Making dining reservations in New York has become increasingly challenging, with many food enthusiasts finding it nearly impossible to secure a table at the city’s hottest spots. Over the past three years, the process has grown from merely difficult to virtually unattainable for many diners.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, highlighted the issue, noting that even restaurant owners struggle to offer tips for securing a reservation. “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into,” he stated in an interview.
The situation has escalated to the point where the New York state legislature recently passed a ban on third-party reservation services like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to sell their restaurant bookings for more than $200, similar to scalping tickets for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality industry. She believes it will lessen reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for exciting and upscale dining experiences continues to outpace supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that post-pandemic, every aspect of travel and dining is fully booked, making it difficult to secure spots even in high-demand venues.
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for affluent clients, emphasizes that access to exclusive dining experiences depends on understanding client desires and fostering relationships with restaurants.
She observes a shift away from fine dining, with fewer clients interested in lengthy tasting menus. Instead, the trend has leaned towards trendy spots where the experience often revolves around social status and the allure of securing a difficult reservation.
For those eager to join the ranks of successful diners willing to persevere in their reservation pursuits, insights from Sienna Charles reveal which New York restaurants are currently the most challenging to book.