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Home > Restaurants > Rao's

Rao's

Critic's Pick Critics' Pick

455 E. 114th St., New York, NY 10029
at Pleasant Ave.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-722-6709 Send to Phone

Hours

Mon-Fri, 7pm-11pm; Sat-Sun, closed

Nearby Subway Stops

6 at 116th St.

Payment Methods

Cash Only

Special Features

  • Classic NY
  • Family Style
  • Special Occasion

Alcohol

  • Full Bar

Reservations

Required

Profile

Two years you wait for a table. Then finally your cousin gets off his butt and calls his dentist whose brother-in-law CPAs for a guy whose stepfather once dated the line cook's sister. While you wait—and you will—listen to the names of the regulars pouring through the door and understand why it takes civilians so long to get into Rao's. Is it finally worth it for a bowl of ziti, some roasted peppers, baked clams, and a flat of lasagna? Yeah, it really is. Rao's is a part of New York you thought had disappeared.

8.5 "Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10
Write Your Own Review

Excellent!

sweetaloha808 from 12866 | Posted on 11/3/07

Overall Reader Rating: 7 (Recommended)
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 2

The whole experience was great! I had the lemon chicken to compare it too my husband's, who has mastered the recipe. And sure enough it was proven, he has. His is just as great as the original, delicious! Everything was...Read More

What can I possibly say? This is as good as life gets.

rscottp from minnesota | Posted on 1/29/05

Overall Reader Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)
Food: 10
Service: 10
Décor: 10
Value: 10

It's not just food. It's the feeling of being home with the whole big, ugly, gorgeous family. Every uncle, every aunt, cousins, nephews, nieces...all eating, laughing, being loud, loving, and sharing together under one roof. The food? Absolutely...Read More