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Even with the downturn in the economy, reservations at the best restaurants in New York City can still be extremely difficult to get. The insider tips on this page will show you how to get restaurant reservations in New York City.
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Introduction
There are over 18,000 restaurants in New York City, and yet often no matter where you call, getting a peak time reservation especially in Manhattan is close to impossible. The dining scene is a big part of New York City culture, and most people want to eat between 8 and 9 pm. Most peak time reservations are often booked up everywhere more than a week in advance, and you will need to do more than make one simple phone call to get the table you want. -
Step 1: Book Early
If you have a special occasion coming up but haven't yet decided where you want to go, or how many will be in your group, it's still a good idea to book a few in advance. Most restaurants will take bookings up to three months in advance, so book a few restaurants for the largest number of people you think may attend. Just always be courteous enough to cancel the reservations you don't want, once you've made your decision. -
Step 2: OpenTable
Many of the most popular restaurants in NYC use the online reservation system OpenTable. This is a great place to start looking for reservations as it shows you exactly which restaurants have openings on your required dates, at your required time. However if you are trying to book relatively last minute, or for a Saturday night you will mostly find all the prime time slots are already taken. This is when you need to call the restaurant. -
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Step 4: Call the restaurant more than once
Most restaurants that use online booking systems don't put all their table availability online. They always hold a few back for walk-ins or manager use, and have the ability to add extra booking times. But restaurants can't magically come up with extra physical tables, and in a city of 9 million people, even if you call on a Monday morning you will still often find that the prime time reservations for later in the week are already booked up. Call more than once at different times, you may reach someone more accommodating on a second call, or the restaurant may have had cancellations. -
Step 5: Walk in
Many restaurants do try and accommodate walk ins, so you can always just turn up and hope for the best. Often people don’t turn up for their reservations, so may get lucky and get seated promptly. Alternatively, a busy night may run at capacity, and you could turn up at 8 pm and not get seated until 10 pm. Call in advance to check the restaurant's walk in policy. -
Step 7: Cancellations
Most restaurants call to confirm their reservations for the day from about midday on. This is when people tend to cancel and free up slots. Give the restaurant of your choice a couple of calls in the afternoon on the day you want to go, and you may get lucky and snag a reservation. -
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Resources Powered by Google
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OpenTable Restaurants and Restaurant Reservations
Real-time online reservation network for fine dining restaurants. Read reviews from recent diners, view Diners' Choice top ten lists and earn points towards free meals.opentable.com -
Online Restaurant Reservations! - DinnerBroker
Discounted and hard to get reservations at fine dining restaurants. Discounts are offered up to 33% off your bill and high-end restaurant gift certificates are available below face...dinnerbroker.com -
Dining Check - News and Tips from OpenTable's Chief Dining Officer ...
Dining Check - News and Tips from OpenTable's Chief Dining Officer - Part 2blog.opentable.com
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How to Get Restaurant Reservations in New York Links Powered by Google
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OpenTable Restaurants and Restaurant Reservations
Real-time online reservation network for fine dining restaurants. Read reviews from recent diners, view Diners' Choice top ten lists and earn points towards free meals.opentable.com -
Online Restaurant Reservations! - DinnerBroker
Discounted and hard to get reservations at fine dining restaurants. Discounts are offered up to 33% off your bill and high-end restaurant gift certificates are available below face...dinnerbroker.com -
Live from New York: It's Edible Eat • Drink • Local Week |
Now through October 4th, diners in and around New York City, including Long Island's East End and Westchester, can celebrate the local bounty and help theblog.opentable.com -
New York Times: Restaurant Reservations Go Online | Washington, DC ...
When I dine, almost all reservations are made online (by my fiance) with Open Table. The Times explores online reservations. It's a must read for those of you not yet using…yelp.com
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