Securing a dining reservation in New York City has become increasingly difficult, with many aspiring food enthusiasts finding it nearly impossible to get a table at the city’s most sought-after restaurants. Over the past three years, the challenge of securing a reservation has escalated significantly.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, noting, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He added that even restaurateurs admit they have no tips to offer on securing coveted spots.
The situation has grown so competitive that New York’s state legislature recently passed a law prohibiting third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader, which had seen users reselling restaurant reservations for inflated prices, similar to practices in ticketing for concerts and sports.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, labeled this legislation a significant win for the hospitality sector, aiming to lessen competition for reservations and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Nevertheless, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India highlighted the post-COVID surge in bookings, stating, “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a luxury travel and concierge service, India specializes in serving ultra-wealthy clients, with past high-profile clients including George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. Despite her wealth of experience, she emphasizes that gaining access to highly desirable restaurants hinges on a few crucial elements: recognizing what customers want and fostering connections with restaurants.
India observed a notable trend where clients are turning away from traditional fine dining experiences. “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu,” she remarked. Instead, there has been a shift toward trendy dining locations, with less focus on the culinary aspect than the social experience. She described this phenomenon as FOMO (fear of missing out) where securing a reservation becomes a point of pride.
For those determined to secure a table at some of the hardest-to-book restaurants in New York City, persistence is key, with insights from Sienna Charles on which venues are particularly coveted.