Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with acquiring a reservation at the city’s most sought-after restaurants reaching unprecedented difficulty. Over the last three years, the once tricky process has evolved into something nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, recently shared insights on this trend, stating that there are certain restaurants that are nearly inaccessible. Even restaurateurs, whom he has consulted for advice on securing reservations, admit they don’t have any solutions.
The competition for dinner reservations has become so intense that the New York State legislature passed a law last month banning third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader. These sites had allowed users to resell their restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, reminiscent of practices usually seen in concert and sports ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She noted that it would lessen competition for reservations and safeguard restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for exclusive dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the post-pandemic landscape, where nearly everything—from flights to dining reservations—is fully booked.
India runs Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to clients with fortunes exceeding $100 million. Her clientele includes notable figures, yet she emphasizes that gaining access to popular restaurants and other luxury experiences hinges on understanding consumer desires and nurturing relationships with the venues.
She noted a shift away from traditional fine dining, as many clients are no longer interested in multi-course tasting menus. Instead, the focus has turned to trendy spots, where the allure often has more to do with social status and exclusivity than the food itself.
For those eager to claim their own bragging rights and determined to secure a reservation, India highlights which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book.