New Bedford’s Nuno’s Restaurant Takes Action to Combat No-Shows with New Policy

A New Bedford eatery is taking a stand against a growing problem that’s hitting local restaurants hard: no-shows.

On Tuesday, November 7, Nuno’s Restaurant on Belleville Avenue took to social media with a firm announcement regarding changes to their reservation policy.

In a Facebook post shared around 11 a.m., the restaurant stated:

"Due to a growing number of no-show booked reservations, effective IMMEDIATELY all reservations must be made through our website, and a credit card number is required to book. There is a fee of $5 per person for a no-show reservation. Credit cards will only be charged if the reservation does not show up. Please visit nunosnewbedford.com."

To understand the reasoning behind this new policy, I reached out directly to owner Nuno Chitas. With years of experience in the restaurant industry, Chitas expressed his frustration over customers making reservations and then not showing up, leaving tables empty and his business losing potential revenue.

"I think taking a reservation for somebody, it's like a – I’m not going to say a benefit – but like a convenience," Chitas explained. "People are making reservations, and they’re not showing. We're refusing walk-ins at times, telling people it's a half-hour to 45-minute wait, and some people are willing to wait. But then we have these empty tables; it doesn’t make any sense."

When asked if this issue has been ongoing, Chitas noted that it’s only been getting worse over time. He hinted that if the problem continues, his next move might be to eliminate reservations altogether.

As the holiday season approaches and dining out becomes more popular, Nuno’s new policy serves as a wake-up call for patrons to be considerate of small businesses. For those looking to secure a table, reservations can still be made at nunosnewbedford.com – just be prepared to commit to your booking.