Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging as obtaining a reservation at the city’s most sought-after restaurants reaches new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, securing a spot at trendy eateries has evolved from a tough task to an almost unattainable goal for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of reservations platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He mentioned that he has consulted restaurateurs about strategies for securing reservations, but they often respond with a lack of solutions.
The situation has escalated to the point where last month, New York’s state legislature moved to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for prices upwards of $200, similar to ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at minimizing reservation competition and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these regulatory changes, the demand for unique and upscale dining experiences continues to outpace supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up. Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.” She highlighted the challenge of navigating access to restaurants, hotels, and luxury experiences amid high demand.
India, who leads Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, discusses the nuances of securing reservations. Her clientele includes individuals with fortunes exceeding $100 million, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
She points out that gaining access to the trendiest restaurants hinges on a few key elements: understanding customer preferences and cultivating strong relationships with the establishments. “People have really moved away from fine dining. We very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” India explained. “The shift has been towards trendy dining where the appeal is often less about food and more about the experience and the social cachet that comes with it.”
For those determined to enjoy these coveted dining experiences, India offers recommendations on New York’s hardest restaurants to book.