New York Dearest
The guide, $35

Eat · Iconic and old New York · 2026

The hardest reservations in New York.

A list, not a ranking, from my own visits, updated September 2026. 15 places.

No, it’s not just you. Reservations are getting harder to score, and some restaurants in New York City are so exclusive they’re ready to meet your parents. As a longtime local, I looked into the hardest reservations to get in New York City, let’s get the party started.

Antonina PattizI went to every one · how I decide
  1. Rao'sRestaurant · HarlemThanks to the constant demand Rao’s has become one of the hardest reservations to get in New York City.
  2. MisiRestaurant · Williamsburg
  3. The Four HorsemenBar · WilliamsburgIt’s one of the most affordable Michelin restaurants in NYC, with no entree clocking in north of $35 (just don’t get carried away with the wine menu).
  4. CarboneRestaurant · Greenwich VillageWhile savoring every bite of the spicy vodka rigatoni I knew there were countless others who couldn’t get reservations to the elegant Italian restaurant.
  5. 4 Charles Prime RibRestaurant · West VillageThe food is top-notch, which you’d expect from one of the hardest reservations to get in New York City, and has the price tag to match.
  6. The Polo BarBar · MidtownIt’s elegant and offers high-class drinks and dinner, which you’d expect from a bar run by Ralph Lauren.
  7. Don AngieRestaurant · West VillageThe only thing worse than not getting a reservation to Don Angie’s is getting one, trying it, and then chasing that high again but not being able to get a second reservation.
  8. I SodiRestaurant · West VillageThe food is simple but so rich in flavor, and with only eight tables it’s one of the hardest reservations to get in New York City.
  9. AtomixRestaurant · NoMadWith so much buzz it’s understandable why Atomix is one of the hardest reservations to get in New York City.
  10. SemmaRestaurant · West VillageSemma is the only Michelin Star Indian restaurant in the U.S., and that success has led it to become one of the most impossible reservations to get in New York City.
  11. Tatiana by Chef KwameRestaurant · Lincoln CenterThe young chef has tapped into a unique market, and folks are eager to give the restaurant a try.
  12. Thai DinerRestaurant · NolitaGetting a reservation is worth it, though, since sometimes you walk into the restaurant and they don’t have a table for another four hours.
  13. Via CarotaRestaurant · West VillageIn 2023 Pete Wells, restaurant critic for the New York Times, ranked Via Carota the fourth best restaurant in New York City so the demand will see no end.
  14. LiliaRestaurant · WilliamsburgIt almost doesn’t matter the restaurant is housed in a former auto body shop.
  15. RoscioliRestaurant · Greenwich VillageRoscioli has long been one of the best restaurants in Rome, and when the Italian restaurant announced they were opening a location in New York City it stirred up a whirlwind of commotion.

The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 15 Impossible Reservations to Score in New York City (Exclusive NYC).