Dining out in New York City has become more challenging than ever, with securing a reservation at popular restaurants now reaching new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, the process of obtaining a seat at the city’s hottest venues has shifted from being merely difficult to nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that when speaking with restaurateurs about tips for securing reservations, many admit they don’t have any advice to offer.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations has prompted recent legislative action, with New York’s state legislature voting to ban third-party booking platforms such as Appointment Trader, which allowed users to sell restaurant slots for prices like $200. This practice, once common for concerts and sports events, has drawn significant scrutiny.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry.” She believes it will lessen the competition for reservations and help protect restaurants from financial losses due to cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality remains that the demand for unique dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up,” highlighting that planes, restaurants, and hotels are all at capacity. With her 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for wealthy clients, India has a wealth of knowledge in navigating these challenges.
India emphasized that securing access to popular restaurants requires understanding customer preferences and nurturing relationships with restaurant staff. Notably, she pointed out that many clients are moving away from traditional fine dining in favor of trendy spots that emphasize the experience over the food itself. “It’s sort of about FOMO,” she remarked, referring to the appeal of being able to say one managed to get a reservation.
For those determined to claim their own bragging rights and willing to put in the effort to obtain a reservation, India has shared insights on the most sought-after restaurant tables in New York City.