Securing a dining reservation in New York has become increasingly difficult, with the last three years marking a significant shift from merely challenging to nearly impossible for many diners seeking trendy spots.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, noted that some restaurants are simply inaccessible. He shared insights from restaurateurs who admitted they have no tips to offer for getting a table at their locations.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations led to New York’s state legislature recently passing a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling reservation slots for $200 or more—practices reminiscent of ticket scalping for popular events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a critical win for the hospitality sector, suggesting it would lessen reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite these regulatory efforts, the fundamental issue remains as demand for trendy and luxurious experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India commented on the situation, observing that post-pandemic, all travel and dining services are fully booked.
India, who has overseen Sienna Charles—a concierge and travel planning service for the wealthy—for 16 years, noted that securing access to exclusive restaurants often involves understanding client preferences and nurturing relationships with dining establishments.
She remarked that there’s been a prevailing shift away from traditional fine dining as clients increasingly favor trendy spots where the experience takes precedence over culinary quality. For many, it’s more about the status associated with securing a reservation than the food itself.
For those determined to claim their own bragging rights regarding dining reservations, there are certain New York restaurants that stand out as the most difficult to book, according to Sienna Charles.