Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing a reservation at popular restaurants reaching new heights of difficulty. Over the past three years, many food enthusiasts have found it nearly impossible to land a seat at the city’s most sought-after establishments.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs have struggled to provide tips on how to obtain a reservation.
The competition for dinner reservations has escalated so much that last month, the New York state legislature voted to prohibit third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for substantial sums, akin to ticket scalping for events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant triumph for the hospitality industry, as it aims to lessen reservation competition and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for unique and trendy experiences continues to outpace their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India pointed out the full bookings across various sectors, stating, “Post-COVID, every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full.”
India, who has dedicated 16 years to running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, understands the intricacies of securing reservations. She emphasizes the importance of knowing what clients seek and nurturing relationships with restaurants to meet those desires.
Reflecting on dining trends, India noted, “People have really moved away from fine dining… it’s sort of about FOMO. It’s about saying that you got in; it’s a bragging right.”
For those willing to persist in the pursuit of exclusive dining experiences, Sienna Charles highlights which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book.