Securing a reservation at New York City’s most sought-after restaurants has become increasingly difficult, reaching new levels of challenge in the past three years. What once was a competitive landscape has transformed into a nearly unattainable task for many dining enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, mentioned in a recent interview that some restaurants are so exclusive that even restaurateurs themselves are unsure how to get a table. He stated, “I’ve talked to restaurateurs on panels and asked them for tips to get in, and they say, ‘I don’t have them.’”
The intense competition for dining slots led the New York state legislature to pass a ban last month on third-party booking services like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell their restaurant reservations for large sums, sometimes exceeding $200. This practice has drawn comparisons to ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aiming to alleviate reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these regulatory efforts, the reality remains that the post-pandemic boom in demand for luxurious dining experiences has overwhelmed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that every sector, from airlines to restaurants and hotels, is filled to capacity, making it challenging to secure reservations.
With over 16 years of experience operating Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for high-net-worth individuals, India specializes in catering to clients who exceed $100 million in wealth. Her clientele has included prominent figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India points out that the key to accessing popular dining experiences lies in understanding what customers want and cultivating connections with the restaurants that can accommodate those desires. She observed a shift away from traditional fine dining to trendy establishments where the dining experience is often more about social status than the food itself. “It’s about saying that you got in, it’s a bragging right,” she said.
For those determined to secure their own bragging rights, India provides insights into which New York restaurants are currently the most difficult to access.