Securing a reservation at New York’s top dining spots has become increasingly difficult, with the past three years marking a significant shift from merely challenging to nearly impossible for many food lovers.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, highlighted the issue, revealing that several restaurateurs cannot even offer tips for snagging a reservation.
The competitiveness of dinner bookings reached a tipping point last month when the New York state legislature voted to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which had seen users reselling dining slots for up to $200—an approach typically associated with concert and sports ticket scalping.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a substantial win for the hospitality sector, aimed at lowering reservation competition and shielding establishments from costly cancellation fees.
Despite these legislative efforts, demand for unique and exquisite dining experiences continues to outpace availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that post-COVID, reservations for flights, hotels, and restaurants have become more difficult to secure, with nearly every space fully booked.
India, who runs Sienna Charles—a concierge and travel planning service catering to wealthy families—has worked with high-profile clients like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. She stresses that access to sought-after dining venues centers on understanding client preferences and cultivating relationships with restaurants.
According to India, the trend has shifted away from traditional fine dining experiences, as fewer clients seek lengthy tasting menus. Instead, there is an increased preference for trendy restaurants that provide a sense of exclusivity and status, as diners often prioritize the “fear of missing out” over gastronomic excellence.
For those eager to experience the allure of New York’s most elusive dining spots, perseverance in the pursuit of reservations is key, along with an awareness of the most sought-after tables.