In New York, securing a dinner reservation has become increasingly difficult, reaching new heights in the past three years. Many food enthusiasts now find it nearly impossible to get a seat at the city’s hottest restaurants.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, noted, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into. Even restaurateurs we’ve spoken with say they have no tips to offer on how to gain entry.”
The competitive landscape for reservations is so intense that last month, New York’s state legislature voted to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, a practice previously seen only for concerts or sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” designed to lessen the competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for unique and trendy dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up—every flight, every restaurant, every hotel.” India, who runs Sienna Charles, a luxury concierge and travel planning service, emphasizes the importance of understanding client desires and fostering relationships with restaurants.
She explained, “People have really moved away from fine dining; very few clients want to endure a tasting menu. The trend now leans towards dining at fashionable restaurants where the experience is more about social cachet than the food itself. It’s about FOMO—fear of missing out— and being able to boast about having secured a reservation.”
For those eager to snag a table at one of New York’s most exclusive restaurants, persistence and insight into the current dining trends are key.