Securing a reservation at New York’s top restaurants has become increasingly challenging, reaching new levels of difficulty over the past three years. Many food enthusiasts are finding themselves struggling to secure a spot at the city’s most sought-after dining venues.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, remarked on the situation, stating that even restaurateurs have admitted their inability to offer tips on securing reservations. “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into,” he noted in a recent interview.
The competitiveness of dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to enact a ban last month on third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader, which had been allowing users to resell restaurant reservations for upwards of $200—similar to practices associated with concert and sports ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She believes it will lessen competition for reservations and shield restaurants from high cancellation costs.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for exclusive and trendy dining experiences continues to surpass supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed that post-pandemic, there is heightened competition for bookings across various sectors, including restaurants, hotels, and travel experiences.
India, who runs the luxury concierge service Sienna Charles, which caters to ultra-wealthy clients, highlighted the importance of understanding client desires and fostering relationships with dining establishments. “People have really moved away from fine dining,” she stated. “The focus has shifted towards trendy restaurants, emphasizing the experience over the food.”
For those determined to secure reservations at New York’s hardest-to-book restaurants, persistence and a strategic approach are essential.