Servers take orders, rush to input them at a terminal, and return to find customers impatiently waiting. Mistakes slip through, food takes longer, and table turnover slows. This is the reality for many full-service restaurants still relying on traditional ordering methods.

NOVA’s handheld tableside ordering solutions change the game. Orders go straight from the table to the kitchen in real time, reducing errors and speeding up service. No lost tickets, no mixed-up modifiers, just seamless efficiency that keeps customers happy and tables turning faster. Servers stay on the floor, engaging with guests instead of running back and forth.

Restaurants that embrace table-side ordering see higher check averages, improved accuracy, and a more streamlined workflow. Customers get their meals faster, staff work smarter, and profits rise.

Outdated processes cost time and money. How long before efficiency becomes the industry standard? Read this blog to understand how NOVAs handheld solutions will make your restaurant more efficient than ever.

The Problem with Traditional Order-Taking

In many full-service restaurants, the traditional order-taking process still looks the same: a server approaches the table, jots down the order on paper or memorizes it, then heads to the POS terminal to input it.

This workflow, while familiar, introduces multiple friction points:

• Wasted Time: Walking back and forth between the table and the terminal adds avoidable delays, especially when terminals are occupied.
• Order Entry Bottlenecks: During peak hours, servers may queue to use a POS station, further slowing down the process.
• Human Errors: Orders taken manually can be misread, misheard, or mistyped, leading to incorrect items being sent to the kitchen.
• Slower Table Turns: The longer it takes to input orders and serve food, the fewer guests you can accommodate during a shift.
• Customer Frustration: Long wait times and incorrect orders frustrate guests and reduce satisfaction.
• Profitability Impact: Every delay and mistake reduces operational efficiency and limits revenue potential.

In a time when diners expect fast, accurate, and personalized service, relying on outdated methods is a direct barrier to growth.

What is Tableside Ordering?

Tableside ordering is a modern solution where servers take orders using handheld POS devices—right at the guest’s table. These devices are directly connected to the restaurant’s main POS system, sending orders to the kitchen in real time.

Here’s what makes it transformative:

• Instant Order Relay: As soon as a server inputs the order, it appears on the kitchen display system—no more delays.
• Greater Accuracy: With digital entry, there’s no risk of misreading handwriting or forgetting modifications.
• Streamlined Service: Orders, payments, and even tips can be processed on the same device, minimizing interruptions.
• Customizability & Upselling: Servers can easily suggest add-ons, modifiers, or promotions during order-taking.
• Integration Ready: These devices often connect with inventory, loyalty programs, and CRM systems for full operational visibility.

A tableside ordering system empowers servers to stay on the floor and be more attentive to guest needs, rather than running back and forth to a terminal. It not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports a more personalized, guest-centric service approach. For diners, it translates to shorter wait times, faster payments, and fewer errors with their meals. For restaurants, it means higher staff productivity, improved order throughput, and more consistent service quality across shifts. As expectations rise across the hospitality industry, investing in a smart tableside ordering system has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a competitive necessity.

How NOVA's Restaurant Handheld POS System Transforms Tableside Ordering?

With NOVA's handheld POS system, restaurants can eliminate inefficiencies and offer a streamlined dining experience. Here’s how:

• Instant Order Transmission: Orders go directly from the server’s handheld device to the kitchen, cutting down order entry time.
• Accuracy Boost: No more deciphering messy handwriting or miscommunication, what the guest orders is exactly what the kitchen receives.
• Faster Table Turns: Quicker ordering means faster service, increasing the number of tables served per shift.
• Upselling Made Easy: Suggested add-ons and modifiers pop up, making it effortless for servers to upsell and increase check averages.

A. For Guests

Enhanced Experience with Personalized Service

A great dining experience is more than just good food, it’s about feeling valued. With NOVA’s tableside ordering system, servers spend more time engaging with guests rather than running back and forth to a POS terminal.

• Servers can instantly check order history for returning guests, making personalized recommendations.
• Special requests? No problem. The system allows custom notes for the kitchen.
• Need to split the bill? Done in seconds, without the hassle of running to a stationary terminal.

This level of attentiveness leads to better service, higher tips, and an all-around more enjoyable experience for guests.

