Securing a reservation at New York’s most popular restaurants has become increasingly difficult. In just three years, the challenge of scoring a seat at the city’s hottest dining spots has escalated, leaving many food enthusiasts frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the restaurant booking platform Sevenrooms, recently shared insights with Bloomberg, revealing that some eateries are simply inaccessible. “I’ve even spoken to restaurateurs who admit they have no tips for getting in,” he noted.
The fiercely competitive nature of dinner reservations prompted New York state lawmakers to vote last month on banning third-party booking platforms like Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant reservations for exorbitant prices, sometimes upwards of $200—similar to practices often seen in the concert and sporting event industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, believing it will lessen reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for trendy and exclusive dining experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India highlighted this issue, mentioning that post-pandemic, nearly every plane, restaurant, and hotel is fully booked. “How do you navigate getting people into already full venues?” she questioned.
India, who has spent 16 years running Sienna Charles—a concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients—claims that even with an impressive roster of former clients including George W. Bush and Mariah Carey, gaining entry to sought-after restaurants requires understanding customer desires and cultivating relationships with establishments.
“Clients have largely shifted away from fine dining; very few want to endure a tasting menu,” India stated. “The trend over the past three years focuses on trendy locations that emphasize experience rather than cuisine, with people more interested in the bragging rights of having visited.”
For those eager to join the ranks of diners at the toughest New York tables, persistence in securing a reservation may be essential.