Securing a reservation at New York’s most sought-after dining establishments has become increasingly challenging. Over the past three years, the competition for seats at the city’s top tables has escalated, leaving many food enthusiasts struggling to find a place to dine.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, recently shared insights with Bloomberg, stating that some restaurants are virtually inaccessible. He highlighted that restaurateurs themselves often lack tips for securing a reservation due to the heightened demand.
In response to the growing reservation crisis, the New York state legislature passed a ban on third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where individuals were charging exorbitant fees of $200 or more for restaurant slots—a practice parallel to ticket scalping for events. Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, lauded the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at lessening competition for reservations and protecting establishments from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality remains that the post-pandemic surge in demand for trendy and luxurious experiences continues to exceed what is available. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted, “Post-COVID, everything is fully booked—planes, restaurants, hotels.”
India, who has spent 16 years running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, emphasizes that accessing popular dining spots hinges on understanding customer needs and fostering strong relationships with the restaurants. She pointed out a shift in preferences away from traditional fine dining, with clients increasingly favoring trendy eateries for the social capital they provide rather than the food itself.
For those still eager to secure hard-to-get reservations in New York, persistence is key, along with an awareness of which dining experiences are currently in high demand, as highlighted by Sienna Charles.