The 15 Toughest Reservations In Los Angeles And How To Score Them
From fancy steakhouses to trendy pop-ups, the Los Angeles dining scene is no stranger to exclusivity. In fact, finding a nice place to eat on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night can be nearly impossible if you don't plan ahead and make a reservation. That said, since there are so many options in this diverse and abundant city, you can usually snag something. But there are certain restaurants in LA that require more than just a few days' notice to make a reso. In fact, getting these reservations can feel more like trying to score tickets to a Taylor Swift or Beyonce concert.
From famed pizza joints to secret Japanese restaurants that have virtually zero online presence, the most exclusive restaurants in LA do not make getting in the door super simple. Then again, the food is usually worth jumping through a few (or several) hoops. Thankfully, we've rounded up some of the toughest reservations in Los Angeles and how to score them so you can get in on some of the best restaurants in the city.
Pizzeria Bianco
Pizzeria Bianco is one of the hottest tables in Los Angeles, serving high-quality pizza in a casual yet inviting environment. Executive Chef and owner Chris Bianco has become famous for his role in the artisanal pizza craze that has swept the United States, earning a James Beard Award among many other culinary accolades and recently being featured on "Chef's Table: Pizza."
Unfortunately, there is no quick trick to scoring a reservation at Pizzeria Bianco other than patience. The delicious pizza has guests making reservations months in advance, so if Pizzeria Bianco is on your must-try list, reservations a month in advance are the way to go. That said, there are a couple of other ways to enjoy a taste of this delicious pizza without the lengthy wait. Pizzeria Bianco is walk-in only during lunch, allowing diners to enjoy the menu without having to plan months in advance. Additionally, walk-ins are allowed during dinner service with often less than a 30-minute wait on less popular dining nights midweek.
Hayato
Located in the heart of the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District, Hayato is a fine-dining Japanese kaiseki restaurant with only seven seats. The intimate dining space allows diners a front-row seat to the intricate work of the chefs before them as they enjoy the 14-course, seafood-focused coursing menu. Dining at Hayato goes beyond a typical dinner, offering guests a full culinary experience. This means that Hayato is only able to offer one seating at 6:30 p.m. nightly, and only for seven guests, making reservations extremely hard to come by.
Reservations at Hayato become available just once a month, on the first of the month at 10 a.m. Since there is a limit of only seven guests per night, the reservations fill up remarkably fast and are almost impossible to grab unless you are ready at 10 a.m. on the dot. It is also worth noting that a $100 deposit per party is required at booking, so be prepared with a card on hand.
Mother Wolf
Led by the acclaimed Chef Evan Funke, Mother Wolf is deservedly one of the hardest spots to reserve in Los Angeles. This Hollywood hotspot boasts a menu dedicated to showcasing the delicious culture and food from Rome, Italy including thin wood-fired pizzas, hyper-seasonal antipasti, and traditional handmade pasta.
Unlike many Los Angeles hot spots that are booked out months in advance, Mother Wolf only allows reservations up to seven days in advance. Reservations become available seven days prior to the desired date at 9 a.m. for groups of seven or fewer. They go quickly, so be sure to set your alarm and have your group information ready. For those looking to dine at Mother Wolf last minute, the key is the walk-in-only bar top. This beautiful area serves the full menu and is perfect for small groups to enjoy the food without the hassle of making a reservation. That said, the bar top does fill up quickly, so head over as early as possible to snag a seat.
Corridor 109
Corridor 109 by Chef Brian Baik specializes in high-end Asian cuisine. The menu is primarily seafood-focused, ranging from raw fish dishes to rich risottos. While it's pretty easy to thoroughly enjoy the omakase-style meal at Corridor 109, getting a reservation is not quite as easy. Since the restaurant does not have an official website yet, it is best to follow along on Instagram to stay up-to-date on news, events, and reservation releases.
Reservations at Corridor 109 can be made on Tock the month before. Reservations for the entire month are released on the same day, meaning you'll need to be ready to pull the trigger right when slots open up. For example, all March 2023 reservations went live on February 10th, 2023 at 12 p.m. PST. Corridor 109 is only open around 10 days each month, so it's best to simply take what you can get rather than try to snag a slot on a specific date.
