Securing a reservation at New York City’s trendy restaurants has become more challenging than ever. Over the past three years, the competition for a spot at these sought-after tables has escalated to new heights, making dining out a difficult endeavor for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of bookings platform Sevenrooms, recently shared with Bloomberg the growing difficulty in obtaining reservations. “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into,” said Montaniel. Even restaurateurs, he noted, often struggle to provide tips on securing a reservation, admitting, “I don’t have them.”
The competition for dinner reservations has led to the New York state legislature banning third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader. Users on such platforms were reselling restaurant slots for $200 or more, similar to ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events. Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aiming to reduce competition for reservations and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite legislative efforts, the demand for exciting and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed their availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India, who has been in the business for 16 years running Sienna Charles, highlights the post-COVID rush. “Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” she says. India assists ultra-wealthy families, including notable clients like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey, in securing reservations at top destinations.
India emphasizes that gaining access to popular restaurants boils down to understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with the establishments. She notes a shift away from fine dining to trendy spots where the focus extends beyond food to the experience and the prestige of securing a reservation. “It’s about saying that you got in; it’s a bragging right,” she explains.
For those willing to persevere in the quest for a prized reservation, here are the New York restaurant tables that are hardest to secure, as identified by Sienna Charles.