Securing a reservation at a restaurant in New York has become increasingly challenging over the past three years. For many food enthusiasts, the difficulty of obtaining a seat at the city’s hottest dining spots has escalated dramatically.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, revealed the extent of the problem in a recent interview, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He added that restaurateurs often lack tips on how to secure a reservation themselves.
The intense competition for dinner bookings prompted the New York state legislature to take action last month by banning third-party booking websites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for over $200—similar to practices seen in the world of concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She noted it would help reduce competition for reservations and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that since the pandemic, almost every aspect of travel and dining has been fully booked. “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” she observed.
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, India understands the complexities of securing access to sought-after restaurants. Her clientele includes individuals with fortunes exceeding $100 million, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India noted that the shift in dining preferences means fewer clients are interested in traditional fine dining experiences. “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” she explained. Instead, the trend leans toward trendy restaurants where the experience is often about the feelings of exclusivity and social status rather than the food itself.
For those determined to gain access to the hardest-to-get restaurant reservations in New York, India suggests persistence and a keen understanding of what dining establishments seek in their clientele.