Securing a reservation at a restaurant in New York has become increasingly difficult, reaching new lows in the last three years. What once was a challenging task has now become nearly unattainable for many dining enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared with Bloomberg, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even experienced restaurateurs admit they lack strategies to help customers secure seats.
The situation escalated to the point where last month, the New York state legislature passed a ban on third-party booking services like Appointment Trader, where customers were reportedly reselling restaurant reservations for prices above $200 – a practice more common in the ticketing industry.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, called the new legislation a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” arguing that it would lessen competition for reservations and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legal changes, the demand for unique and luxurious experiences continues to exceed the available options. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the post-COVID landscape, observed in fully booked flights, restaurants, and hotels, stating, “How do you navigate getting people into restaurants, hotels, and yachts that are already booked up?”
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for the wealthy, India has insights into the reservation process for high-profile clients, including former President George W. Bush and singer Mariah Carey. However, she emphasizes that achieving access to sought-after dining experiences relies heavily on understanding client expectations and fostering connections with restaurant owners.
She noted a significant shift in dining preferences, explaining, “People have really moved away from fine dining; very rarely do we have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, the trend has leaned towards lively venues where the dining experience is less about the food and more about the social experience and the prestige of being seen there.
For those determined to secure a coveted reservation, India shares insights into which New York restaurants are most difficult to access.