In New York, securing a restaurant reservation has become increasingly difficult, reaching a level of urgency not seen before. Over the past three years, many aspiring diners have found the task of booking a table at the city’s popular restaurants to be nearly impossible.
According to Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, some restaurants are simply out of reach. Many restaurateurs have expressed their frustration during discussions, admitting they do not have solutions to the reservation predicament.
The competitiveness for dinner reservations led New York’s state legislature to vote last month in favor of banning third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reportedly reselling restaurant slots for prices exceeding $200. This practice has drawn comparisons to ticket scalping for concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at reducing reservation competition and safeguarding restaurants against costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the demand for chic, trendy, and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that post-COVID, virtually everything is fully booked—from flights to restaurants to hotels.
India, who has led a concierge and travel planning service for high-net-worth individuals for 16 years, suggests that accessing popular restaurants comes down to understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with restaurant owners. She points out a noticeable shift away from traditional fine dining towards trendy eateries, where the experience often centers more on social status than on the food itself.
For those determined to secure a coveted reservation, insights from Sienna Charles will highlight which New York restaurants are the most challenging to book.