Rao's

Getting a table at Rao's is harder than closing a deal in Midtown Manhattan. You do not make a reservation you know someone who has a table and they invite you. That is it. No website booking, no OpenTable, no walking in off the street. And once you understand that you understand everything about this place. It is not a restaurant it is a family. The lemon chicken is legendary for a reason simple, perfect, no shortcuts, no reinvention. The meatballs are my grandmother's recipe if my grandmother had been cooking in East Harlem for fifty years. The red sauce is the standard I measure every Italian restaurant against and none of them come close. The room is tiny maybe ten tables. Jukebox in the corner. Framed photos on every wall. Sinatra on the speakers. You feel like you walked into 1965 and nobody told the place it is supposed to modernize. That is the magic. The front of house treats every guest like they belong because if you are sitting there someone vouched for you. The wine flows the conversation gets loud and by the end of the night you have made friends with the table next to you. I have been lucky enough to sit in this room multiple times and every visit reminds me why New York is still the greatest city in the world. Some things should never change. Rao's never will.

If you stand by your hard earned name, you are expected to be "meticulously anal" about who and how is using it. (Isn't this a great opening or what?) 2 simplistic scenarios: 1. you walk into the RAO, good food, reasonable service. Weeks later you find RAO's frozen pizza in your neighborhood supermarket. Recalling your near perfect RAO's experience you cook it, using instructions and you are getting ... (image attached). 2. you are in your local supermarket scavenging for the late supper deal and accidentally stumble upon RAO's frozen pizza. You cook it, per instructions and you get ... (image attached). Some time later, roaming NY's Upper East, you stumple upon RAO Pizza place. Q at hand: would you consider using their servvices? Net result: 1 customer lost. Wonder if RAO ever conducts lessons learned ... Hope this helps.

I own a concierge and event planning agency, so I quite literally go to all types of incredible restaurants for a living. None can be compared to Rao’s. It’s not only “worth the hype”, but from the second you walk up to the restaurant, you feel the history. The food is obviously unreal, but it’s the experience that will really change you. The Maitre D, Joe, sits down with you and explains the menu to you. It’s so old school and he’s great at helping you order exactly enough food. I still dream about how great the food was, and to say I can’t wait to go back is an extreme understatement. It was truly a bucket list item for me to go there, and if anyone gets the opportunity to go, take it—you will not be disappointed! The ONLY thing is, it’s “cash only” so plan accordingly!

Unforgettable night at Rao’s - from the food to the service and an unbeatable atmosphere this ranks as one of the best in NYC. Fried mutz, meatballs and the veal parm stole the show out of everything we ordered.

I am really, fully satisfied with a large meal of less heavy, healthier, and possibly lower gluten Italian durum wheat spaghetti topped with quality marinara sauce. I am even a picky snob as marinara should be ideally on its own a well seasoned and satisfying tomato sauce. The basic marinara sauce they make is superb. I love it and a dried parsley dash makes the dish. I wish to visit the restaurant. I love the pizza sauce on homemade honey whole wheat dough. 🥢🍅 🍕

A night for the books! Old school NYC heaven, and the best crew. We’re hooked. ❤️

Oh! My! Gosh!! Hello! I'm Deborah. I found some of your frozen meals, pizza and sauces at Walmart here in Arab Alabama 👍 I've never heard of you until I looked you up to see if you have restaurants, and of course your product sold at Walmart that prompted me to look you up. Your pizza sauce is totally amazing! I must have at least 50 jars. I bought all of them in the store the other day 😁 The sauce is so delicious that it prompted me to try out your frozen meals. Your four cheese ravioli your lasagna and your chicken parmesan is outstanding!!! I haven't tried your pizza yet, but I'm about to try the cheese one next time I go to the store and I'm just going to add some extra toppings to it. If your food taste this good just from the grocery store, I can imagine how amazingly delicious it will taste in your restaurants!!❤️🕊️ I wish I could try your restaurant, but unfortunately there's none of your restaurants around my area. I will be moving back to California soon Woodland California which is around the Sacramento area. It would be nice if you can get a restaurant there! If you did I would bring my sleeping bag and camp outside Lol 🤣 Oh my gosh I just can't believe how good your food is. I'm telling everybody about it!! Walmart can't keep up with me. I keep buying all your pizza sauce! Walmart also sells your pasta sauce as well. I haven't tried those. I bought the caramelized onion one and the marinara one and I haven't tried those yet, but I'm sure they're going to be totally delicious. Thank you so much for your delicious food. There's not much restaurants here in this little town that I live in so I really appreciate your food!! 🍕 🍝 🫙 Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there and y'all have a blessed rest of the weekend and the next following week 🙏😇🙏 I give you 10 Stars for your wonderful food!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆❤️🕊️🌹🌹🌹 I almost forgot your tomato basil soup sold in jars and your Italian wedding soup both very delicious 😋 You have Many! Dishes in the frozen section of the grocery store. So many that I can't keep up with adding them to this review 😋 I had to go to Guntersville Alabama to the Publix market there where they sell even More! Dishes. I bought your meatballs in sauce. Haven't tried them yet, but I already know they are Delish!!😋😋 I also bought your variety meat pizza, your vegetarian lasagna and other pasta dishes with white sauce😋 I would love to try and buy on a regular basis your eggplant Parmesan but none of the stores have it. I heard that Target sells it. I may have to go there as well. I'm going to have to buy a second freezer to fit all your delishes dishes because my freezer is packed with Rao's s only! Store bought frozen meals I will ever buy. 😋😋😋 Thank you for making it possible for the world to have the chance to have your food in Thier freezers and cupboards. I also bought four more of your soups. Different ones as well ❤️‍🩹😋😋😋🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ God Bless you and your family 🙏😇🙏

Rao’s is a true standout, offering flawless service, a warm ambiance, and exceptional cuisine. From crisp salads to golden fried cheese and fresh seafood, every dish reflects quality and authenticity. Guests rave about their experience, making it one of our top dining recommendations. We’re proud to partner with Rao’s and excited to keep sending clients their way!