Securing a reservation at restaurants in New York has become increasingly challenging over the past three years, reaching new heights of difficulty. For many food enthusiasts, scoring a seat at the city’s most sought-after dining spots has transitioned from a tough task to an almost unattainable goal.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, noted that some restaurants have become nearly impossible to access. While discussing this issue with restaurant owners during panels, he found that many do not have advice to help diners secure a spot.
The competition for dinner reservations has escalated to the point where the New York state legislature recently voted to prohibit third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader. These sites allowed users to sell restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, mimicking practices typically seen at concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, called the legislation a significant achievement for the hospitality sector, stating it would reduce reservation competition and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality remains that the demand for unique, trendy, and luxurious experiences continues to surpass their availability in recent years. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked on the post-COVID landscape where everything—planes, restaurants, and hotels—are fully booked, posing challenges in navigating reservations for her clients.
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for the ultra-wealthy, India has served high-profile clients including former President George W. Bush and singer Mariah Carey. Still, she acknowledges that gaining access to top-tier dining experiences is largely about understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with the restaurants that cater to them.
India noted a shift away from traditional fine dining, indicating that most of her clients prefer trendy restaurants that emphasize the experience over the food itself. The allure now often revolves around status and the bragging rights associated with securing a table.
For those eager to claim their own bragging rights and willing to persist in their pursuit of hard-to-get reservations, a guide to the most exclusive restaurant tables in New York follows.