Scoring a reservation at an exclusive restaurant has never been more appealing (or difficult). With TikTok and other social media platforms enhancing venues' visibility, the pool of diners with their eyes on a seat at the table has grown exponentially. As a result, a number of restaurants, cafes and bars have become global hotspots, often with reservations booked months or even years in advance.

Such luxury dining experiences require excellent service; that's why it is important for them to provide guests with a seamless experience from ordering and tasting to paying. Payment solutions, such as compact wireless card machines, are designed to be invisible, efficient and ultimately elevate the guest experience through frictionless transactions.

As exclusivity continues to grow as a major draw for diners, we’ve analysed search volumes, reservation waiting times, and social media followings to reveal the world’s most sought-after restaurants, highlighting the growing demand for exclusivity and its impact on hospitality. We also reviewed restaurants with the most expensive reservations by investigating the resale market, revealing how much a seat at these coveted spots costs.

The hardest restaurant reservations to get in the world

You’ll need a postcard to get invited to the world’s most exclusive restaurant

Titled by reviewers on TripAdvisor as “A foodie's dream come true”, The Lost Kitchen appears to be an experience that only a lucky few will ever have. Located in the town of Freedom, Maine, USA, The Lost Kitchen is officially the world's most exclusive restaurant, thanks to its unique reservation process. Hopeful diners must mail a postcard with their request to visit, knowing only a few will be chosen and contacted to begin the reservation process. 

Each month, The Lost Kitchen receives an average of 66,210 Google searches. Combined with an Instagram following of nearly 350,000, it’s easy to imagine the huge volume of postcards they receive. While their menu isn’t publicly available, The Lost Kitchen holds a “££££” rating on TripAdvisor, suggesting a premium dining experience reflective of its exclusivity and high culinary standards. 

Three Spanish restaurants in the top 15 hardest reservations to get in the world

Our research revealed that three of Spain's standout restaurants rank among the 15 hardest to book worldwide. At number three is Disfrutar in Barcelona, a three-Michelin-starred destination renowned for its exceptional cuisine. To secure a table, diners must book at least a year in advance. With over 332,000 Instagram followers and 110,000 monthly Google searches, it's one of the most sought-after restaurants on the list.

In Girona, El Celler de Can Roca holds the fifth spot, offering a world-class dining experience with a typical wait time of 330 days. It boasts an impressive 661,000 followers on Instagram, emphasising its global appeal. 

Sitting just outside of the top ten, Mugaritz in Gipuzkoa, Spain, ranks as the 11th most exclusive restaurant in the world with waiting times of 180 days. Known for its boundary-pushing approach, Mugaritz describes its ethos as “insisting on pushing the limits of gastronomy”, so it’s sure to be a unique meal, well worth the wait.

De Librije is named among the hardest reservations to get in the world

De Librije in Zwolle, The Netherlands, has been identified as the 14th most exclusive restaurant in the world, in joint position with Osteria Francescana. Boasting three Michelin stars, plus a green Michelin star (an award within the Michelin Guide that recognises restaurants leading the way in sustainable gastronomy), De Librije prides itself on producing “works of art on guests’ plates” using regional and sustainable local produce. 

Currently, the waiting list for De Librije spans 180 days, meaning you’ll be looking forward to your visit half a year in advance. With over 66,000 followers on Instagram and 27,100 monthly Google searches, this gem nestled in the Netherlands has garnered quite a fan base, reflected in its waiting times.

The hardest restaurant reservations to get in the U.S.

San Francisco's toughest restaurant to book is House of Prime Rib

With a year-long waiting list, a search volume of 90,500 and over 52,000 followers on Instagram, The House of Prime Rib is notoriously difficult to secure a seat at, and now officially the most difficult in the U.S. Offering some of the highest quality corn-fed beef in the Bay area, the venue is known for its English-style interior, tableside carvings and celebratory atmosphere. For those lucky enough to be in the know, the restaurant also offers secret menu items, such as the sliced “King Henry Cut” and “Seared Rib-Eye Style” prime rib.

