Booked a table for ten but your plans suddenly changed? Make sure to let the restaurant know as soon as possible, because as of July 17th, 2025, restaurants in Quebec could charge a fee for no-show reservations.
For years, Quebec restaurant owners have expressed frustration with customers who make reservations and then fail to show up without cancelling. Until recently, the Consumer Protection Act did not allow restaurants to charge a fee in these situations. But that changed on July 17th, 2025.
Minimum group size of two
Under the new rules, restaurants can charge $10 per person for a missed reservation. But this fee can’t be requested in advance, and not every missed reservation can be penalized.
To be charged the fee, the reservation must be for at least two people, and no one from the group must have showed up. So, if you reserved a table for ten and four guests show up, the fee doesn’t apply.
That said, booking a table doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the reservation, and potential penalty, no matter what. If something comes up, you can always cancel your reservation, but you must do so at least three hours before the reservation time.
Strict rules for charging no-show fees
Restaurants must meet specific conditions to be allowed to charge the $10 per person fee in case of no-shows. First, they must inform you of the potential fee before you book a table.
They must also contact you to confirm the reservation in writing between 6 and 48 hours before your reservation, unless you booked less than 48 hours in advance. This must be done using a digital method and include a link to cancel your reservation easily.
Restaurants must also have a digital system in place to allow people to cancel their reservations at all times. For example, cancellations could be done through an online platform or by text message.
Restaurants can only charge this $10 fee for no-shows, meaning when no one from the group shows up. They can’t charge fees or give penalties for other reasons or require a deposit.
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