For those eager to enjoy a meal out in New York, securing a reservation has become more challenging than ever. Over the past three years, obtaining a spot at the city’s most sought-after restaurants has shifted from difficult to nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
According to Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, there are eateries that remain inaccessible. He mentioned to Bloomberg that even restaurateurs have struggled to provide tips for getting a table, indicating the high level of competition.
The situation escalated to the point where last month, the New York state legislature enacted a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which had allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, akin to practices seen in the concert and sports industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, characterized this legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She believes it will lessen competition for reservations and safeguard restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite these legislative efforts, the post-COVID landscape has led to a surge in demand for trendy, luxurious dining experiences, leaving many frustrated. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that everything seems fully booked nowadays, from flights to restaurants to hotels, presenting a challenge for securing reservations.
With 16 years of experience managing Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for affluent clients, India has valuable insights into navigating the competitive reservation landscape. Her clientele often consists of families with over $100 million in net worth, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India highlights that gaining access to exclusive dining experiences often relies on understanding customer preferences and cultivating relationships with restaurants. She also noted a notable shift in client desires, with fewer people interested in traditional fine dining and an increasing preference for trendy eateries focused more on the experience than the food. It has become less about the meal and more about the social status associated with being able to dine at these hot spots.
For those determined to claim their own bragging rights and willing to put in the effort to secure a reservation, insights from Sienna Charles outline which New York dining spots are currently the hardest to book.