Empowering Guests: Control, Convenience, and Faster Payments

Today’s diners want more than just good food, they want a seamless experience. With NOVAs restaurant handheld POS system ordering, customers gain more control over their orders, ensuring accuracy and personalization. Whether it means customizing a dish or splitting a bill, guests enjoy a smoother, more convenient process.

Even better, faster payments mean no waiting for the check. With secure, on-the-spot transactions, customers can pay instantly and leave satisfied. This efficiency not only enhances their experience but also encourages repeat visits.  

B. For Restaurant

Speed and Efficiency: A Win for Servers and Customers

Speed matters. Customers expect prompt service, and delays can mean the difference between a glowing review and a negative one. With NOVA’s handheld tableside ordering, servers don’t waste time running back and forth. Instead, they take orders, send them to the kitchen instantly, and continue attending to guests. The result? Happier customers, efficient staff, and a well-run restaurant operation.

Even better, since orders are processed in real-time, the kitchen gets a head start on preparation, reducing wait times and improving the overall dining experience.

Reducing Errors and Improving Order Accuracy

Incorrect orders can be a nightmare for both guests and the restaurant. A wrong dish means wasted ingredients, frustrated customers, and potential negative feedback. Tableside ordering inputs orders directly into the device, minimizing miscommunication and ensuring accuracy. Features like:

• Allergen and Dietary Warnings
• Auto-Suggested Modifications
• Real-Time Menu Availability Updates

help prevent mistakes and ensure that every guest gets exactly what they want.

Increasing Sales Through Seamless Upselling

A well-trained server knows how to upsell, but in the heat of a busy shift, opportunities can be missed. NOVA’s restaurant handheld POS system nudges servers with smart prompts, ensuring that they never forget to recommend:

• Wine pairings
• Appetizers or desserts
• Premium toppings or extras

Because upselling happens naturally within the order flow, guests are more likely to say “yes,” increasing check averages without feeling pressured.

Seamless Integration with Restaurant Operations

One of the biggest concerns for restaurant managers when adopting new technology is integration. NOVA doesn’t just work in isolation, it seamlessly connects with:

• Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) to ensure smooth order flow
• Inventory Management to track real-time stock levels
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools for loyalty programs and guest preferences

As an all-in-one restaurant platform, NOVA helps managers maintain control over operations while boosting efficiency.

Increased Table Turnover

Tableside ordering speeds up order entry and reduces wait times, allowing restaurants to serve guests faster. With quicker food preparation and payment processing, tables become available sooner for new customers. This increased table turnover maximizes seating capacity, improves customer flow, and boosts overall restaurant revenue without sacrificing service quality.

Simplified Tip Management

Dealing with the employees who get tips in a full-service restaurant can be hard, especially when they have to be distributed among servers, bartenders, and back-of-house staff equally. The NOVA restaurant management platform is a perfect solution for easy tip management, which is realized by the facilitation of a fully automated process that is smooth for the team members. 

This procedure excludes the possibility of a mistake, enhances transparency, and eventually, both managers and payroll staff get rid of their duties being overwhelmed with too much work.

The feature of tableside ordering allows the customers to tip easily while they settle their bills on the handheld device. This process not only facilitates transactions but also paves the way to correct distribution of the tips, decreasing payroll-processing time-consuming activities right away.

Overcoming Implementation Challenges of POS Handheld Devices

Introducing handheld POS devices in a restaurant can improve efficiency, but some challenges may arise. Here’s how to overcome them smoothly:

1. Staff Training: Making Adoption Easy

Training employees doesn’t have to be difficult. Start with short, hands-on sessions where staff can practice using the devices. Use simple guides or videos for quick learning. Assign a few experienced team members as go-to support to help others. With a little practice, staff will feel comfortable using the new system in no time.

2. System Integration: Ensuring Everything Works Together

Before implementing handheld POS devices, check if they are compatible with your existing restaurant management system. Most modern restaurant POS solutions, like NOVA, are designed to integrate seamlessly with inventory, payment, and payroll systems. If needed, work with your POS provider for setup support to ensure everything runs smoothly.

