Securing a reservation at New York’s most sought-after restaurants has become increasingly difficult, with many food enthusiasts finding it nearly impossible to snag a seat in recent years. The competitive nature of dining out in the city has escalated significantly, making the reservation process more challenging than ever.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, highlighted this issue in a recent conversation with Bloomberg, noting, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He added that even seasoned restaurateurs have admitted they lack tips on how to successfully obtain a reservation.
The situation has prompted the New York state legislature to take action, recently voting to prohibit third-party booking services such as Appointment Trader, which were allowing users to resell reservation slots for prices reaching $200 or more. This practice had been likened to ticket scalping for concerts and events.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the law as a significant triumph for the hospitality sector. She believes it will diminish the competition for reservations and provide better protection for restaurants against costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the trend of increased demand for engaging and high-end dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India, who has catered to affluent clients for over 16 years through her concierge service Sienna Charles, noted, “Post-COVID, every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, whose clientele has included notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey, acknowledges that gaining access to popular dining spots often hinges on understanding customer desires and cultivating relationships with restaurant owners.
She observed a shift away from traditional fine dining, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” The focus has shifted towards trendy restaurants where the experience is often about social status rather than solely the food.
For those determined to secure a coveted reservation, India offers insights into which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to access.