Dining in New York City has become increasingly challenging, with the difficulty of securing reservations at popular restaurants reaching new levels in the past three years. For many food enthusiasts, getting a seat at the trendiest establishments seems nearly impossible.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, mentioned in a recent interview that some restaurants are simply inaccessible. He has consulted restaurateurs about securing spots, but they often admit they lack advice on the matter.
In response to this competitive landscape, the New York state legislature passed a law last month that prohibits third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices reminiscent of concert ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant win for the restaurant industry, as it aims to lessen competition for table reservations and protect establishments from costly cancellations.
Even with these new regulations, the demand for unique, trendy dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India highlighted the post-COVID landscape, noting that nearly every travel-related service is fully booked.
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a high-end concierge and travel planning service for clients with over $100 million in wealth, says that her experience has revealed key strategies for accessing sought-after dining options. Her clientele has included high-profile figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
Despite her established background, India points out that getting into the most coveted restaurants involves understanding client desires and forging strong relationships with restaurant owners. She observed a notable shift away from fine dining, with a growing preference for trendy hotspots that provide a unique experience—one often driven by the desire for social bragging rights rather than culinary excellence.
For those eager to secure those coveted reservation spots, India has insights on which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book.