Obtaining a reservation at popular dining spots in New York City has never been more challenging. In the past three years, securing a table at the city’s hottest restaurants has transitioned from a tough task to a nearly impossible one for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, revealing that some establishments are simply inaccessible. He noted, “I’ve even talked to restaurateurs… and asked them for tips to get in, and they say, ‘I don’t have them.’”
The competitive nature of dinner reservations has prompted the New York state legislature to take action. Recently, they voted to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell reservations for exorbitant prices, previously seen in the realms of concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aiming to level the playing field for reservations and shield restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite these legislative changes, the fundamental issue remains: the allure of trendy and luxurious experiences continues to exceed their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the post-COVID surge in demand, stating, “Everything is booked up… every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for wealthy families, India emphasizes that access to high-demand venues hinges on understanding client needs and nurturing relationships with restaurant owners.
“People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” India pointed out. “The shift has been towards trendy restaurants where the focus isn’t necessarily on food, but rather on the experience and the bragging rights that come with it.”
For those determined to secure a coveted reservation and bragging rights, Sienna Charles has insights on which New York restaurants are currently the toughest to book.