Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing reservations at the city’s popular restaurants reaching an all-time high in difficulty. Over the past three years, the competition for coveted seats has escalated to a level where many food enthusiasts find it nearly impossible to dine at trendy venues.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights on the situation with Bloomberg, noting, “Some restaurants have become inaccessible.” He mentioned discussions with restaurateurs who, when asked for strategies to navigate this reservation crisis, simply replied that they had none.
The New York state legislature took action last month in response to the overwhelming demand, voting to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader. These platforms had allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for over $200, paralleling ticket scalping practices in the music and sports industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, praised the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She believes it will lessen the competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for unique and upscale dining experiences continues to surpass availability as more people seek entertaining outings post-COVID. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the changes, stating, “Everything is fully booked—flights, restaurants, hotels.” With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a luxury concierge and travel service for high-net-worth clients, including celebrities, she has valuable insight into accessing these exclusive venues.
India points out that gaining entry into highly sought-after restaurants hinges on two main factors: understanding client desires and fostering relationships with the restaurants. She observed a shift away from traditional fine dining, with fewer clients requesting elaborate tasting menus. Instead, today’s trend focuses on the social aspect of dining, where the experience often revolves around the thrill of being seen at a trendy spot, rather than just the cuisine itself.
For those eager to secure a reservation and gain their own bragging rights, Sienna Charles provides insights on which New York restaurants are the most difficult to book.