Two New York restaurants rank among the five toughest to book in the whole of America

As the foodie capital of the United States, it's no surprise that New York is home to two of the most exclusive restaurants in the world, and two of the five most difficult to book in the U.S.

Coming in at number two is Rao’s, a legendary Italian-American spot that operates on a members-only invite system and boasts over 27,100 monthly searches and nearly 51,000 followers on Instagram. The family-run institution takes comfort food seriously, offering timeless dishes in a classic, intimate setting.

Following closely in fourth is Damon Baehrel, a unique dining destination inspired by native harvests, featuring dishes crafted almost entirely from ingredients grown on Damon’s 12-acre plot of land. Despite its minimal online presence, this sought-after restaurant has built its reputation almost entirely through word of mouth, with a year-long waitlist, 88 Instagram followers, and a total of 1,085 monthly searches.

The most expensive restaurant reservations

We analysed booking data across 90 days to uncover the average prices of reservations being sold on reservation marketplaces for the world’s most exclusive restaurants^[1]. 

These are the places where diners are willing to pay the highest premiums to secure a table through third-party sellers.

A reservation at The French Laundry in Yountville, USA, will cost you over £1.5k before being seated

With wait times reaching 60 days at The French Laundry, some eager diners might look to skip the queue by buying a reservation on the resale market, if they're willing to pay the price. Reservations at the Yountville-based restaurant have ranked as the world's most expensive at resale, with a single booking valued at £1,562 ($2,086). Housed in a historic stone farmhouse, this restaurant boasts three Michelin stars and a green star for its excellence in sustainability. It offers two daily changing tasting menus - the Chef's Tasting Menu and the Tasting of Vegetables.

Noma in Copenhagen is the second most expensive restaurant in the world to get a reservation, costing just under £1k

With a 90-day waitlist and over 1.3 million followers on Instagram, it's fair to say that a reservation at Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, is highly sought after. In fact, a seat at Noma is the second most expensive on the resale market globally, setting you back £974, or $1.3k, before you have even made it through the doors. However, with Chef René Redzepi's gastronomic masterpieces - world-class dishes presented in 20-course meals - it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Five top tips for getting the hard restaurant reservation

With demand soaring and limited availability, booking a table at an exclusive restaurant can be quite a challenge. To make sure you score a spot, Dojo’s experts have shared five handy booking tips for you to try out below.

1. Book well in advance

Knowing when reservations open at your chosen restaurant is vital, as many exclusive locations take bookings weeks or even months ahead of time. Booking as soon as the window opens dramatically improves your chances of securing a table, especially during popular times or special events.

2. Set yourself a reminder

If the restaurant releases bookings for special events on specific dates, set a reminder to be ready the moment reservations go live. Even if you know your plans in advance, marking your calendar or setting an alarm on your phone can be the difference between landing a table or coming up empty-handed.

3. Make use of ‘shoulder times’

Try booking during shoulder times -these are the less popular hours just outside of peak dining times, like early dinners, late evening slots, or lunch service. Tables are usually easier to get during these windows, especially at high-demand restaurants. In addition, you may find it easier to book if you're dining solo or with a slightly larger group, as those tables are often more available than two-person spots.

4. Stay up to date with newsletters and social posts

Subscribing to the restaurant’s newsletter and following their social media channels keeps you informed about exclusive events, new menus, or last-minute deals. This insider knowledge keeps you ahead of the curve, giving you a better chance to catch booking opportunities as soon as they’re announced.

5. Get on the waiting list for cancellations

Reservations at popular restaurants often fall through, so asking to be put on the waiting list can give you a valuable second chance to snag a table. Some restaurants even prioritise waitlist guests who have dined there before, so building a relationship can work in your favour. Additionally, treating the staff well can have its perks - it might even get you a personal recommendation that helps you land a table more quickly.