7 major US cities see surge in popular dining reservations due to gamification and increasing spending.

7 major US cities have experienced a rise in popularity for exclusive and buzzworthy restaurants, with increasing difficulty in securing reservations due to gamification. These hotspots have become status symbols and a way to display social capital. Consumer spending on dining out increased 20.1% between 2021 and 2022. Travel and hotel concierges have recommended top spots for various occasions in Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco.