Securing a reservation at New York’s most sought-after restaurants has become increasingly difficult over the past three years. The once-challenging process has escalated to a point where many food enthusiasts find it nearly impossible to land a table at the city’s hottest dining spots.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, recently shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs he has consulted during panels struggle to provide tips on how to secure a booking.
The competition for dinner reservations prompted a significant legislative move last month, as the New York state legislature voted to outlaw third-party booking services like Appointment Trader. These platforms were allowing users to resell reservations for as much as $200, a practice that resembled ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at minimizing reservation competition and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the surging demand for trendy and luxurious experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, I’m sure you’ve noticed that everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.” With over 16 years of experience managing Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to the ultra-wealthy, India has worked with high-profile clients and understands the complexities of securing exclusive bookings.
She emphasizes that gaining access to popular dining venues is fundamentally about understanding clients’ desires and fostering relationships with restaurant owners. India observed a shift in customer preferences over recent years, 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 to trendy restaurants, where the experience often revolves around the social aspect rather than solely the food.
For those eager to brag about their dining adventures and willing to persistently seek reservations, India offers insight into the most coveted tables in New York.