For those eager to dine out in New York, securing a reservation has become increasingly difficult. Over the past three years, obtaining a seat at the city’s hottest restaurants has shifted from a challenge to a seemingly impossible task for many food enthusiasts.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, noted in a recent interview that certain restaurants are simply unattainable. “I’ve spoken with restaurateurs, and when asked for tips to get in, they admit they have none,” he explained.
The competitive nature of dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to pass a ban on third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader, which saw users selling reservation slots for $200 or more—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, aimed at reducing the competition for reservations and protecting restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative efforts, the reality remains that the demand for trendy and luxurious dining experiences continues to exceed availability. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed, “Post-COVID, it’s clear everything is fully booked—planes, restaurants, hotels.”
India, who has been running Sienna Charles, a high-end concierge and travel planning service for 16 years, knows how to navigate this competitive landscape. Her clientele primarily consists of ultra-wealthy families with earnings exceeding $100 million, including notable figures like George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.
She pointed out that gaining access to the city’s most sought-after dining spots involves understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with the restaurants. “Clients are shifting away from fine dining; they seldom want a tasting menu. The trend is toward lively restaurants where the experience often takes precedence over the food,” India stated. “It’s about the fear of missing out—it’s become a status symbol.”
For those willing to pursue a reservation diligently, India has insights into which New York restaurants are currently the most difficult to access.