Hebrew for Reserving a Table

If you want to book a table at a restaurant in Israel, you do not need perfect Hebrew. A few clear phrases are usually enough.

The main phrase

The most common phrase is:

אני רוצה להזמין שולחן
Ani rotzeh/rotza lehazmin shulchan
I want to reserve a table.

In this context, להזמין means to reserve / book.

A slightly more polite version is:

אפשר להזמין שולחן?
Efshar lehazmin shulchan?
Can I reserve a table?

If you want to say when:

אני רוצה להזמין שולחן להערב
Ani rotzeh/rotza lehazmin shulchan la-erev
I want to reserve a table for tonight.

אני רוצה להזמין שולחן למחר בערב
Ani rotzeh/rotza lehazmin shulchan le-machar ba-erev
I want to reserve a table for tomorrow evening.

What they may ask you

When you call or message a restaurant, they often ask:

• לכמה אנשים? (le-kama anashim?) — For how many people?
• לאיזו שעה? (le-eizo sha'a?) — For what time?
• על שם מי? (al shem mi?) — Under whose name?
• יש מספר טלפון? (yes mispar telefon?) — Is there a phone number?

Simple answers

You can answer like this:

• לשניים — For two
• לשלושה — For three
• לארבעה — For four
• בשמונה — At eight
• על שם דניאל — Under the name Daniel
• המספר שלי הוא... — My number is...

If the number is hard to say clearly, it is normal to say it in English.

Useful reservation phrases

Here are a few phrases you may hear or use:

• יש מקום? — Is there a table?
• יש שולחן פנוי? — Is there an available table?
• יש הזמנה על שם... — There is a reservation under the name...
• הזמנתי שולחן — I reserved a table
• אפשר לשנות לשעה תשע? — Can I change it to nine?
• אפשר לבטל? — Can I cancel?
• לשבת בפנים — To sit inside
• לשבת בחוץ — To sit outside

A short phone example

שלום, אפשר להזמין שולחן להערב?
Hello, can I reserve a table for tonight?

לכמה אנשים?
For how many people?

לארבעה.
For four.

לאיזו שעה?
For what time?

לשמונה, בבקשה.
For eight, please.

על שם שרון.
Under the name Sharon.

If you are walking in

Sometimes you are not booking ahead. You can ask at the entrance:

יש מקום לשניים?
Is there a table for two?

אפשר להזמין שולחן עכשיו?
Can I get a table now?

This is useful in busy restaurants, especially on weekends or in popular places.

Small language tip

In Hebrew, להזמין can mean both to reserve and to invite depending on context. In a restaurant, it usually means to book a table.

If you also want restaurant vocabulary for ingredients, see Hebrew for Asking About Ingredients. For paying after the meal, How to Split the Bill in Hebrew is a useful next step. If plans change, Hebrew for Rescheduling Plans can help too.

Quick practice

Try saying these out loud:

1. אני רוצה להזמין שולחן.
2. אפשר להזמין שולחן להערב?
3. לארבעה, בשמונה, על שם מיכל.

In real life, short and clear is usually enough.