions about establishments—such as crowd levels, Wi-Fi availability, or request digital menus to assist with decision-making.

Transaction Data and Personalization

Originally established in November 2024 with $1.8 million in pre-seed backing from Alexis Ohanian's 776 and Steve Jang's Kindred Ventures, Zest differentiates itself by connecting with user credit cards. This setup tracks actual dining out habits to build a profile of user tastes and preferences for both local spots and travel destinations.

The underlying credit card data is imported through the financial services company Plaid,, which is widely utilized by banks and budgeting applications. Zest states that it isolates its tracking strictly to food and drink category transactions to construct its personalized maps and recommendation lists.

Scaling and Revenue Strategy

Zest founder and CEO Mario Gomez-Hall emphasized the efficiency of the agent-based approach. According to Gomez-Hall, the assistant begins with actual historical data rather than requiring weeks of interactive training questions to understand user preferences.

The startup began testing the concierge feature last month, holding off on a formal release until booking integrations were finalized. Looking forward, the company contemplates expanding the Zest framework beyond dining to encompass general business recommendations, shopping, and additional categories.

By shifting operations into text message environments, Zest aims to scale beyond its initial user base of several thousand and establish clear revenue streams. Gomez-Hall noted that booking and upcoming food ordering capabilities represent the primary revenue lines as the company participates in completed transactions.