Securing a reservation at a New York City restaurant has become increasingly challenging, with many food enthusiasts struggling to find availability at the city’s most coveted dining spots. Over the past three years, the situation has escalated from merely difficult to nearly unattainable for numerous diners.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even discussions with restaurant owners about tips for securing reservations yielded no solutions.
In response to the surge in reservation competition, the New York state legislature recently enacted a ban on third-party booking platforms, such as Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices—sometimes reaching $200 or more.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at mitigating reservation competition and safeguarding restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite this legislative change, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences in New York continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the prevailing trend post-COVID, highlighting that nearly every restaurant, flight, and hotel appears fully booked.
Having spent 16 years running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, India has considerable experience in helping people secure reservations. Her clientele typically includes families with fortunes exceeding $100 million, including figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India points out that obtaining access to popular restaurants is primarily driven by understanding customer preferences and cultivating relationships with the restaurants. She observed a notable shift in consumer behavior, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining. We very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” This change has led to a preference for trendy establishments, where the experience is less about the food and more about social status and sharing the experience with others.
For those eager to land a reservation and showcase their culinary adventures, India provides insights into which New York restaurant tables are currently the most sought after.