Relay resources
Where restaurant workers find jobs in New York City
By Relay Team. Published
Restaurant workers in NYC mostly find jobs through people they know, by walking in, through online job boards, through restaurant groups and staffing companies, and through matching services. Each works differently, and most people use more than one.
Free for workers. Takes about 60 seconds.
Referrals from people you have worked with
Word of mouth is one of the most common ways restaurant jobs get filled. Stay in touch with cooks, servers and managers you have worked well with, and tell them when you are looking.
Walking in
Walking in still works, especially for kitchen and dish roles. Go between lunch and dinner, ask for the manager or chef, and be ready to say what role you want and when you can work.
Online job boards
Job boards have a lot of listings, but it is easy to end up applying to dozens of posts and hearing nothing back. Before applying, check that the role, location and hours actually fit.
Restaurant groups and staffing companies
Restaurant groups sometimes hire across several locations at once. Event staffing and catering companies can offer flexible shifts, which some workers use to fill gaps between steady jobs.
Matching services like Relay
Relay works the other way around. Instead of you searching every listing, you tell Relay your role and the borough you want once, and we contact you when an opportunity looks like a fit. It is free for workers and does not guarantee a job.
Which one should you use?
Usually a mix. Use referrals and walk-ins for places you already want to work, and let Relay keep an eye out for you in the background. Start with our guide on finding work without applying everywhere.
Roles
Boroughs
More guides
Tell Relay what job you want
Relay connects you to relevant openings. It does not guarantee employment.
Free for workers. Takes about 60 seconds.