A spontaneous dining app has launched today on iOS and Android, using geo-location and real-time reservation information to help Londoners book a last-minute table.

Ruffl launches with more than 450 restaurants signed up, giving them the ability to turn on and off availability of tables and make special offers based on real-time demand. Over time, the app personalises results for users based on their previous visits. Ruffl takes a small commission when the diner has been served, but does not charge any subscription or installation fees.

The Ruffl app works in a not dissimilar way to OpenTable, which is present in the UK but only has apps in the US, Canada and Mexico. Ruffl is also backed by Karen Hanton, whose UK business Toptable.com was bought by OpenTable in 2010.

Earlier in the year, paying OpenTable restaurants were offered help to transition to the mobile web in the UK. Around 28 per cent of OpenTables toptable.com business here comes from mobile, operating across iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8 and the mobile web.

OpenTable also announced that it would be launching mobile bookings on Facebook, but this is limited to North America.