Zest’s new AI agent finds restaurants and books reservations over text
Can't agree on where to eat? Zest's AI concierge can combine everyone's tastes, put restaurant options to a vote, and make the reservation.
Zest, the newly launched restaurant discovery app, is set to revolutionize the way we discover and book meals with its new AI-powered "restaurant concierge." This feature, introduced this Thursday, enables users to interact with Zest through text messages, making the process of finding and reserving a restaurant as simple as a conversation.
The launch of this AI agent aligns with a growing trend in the tech world, where conversational AI agents are stepping in to perform tasks that previously required standalone mobile applications. Zest's AI concierge directly answers users' queries based on their past dining experiences and those of their friends, without needing extensive conversation to understand their preferences.
Founded in November 2024 and backed by $1.8 million in pre-seed funding from Alexis Ohanian and Steve Jang, Zest leverages credit card data from Plaid to understand users' eating habits and tailor restaurant suggestions accordingly. The startup focuses on food and drink transactions, ensuring its recommendations are relevant to the user's tastes and interests.
Incorporating AI, Zest's new feature can check table availability and even make reservations through platforms like OpenTable, Resy, and SevenRooms. Users can interact with Zest in group chats, where it can blend individual preferences to find a restaurant that suits everyone's taste. It can also conduct in-thread voting to settle any disagreements and book a table without leaving the conversation.
With its conversational AI, Zest offers users a personalized dining experience, from suggesting new places to matching restaurants to specific criteria like cuisine, dietary restrictions, or time of day. The company is also considering expanding its offerings beyond restaurants to include recommendations for shopping and other businesses. The primary revenue for Zest comes from booking and ordering services, with food ordering and transactions expected to follow.
Zest's approach to using AI to replace traditional apps represents a significant shift in how startups are leveraging conversational AI agents, making everyday tasks like finding a restaurant more convenient and personalized.
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