Securing a reservation at New York City’s most sought-after restaurants has become exceedingly difficult, with the last three years seeing a dramatic rise in competition. Joel Montaniel, CEO of the bookings platform Sevenrooms, remarked that some restaurants have become inaccessible, revealing that even seasoned restaurateurs lack insights on how to secure a table.
The situation has worsened to the point where New York’s legislature recently voted to prohibit third-party reservation services, such as Appointment Trader, where diners were reselling their slots for inflated prices, reminiscent of the practices seen in concert ticket sales.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, called the new legislation a “major victory” for the industry, aimed at reducing reservation competition and shielding restaurants from the fallout of high cancellations.
Despite these regulatory changes, the post-COVID landscape shows an ongoing surge in demand for unique and upscale experiences, which continues to outpace supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India highlighted the widespread challenge of securing reservations, noting that nearly all travel and hospitality sectors are fully booked.
India, who has operated her luxury concierge service Sienna Charles for 16 years, assisting high-net-worth families, explained that the key to entering exclusive dining establishments lies in understanding client desires and forging strong relationships with restaurants. She observed a noticeable shift away from traditional fine dining towards trendy venues where the allure lies more in the experience and social status rather than just the cuisine.
For those determined to achieve their own dining bragging rights through persistence, an exploration of New York’s hardest-to-book restaurant tables awaits.