Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing a reservation at the city’s most sought-after restaurants reaching unprecedented levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, the process of booking a table has transformed from a tough task to an almost impossible one for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of bookings platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurateurs, when asked for advice on how to obtain reservations, admitted they lacked solutions.
The situation has become so intense that last month, the New York state legislature decided to ban third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where some users were selling restaurant reservations for $200 or more. This practice has drawn comparisons to ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, praised the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector. She believes it will lessen the competition for reservations and safeguard restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative changes, the trend of wanting exclusive dining experiences continues to surpass availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India notes, “Post-COVID, everything is booked up. Every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full. How do you navigate getting people into places that are already at capacity?”
India, who has led Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for high-net-worth individuals for 16 years, has valuable insights. Her clients, including high-profile figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey, typically have fortunes exceeding $100 million.
She points out that getting access to trendy restaurants revolves around understanding client preferences and fostering relationships with the venues. “People have really moved away from fine dining,” she observes. “The focus has shifted to trendy spots where the experience might not even center on food, but rather on the exclusivity of getting in—it’s about the bragging rights.”
For those determined to secure a reservation at one of New York’s hottest restaurants, India provides guidance on navigating this competitive landscape.