Securing a reservation at New York’s top restaurants has become increasingly challenging, reaching new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, the struggle to land a seat at the city’s most sought-after dining spots has escalated, leaving many aspiring diners feeling frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, remarked to Bloomberg that certain restaurants are nearly impossible to access. Despite consulting restaurateurs for strategies to secure a reservation, many admit they don’t have any practical tips to share.
The competition for dining reservations has grown so intense that the New York state legislature recently passed a ban on third-party booking platforms, such as Appointment Trader, which reportedly allowed users to resell their restaurant slots for prices upwards of $200. This practice drew parallels to the scalping of tickets for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, praised the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at reducing booking competition and shielding restaurants from costly no-shows.
Nevertheless, the demand for trendy dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the surge in bookings since the pandemic, stating that every available flight, hotel, and restaurant seems to be fully booked.
With 16 years of experience operating Sienna Charles, a high-end concierge and travel service for wealthy clients, India has gained insight into securing reservations at popular restaurants. Her clientele includes celebrities and high-profile figures, yet she underscores that getting into sought-after dining venues relies on understanding customer preferences and forging strong relationships with restaurant staff.
India observes a shift away from traditional fine dining toward trendy eateries that prioritize the social experience over the culinary aspect. For many diners today, the appeal lies more in the status of having dined at a hot spot than in the food itself.
For those determined to secure a reservation at New York’s coveted restaurants, India’s insights reveal which venues are currently the most difficult to book.