Things that are exceptional are worth waiting for, which is why people are willing to wait on months- or even years-long waiting lists in order to get a chance to eat at the top restaurants around the world.
Take a look at the top 25 restaurants around that world that have the longest wait times to get a reservation…
Noma, Copenhagen
The two Michelin star restaurant only opens up reservations on the sixth of each month. With about 20,000 people calling in, it only takes a few hours for the entire month to book up.
Club 33, New Orleans Square Section of Disney
The five-star restaurant founded by Walt Disney comes with a 10-year wait list and fees of 25,000-50,000 to join.
Franklin Barbecue, Austin
After a rave review from Bon Appétit magazine, people wait a minimum of four hours to get into the restaurant.
Sukiyabashi Jiro, Tokyo
The top sushi restaurant is not only extremely popular, but none of the staff speaks English and often won’t welcome foreigners.
Sushi Dai, Tokyo
The restaurant is known for their sushi breakfast, but people have to wait at least four hours to get inside as there are only have 12 seats inside.
Damon Baehrel, New York
There’s about a 10-year wait list to get into the restaurant, which is actually the basement of Damon Baehrel’s home. There are only 20 seats and reservations are only taken by email.
Next, Chicago
Reservations are taken in three-month cycles, however, the site typically crashes because of the number of people trying to get a table.
Rose’s Luxury, Washington
The restaurant, which was given a rave review by Bon Appétit magazine, doesn’t take reservations so people are forced to wait over four hours for a seat.
Chef’s Table At Brooklyn Fare
With only 18 seats, reservations fill up quickly. Usually, so many people call in at once hoping to get a spot six weeks in advance that the phone lines are completely busy for hours.
Tickets, Barcelona
Reservations are only taken online every three months at the 90-table restaurant.
Schwa, Chicago
While it only typically takes three weeks to get a reservation, however, their mailbox is usually full so trying to even book the reservation can be difficult.
Quintessence, Tokyo
Like other tradition restaurants in Tokyo, they don’t like accepting foreigners in their doors and typically only accept local businessmen and regulars.
El Celler De Roca, Spain
Reservations open once a month, but it’s to make a reservation for a year in advance.
Talula’s Table, Pennsylvania
Not only do you have to book one of the two tables a year in advance, but the exclusive restaurant is invite only and only allows people who have already been to the restaurant before.
The Fat Duck, Bray
For a time, the restaurant received 30,000 calls a day during the three hours reservations were open. While things have calmed down slightly, it’s still absurdly difficult to get a reservation.
Minibar By Jose Andres, Washington
Bookings are taken one month in advance, but there are only six seats available and things fill up extremely fast.
Urasawa, Los Angeles
Not only are there tons of callers trying to make a reservation a month in advance, but it costs $600 per person to dine at the restaurant.
The French Laundry, Yountville
People wait at least a couple months to get a reservation at the California restaurant, which is beloved by celebrities.
Takazawa, Japan
The French-Japanese fusion restaurant only serves 10 people per night at just two tables, which is why the wait-list is so long.
Yam’Tcha, Paris
The French restaurant, which has an amazing location, is extremely popular because of Chef Adelin’s creative menu.
Rao’s, New York City
Reservations at this Italian restaurant work more like season tickets. Diners make reservations for a time each week and are forced to pay up to $25,000 in advance for the year.
Lazy Bear, San Fransisco
43,000 people are currently waiting on a list to dine at the $280 per person restaurant with just two tables.
The Polo Bar, New York City
Celebrities and VIPs are typically the only ones allowed into Ralph Lauren’s exclusive restaurant.
N/Naka, Los Angeles
The already popular restaurant became all but impossible to get a reservation at after it was featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table.
Trois Mec, Los Angeles
While reservations are taken just a few weeks in advance, the 24 seats in the restaurant usually sell out online within an hour.
