Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging as securing a reservation at the city’s most sought-after restaurants has reached new levels of difficulty. In the past three years, what was once a tough task has turned into a nearly impossible endeavor for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, recently observed that certain restaurants have become so exclusive that even restaurateurs themselves struggle to provide tips on how to obtain a reservation.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations led to the New York state legislature voting to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant slots for $200 or more, mirroring practices typically seen in concert and sporting event ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant victory for the hospitality sector, aiming to decrease reservation competition and guard restaurants against costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for exciting and trendy dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Jaclyn Sienna India, a travel advisor with a focus on high-end clients, noted that following the pandemic, all forms of bookings—including flights, hotels, and restaurants—are often fully booked.
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel service for affluent clients, believes that accessing exclusive dining options hinges on understanding clientele needs and forming strong relationships with the restaurants that meet those needs. She noted a shift away from traditional fine dining experiences toward trendy spots that emphasize social status over culinary excellence.
For those determined to secure a reservation and revel in their dining bragging rights, India offers insights into which New York restaurant tables are currently the toughest to land.