Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing a reservation at the city’s most sought-after restaurants reaching a new level of difficulty. Over the past three years, many food enthusiasts have found it nearly impossible to book a table at popular spots.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, noted the struggle to get into certain restaurants during a recent conversation with Bloomberg. He mentioned that even restaurateurs, when asked for advice on how to secure a reservation, admitted they had no solutions.
The situation has prompted the New York state legislature to take action, recently voting to prohibit third-party booking services like Appointment Trader. These platforms had allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for inflated prices, sometimes $200 or more, mirroring a practice typically seen in concert and sports ticketing.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at minimizing reservation competition and alleviating the burden of costly cancellations on restaurants.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality remains that the demand for engaging and upscale dining experiences continues to exceed their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out the surge in bookings post-COVID, highlighting that every segment—planes, hotels, and restaurants—is fully booked.
India, who runs a high-end concierge and travel planning service catering to wealthy families, emphasized that securing access to exclusive dining experiences hinges on knowing client preferences and cultivating strong relationships with restaurants.
She remarked on a shift in dining trends, stating that clients are increasingly less interested in formal fine dining experiences. Instead, there has been a noticeable move towards trendy venues, where the appeal lies less in the food and more in the experience and status of having dined there.
For those determined to land a reservation at these hard-to-get restaurants, India offers insights into which tables are currently the most elusive in New York City.