How to Switch from Quandoo to Tavooli
Switching reservation systems sounds like a headache. It doesn't have to be. This guide walks you through moving from Quandoo to Tavooli in five steps. Most restaurants finish the whole process in under two hours.
Before you start
You'll need:
- Access to your Quandoo restaurant dashboard
- Access to your restaurant's website (or your web developer's contact)
- An email address for your Tavooli account
That's it. No technical skills required.
Step 1: Export your data from Quandoo
Log into your Quandoo dashboard. Go to the guest management section and look for an export or download option. You want to get:
- Guest list — names, emails, phone numbers, any tags or notes you've added
- Reservation history — past bookings, if available
- Upcoming reservations — anything booked for dates after your switch
Download everything as CSV files. Save them somewhere safe — a dedicated folder on your computer works fine.
If you can't find the export option, contact Quandoo support. Under DSGVO, they're required to give you your data.
Step 2: Create your Tavooli account
Go to tavooli.com/onboard and sign up. The free trial runs for 30 days — no credit card, no commitment.
During setup, you'll enter:
- Restaurant name and address
- Contact details
- Your opening hours
- Number of tables and seats
This takes about five minutes. You can adjust everything later, so don't worry about getting it perfect on the first pass.
Step 3: Import your guest database
In your Tavooli dashboard, go to the guest database section. There's a CSV import tool that reads standard Quandoo exports.
Upload your guest CSV file. Tavooli will match the columns automatically — name, email, phone, notes. Review the preview to make sure everything mapped correctly, then confirm the import.
Your entire guest history is now in Tavooli. All the names, preferences, and notes you've built up over the years. Nothing lost.
What about upcoming reservations?
If you have reservations already booked through Quandoo for future dates, you have two options:
- Let those reservations stay in Quandoo until the guests arrive, and only use Tavooli for new bookings going forward
- Manually re-enter future reservations into Tavooli and notify guests of the switch
Option one is simpler. Run both systems for a short overlap period. Once all existing Quandoo reservations have passed, you're fully on Tavooli.
Step 4: Set up your floor plan and shifts
In the Tavooli dashboard, set up your floor plan. Add your tables, assign seat counts, and arrange them to match your actual layout. This is drag-and-drop — no technical work needed.
Then configure your shifts:
- Lunch and dinner service times
- Maximum covers per shift
- Table turn time (how long a table is blocked per reservation)
- Booking lead time (how far in advance guests can book)
Tip: look at your Quandoo settings before you start. Match the same shift times and capacity limits so your guests see the same availability they're used to.
Step 5: Add the booking widget to your website
Tavooli gives you a small code snippet — a few lines of HTML. Copy it and paste it into your website where you currently have the Quandoo widget.
If you manage your own website, this takes two minutes. If someone else maintains it, send them the snippet with instructions to replace the old Quandoo embed code.
The widget matches your site's design. Guests pick a date, time, and party size, then book. Confirmations go out automatically by email.
Don't forget Google Reserve
If you had Google Reserve through Quandoo, that "Reserve a table" button on Google Maps and Search will stop working after the shutdown. Tavooli supports Google Reserve — once your account is set up, the connection can be established so guests can book directly from Google.
After the switch
Once you're live:
- Test a booking yourself. Go to your website, make a reservation, check that the confirmation email arrives.
- Show your staff the dashboard. It's straightforward, but five minutes of walkthrough prevents confusion on a busy Friday night.
- Update your Google Business Profile with your new booking link if needed.
- Let regulars know. A quick note on your website or social media that you've switched systems. Most guests won't notice or care — they just want to book a table.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
One to two hours for most restaurants. The guest data import is the slowest part, and even that's usually under 15 minutes.
Can I run Quandoo and Tavooli at the same time?
Yes. We recommend an overlap period of at least two weeks. Just be careful about double-bookings — disable online booking on one system while the other is active.
What if I need help?
Tavooli's support team speaks German and English. Reach out through the dashboard or by email. We've helped hundreds of restaurants through this exact migration.
The hardest part of switching is deciding to do it. The actual process is simpler than most people expect.
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