New Yorkers aren’t ones to shy away from lines. We line up for sample sales, limited-edition drops, even a pumpkin-and-rice cronut that sold out five years ago. You name it, we’ve gotten on line for it. But according to OpenTable’s newly-released 2026 Dining Trends Report, there’s one line we love the most: the one leading to a restaurant table.
The new report found that New York City diners are willing to wait an average of 57 minutes as walk-ins—the longest in the country by a wide margin. San Francisco is much less patient, waiting 34 minutes; Miami and Chicago tie at 35; and even famously patient L.A. taps out at 44. New Yorkers, however, will happily stand around for nearly an hour. We’re either incredibly devoted or slightly unhinged—and maybe both.
Part of the reason is that demand is way up. The report notes that overall dining increased 8% year over year, with early bird dining (between 4 and 5 pm) up 13% and group dining up 11%. Tables are scarce and reservations vanish instantly these days.
Spontaneity is also back in style. Last-minute bookings are booming and OpenTable notes its “Notify Me” alerts are up 84% nationwide. New York, not surprisingly, leads the country in the sheer number of people hammering that button. (OpenTable’s top restaurant for Notify Me alerts is Manhattan’s Chez Fifi, which tracks.)
Value is a major theme heading into 2026, too. Diners are looking for deals that still feel social, while 61% of Americans say dining out will feel more like a treat next year than a habitual Tuesday. But when New Yorkers do go out, they go all out: anniversary diners spent 40% more per person on average, experiential dining is up 46% and nearly half of surveyed Americans say they’re more likely to book when restaurants host pop-ups or collabs.
So yes, we’re willing to wait an hour for a table. But in a city where the “worth it” factor is practically a sport, that checks out. If you’re lucky, there’ll be a cocktail list you can access from the sidewalk.