See also: 5 apps that make dining easy in Bangkok


 Eatigo 

Available for iOS and Android
 
How it works: Download the app and sign in via Facebook. The app’s main page is basically a long list of restaurants with pictures and discounts; you can filter it according to Eatigo’s recommendations, which ones are closest to you, specific location and cuisine. The app also brings up promotions (10-50 percent) based on different timeslots. Every restaurant must offer at least one 50-percent discount timeslot. Click on “Here & Now” to add your current location and see the range of restaurants in your area offering discounts. To book, select the restaurant and time of your choice and confirm. Bookings can be made for up to five people, and must be done a minimum of 30 minutes in advance.
 
What we found: With about 100 restaurants, including many hotel venues and BK favorites like Ogu Ogu and Bangers, the beauty of the app definitely lies in the deals outside peak dining hours, although a few big discounts can still be found at OK times. For example, we saw 50 percent off at 6pm for both Elements in The Okura Prestige and at Apoteka on Sukhumvit Soi 11. We were impressed with the quick response of the Eatigo operators. Within a minute of booking, we got a call to confirm our reservation. Straight afterwards, we received an SMS with the discount code, too. When we arrived at the restaurant, we showed the code to the wait staff who took us to our tables just like any other guests. At the end of the meal, the discount was marked on the bill—no attention was drawn to the fact we booked using a deal. Note that discounts only apply to food.
 
Verdict: It works and the deals are impressive. Too bad you have to eat at 3pm to enjoy the best discounts.

Hungry Hub

Available for iOS and Android
 
How it works: Either sign in immediately using your email account, or go through the process when actually booking your table. After typing in your email address, password and phone number, the app will send you a verification code via SMS that you have to verify within one minute. Unlike Eatigo, Hungry Hub doesn’t focus on promotions; instead it promises to introduce a points redemption system for every reservation. At the time of going to print, Hungry Hub told us this aspect of the app was a matter of weeks off launching, with the plan to offer a return of one baht per point (one booking currently earns you 10 points). You can filter restaurants according to location, cuisine, user star rating and more. Booking is simple: select your restaurant, time and number of diners. 
 
What we found: Covering about 50 restaurants, from mid-range favorites like Coca to hip recent openings like Vesper, Hungry Hub features all the essentials: opening hours, price range, parking details and more. There are also short listings for each restaurant, as well as user reviews and ratings. Shortly after you book, a confirmation email is sent to your email address. Once we arrived at the restaurant, our meal was business as usual. We received 10 points for reserving a table.
 
Verdict: Though the app is clearly in its initial stages, it makes the booking process smooth and easy. Until the points reward system is up and running, though, we’ll stick with Eatigo.