Securing a dinner reservation in New York has become increasingly difficult, as the challenge of obtaining a table at the city’s most sought-after restaurants has escalated over the past three years. This issue has led to a situation where many food enthusiasts find it nearly impossible to get a seat at popular dining spots.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the booking platform Sevenrooms, shared with Bloomberg that certain restaurants have become completely booked out. “Some restaurateurs I’ve spoken to simply don’t have tips for getting in,” he mentioned.
Last month, the New York state legislature took action against the competitive reservation landscape by voting to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, where individuals had been reselling restaurant reservations for prices exceeding $200, a practice reminiscent of ticket scalping for concerts and sporting events.
Melissa Fleischut, President & CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a significant win for the hospitality sector, aiming to lessen the competition around reservations and to shield restaurants from costly no-shows.
Despite this legislative effort, the reality is that the demand for unique, trendy dining experiences continues to exceed availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed that post-pandemic, nearly every sector, from airlines to restaurants, is fully booked.
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a luxury concierge and travel planning service catering to ultra-wealthy clients, knows firsthand how to navigate this complex dining landscape. Her clientele includes families with fortunes exceeding $100 million, as well as high-profile individuals like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
She points out that gaining access to exclusive dining experiences hinges on several key factors, such as understanding client desires and fostering relationships with restaurants. “Clients have shifted away from fine dining; most now prefer trendy venues that focus on the experience rather than just the food,” India explained. “This shift over the past three years is about the fear of missing out (FOMO) and the prestige of securing a reservation.”
For those determined to snag a coveted reservation, stay tuned to learn which New York restaurants are currently the hardest to book, as identified by Sienna Charles.