In New York City, securing a dining reservation has become extremely challenging, with many popular restaurants now seen as nearly inaccessible. Over the past three years, the struggle to book a table at the city’s hottest spots has grown significantly.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, noted in an interview that even restaurant owners often lack insight on how to obtain reservations at their own establishments. The competition for dinner slots has reached such a point that New York’s state legislature recently passed a law banning third-party booking services like Appointment Trader, where users were selling reservations for upwards of $200, a practice akin to scalping tickets for concerts.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new law as a crucial win for the hospitality sector, aiming to lessen the competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the ongoing high demand for trendy dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that since the pandemic, securing bookings for flights, hotels, and restaurants has become increasingly difficult. For 16 years, India has led Sienna Charles, a luxury concierge and travel planning service catering to affluent clients, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
Though her background gives her unique access to exclusive venues, India emphasizes that successful reservation strategies hinge largely on understanding client preferences and nurturing relationships with restaurant staff.
She highlighted a notable shift in consumer behavior away from fine dining, noting that her clients now rarely request lengthy tasting menus. Instead, guests are drawn to trendy spots that prioritize the experience over the food itself, with many dining out primarily for the social status that comes with being able to say they dined there.
For those determined to land a reservation at one of New York’s most sought-after restaurants, persistence and knowing which venues to target are key.