Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing a reservation at the city’s most popular restaurants reaching new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, many aspiring diners have found themselves unable to book a seat at the trendiest venues.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the bookings platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, noting, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He has spoken with restaurateurs who have been unable to provide tips for securing reservations amidst this heightened competition.
In response to the intense reservation landscape, New York’s state legislature recently passed a law banning third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were selling restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, sometimes up to $200, a practice more common in concert and sports ticket sales than in dining.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at reducing market competition for reservations and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for unique and luxurious dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India, who has been in the business for over 16 years, noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up—every plane, every restaurant, every hotel.”
India, who runs the concierge service Sienna Charles catering to ultra-wealthy families, emphasizes that gaining access to exclusive dining experiences hinges on understanding client preferences and nurturing relationships with the restaurants that can meet them.
She notes a shift in consumer preferences from fine dining to more trendy establishments, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining. It’s about FOMO; it’s about claiming you got in as a bragging right.”
For those eager to secure a coveted table in New York, persistence is key. Stay tuned for a list of the hardest-to-get reservations according to Sienna Charles.