FAQ
Questions people actually ask
Grouped by where they come up. If something isn't answered here, the contact page reaches a human.
Getting started
Do I have to host anything?
No. Planting a Meal Seed just proposes a table. You're a diner like everyone else at it, with no extra cost and no extra duties.
What's the difference between an open table and a suggested table?
An open table is a real Meal Seed someone planted and you can join. A suggested table is an idea matched to a real restaurant that nobody has started — “Start this table” prefills the composer so you can adopt it.
Do I need an account to look around?
No. Browsing Meal Seeds works signed out. You'll be asked to sign in at the moment you take a seat or post a seed, and you'll be returned to exactly what you were doing.
Joining and leaving
What does “+ Me Too” commit me to?
Taking a seat means you intend to come. You can leave before the table locks, but there's deliberately no “maybe” state.
What if the table doesn't fill?
If it drops below its minimum it goes into Seat Rescue so others can save it. If time runs out it quietly expires — nobody is left waiting at a restaurant.
The date doesn't work for me — can I change it?
Fork the meal. That creates a new table at a new time with the same idea, without disturbing the original.
Can I bring a friend?
Only if there's a free seat and your friend takes it themselves. Every diner at a table has their own account and their own confirmation.
Money, chat and privacy
How does paying work?
The table agrees an approach — usually everyone pays their own share. Once the table is ready and everyone consents, that agreement is locked so it can't change at the restaurant.
Does ToShareAMeal take payment or book the table?
Not today. You settle directly at the restaurant according to the agreed approach, and reservations are made the usual way.
When can I message the group?
Chat opens when the table is ready and closes after the meal. You see messages from the moment you joined onward.
What can signed-out visitors see about me?
Nothing personal. Public discovery only shows the venue, time, meal type and seat counts — never diner identities or messages.
Still deciding?
Reading only gets you so far — one table tells you everything.