In New York City, securing a dinner reservation has become increasingly challenging, reaching levels of difficulty not seen before. Over the past three years, gaining access to the city’s most sought-after restaurants has transitioned from a tough task to an almost unattainable goal for many diners.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, noted the struggle, stating that some restaurants have become so exclusive that even industry insiders lack the strategies to secure a table. This heightened competition for dining spots prompted the New York state legislature to outlaw third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where users were reselling reservations for inflated prices, reminiscent of practices in concert and sports event ticketing.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the restaurant sector, aiming to lessen competition for reservations and shield eateries from costly no-shows.
Despite these legal adjustments, the reality remains that the demand for exclusive dining experiences continues to surpass availability post-COVID. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed that high occupancy rates are now the norm across travel and entertainment sectors.
India, who leads Sienna Charles—a concierge and travel planning service for affluent clients—points out that those seeking access to top dining venues need to understand clients’ preferences and cultivate relationships with restaurants. She remarked on a shift in client desires, moving away from traditional fine dining and tasting menus toward trendy venues driven by social status and the allure of exclusivity.
For those eager to navigate the competitive landscape of restaurant reservations and claim their own bragging rights, insights from Sienna Charles highlight which New York dining spots are currently the most difficult to book.