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You might have to table those plans for dinner.
A new report from hospitality tech firm Dojo has uncovered the hardest-to-book American restaurants, places where scoring a table is nearly impossible.
Among the top 10 are hotspots with years-long waitlists, under-the-radar finds with secret menus — and even one dining establishment requires a handwritten postcard just to get through the door.
The report ranks restaurants based on average wait times, demand and exclusivity, along with the likelihood that a reservation can be “resold” for more money to a desperate (and loaded) diner.
Here are the findings, as ranked by Dojo’s research and algorithms:
Lost Kitchen — Freedom, ME
The Lost Kitchen, located in the tiny town of Freedom, Maine, topped the list with a score of 89.8. Helmed by chef Erin French, the restaurant only serves its coveted dinners on Saturday evenings from May through October.
To make a reservation, you must submit a postcard to the Freedom address. Postcards are selected via lottery, and if your card is chosen, you receive a phone call in April to arrange your dinner for the upcoming season.
The post averse or the losing lot can console themselves at the property’s sister restaurant Little Lost Kitchen, a casual counter-service situation that serves cold drinks, sandwiches, and baked goods, no stamp nor pained waiting necessary.
Rao’s — New York City
Right behind The Lost Kitchen sits a 130-year-old New York institution: Rao’s. The East Harlem eatery ranked as the second-hardest reservation in the country with a score of 82.2.
Founded in 1896, the red-sauce Italian joint has just 10 tables, and none are available to the general public. Instead, regulars “own” their tables and hand out invitations at their discretion, passing these unofficial memberships down like family heirlooms.
For outsiders, dining here isn’t about calling ahead—it’s about knowing someone, and even then, you’re lucky to get invited back.
House of Prime Rib — San Francisco
Rounding out the top three is the 77-year-old House of Prime Rib in San Francisco. The West Coast institution holds a difficulty ranking of 77.8.
The interiors have remained largely unchanged for decades; fireplaces, polished wood paneling, leather booths, parquet floors, and Kelly green walls give the impression of dining within the left ventricle of Sean Connery.
Reservations for a table book out months in advance, but the restaurant does accept walk-ins. If you wanna try your luck, arrive early.
Damon Baehrel — Earlton, NY
Chef Damon Baehrel’s eponymous restaurant holds a difficulty ranking of 72.8. Located on a 12-acre property in Earlton, New York, the venture is notoriously exclusive; rumors suggest Baehrel closed his reservation book in 2014 and is booked solid past 2030.
The dining experience is 7 hours and features over 30 courses, all made with saps, flowers, herbs, seeds, and fruits from Baehrel’s own land.
A one-man operation, the chef-owner handles every aspect of service, from greeting to cooking to cleaning the dishes.
Inn at Little Washington — Washington, VA
Mise-en-plac-ing itself into the top five for difficulty is Virginia’s Inn at Little Washington, which holds two Michelin stars and a James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
The restaurant is a Shaker-esque temple to maximalism and serves three tasting menus: enduring classics, seasonal favorites, and strictly vegetarian offerings.
The remaining entries on the hard-to-get list include Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in Yountville, CA; Tsuke Edomae in Austin, TX; Orso in Anchorage, AK; the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train in Woodstock, NH; and MILA in Miami, FL.
If you are undeterred by the difficulty and want to try your luck at any of these hot spots, experts suggest a few strategies: email the restaurant directly, inquire about walk-in policies, or plan your meal months in advance during off-peak seasons. For those with deeper pockets, the reservation resale market remains a reliable—though pricey—way in. Just ensure the platform is legitimate and check local regulations regarding reservation resales.
