Securing a reservation at New York’s hottest restaurants has become increasingly difficult, with many food enthusiasts finding it nearly impossible to snag a table. Over the past three years, the challenge of obtaining a seat at popular dining spots has intensified significantly.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, revealed that even restaurateurs themselves struggle to offer tips on securing a reservation. “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into,” he stated in a recent interview.
In response to the growing competition for reservations, the New York state legislature recently voted to ban third-party reservation sites like Appointment Trader, which had allowed users to resell their restaurant bookings for exorbitant prices, akin to ticket scalping in the entertainment industry.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at decreasing competition for reservations and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative measures, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that after the pandemic, there is an overwhelming demand for reservations across various sectors, including travel and dining. “Everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” she observed.
India, who has spent 16 years running a concierge service catering to wealthy clients, emphasized that understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with restaurants are key to gaining access to exclusive dining experiences. She indicated a notable shift away from traditional fine dining towards trendy hotspots where the experience is often more about social validation than the food itself.
For those eager to join this exclusive dining scene and willing to make the effort to secure a hard-to-get reservation, India has insights into which New York restaurants are considered the most sought after.