Dining out in New York has become increasingly challenging, with securing a reservation at popular restaurants becoming nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts. Over the past three years, the process has transformed from difficult to almost unattainable.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg about the situation, noting, “Some restaurants are simply inaccessible.” He has spoken to restaurateurs at various panels who admit they lack tips for making bookings easier.
The intense competition for dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to vote recently to prohibit third-party booking services, such as Appointment Trader, where users were reselling restaurant slots for $200 or more. This practice had previously been common in the concert and sports ticketing markets.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aimed at reducing competition and protecting restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these new regulations, the demand for exciting culinary and luxury experiences continues to exceed availability in the post-COVID era. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India noted the pervasive issue, stating, “Everything is booked — every flight, restaurant, and hotel is full.”
India, who has spent 16 years running the luxury concierge service Sienna Charles, catering to ultra-wealthy clients, emphasized the key to accessing top restaurants lies in understanding customer preferences and fostering strong relationships with restaurant owners.
She pointed out a notable trend shift away from fine dining, stating that most clients now prefer trendy spots that focus more on social experience than culinary finesse. According to her, it’s more about the experience and the “fear of missing out” (FOMO), rather than just the food.
For those determined to secure a reservation and gain their own bragging rights, there are specific New York restaurants known for being the hardest to book.