Securing a dining reservation in New York City has become increasingly difficult, with many popular restaurants now seen as nearly inaccessible. Over the past three years, the challenge of landing a seat at the city’s hottest spots has escalated, leaving food enthusiasts frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservations platform Sevenrooms, recently commented on the situation, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted that even restaurant operators are often at a loss for how to get customers in.
The competitiveness of dinner reservations has prompted legislative action; last month, the New York state legislature passed a bill banning third-party booking sites such as Appointment Trader, where users were reselling reservations for over $200—similar to practices in the concert and sports industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the new legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, believing it will alleviate reservation competition and protect restaurants from high cancellation fees.
Even with these new rules in place, the overall demand for unique and luxurious experiences remains high, often outpacing the supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India points out, “Post-COVID, everything is booked—every plane, every restaurant, every hotel.”
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge service for affluent clients, India is well-versed in securing reservations for the ultra-wealthy, including high-profile figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey. She emphasizes that gaining access to popular establishments depends on understanding client preferences and fostering strong relationships with those restaurants.
“People have really moved away from fine dining. We rarely have clients wanting a tasting menu,” she added. “The trend has shifted towards trendy restaurants where the appeal is not solely about the food but rather the experience and status of saying you got in.”
For those eager to secure reservations and gain their own bragging rights, India provides insight into which New York restaurant tables are currently the most challenging to book.