Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging as the struggle to secure a reservation at the city’s popular restaurants has reached new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, the ability to snag a seat at these sought-after dining spots has diminished to the point of being unattainable for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” Even industry insiders, including restaurateurs, have expressed their inability to offer tips on how to secure these coveted reservations.
The competition for dinner bookings intensified so much that last month, New York state lawmakers approved a ban on third-party reservation sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200—an issue typically associated with concert or sports event tickets.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a crucial win for the hospitality sector, suggesting it would help reduce reservation competition and shield restaurants from costly last-minute cancellations.
Despite this legislative shift, the demand for exclusive and trendy dining experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up—every plane, every restaurant, every hotel.” With 16 years of experience operating Sienna Charles, a travel and concierge service for high-net-worth individuals, India has guided clients like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey in navigating this competitive landscape.
India highlights that successfully accessing popular dining venues hinges on two main factors: recognizing clients’ preferences and cultivating relationships with the restaurants that can cater to those desires. She observed a trend away from traditional fine dining, stating that most clients prefer trendy venues where the experience is more about social status and the sense of exclusivity rather than the food itself.
For those eager to secure their own exclusive dining experiences in New York, persistence is key. India offers insights into which restaurant reservations are currently the most elusive, encouraging diners to explore their options further.