Securing a restaurant reservation in New York has become increasingly challenging, with the process evolving into a near impossibility for many diners over the past three years. The city’s most sought-after eateries are now almost exclusively accessible to a select few.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, indicating that many restaurants are simply out of reach. When discussing reservation strategies with restaurateurs, he noted that they often lack solutions to the growing problem.
In response to the soaring demand for dining experiences, New York state’s legislature has taken action, recently voting to prohibit third-party booking services such as Appointment Trader, where reservations were being resold for hefty sums—sometimes $200 or more, mirroring practices seen in the concert and sports event industries.
Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant triumph for the hospitality sector. She believes it will alleviate the competitive strain on reservations and protect restaurants from high cancellation costs.
Despite these legislative efforts, the post-pandemic landscape remains one in which demand for trendy and lavish dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the widespread scarcity of availability across various industries, noting that “every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, highlighted that even exclusive access often depends on a few key factors: understanding customer preferences and fostering strong relationships with restaurant owners.
She pointed out a broader trend where many diners are moving away from traditional fine dining experiences, with an increasing number of clients seeking trendy venues for a sense of exclusivity and the social cachet that comes with securing a reservation.
For those determined to earn their own bragging rights and willing to navigate the competitive dining scene, a list of the hardest-to-secure restaurant reservations in New York, as identified by Sienna Charles, is forthcoming.