New Yorkers looking to enjoy a meal out are facing unprecedented challenges in securing restaurant reservations. Over the past three years, obtaining a seat at the city’s hottest dining spots has escalated from a tough task to nearly impossible for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, the CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, stating, “There are some restaurants that people can’t get into.” He noted conversations with restaurateurs, who often admit they have no strategies to offer for gaining access to these exclusive venues.
The intense competition for dining reservations prompted the New York state legislature to pass a ban last month on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which allowed users to resell reservation slots for prices exceeding $200, a practice reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts and sports events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed the legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” aimed at reducing reservation competition and protecting restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite these legal changes, the ongoing trend of increasing demand for unique, trendy, and luxurious experiences continues to overshadow availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India remarked, “Post-COVID, every plane is full, every restaurant is full, every hotel is full,” highlighting the challenges of securing spots at popular establishments.
India, who has operated Sienna Charles—a concierge and travel planning service for wealthy clients—for 16 years, stresses that succesfully accessing top-tier restaurants is largely about understanding client needs and fostering connections with eateries that meet those expectations.
She observed a shift away from traditional fine dining, stating, “We very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” Instead, she noted a growing preference for trendy restaurants where the experience is more about social status than the food itself.
For those eager to secure their own bragging rights and willing to work for a reservation, India has shared insights into which New York restaurants are currently the most difficult to book.