Securing a reservation at New York’s most sought-after restaurants has become increasingly challenging in recent years, with many food enthusiasts finding it nearly impossible to snag a seat. Over the past three years, the process has transformed from a mere struggle to a seemingly unattainable goal for many diners.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, highlighted this issue in a recent interview, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs cannot offer tips on navigating the reservation landscape.
The situation has escalated to the point where the New York state legislature recently voted to prohibit third-party booking services like Appointment Trader, where users were reportedly selling restaurant reservations for exorbitant fees, akin to ticket scalping for concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, labeled the new legislation a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” asserting that it would decrease competition for reservations and safeguard restaurants against costly no-shows.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for exclusive, trendy, and luxury dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up, right? Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.” She emphasized the challenge of securing reservations amidst this oversaturation.
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service catering to affluent clients, India possesses unique insights into the dining reservation conundrum. Her clientele includes families with incomes exceeding $100 million, and she has coordinated experiences for notable individuals such as George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India shared that successfully accessing the most popular dining spots hinges on understanding client preferences and establishing relationships with restaurants. She observed a notable shift away from traditional fine dining, with clients now gravitating towards trendy establishments where the primary allure is the social validation that comes from being seen at exclusive venues.
For those determined to secure their own coveted dining experiences, India recommended staying persistent and strategic in the pursuit of reservations at New York’s hardest-to-book restaurants.