Rao's, New York NY

Nice place. Friendly staff and patrons.one big happy family. If ya know, ya know. Capisce?

Prices for appetizers, entrees, and drinks are overpriced for absolutely no reason. They are selective on who they serve "ethnically" even if you made a reservation months in advance. GLORIFIED OLIVE GARDEN

Definitely that one restaurant you write home about. The food and the ambiance was like no other. If you can get a table make it happen at all cost.

What an amazing place and an amazing experience. It’s not just the nostalgic and historical ambiance of its 100+ year history. The food was amazing and delicious. The wet meatballs compared to the dry. It was lush versus crispy softness. The lobster Fra Diablo was salty yet creamy sweetness of the lobster the perfect Al dente pasta with a sauce that was light yet left it’s mark at the finish with an application of heat. The patrons were singing to oldies and it was just energy and a vest for life. What an amazing experience.

I was really excited to visit this place for the first time since I’ve seen their sauce on the shelf’s of Costco and Walmart. But be cautious of visiting this restaurant In person, they don’t seem to mention needing a reservation on their website or on the Google listing but they refused to sit me and my Asian friend despite an abundance of tables. When I asked about making reservations for a future visit, I was told they can only be made in person with the manager and they open new reservations in November for a few years in advance. They seem very selective in which people are allowed to dine at this restaurant and many patrons may appreciate a more open and welcoming atmosphere.

Everything was 5 Stars at Rao’s!
Service, food, staff, you name it!
The meatballs are truly to die for… the baked clams were delicious!
Drinks were amazing and free pour… got me boozing after the second martini
The staff is what really makes this place one of the best restaurants out there!

A friend gave me their reservation. The food was amazing and lived up to the hype. I've been buying the jarred sauce for years, and finally dining here was an experience.

OVERRATED. A TINY BIT BETTER THAN OLIVE GARDEN BUT CONSIDERING IT'S 4 TIMES THE PRICE. NEVER AGAIN

Update 12/13/22- They posted corrected hours here. Now they need to post no wAlk-ins and no reservations available unless you know someone who "owns a table" -Hours posted here are WRONG (not open at 1: 00 on weekdays) and they are too important to care about inconvenience to us. Nothing posted on site and phone contact offers nothing.

I traveled from Newburgh, Indiana to NYC and the customer service was terrible! They kept talking about a legacy like they were talking about the godfather. Ominides!

Ok, getting into Rao's is a Herculean feat, and frankly if you don't know someone who has a table already, you're not getting in. No reservations, they tell the regulars when their dates are. We were fortunate to be invited in, and the experience was phenomenal. The food is good, solid, mostly Northern Italian (great sauces, pastas, etc) but terrific baked classic and other dishes. All served family style on individual plates (the group places the combined order and the kitchen serves it individually).

The reason to never say no to an invitation is to be "in" the center of a family owned historical site. To be able to casually say "oh, sure, I've been there. Great place! "

So now I can say with certainty: "Rao's? Oh yeah, I've been there. Great place and terrific evening! "

Don’t even bother trying to get a reservation here poc because they like to tell people “only the family eats here”. I will be so glad when people like them finally leave this earth.

This place is a joke! They have been reading their own press clippings too much. Tried to call for a reservation. There was a recorded message that they were not taking reservations, so just come to the restaurant to walk in early. Paid a $60 cab ride for nothing. Empty restaurant, but they would not seat me. Rude and obnoxious! Don’t waste your time with these jerks…

Very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go. Lemon chicken, meatballs and baked clams were phenomenal.

I sold my soul to an ex who has a table, if you don’t know anyone then take out is your best option. Be warned their food is amazing. It gets very addictive.

Not the same, since the passing of Frank SR; Came for my Birthday and was turned away; The Mystique of Rao's is all gone now; Funny part you don't even see Italians dining or working here anymore; Dined here many times back in the day, could have made a better effort to accommodate a man Especially on his Birthday, looks like a "Tourist Trap" now, "ALL" Bridge and tunnel folks; much better Dining
options in NYC.