Dining out in New York has increasingly become a challenge, with securing a reservation at the city’s most popular restaurants now tougher than ever. Over the past three years, what was once a difficult task has evolved into a near-impossible one for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, noted in a recent interview that certain restaurants are nearly inaccessible. Despite efforts to get tips from restaurant owners during discussions, they admit they have no strategies to share.
The situation worsened to the point where last month, the New York state legislature passed a law banning third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which had allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for significant sums—similar to ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new law as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She believes it will diminish reservation competition and alleviate the burden of costly cancellations on restaurants.
Nonetheless, the trend of seeking trendy and luxurious dining experiences remains high, far exceeding the available options. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the post-COVID environment where every travel sector, including restaurants and hotels, is operating at full capacity, creating a demand-supply imbalance.
India, who has spent 16 years running Sienna Charles—a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients—points out that successful access to exclusive restaurants hinges on understanding client needs and fostering close relationships with restaurant owners.
She observed a notable shift away from fine dining, with fewer clients interested in lengthy tasting menus. Instead, the focus has shifted to trendy spots, where the experience often prioritizes social status and the appeal of exclusivity over the quality of the food itself.
For those determined to secure their own coveted reservations, insights from Sienna Charles highlight which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to access.