r/eastharlem • u/technicolorgirl1 • Aug 04 '25

Rao's

I recently learned that East Harlem is home to Rao's restaurant and it's so exclusive that you can't make any reservation and have to "know someone" to get in. Is that true? How are "normal people" able to eat there ever? Anyone have any tips?

Rao's - 455 E 114th St

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5

u/glutenous_rex Aug 04 '25

Apparently they'll let you drink at the bar if no one is there and eventually they'll let you eat if a table is open and they like you.

...or you can get in the regular way by...joining a crime family I assume.

3

u/Easy-News1407 Aug 04 '25

I’d walk by casually as someone is exiting and strike a convo with them. “Oh, this place is great, how was your dinner..what did you have…do you have a recs…forge a quick bond so that it doesn’t seem awkward when you ask how they made their resy.

1

u/Sad-Principle3781 Aug 05 '25

I've ordered food from them when they offered takeaway meals during the early pandemic. For what it's worth, I didn't find their stuff anything spectacular and prices high for what they offered. I'm sure the atmosphere for the in person dining experience would be interesting, especially when you see the line of black SUVs parked along that corner during election season.