Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing reservations at the city’s most sought-after restaurants becoming nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts in the past three years.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, shared with Bloomberg that some eateries are so exclusive that even experienced restaurateurs struggle to offer helpful tips for gaining access.
In response to the growing reservation competition, the New York state legislature recently passed a law banning third-party booking sites, such as Appointment Trader, where users were reselling reservation slots for over $200. This practice was reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aiming to mitigate reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative measures, the demand for unique and luxurious dining experiences continues to surpass supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that since the post-COVID era, everything from flights to hotel rooms to restaurants has become fully booked.
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a travel planning service for high-net-worth families, India understands the intricacies of securing reservations for the wealthy. Her clients have included prominent figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India asserts that accessing the most trendy restaurants relies on a couple of essential factors: discerning what customers want and fostering relationships with those eateries. She observes that there has been a notable shift away from fine dining, with modern diners more interested in trendy spots where the experience often takes precedence over the cuisine. The focus has shifted toward avoiding the fear of missing out, with gaining access to these exclusive venues becoming a status symbol.
For those determined to secure their own coveted reservations, India offers insights into which New York restaurants are currently the most challenging to book.