International dining platform First Table has officially launched in Sheffield, giving diners a new way to discover local restaurants while helping hospitality businesses make the most of quieter trading periods.
Already trusted by more than 3 million diners and partnering with over 4,500 restaurants globally, First Table’s arrival marks the platform’s first expansion into Sheffield, becoming the 22nd city in the UK to join the platform. More than 20 local restaurants have already signed up, including Bench, Maria, West10, Kolam, Lost & Found, Silversmiths and Terrace Goods.
The concept is simple. Guests, from solo diners right through to groups of six, can book a limited number of tables available at the beginning or end of service through the First Table app or website. In return for a booking fee, diners receive 50% off their food bill, creating an opportunity to try somewhere new while helping restaurants welcome more customers during off-peak periods.
The launch arrives at an important time for Sheffield’s hospitality industry, with operators grappling with rising costs and VAT pressures, including margins as thin as 4-5p profit per £1 of turnover, according to Sheffield venue owners backing the national #VATsTheProblem campaign, while working to encourage customers to dine out. Still, the city’s food scene is thriving: Sheffield’s visitor economy hit a record £2.01bn in 2025, up 8.7% on the year before, cementing its growing reputation as one of the UK’s leading culinary destinations. Sheffield offers an exciting opportunity for diners to discover new restaurants while supporting local hospitality businesses.
Unlike many booking platforms, the New Zealand-born app has zero participation fees for restaurants, positioning itself as a supportive partner to hospitality businesses during a challenging trading climate. The platform is designed to help restaurants fill tables that may otherwise sit empty, introducing venues to new customers and generating additional revenue during quieter periods.
Mat Weir, founder of First Table, said: “Sheffield is a city built on craftsmanship and innovation, and that spirit is alive in its restaurant scene today. There’s real quality and variety across the city, and we’re excited to help more diners discover it. Like many cities across the UK, restaurants are looking for innovative ways to maximise every service and attract new diners. First Table helps venues turn quieter trading periods into valuable opportunities by filling tables that may otherwise remain empty, while giving diners a great reason to discover somewhere new.”
Harry Mitchell, general manager at Silversmiths: “As an independent restaurant, every service matters to us, and First Table gives us a smart way to fill tables that might otherwise sit empty. It’ll bring us diners who might never have found us otherwise, and once they’re through the door, we get the chance to turn a discovery into a regular. In a climate where every cost is scrutinised, having a partner that doesn’t charge us to be on the platform makes a real difference.”
First Table was founded in Queenstown, New Zealand, after Weir noticed a restaurant offering half-price on its first table of the night to encourage early bookings and build atmosphere at the start of service. What began as a simple local initiative has since evolved into a global dining platform operating across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
The Sheffield launch follows continued growth for First Table across the UK, with the platform now operating in 22 cities nationwide, alongside continued expansion into Ireland and other key locations across the UK.
The app is available on both Google Play and the App Store, and you can find out more about First Table on their website here: www.firsttable.co.uk.
