Securing a reservation at New York’s most popular restaurants has become an increasingly challenging task over the past three years. Many food enthusiasts find that obtaining a seat at the city’s trendiest dining spots has escalated from difficult to nearly impossible.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, noting that some restaurants have such high demand that even restaurateurs lack strategies for getting reservations.
In response to the growing issues with reservation accessibility, New York state’s legislature voted last month to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, a practice similar to ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, saying it would decrease competition for table reservations and safeguard restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite such legislative measures, the gap between the growing appetite for trendy and luxurious dining experiences and their actual availability remains significant.
Jaclyn Sienna India, a travel advisor with 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles—serving ultra-wealthy clients including celebrities and former presidents—points out that post-COVID, virtually everything is booked solid, from flights to restaurants.
India emphasizes the importance of understanding client preferences and establishing connections with restaurants to secure reservations at in-demand venues. She observes a notable shift from traditional fine dining experiences towards trendy restaurants, where the focus has become more about the experience and exclusivity rather than just the food.
For those determined to secure a table at these sought-after spots and willing to invest effort in the pursuit of dining bragging rights, India offers insights into which New York restaurants are currently the most difficult to book.