Pijja Palace
Located in East Los Angeles right in between Silverlake and Echo Park, Pijja Palace has quickly become one of the hottest spots in LA. Although Pijja Palace is technically a sports bar, the incredible elevated Indian fusion bar food menu, tasteful pastel decor, and delicious array of libations have made this funky spot one of the toughest reservations in the city.
The trick to nabbing a reservation at Pijja Palace is to plan ahead. Reservations open at 12 a.m. daily for the same day the next week, so be sure to be ready on your computer at midnight if you want a seat to catch the game the following week. Because of its sports bar nature, Pijja Palace does allow guests to sit and enjoy their reservation for the entire duration of a game, so while a reservation may be hard to score, a visit to Pijja palace on game day or otherwise is well worth the effort.
Totoraku
It's not dramatic to say that Totoraku might truly be the most exclusive restaurant in all of Los Angeles. With no website and zero social media presence, it seems as though Totoraku is the definition of "if you know, you know." The only way to get a reservation at Totoraku is to either know the owner Kaz Oyama himself, or a fellow diner who knows him and can put in a good word.
However, if you are somehow able to find yourself a table, you should be able to score a business card at the end of your meal so that you can have a much easier time making reservations in the future. That said, be sure to bring your own wine or beer if you plan on pairing your meal with alcohol as Totoraku is BYOB.
Saffy's
From the wildly successful team behind Bestia and Bavel, Saffy's in East Hollywood has quickly made a name for itself as well. The Middle Eastern-inspired menu is rooted in traditional flavors and ingredients yet executed with a modern twist, resulting in supremely delicious food across the board. Saffy's utilizes a wood-fired shawarma rotisserie, wood-burning oven, and hearth for grilling to execute the delicious menu. The restaurant also boasts a beautiful 16-seat bar offering the full menu and a slew of delicious cocktails.
While reservations at Saffy's are almost always booked out a couple of weeks in advance, the restaurant saves a substantial portion of the dining room for walk-ins, allowing diners to enjoy this spot without having to plan too far in advance. The wait doesn't tend to exceed 20 to 30 minutes on most nights, and the food, drink, and ambiance are absolutely worth the wait.
Anajak Thai
Anajak Thai offers four different dining options, allowing you to navigate booking a table at this innovative restaurant according to your needs. A la carte dining can be enjoyed by booking a regular reservation through Resy. You can't book too far in advance since slots only open about a month ahead, but snagging a regular reservation isn't the most difficult task. However, the seasonal omakase menu is a different story.
Since the 14-course tasting menu is only offered on specific days, aspiring patrons need to keep a lookout for the special icon that appears on designated dates on Resy. Though you might get a lucky last-minute tasting menu reservation at 4 p.m. on a random Thursday, it usually sells out pretty fast and remains booked for a while. Those looking to enjoy Thai Taco Tuesday can simply show up and walk in every Tuesday, and there is also a takeout menu.
n/naka
n/naka is a beautiful Japanese restaurant serving a modern kaiseki-style coursed menu. The currently available dining experiences are two 13-course meals, one more traditional and one entirely vegetarian experience, both with the option to add an incredible wine and sake pairing. The technique, quality of ingredients, impeccable coursing, and delicate and refined plating has deservedly made the two Michelin star n/naka one of the most difficult reservations on the Westside.
n/naka releases reservations for the following week every Sunday at 10 a.m. and requires a $100 deposit per reservation. The reservations fill up at an impressive speed, so be sure to set your alarm and have your computer ready at 10 a.m. on the dot. n/naka does not allow walk-ins or bar seating, so securing a reservation the week before is a diner's best bet. Feel free to add your name to the waitlist to be contacted in case you are unable to grab a reservation on your first try!
