For those eager to dine out in New York, securing a reservation has become increasingly difficult. Over the past three years, obtaining a table at the city’s most popular restaurants has transitioned from a challenge to a nearly impossible task for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, recently shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into. I’ve even spoken with restaurateurs, and when we ask them for tips on how to secure a spot, they often reply, ‘I don’t have them.’”
The intense competition for dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature last month to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for hefty sums, typically $200 or more—an issue previously seen only in concert ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, labeled the new legislation a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at reducing competition for reservations and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite the legislative progress, the overwhelming demand for trendy, luxurious experiences continues to surpass their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, it’s clear that everything is booked up—every plane, every restaurant, every hotel.”
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to the ultra-wealthy, has worked with high-profile clients, including George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. She underlines that gaining access to coveted restaurants relies on several key factors: understanding client preferences and fostering relationships with the restaurants that can meet those needs.
“People have really moved away from fine dining; we rarely have clients interested in tasting menus,” India explained. “The trend over the last three years has shifted towards trendy restaurants, where the appeal extends beyond the food itself. It’s often about Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and having bragging rights.”
For those determined to secure their own bragging rights and willing to persistently pursue reservations, Sienna Charles offers insights on which New York restaurant tables are the most difficult to obtain.