Securing a dining reservation in New York has become more challenging than ever. Over the past three years, the competition to get a seat at the city’s most sought-after restaurants has escalated, leaving many food enthusiasts frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, stated that some eateries are simply inaccessible. He remarked, “I’ve spoken to restaurant owners who we’ve hosted in panels about tips for getting in, and they admit they don’t have any.”
The situation has prompted the New York state legislature to take action. Last month, they voted to prohibit third-party reservation booking sites like Appointment Trader, where individuals were reselling dining slots for as much as $200, similar to practices seen in concert ticket sales.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector that would reduce reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the post-COVID landscape continues to show that the demand for exclusive and trendy dining experiences far exceeds availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on this trend, saying, “You’ve probably noticed everything is booked up. Every flight, every restaurant, and every hotel is full.”
India, who leads Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for high-net-worth individuals, shared insights after 16 years in the business, catering to clients with wealth exceeding $100 million, including figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
She noted that gaining access to popular restaurants often hinges on understanding customer desires and forging strong relationships with the eateries. “People have really moved away from fine dining. We rarely have a client interested in a tasting menu,” she explained. “There has been a shift towards trendy restaurants where the experience is more about FOMO (fear of missing out) and bragging rights rather than the food itself.”
For those who are determined to secure a reservation and enjoy some bragging rights, Sienna Charles offers insights into which New York restaurants are currently the most difficult to book.