Securing a dining reservation in New York City has become increasingly difficult, reaching new heights in exclusivity. Over the past three years, the challenge of landing a table at the city’s most sought-after restaurants has escalated beyond the reach of many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights on this growing issue, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs, when asked for guidance, have admitted they can offer no solutions.
In response to the intense competition for dinner reservations, the New York state legislature recently passed a ban on third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader. These platforms have been facilitating the resale of restaurant bookings for prices exceeding $200, a trend typically associated with concert and sports event tickets.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aiming to lessen reservation competition and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these regulatory efforts, the appetite for trendy, luxurious dining experiences continues to far exceed their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the post-COVID landscape, noting, “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” highlighting the challenges in securing access to these establishments.
With over 16 years of experience managing Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, India has catered to notable figures such as George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. She attributes success in obtaining reservations to understanding client desires and nurturing relationships with restaurants.
India observed a shift in dining preferences, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, the trend favors fashionable eateries where the experience often centers more on the social aspect than on the dining itself. “It’s about FOMO. It’s about saying that you got in; it’s a bragging right,” she explained.
For those eager for their own bragging rights and willing to navigate the tough reservation landscape, Sienna Charles has identified which New York restaurants have the hardest-to-obtain tables.