Securing a reservation at a restaurant in New York has become increasingly difficult, with many popular dining spots now considered nearly impossible to access. Over the past three years, the challenge of getting a seat at the city’s most sought-after tables has escalated to new heights.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights on the reservation landscape, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” Even discussions with restaurateurs have led to no clear strategies for overcoming the reservation hurdles they face.
The competitive nature of securing dinner reservations led to the recent legislative decision by the New York state legislature to prohibit third-party booking services like Appointment Trader. These platforms had been allowing users to resell restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, reminiscent of ticket scalping in the concert and sports industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, helping to alleviate competition for reservations and protecting restaurants from financial losses due to cancellations.
Despite the new laws, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that the post-COVID era has seen a full occupancy in planes, restaurants, and hotels alike. “So how do you navigate getting people into restaurants, hotels, and yachts when everything is already booked?” she posed.
India, who has spent 16 years running a concierge service catering to wealthy clients, highlights that gaining access to top restaurants hinges on understanding client preferences and cultivating relationships with dining establishments.
She observed a shift in clientele desires, indicating, “People have really moved away from fine dining, and we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, there is a growing focus on trendy dining experiences, often driven less by the quality of food and more by the social clout associated with securing a reservation.
For those eager to obtain their coveted reservations in New York, persistent effort and strategic approaches are essential. Sienna Charles provides recommendations for which restaurants currently have the most challenging reservations to secure.