The number of dining reservations made in Houston through the online platform Open Table rose 18.4% in the first 11 months of this year compared with the same period in 2023.

The increase in Houston reservations is well ahead of the 3.3% increase in reservations reported nationally by Open Table during the same period. Elsewhere in Texas, reservations in Austin have increased 5.5% over last year, San Antonio reservations are up 13.6% and reservations in Dallas have risen 30% this year.

Reservations through Open Table have trended up across the South this year. In New Orleans, reservations climbed 25% over last year and in Nashville they’re up 12.6% while in Atlanta reservations increased a modest 1%.

Data from U.S. Census Bureau shows restaurant retail sales nationwide have trended up this year, hitting $96 billion in September—a 3.7% increase over sales in September 2023 though part of that increase can be attributed to inflation. Still consumer confidence has been on the climb along with spending.

Houston is home to more than 12,000 restaurants and is recognized as one of the most diverse food cities in the nation with more than 80 different types of cuisine represented.

Written by A.J. Mistretta