Two Must-Have Dining Apps for your Foodie Adventures

Gone are the days of calling into a restaurant to make the reservations for your hot date. In 2021, everything is automated and technology is rated based on just how easy its gifts can make life for us. We have managed to even simplify dating and who we spend the rest of our lives with to an algorithm with apps. Dining in New York City is not just a way to sate your appetite. It’s about trends, experience and something to do on a night winding down or just starting up. The places that we choose to dine solo or with our friends and colleagues can really set the tone for the evening so it is important that we pick the right restaurants. I personally believe that these two apps are crucial to doing that here in New York City.

Resy has upped my screen time by at least an hour a week. This dining reservation application not only allows to you to select a time slot at some of New York’s hottest spots, but offers you listings of dining reservation availabilities based on what time and date you are searching for. I have used this countless times. I’ve been walking around the city, working on my computer and I hear my stomach rumble. I’ll take out Resy and scroll through after setting my search to “Today” and find a restaurant with reservations within the next hour or two! You can also select restaurants based on one of their many titled categories like Woman-Owned, Black Owned OR Top Italian. When I first downloaded the app, I simply typed in “Korean” and got a juicy list of Korean restaurants all over NYC taking reservations. Resy restaurant list is always trendy. From Nougatine by Jean-Georges to Ras Plant Based down in Crown Heights, the cuisine is diverse. Rest also allows you to book for events, like special Chef’s Tastings and even Movie Nights at The Standard. Resy also offers a function called the HITLIST, where you can favorite restaurants that you are interesting in trying and get notified when reservations open up. The website is also a fountain of knowledge. Resy.com has articles about dishes, culture and the stories behind the restaurants we love to frequent. I only wish that Resy would implement their location based services on the browser as well! I’m enamored by the usability of the app. Not only can I make my reservations but I can learn about the chefs, the cuisine and any events or openings that may be local to me. Absolute must have for the foodie of NYC.

OpenTable has is the OG here and operates similarly to Resy. The ability to selected Location, Restaurant or Cuisine that you are interested in is just the same. However, on OpenTable you can search by specific time VS on Resy you can select from Early, Brunch, Lunch, Prime and Dinner. This might be a little more helpful in situations where you need a reservation at an exact time with out shuffling through different options. OpenTable also has a blog called Open for Business. OpenTable has availability alerts through notifications that will pop up and tell you when a restaurant you are interested in has a last minute opening. There is also a Direct Messaging center when you can speak to the restaurant you have reservations at directly in regards to any accommodations that your party may need or if you’re running late.

If you want to begin adventuring in NYC and trying new foods, or even your own hometown if you aren't from New York, these two apps are the deadly duo for becoming the local foodie! Luckily both apps have settings to set your location locally! So download and get to eating!