Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging as securing a reservation at the city’s most desirable restaurants has reached new levels of difficulty. In the past three years, many food enthusiasts have found that getting a table at popular spots has shifted from merely difficult to nearly impossible.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, recently noted that certain restaurants are nearly inaccessible. He remarked that even restaurant owners express uncertainty when asked for tips on how to secure a table, admitting they do not have answers.
The situation has prompted the New York state legislature to take action, recently passing a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where reservations were being resold for exorbitant amounts—sometimes over $200—similar to practices seen for concert tickets.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality industry. The ban is expected to alleviate competition for reservations and help protect restaurants from costly no-shows.
Even with these changes, the demand for unique and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that post-COVID, everything seems to be overbooked, from flights to hotels and restaurants. With her extensive experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, she underscores the importance of understanding customer desires and nurturing relationships with restaurants.
India noted a shift in dining preferences, stating that clients are moving away from fine dining experiences, with few desiring lengthy tasting menus. Rather, the trend has shifted towards trendy restaurants where the experience is more about social cachet than culinary excellence.
For those determined to secure a coveted reservation, insights from Sienna Charles can highlight which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book.