Dining out in New York has become increasingly difficult, with securing a reservation at the city’s most sought-after restaurants now more challenging than ever. Over the past three years, obtaining a seat at popular eateries has shifted from a tough endeavor to nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg on the issue, noting, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He added that restaurateurs often lack strategies to help potential diners secure bookings, indicating the severity of the situation.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to pass a ban on third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader, where users were selling coveted restaurant slots for upwards of $200, a practice previously associated only with concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, celebrated the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry.” She believes it will reduce competition for reservations and shield restaurants from the financial burden of costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for trendy and luxurious experiences continues to exceed their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up. Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.” India, who has extensive experience in concierge and travel planning for affluent clients, recognizes that accessing exclusive dining experiences hinges on understanding customer expectations and fostering relationships with restaurants.
She points out a shift in dining preferences, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining… the entire shift in the last three years has been towards trendy restaurants where the focus is not necessarily on food.” For many diners today, it’s less about the culinary experience and more about the status associated with getting a reservation.
For those determined to secure a coveted table in New York, Sienna Charles has identified which restaurants pose the biggest challenges to book a reservation.