Securing a reservation at one of New York’s top restaurants has become a formidable challenge. Over the past three years, the process of obtaining a seat at the city’s most sought-after dining spots has escalated from difficult to nearly impossible for many diners.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights on the situation, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs have been left perplexed when asked for tips on how to secure a table.
The increasing competition for dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to pass a law banning third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where users were reportedly reselling restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, akin to practices seen in concert and sporting event ticket sales.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, indicating that it would curb competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these new regulations, the trend of increasing demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences has continued. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up. Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.” This highlights the challenge of securing availability in an environment where popular venues are consistently at capacity.
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a concierge service for high-net-worth individuals, emphasizes the importance of understanding customer desires and cultivating relationships with restaurants to enhance one’s chances of securing a reservation.
She remarked on a shift in dining preferences, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, the focus has shifted towards trendy dining experiences that prioritize social appeal over culinary excellence, where gaining access becomes a matter of status.
For those determined to enhance their dining bragging rights while navigating the competitive landscape, India offers insights into which New York restaurants boast the hardest-to-get reservations.