How to accept pay-at-table QR payments with Mercado Pago in Argentina

How Bocadium table QR payments work

Place a reusable Bocadium QR at each table. Guests scan it, open the digital menu, review their open bill and pay through Mercado Pago checkout. You do not need a new table code for each transaction.

This is not the direct QR generated inside the Mercado Pago app: the printed code opens Bocadium, which starts a Checkout Pro payment for the bill amount.

1. Connect the venue Mercado Pago account

1. 1

   Sign in as the owner and open Settings → Payment methods.

2. 2

   Choose Connect Mercado Pago and authorize with the Argentine business account that will receive payments.

3. 3

   Enable Mercado Pago for checkout, save, and run Test connection. Make sure the venue currency is Argentine pesos (ARS).

2. Prepare tables and QR codes

1. 1

   Create the dining tables and publish a menu with products and prices.

2. 2

   Open Menu → QR, enable the digital menu and generate one Table-type QR for each table. A general or branch QR cannot identify a specific table bill.

3. 3

   Enable Pay from QR in the QR payment tab and save. If unavailable, check the active Mercado Pago connection.

4. 4

   Print and place the correct QR on each table, then scan it with a phone to verify the table.

3. How guests pay

1. 1

   Staff open the table bill and record the items. Pay-at-table requires an open bill.

2. 2

   The guest scans the table code and taps View bill. They can pay in full, split evenly, pay their own linked items, or choose an allowed amount.

3. 3

   If tips are enabled, guests may select a tip before checkout. The amount and currency appear before confirmation.

4. 4

   Mercado Pago opens to complete checkout. Bocadium verifies settlement server-side; a return screen alone is not proof of payment.

4. Confirmation, receipt and table closeout

• After confirmation, Bocadium records the payment and notifies dining staff. If money remains due, the bill stays open or partial.
• When fully paid, Bocadium closes the bill and releases the table. Verify in Bills and Dining/Cashier.
• Guests can view an informational receipt and request an email copy. It is not a substitute for an Argentine tax invoice.

Troubleshooting

• View bill is missing: confirm a Table QR, enabled QR menu and payments, and an open bill.
• Cannot enable Pay from QR: activate Mercado Pago and verify OAuth authorization using Test connection.
• Payment pending: do not mark the bill as paid. Wait for Bocadium confirmation and cross-check Mercado Pago.
• Rejected payment or wrong amount/currency: check ARS configuration, refresh the bill and verify the buyer payment method.
• Before taking real payments, run a controlled small-value transaction and verify the complete cycle.

FAQ

Does the guest need the Mercado Pago app? Not necessarily; available Checkout Pro payment methods depend on Mercado Pago and the buyer.

Who receives the money? The linked restaurant Mercado Pago account. Provider processing fees and any Bocadium plan commissions are separate.

Can guests pay without an open bill? No; staff must first open the bill and enter the items.