Securing a reservation at top restaurants in New York has become increasingly difficult, with the last three years seeing a dramatic rise in competition. Many food enthusiasts are struggling to obtain seats at the city’s most sought-after dining spots.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of bookings platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating that some restaurants have become nearly impossible to access. Even restaurateurs he has consulted admit they lack strategies to navigate the reservation challenges.
The situation has led to legislative action; recently, the New York state legislature voted to prohibit third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for $200 or more, akin to the practices seen in concert and sporting event ticket sales.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant achievement for the hospitality sector, aimed at lessening reservation competition and shielding restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these changes, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out that post-pandemic, nearly everything—planes, hotels, and restaurants—is fully booked.
With 16 years of experience operating Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel service for the ultra-wealthy, India has valuable knowledge of securing restaurant access. Her services cater to families with wealth exceeding $100 million, with clients including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India notes that trends have shifted away from fine dining. Clients are now less interested in lengthy tasting menus and more drawn to trendy spots where the experience is often about social status rather than the food itself. “It’s about FOMO,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of being able to boast about gaining access.
For those determined to secure reservations at New York’s hardest-to-get restaurants, persistence and understanding customer preferences are essential.