Securing a reservation at New York’s popular restaurants has become increasingly difficult, with the situation escalating over the past three years. What was once a challenging task has transformed into a near-impossible feat for many dining enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” Despite discussions with restaurateurs, he noted that many are at a loss for strategies to secure a table.
The competition for dinner reservations has intensified to the point where the New York state legislature recently voted to outlaw third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to sell restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, much like scalping tickets for 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, aiming to reduce reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
However, even with these legislative measures, the reality is that the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up. Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who has spent 16 years overseeing Sienna Charles, a concierge service for the affluent, understands the intricacies of securing restaurant reservations. Her clientele typically includes families with over $100 million in net worth and has included notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
Despite her credentials, India highlights that gaining access to the most sought-after dining spots is largely about identifying customer preferences and establishing relationships with restaurant owners.
She remarked, “People have really moved away from fine dining. The shift has been toward trendy restaurants where the emphasis isn’t solely on food. It’s about FOMO—fear of missing out—and having a bragging right for getting into these exclusive places.”
For those keen on earning their own bragging rights and willing to go the extra mile for a reservation, we delve into which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book, according to Sienna Charles.