Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing reservations at the city’s most popular restaurants reaching new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, the quest for a table has evolved from complicated to nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, recently told Bloomberg, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He mentioned that even restaurateurs struggle to provide tips on how to get reservations at their own establishments.
Last month, the New York state legislature passed a bill to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for sums exceeding $200, a practice typically associated with concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, deemed the new legislation a “major victory for the hospitality industry.” She believes it will lessen competition for table reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences still surpasses their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed a significant post-COVID shift, noting that nearly all restaurants, hotels, and travel accommodations are fully booked.
India, who has directed the luxury concierge service Sienna Charles for 16 years, catering to families worth over $100 million, highlights the importance of understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with restaurants to secure coveted reservations. She points out that there has been a movement away from fine dining, with clients increasingly seeking trendy spots that offer more of a social experience, driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO).
For those eager for their own bragging rights and willing to persist in the reservation battle, Sienna Charles has insights on which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book.