If your plans change unavoidably at the last minute, remember it's common courtesy to notify the restaurant that you’ll no longer be attending. Many independent restaurants are counting on your party to show up and may not be able to fill the table last minute with walk-ins, which is why some have started adding reservation deposits and cancellation fees for no-shows. Always ring ahead or cancel your booking online, giving as much notice as possible.

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Restaurant etiquette mistakes we want people to stop