Securing a dining reservation in New York has become more challenging than ever, as reaching some of the city’s most sought-after restaurants has grown increasingly elusive over the past three years.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, highlighted this trend, noting that even restaurateurs admit to having no tips for securing a spot at their establishments. The competitiveness of dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to pass a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where individuals have been reselling restaurant slots for over $200—similar to practices seen in concert and sports ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, praised the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, stating it would help alleviate the competition for reservations and safeguard restaurants against costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the growing demand for unique and upscale dining experiences continues to outweigh their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that since the pandemic, virtually every restaurant, hotel, and travel option is fully booked, creating challenges in securing reservations.
With extensive experience in catering to wealthy clients, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey through her concierge service Sienna Charles, India emphasized that gaining access to trendy restaurants requires understanding client preferences and developing strong relationships with those establishments.
She pointed out a shift in customer desires away from fine dining to more fashionable venues, where the experience often prioritizes social status over the food itself. The emphasis increasingly lies on the “fear of missing out,” where securing a reservation becomes a point of pride.
For those eager to secure a difficult reservation, India has insights into which New York restaurant tables are currently the hardest to book.