Dining out in New York City has become increasingly challenging, as securing a reservation at the trendiest restaurants has reached new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, many food enthusiasts have found it nearly impossible to snag a seat at sought-after eateries.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights on the situation, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into. I’ve even spoken to restaurant owners who, when asked for tips on how to get reservations, say they have none.”
The competitive landscape for dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to pass a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant slots for exorbitant prices, reflecting a trend typically associated with concert and sporting event ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, termed the new legislation a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at reducing reservation competition and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative moves, the appetite for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed the available options. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up: every plane, every restaurant, every hotel.” India, who has spent 16 years managing a concierge and travel service for high-net-worth clients, including celebrities and political figures, understands the nuances of securing top dining experiences.
She highlights that accessing popular restaurants often relies on key factors such as recognizing client preferences and cultivating strong relationships with restaurant establishments. “The focus has shifted away from fine dining; very few clients request a lengthy tasting menu. Instead, there’s a trend towards trendy venues where the experience is more about status than cuisine,” India explained.
For those eager to claim their own coveted reservation and willing to invest effort in the process, Sienna Charles has identified which New York restaurants are the most difficult to book.