Reviews of Rao's (Restaurant)

AlsoKnownAs Phil

Very Exclusive and out of the time. This place has a special atmosphere. Reminds me of old mafia movies. Food is great and excellent service, the staff will definitely make you feel at home.

Hank 03 Lopez

The food is fantastic, the experience is so VIP that it makes the whole night feel that you are unique and privileged, adding more spice to the taste. If you are expecting to be transported to some other cosmic world, grow up. This is great Italian American food, beautiful people, classico, delicious wine, and a rare chance to claim you were part of a New York City urban legend.

A Hodges

I just like their food. I always get good customer service here. The place is well kept and the staff members are always very kind. Highly recommended.

joe mercurio

From the minute we walked in until we left it was one of the best dining experience that I’ve ever experienced. The ambience was everything that I wanted it to be and the food quality was unbelievable . It brought back many memories of my mother’s cooking when we use to have those family dinners. I absolutely loved everything there. I only hope I can do it again. It was everything that I wanted it to be!!! Joe Mercurio 07/29/19

Jeremy M

Pretty legendary, great old school Italian food!

Ahmed Shehan

A best place but not crowded.Best sevice here as in love cafe.

Robert Scibelli

I loved this place. My wife and I were looking for a place to eat, and after being rejected from several other restaurants, we stumbled upon this place and they welcomed us with open arms. They had a few open tables ready for us to sit down, and I was not disappointed. While my pasta was a little under-cooked (aldante MMMMMMM!) the dessert at the end made up for it. 10/10 could not have found a more open place!

brooklynus10

If you've never been you never will

Vincenzo Moore

Excellent food, helpful staff members, regularly fantastic ambience. They charge fair pricing and the food quality is fantastic. Highly recommended.

Rocco Greco

It’s been several years since my last visit here but a true dining experience with outstanding service.

Jr Micheal Lalloo

Enjoyed the atmosphere and the people!

Jeff Rose

Its ok but for the price and if you want to talk about legends Patsys

al d

Always great food never disappoints been coming here for years never better

Lenny Tassler

Expensive, cash only!

Ally D

What can I say about this place the perfect place it’s not a restaurant it’s more of a club perfect food no Credit cards cash only

Melissa Colder

This place is Legendary! Purchased seats for a silent auction. I waited 7 years to get a table here and it was well worth the wait. The best meal ever!

Eric Price

Food great, too noisy.too small

Furqan Tejani

NYC landmark. Lucky to be a regular there

Anthony Koulizakis

If you can manage getting a seat here it worth it!!!!!!!!! Best Italian food I've ever had!!!!!!!.

Cobra

Great place to gather with a group. Good food and service.

Ricky Ricardo

Best place I have ever been to for Italian food. These white folks know how to make good food. I’ll be back most definitely. Got me thinking I was Italian in my past life. I could eat here every day.

Kieran Tuck

Overrated. I'd leave more of a scathing review if I wasn't certain that would lead to my whacking. Even if the food was the best in the world, or even NYC, it still wouldn't be worth the hoops you have to jump through to even sit at a table, surrounded by a bunch of Goumbas and largemen. Just look at the photos of patrons inside....95% of them look like they could have been in Goodfellas .

Ben

A bucket list restaurant for a reason! If you're lucky enough to get a table here you will cherish the experience for the rest of your life. The hype is real and deserved!

John Remy

If you can get in, take advantage of the opportunity because your chances are better getting invited to eat dinner with the president. You can try your luck with making reservations online but do not hold your breath. There is a reason why …

Thomas Liquori

Let me start off by saying you are coming here for the experience. Countless legends have eaten here over the years and if you have a chance to eat here I would jump at the opportunity because one like this does not come along very often. Being a part of the East Harlem Giglio Society, my friends and I have been here numerous times to drink at the bar which you can do but you cannot eat if you do not have a table. Getting a table is near to impossible and the only way to get one is if you know someone. I had the privilege of eating here the Friday before Christmas December 22nd 2017 and again this past Friday March 2nd 2018. Each time was great, food was fabulous and the environment is incredible. Being that our crew knows most of the workers here makes it even better as it feels like you are going to eat with family not at a restaurant. I must say it is not the same without Frankie Pellegrino (the original owner who passed away last year) but the love is still there as well as Nicky the Vest. There are no menus, so when you place your order they tell you what are the options for the night. We sampled almost everything and all dishes were delicious. There are no checks either, whoever pays the bill gets whisked away to the back to settle up at the end of the night. You can expect to spend a good $150-$200 per person which is pretty reasonable for the hardest place to eat in NYC. We usually stay until close and by that time you will run into see someone that is considered important. It all depends on your definition of important or famous.

