Zest’s AI agent recommends restaurants and books tables by text

Restaurant discovery app Zest has introduced an AI-powered concierge that recommends restaurants and books reservations through text messages. The company announced the feature on Thursday.

Users can text the concierge at (212) 470-6067 or add it to a group chat. It can combine participants’ tastes, suggest places based on factors such as cuisine, occasion, dietary restrictions, and neighborhood, and let the group vote on options. Users can also ask questions about restaurants or request a menu.

Zest says its recommendations draw on users’ dining history. The app imports credit card transaction data through financial services company Plaid and uses only transactions in food and drink categories for its personalized maps and lists.

The concierge can check availability and book through connected services including OpenTable, Resy, and SevenRooms. TechCrunch reported that its tests produced suggestions matched to preferences and conditions such as time of day, party size, and location.

Zest began testing the concierge last month and delayed its launch until booking was available. Founder and CEO Mario Gomez-Hall said booking and ordering are the company’s first planned revenue lines; food ordering is still to come. Zest is also considering recommendations beyond restaurants, including businesses and shopping. The app launched earlier this year. Founded in November 2024, the startup received $1.8 million in pre-seed backing from Alexis Ohanian at 776 and Steve Jang at Kindred Ventures.