Diners in New York City are facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to securing reservations at popular restaurants. Over the past three years, the difficulty of obtaining a table at the city’s most sought-after dining spots has escalated, leaving many would-be diners frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, recently shared insights with Bloomberg, noting that there are certain restaurants that are almost inaccessible. Even restaurant owners, he said, have expressed their difficulty in providing tips for securing reservations.
In response to the competitive dining landscape, the New York state legislature voted last month to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users had been reselling restaurant reservations for up to $200, a practice reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts or sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant victory for the hospitality sector, asserting it would help alleviate reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality remains that the post-COVID surge in demand for trendy and luxurious experiences continues to outpace their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that all aspects of the hospitality industry, from airlines to restaurants to hotels, are fully booked.
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, India emphasizes the importance of understanding client desires and fostering relationships with restaurants to secure reservations. She noted a shift away from traditional fine dining towards trendy establishments, with diners more focused on the experience itself and the social cachet of dining out.
For those determined to snag reservations at New York’s most in-demand restaurants, India offers insights into which dining spots are currently the hardest to book.