715 Sushi
Located in the heart of Los Angeles between the DTLA Arts District and Little Tokyo, 715 Sushi is a must-visit for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind sushi experience. With its unique sushi creations, special ingredients, and artful presentations, 715 Sushi has quickly become one of the most sought-after restaurants in the city. Securing a reservation at 715 Sushi can be a challenge, as the restaurant is often fully booked weeks in advance.
That being said, there are a few ways to increase your chances of getting a table. Your best bet is to try booking your reservation as far in advance as possible. 715 Sushi releases its reservation schedule a month ahead, so make sure to mark your calendars and book early. Another option is to try your luck with the restaurant's walk-in policy. While availability is limited, 715 Sushi does keep a few tables open for walk-ins each night, so it's worth a try if you're in the area.
Horses
Horses is a contemporary restaurant located in Hollywood that offers a unique dining experience. With its carefully crafted menu, elegant atmosphere, and impeccable service, Horses has quickly turned into one of the coolest and most coveted spots in Hollywood. The restaurant's commitment to using the freshest ingredients and innovative techniques makes it a standout destination in the city, while also making it so popular that getting a reservation can seem almost impossible.
Horses allows for booking for up to a month in advance, so your best bet at securing a reservation is to head onto the Horses Resy website a month before your desired dining date. Be advised that Horses does require you to cancel your reservation more than 24 hours ahead of time, or guests are charged a $45 fee.
Gjelina
Gjelina is a must-visit for foodies. The menu boasts a mix of classic and contemporary dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The brick oven-baked pizzas are a standout, as are the grilled vegetables and fresh salads. The restaurant has a lively, upscale atmosphere and the impressive wine list offers an array of ideal pairings for any meal.
The only drawback is the long wait for a table, so having a reservation is definitely recommended. While there are reservations available most nights at Gjelina, most of the popular times to dine fill up a couple of weeks in advance, so treating yourself to an early or late dinner makes scoring a seat at this delicious spot a little less challenging. There is often walk-in availability during lunch, so swing by during the day for a taste of Gjelina without the bustle of the dinnertime service crowd.
Bestia
Bestia is known for its upscale Italian cuisine and romantic atmosphere. The menu features a wide range of traditional and contemporary dishes, all expertly prepared with high-quality ingredients. The handmade pastas are a standout, as are the charcuterie and cheese boards. The ambiance is industrial-chic and bustling, with an open kitchen that adds to the lively atmosphere. The service is friendly and knowledgeable, and the wine list is extensive and thoughtfully curated.
It comes as no surprise that with such quality service and cuisine, the reservations at Bestia fill up quickly, and walk-ins are not encouraged due to the restaurant's unwavering popularity. Bestia does allow reservations up to a month in advance and provides diners with suggestions of the best times to dine on Open Table to allow guests to book as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Bicyclette
Located in West Los Angeles, Bicyclette is a charming French bistro that offers a delightful dining experience. The menu features a variety of classic French dishes, such as steak frites and escargot, all expertly prepared with high-quality ingredients. The wine list is carefully curated, with a focus on small, family-owned wineries. The atmosphere is warm and intimate, with vintage-inspired decor that creates a cozy and inviting environment.
Although walking in during dinner service is extremely difficult at Bicyclette, guests are often able to make reservations the week of, especially on weeknights, as long as they are willing to dine earlier in the evening or towards the end of the dinner service. To secure a reservation on a weekend at prime dining time, be sure to book a couple of weeks in advance.
Majordomo
Majordomo in Los Angeles is a cutting-edge dining destination that offers an unforgettable dining experience. The menu features a mix of contemporary Asian-inspired dishes, all expertly prepared with high-quality ingredients. The atmosphere is sleek and stylish and has an open kitchen that adds to the lively energy. The service is top-notch, boasting a knowledgeable and friendly staff who are always ready to offer recommendations.
While walk-ins are welcome at Majordomo, wait times can climb pretty high, so making a reservation in advance is advised. There is availability most days, but be sure to book ahead to secure a table on a Friday or Saturday night. Additionally, Majordomo offers a limited delivery and take-out menu for those interested in trying the delicious cuisine from the comfort of their own home.