Securing a reservation at New York City’s trendiest restaurants has become more challenging than ever. Over the past three years, the difficulty of booking a table at popular eateries has escalated to the point where it is nearly impossible for many hopeful diners.
“There are some restaurants that people simply can’t get into,” said Joel Montaniel, CEO of booking platform Sevenrooms, in a recent interview with Bloomberg. “I’ve spoken with restaurateurs, we’ve had them on panels, and asked for tips to get in, and they say, ‘I don’t have any.’”
The competition for dinner reservations has grown so intense that last month, the New York state legislature voted to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where reservations were being scalped for $200 or more—a practice previously seen mainly with concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry” that would reduce the competition for reservations and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the desire for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to outstrip their availability in recent years.
“Post-COVID, everything seems booked up. Every plane, every restaurant, every hotel is at capacity,” noted travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India. “So how do you navigate getting people into restaurants, hotels, yachts, and other experiences that are already fully booked?”
India, who has been running the concierge and travel planning service Sienna Charles for 16 years, caters to ultra-wealthy families, including notable clients like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. She emphasized that gaining access to popular restaurants often comes down to understanding customer desires and building relationships with the establishments.
“People have shifted away from fine dining; very rarely do we have clients wanting a long tasting menu,” she explained. “The trend in the last three years has moved towards trendy restaurants where it’s not necessarily about the food. It’s more about the experience and the bragging rights of having been there.”
For those eager to secure a reservation at some of New York’s most sought-after restaurants, persistence and strategic planning are key. Here are the hardest tables to book in the city, according to Sienna Charles.