Andrew Christman

Somehow, I got to experience this place, and I'll never forget it. Good luck getting reservations!

Betty Packtor

Favorite place to eat, but you have to know someone to get reservations a year in advance.

Judy Lapine

Took mom here for my birthday :) she really likes the decoration inside. Service is always great, and the pasta is so chewy that you can taste it's the fresh handmade pasta! Everything is so good here!

Dianna Martin

Yeah, they are as snobby as expected. I would rather eat at Patsy's or a myriad of other Italian/old NYC established /expensive restaurants where they actually treat people like guests. Apparently the class of the joint died with the original owner.

Tammy Stamatelos

Never been...but i have a brother that works there

Sariah Beltran

Great pasta and antique cozy restaurant I enjoy here every time I come here Nice staffs

Thomas SULLIVAN

Great night out food was unbelievable

B W

Lively, old school, perfect. The only people who don't like it are usually obnoxious label lemmings who like the Polo Club or silly reality stars who weren't able to score a table.

PR FLAGSUP

Amazing food

Anthony Blanco

A great place with amazing food. They also have an amazing staff. A+++

Matthew Hyland

Perfect version of Italian American dishes served in a private club. Meatballs and seafood salad are a must. The staff is personable and will become your best friends by the end of the night.

Denise Gunter

The health fair there today was awesome. The seniors got to eat, watch a show and get tested for various things. Lots of gifts

Richie Rich

Love the marinara sauce. Pasta dishes are amazing. Authentic Italian flavors awesome. Reservations...virtually impossible to get. They have no menu, are open Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM. Closed Sunday. The 12 tables are basically reserved for the rich and famous. Your best bet is to grab some drinks at the bar, be friendly with the bartender, and hope you can get the owners table. It is definitely worth a try. Good luck!

Anthony Realmuto

Dino good chef

Mark Gjidoda SR.

Great food,feels like you’re invited to someone’s house for dinner. I’ve never been disappointed. Love eating here when ever I’m invited. My niece’s and my sister also went there with their friends and they also loved it.. Can’t understand the negative reviews. R.I.P Mr.Frankie...

Joe Stefanik

Was great. Felt like I was on a movie set. Great across the board

Inge Van Hecke

You need to be a New Yorker or have lived in this city to understand this place. It all starts with "who do you know" to get you a table and once in, it's all "different than usual". The "Al Capone" ambiance is still noticeable - it's cash only - you'll be surrounded by both wanna-bees as politicians, movie stars, local businesspeople and "business"people but that's what makes it a unique place. Staff is AMAZING, food is good. I absolutely ❤️ it and would ❤️to go back soon.

Jon Meadow

If you can get in-xefinately worth the wait.

Patrick Amato

Cannot be touched when it comes to good foods and wines The Best of the Best

Rippy Roo

Stupid name. Stupid food

Frank Righty

Been here about a dozen times and have never been disappointed. Everything is fresh and always delicious. Great experience

mike ctiroofing

Great food and drinks

Joseph Aguilu

Oh my, 3 times in for a phenomenal meal. The allure is in the family style greatness of the food. Small, dedicated menu, lots of tradition, and the inability to get here unless you know someone. How New York is this? Love it, love me way in, he is the king.

DeAnthony Stevens

I enjoy here every time I come here. Everyone there is friendly and in a party mood. Perfect version of Italian American dishes.

Carmen

Very hard to get reservation, I've heard they have there own clientele and their booked always

Brayden Mora

We are lucky enough to have another couple that we go dining out with. They blessed us with an invitation to the famous Rao's Restaurant. My friends were not only jealous, but astounded as this is almost impossible to get into. This is old world NY charm. Everyone comes over and sits with you. There is no menu, our maitre d' helped us choose , because you basically can eat anything you want! The soft shell crabs and seafood salad appetizer was incredible. Great pasta! Yes! They do make the best meatballs ( I don't even like meatballs!) Just like my Italian grandmothers! Whoa! if you get the chance! Go!

