For those eager to enjoy a meal out in New York, securing a reservation has never been more challenging. In the past three years, acquiring a seat at the city’s most sought-after dining spots has transitioned from merely difficult to nearly impossible for many prospective diners.
Joel Montaniel, the CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights on the situation, noting, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into… I’ve spoken to restaurateurs who, when asked for tips to get a reservation, admit they don’t have any.”
The heightened competition for dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to vote last month to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed individuals to resell their restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, a practice once seen primarily in the world of concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the decision as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at alleviating reservation competition and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the increasing desire for trendy and upscale experiences continues to surpass their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the shift since the pandemic, stating, “Everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who operates a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, emphasizes that success in securing reservations relies on understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with dining establishments that can meet those needs.
“People have really moved away from fine dining; we rarely have a client interested in a tasting menu,” she noted. “The trend has shifted towards restaurants that are not solely focused on food. It’s more about the experience and the ability to say you got in, which has become a sort of status symbol.”
If you’re determined to join the ranks of those boasting about hard-to-get reservations, continue reading to discover which New York dining spots are currently the most elusive, according to Sienna Charles.