Restaurant discovery app Zest introduced a new AI-powered restaurant concierge that allows users to find eateries and book reservations directly through text messages. Launched on Thursday by founder and CEO Mario Gomez-Hall, the text-based agent integrates into individual or group chats to suggest personalized dining spots and secure tables via services like OpenTable, Resy, and SevenRooms.
Founded in November 2024 with $1.8 million in pre-seed backing from investors including Alexis Ohanian's 776 and Steve Jang's Kindred Ventures, Zest links with user credit cards through Plaid to track food and drink transactions. This transaction history allows the AI to learn user preferences immediately without requiring lengthy setup conversations. Users can text the concierge to receive tailored recommendations based on cuisine, cravings, dietary restrictions, and location, while group chats can utilize an in-thread voting feature to settle on a venue.
Zest plans to generate revenue through transaction fees on bookings and upcoming food ordering features, with potential future expansion into shopping and other business recommendations. This launch highlights a broader industry shift toward conversational AI agents replacing standalone mobile applications for routine tasks. Why it matters: Zest demonstrates how conversational AI agents can bypass traditional app interfaces by leveraging transaction history to automate consumer decision-making and commerce directly inside messaging threads.