In New York City, securing a reservation at popular restaurants has become increasingly difficult, with many food enthusiasts finding it nearly impossible to get a seat at the trendiest spots. Over the past three years, the reservation landscape has shifted dramatically.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of booking platform Sevenrooms, noted that some restaurants have become so exclusive that even industry veterans lack advice for securing a table. This growing exclusivity led the New York state legislature to recently pass a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for inflated prices.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, characterized the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She believes it will lessen reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite such changes, the demand for trendy and upscale dining experiences continues to surpass available options. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India, who has worked with high-profile clients for over 16 years through her concierge service Sienna Charles, emphasized that post-pandemic, nearly every travel and dining option is fully booked.
India pointed out that access to popular dining experiences relies heavily on understanding customer preferences and fostering relationships with restaurant owners. “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” she said, explaining that the recent trend leans towards extravagant dining experiences that prioritize social status over culinary excellence.
For those determined to land a coveted reservation, expert insights reveal which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book.