Securing dinner reservations in New York has become increasingly challenging, with many trendy restaurants seeming out of reach for food enthusiasts. Over the past three years, obtaining a seat at popular dining spots has turned into a significant hurdle.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, stated that certain restaurants are nearly impossible to access, even to insiders. Restaurateurs themselves have expressed uncertainty on how to ease the reservation struggle.
In response to the growing competition, the New York state legislature recently enacted a ban on third-party booking platforms, such as Appointment Trader, where users previously resold restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices. This measure has been welcomed as a substantial win for the hospitality sector by Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, who believes it will alleviate reservation competition and protect restaurants from significant cancellations.
Nevertheless, the demand for trendy and exclusive dining experiences continues to surpass their availability, particularly in the post-COVID environment. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that not only are restaurants booking up quickly, but so are planes and hotels.
India, who has spent 16 years managing her concierge and travel planning service, Sienna Charles, for high-net-worth clients, shared her insight into navigating this competitive landscape. While her clientele often includes wealthy individuals, she insists that success in securing reservations depends on understanding customer desires and fostering strong connections with restaurant staff.
She observed a notable transition from fine dining preferences toward trendy spots where the social experience and status symbol of securing a reservation often take precedence over the quality of food.
For those determined to secure their own coveted reservations in New York, exploring the most sought-after tables, as highlighted by Sienna Charles, might provide some much-needed guidance.