From The Lost Kitchen in Maine, where reservations can only be made by postcard, to the Spanish temples Disfrutar, El Celler de Can Roca, and Mugaritz, to Noma and The French Laundry: here are the most exclusive restaurants in the world, with months of waiting and record prices.
In recent years, luxury dining has seen its appeal grow exponentially. Thanks to social media—TikTok and Instagram in particular—the most sought-after restaurants have gained global visibility, making it even harder to get a reservation-the gathering here is from DOJO. In some cases, we are talking about months or even years of waiting lists. It's not just about food, but about unique experiences, where every detail – from service to design – contributes to creating an unforgettable moment.
The Lost Kitchen: the magic of a postcard
The title of most exclusive restaurant in the world goes to The Lost Kitchen, in Freedom, Maine (USA). Here, a click is not enough to book: potential guests must send a postcard and wait to be selected. Thousands of requests arrive every year, but only a lucky few are contacted. Described by TripAdvisor as “every foodie's dream”, The Lost Kitchen has become a global phenomenon: 66,210 Google searches per month and almost 350,000 followers on Instagram confirm its status as a contemporary legend.
Spain and its gourmet temples
Three Spanish restaurants stand out among the hardest to book. Disfrutar in Barcelona, with three Michelin stars, requires at least a year's wait and has over 332,000 followers. El Celler de Can Roca in Girona ranks fifth in the ranking, with a waiting list of around 330 days and 661,000 followers.
Finally, Mugaritz in the Basque Country ranks eleventh, with a six-month waiting list and a stated philosophy: “to push the limits of gastronomy.” Three different experiences, united by absolute excellence.
De Librije and Michelin-starred sustainability
In the Netherlands, De Librije is considered one of the most exclusive gastronomic destinations. Located in Zwolle, it boasts three Michelin stars and a green star for its commitment to sustainability. The average wait time is 180 days, but its dishes, described as “edible works of art,” attract a loyal community: over 66,000 followers on Instagram and 27,100 monthly searches on Google. It's an example of how exclusivity and attention to the environment can coexist.
The United States and the culture of waiting
Across the Atlantic, the top spot goes to San Francisco with the House of Prime Rib, where it can take up to a year to get a table. Famous for its cuts of meat served in an old English atmosphere, it has 90,500 monthly searches and over 52,000 followers.
In New York, on the other hand, two icons occupy prominent positions: Rao's, a historic Italian-American restaurant accessible only by invitation, and Damon Baehrel, which offers dishes created with ingredients grown directly by the chef on his 12-acre property.
The most expensive reservations in the world
If time isn't the only obstacle, your wallet will be: some reservations are resold on the secondary market for astronomical sums. The French Laundry in California tops the list with over £1,562 ($2,086) for a reservation. No less coveted is the Danish restaurant Noma, which, with 1.3 million followers on Instagram, sees its seats resold for almost £974 ($1,300). In both cases, the dining experience justifies the investment: multi-course tasting menus, signature cuisine, and settings that are unique in the world.
How to get a table at an impossible restaurant
However, there are strategies to increase your chances of success. Experts advise booking as soon as reservations open, noting special dates, opting for unconventional times, and constantly following the restaurant's social media channels. Finally, joining waiting lists for cancellations can prove to be a winning strategy. In any case, patience and perseverance are the keys to entering these temples of gastronomy.
The timeless charm of waiting
In an age where everything is immediate, the world of haute cuisine goes against the grain. The wait, the uncertainty, and even the price become an integral part of the experience. It's not just about dining, but about experiencing an exclusive ritual, where the rarity of the moment itself adds to its value. For fine dining enthusiasts, the thrill of securing a table at one of these restaurants remains an unforgettable achievement.
