The Art of Wordless Service: Russia Unveils Its First Digital Waiter Assistant
A Russian startup has introduced an AI-powered waiter that remembers your favorite dishes, dietary restrictions, and even wine preferences—reshaping the future of dining.
A New Course from Russian Developers
A new level of restaurant service has arrived in Russia: the country’s first digital waiter can remember customer preferences, allergies, and habits, helping guests place tailored orders. Developed by the startup Vilka Rest with support from Russia’s National Technology Initiative Platform, the 'AI garcon' acts as waiter, sommelier, and even confidant.
The system uses artificial intelligence to streamline ordering and build digital profiles of diners. The assistant is already being tested in select premium restaurants. Guests share their wishes, and the AI offers a curated menu. If unsatisfied, customers receive further recommendations. On repeat visits, the bot recalls past orders to fine-tune suggestions.
Guide to Wine and Gastronomy
The developers claim the assistant saves time by eliminating the need to scroll through menus. Instead, the AI proposes dishes likely to match customer tastes and suggests wine pairings.
The interface resembles a familiar food delivery app, so users may not realize they’re interacting with AI. Looking ahead, Vilka Rest envisions 'neo-restaurants'—venues where menus adapt entirely to individual preferences, including diets. The team believes this approach could reinvent dining by offering not only flavorful meals but also healthier, more diverse choices.
Personalization Pays Off
Test results show that average checks rose by 30% after introducing the AI waiter, as guests ordered more of the dishes they truly enjoyed. Timofey Voronin, deputy director for technology transfer at the NTI Big Data Center based at Moscow State University, called the project promising but noted potential risks: some diners may miss human interaction.
Another concern is the handling of personal data, since the AI records allergies and preferences. Even so, experts agree the system is an important innovation, merging AI, customer service, and analytics into a single tool for the hospitality industry.
A Glimpse of the Future
Personalized dining is gaining traction worldwide, with chatbots, QR menus, and automated systems already common. Yet these tools rarely analyze preferences. By contrast, Vilka Rest’s solution combines personalization, consultation, and automation.
While implementation remains costly—limiting rollout to premium establishments—the rise in average checks and loyalty supports its expansion. Industry analysts say it could sharpen competition in Russia’s restaurant sector, raising overall service quality. The AI waiter could even become a successful export product for advanced HoReCa markets in the Middle East and East Asia.
