A New York Legend Since 1896

Rao’s story began in 1896, when Charles Rao purchased a small saloon at the corner of 114th Street and Pleasant Avenue in East Harlem. Over the generations that followed, the Rao family transformed the neighborhood gathering place into a restaurant celebrated for its warm hospitality, Southern Italian cooking, and unmistakable sense of family.

By the 1970s, Rao’s reputation had spread well beyond the neighborhood. A glowing three-star review from The New York Times helped introduce the restaurant to a much wider audience, but its intimate size and loyal following created something truly unusual. Regular patrons were granted coveted “table rights,” with reservations associated with particular tables and nights and often passed down through generations.

Nearly 130 years after its doors first opened, Rao’s remains a family-run institution filled with tradition, character, and history. From its famous jukebox and festive Christmas décor to impromptu performances and a guest list that has included celebrities, athletes, politicians, and generations of New Yorkers, an evening at Rao’s is unlike dinner anywhere else.