New York dining is more competitive than ever, with securing a reservation at trendy restaurants becoming increasingly difficult over the past three years. Many food enthusiasts now find it nearly impossible to land a seat at sought-after establishments.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, highlighted the issue in a recent interview, stating that some restaurateurs admit they have no advice on how to successfully gain a reservation.
The situation has grown so dire that last month, New York’s state legislature passed a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where users were reportedly selling restaurant slots for $200 or more—a practice typically seen in the concert and sports industries.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, called the legislative change a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” emphasizing that it would reduce reservation competition and protect restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these changes, demand for unique, trendy dining experiences continues to exceed supply. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted that following the pandemic, reservations have been harder to come by, with planes, hotels, and restaurants consistently fully booked.
With 16 years of experience running Sienna Charles, a concierge and travel planning service for the wealthy, India has insights into navigating the dining scene. Her high-profile clientele has included figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
India points out that accessing notable dining experiences hinges on understanding client desires and cultivating relationships with restaurants. She observed a shift away from fine dining among her clients, with a growing preference for fashionable restaurants where the experience is more about social status than culinary excellence.
For those eager to secure their own exclusive reservations, India’s insights provide guidance on which New York restaurant tables are currently the toughest to book.