Peter Uliano

Lets be Honest here , Its a place you go for status! The food is Common Italian food of average quality. You rub shoulders with celebs and well known folks but the food is just average unless you never had a home cooked Italian meal in your life. A good friend of mine owns a table and brought me with him at least 8 times in the past 2 years while the experience is great the food is not.

Nick Minervino

Best Italian food around.

Bryan Romano

Just incredible. I wish I could've finished everything they brought to us. Joey, D, Nicky... everyone there made the night unforgettable. I wish I could go whenever I want but the memory will last forever. Thanks guys!

GARY G

Everyone there is friendly and in a party mood. Staff remembers everyone. I have not been there in a year and the manager remembered the salad I like. Only concern is that the payment is cash only.

Ben Yasbin

No problem getting right in,food was ok over priced

steven restrepo

Best service and food

Craig Olsen

I go there every year and it's always great service great food an great ppl

P C

Reservations here can be a bit difficult to secure but we succeeded with a little help from our friends. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends... The atmosphere is lively, to the tune of that seen in old school Italian movies. Stories will be told and rich, flavorful Italian food will be served. The meatballs and marinara are legendary. We may or may not have spotted a celebrity or two during our meal. Though the difficulty in securing reservations may be off-putting for some, the experience was worth the effort.

Rick Juulian

The best thing to do is come here for dinner because the food here is as great as it's served by the wonderful staff

Christopher Corino

If you're looking up reviews of Rao's on the internet, clearly you are wasting your time. If you have an opportunity to go to this restaurant, GO. Run there. From the food, to the atmosphere, to the staff. It's all amazing. There's nothing like it

Matthew Hilmi

Definitely a favorite. Incredible cuisine and atmosphere.

JD Pitts

Went there a few weeks ago and don't understand the craze. Its Italian food that's marked up with some pretty rude employees. Everyone knows pasta is cheap, makes no sense that someone can charge such high prices for it. Parking was horrible and you're in Harlem. Don't walk around by yourself at night, its definitely not safe. Way better options out there that don't make you wait months for reservations.

Marco Segura

Easily the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to in my life, I highly recommend this restaurant. Just make sure to bring cash, as they don't take card.

Junior Diaz

Nice place to eat and shear with you friends

Larry Zigerelli

History is incomparable. Had a drink because I knew someone. Forget it. No way to get in.

Danish Gilmer

You will love the food and authentic atmosphere but not one African American in the joint. Food is delicious! But you have to know someone who knows someone to get a chance to taste the food.

Pamela Watt

Fun lively place. Impossible to get a table. But the bar is open to everyone. Friendly staff and customers. Good food and portions to share.

Chaz Halilaj

Great place great food amazing service family style

Tommy Garbage

Baked clams,roasted peppers, mutz n tomato, pasta,sausage and peppers, c chicken n roasted potatoes,desert just the best we could not have been treated any better.

Anhtuan Nguyen

Love the marinara sauce. Pasta dishes are amazing. Authentic Italian flavors awesome. Reservations...virtually impossible to get. They have no menu, are open Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 10 PM. Closed Sunday. The 12 tables are basically reserved for the rich and famous. Your best bet is to grab some drinks at the bar, be friendly with the bartender, and hope you can get the owners table. It is definitely worth a try. Good luck!

Peter Roth

Believe the hype! It's incredible. Too bad you'll probably never get a chance to go unless you become President one day.

Jason Cerniglia

Can i please have juice?

Always Working

Never been there just seen them on jimmy Fallon show food looked good to me

Jimmy Mcnair

Great people.friendly

Joe Romano

I’m giving Rao’s five stars for being so consistent. I’ve been trying to get a table for eight years and have been turned away every time. The outside is really nice though. Some day I’m going to get a table there!

Jewels MacPherson

One of the most hospitable dining experiences I've ever had. The entire dining room was engaged with one another, friendly staff, great atmosphere with even better food. If you ever have the opportunity to dine here, you won't be disappointed.