Dining in New York has become increasingly challenging as securing a reservation at the city’s most coveted restaurants has reached new levels of difficulty. Over the past three years, the struggle to book a seat at popular dining spots has escalated, leaving many food enthusiasts frustrated.
Joel Montaniel, CEO of the reservation platform Sevenrooms, shared insights with Bloomberg, highlighting how some restaurants have become nearly impossible to enter. “I’ve even talked to restaurateurs who say, ‘I don’t have tips’ on how to get in,” he noted.
The competitiveness of dinner reservations prompted the New York state legislature to ban third-party booking sites like Appointment Trader last month. These platforms had allowed users to resell their reservation slots for substantial amounts, sometimes over $200, similar to the practices seen in the concert and sports ticket markets.
Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, hailed this legislation as a “major victory for the hospitality industry,” asserting that it would lessen reservation competition and shield restaurants from costly cancellations.
Despite these legislative measures, the demand for trendy and luxurious experiences remains higher than ever. Travel advisor Jaclyn Sienna India observed that since the pandemic, securing spots has become increasingly difficult, with every flight, restaurant, and hotel fully booked.
India, who has spent 16 years managing Sienna Charles, a luxury concierge and travel service for affluent clients, emphasizes that understanding customer desires and fostering relationships with restaurants is crucial for obtaining reservations at in-demand venues.
She noted a significant shift in dining preferences, stating, “People have really moved away from fine dining; we very rarely have a client that wants to sit through a tasting menu.” According to India, current trends lean towards trendy restaurants where the experience, often driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO), eclipses the focus on food.
For those determined to secure a coveted reservation in New York City, exploring the hardest-to-get tables, as identified by Sienna Charles, may be worthwhile for bragging rights.