3. Cost Considerations: Seeing the Value

Investing in handheld POS devices may seem costly at first, but the benefits quickly add up. Faster service, fewer errors, and increased table turnover can boost sales. Plus, integrated tipping and payment processing reduce administrative work. In the long run, the system pays for itself through improved efficiency and higher revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a tableside ordering system in a restaurant?
A tableside ordering system allows servers to take guest orders using handheld POS devices at the table. Orders are sent directly to the kitchen in real time, reducing errors, wait times, and manual steps. These systems can also handle payments, split checks, and even accept tips—all from the same device.

2. How does tableside ordering improve restaurant operations?
Tableside ordering speeds up service, reduces manual entry errors, improves order accuracy, and increases table turnover. It also enables servers to spend more time interacting with guests instead of walking back and forth to a terminal, improving the overall guest experience and operational efficiency.

3. Is tableside ordering only for large restaurants or chains?
No—restaurants of all sizes can benefit. Whether you're a single-location bistro or a fast-growing multi-location brand, handheld tableside solutions scale easily and offer measurable ROI through faster service, increased sales, and improved customer satisfaction.

4. What features should I look for in a tableside ordering system?
Look for real-time order transmission to the kitchen, easy payment processing, upsell prompts, integration with your POS and inventory systems, offline mode capabilities, and a user-friendly interface that your staff can adopt quickly.

5. How long does it take to train staff on handheld POS devices?
Most staff can be trained in just a few sessions. NOVA’s handheld POS devices are designed with simplicity in mind—featuring intuitive interfaces and quick-action workflows that make onboarding fast and frustration-free.

6. Will switching to a handheld system disrupt my current restaurant operations?
Not at all. NOVA’s tableside ordering system is built for seamless integration. It works in harmony with your existing POS setup and can be introduced gradually during off-peak hours or training shifts to minimize disruption.

7. Is it safe to take payments at the table?
Yes. NOVA’s handheld POS system uses secure, encrypted payment processing that meets PCI compliance standards. Guests can tap, swipe, or insert cards directly on the device, ensuring safety and convenience without handing over their cards to the server.

Future Trends in Tableside Ordering and Restaurant Technology

As restaurants evolve to meet changing guest expectations, tableside ordering is set to play a central role in the digital transformation of full-service dining. Here’s what to expect in the near future:

1. AI-Powered Order Recommendations

Handheld POS systems have started integrating AI algorithms that analyze guest preferences, past orders, and even dietary patterns to suggest personalized menu items in real time—helping servers upsell smarter and improving guest satisfaction.

2. Voice-Activated Tableside Interfaces

The future of tableside ordering will likely include voice-activated ordering devices. These will allow servers—or even guests—to place and customize orders hands-free, increasing speed and accessibility for all.

3. Guest Self-Ordering with Mobile or Tablet at the Table

Many restaurants will introduce hybrid models where guests can browse, order, and pay directly from a tablet on the table or their smartphones, giving them control while still allowing staff to assist as needed.

4. Real-Time Inventory Syncing

Advanced handheld systems will sync live with inventory to ensure guests only see available items and substitutions. This reduces disappointment, minimizes waste, and improves operational flow in the kitchen.

5. Sustainability Tracking and Smart Recommendations

Eco-conscious diners increasingly want transparency. Future systems may highlight sustainable menu choices or flag carbon-footprint-friendly options right in the ordering flow.

6. Cross-Location Data Intelligence

Multi-location restaurants will benefit from centralized data dashboards where tableside ordering data feeds directly into broader insights, like best-selling items, upsell effectiveness, guest behavior patterns, and staffing efficiency.

Why Your Restaurant Needs NOVA: The Ultimate Handheld POS Solution!

For full-service restaurant managers, the decision to invest in technology isn’t just about keeping up with trends, it’s about staying competitive. Tableside ordering isn’t a luxury; it’s becoming a necessity. The benefits are clear:

• Faster service, leading to higher table turnover
• Improved accuracy, reducing waste and customer complaints
• Increased sales through effortless upselling
• Better guest experience, leading to repeat business and positive reviews

With NOVAs handheld POS solutions, restaurants can deliver an exceptional dining experience while maximizing profitability. 

The future of full-service dining is here; the question is, are you ready to embrace it? Schedule your demo today to experience these benefits yourself!

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