The One Who Keeps the Book New York
How to Get Into Lilia
Ask any New Yorker which restaurant they’ve always wanted to go to but have struggled to get a reservation for, and it’s likely that Lilia will come up.
Since Lilia opened its doors in 2016, diners have been clamoring for a table at the award-winning restaurant helmed by chef-owner Missy Robbins. Despite Robbins opening her second restaurant, Misi, just a stone’s throw away in 2018, scoring a table at this Williamsburg auto-garage-turned-pasta-sensation still feels nearly impossible, even seven years later.
The good news? In this installment of The One Who Keeps The Books, we’ve got all the answers to the most important questions about how to snag a table and what to order once you’ve scored that highly coveted Resy.
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Resy: How many seats are there at Lilia?
160 on a sunny day.
When do reservations drop on Resy?
They drop 28 days in advance at 10 a.m.
How quickly do seats get booked out?
The Lilia team says they do book up pretty quickly, often within hours for a weekend.
Are any of the seats in the restaurant held for walk-ins?
Yes! The restaurant saves the bar and some patio tables, as well as some spots on the outdoor piazza, for walk-in guests.
What time would you recommend stopping by to snag one of the walk-in seats?
The best way to snag a walk-in spot is to come in right at 4 p.m. when Lilia opens. Guests are welcome to put their names down for a later slot at the bar or on the patio so the closer to 4 p.m., the more options you will have.
During peak time, what is the typical wait time for a walk-in?
The walk-in spots tend to fill up quickly after 4 p.m., but the wait times vary anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
When are your busiest nights?
Every night is similar, but the restaurant gets the most walk-in guests on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Can guests have a cocktail while they wait for their table?
Yes, we’ve got an Aperitivo Bar where guests can get small bites and have a drink.
You can always give the restaurant a call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A reservationist is there every day to answer any questions and make reservations.
When is Lilia least and most busy?
The least busy is 4 p.m. on weekdays other than Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The busiest is between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., any day of the week.
If someone were to set a Notify for Lilia on Resy, is there a certain day or time they’d be most likely to get a reservation?
Most likely the day of the reservation, around 2 p.m.
Are there any other tips or tricks you have for getting a table?
You can always give the restaurant a call between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A reservationist is there every day to answer any questions and make reservations. Lilia only has one phone line, so if you don’t get through the first time, you can leave a message and the reservationist will call you back as soon as they can.
For spontaneous diners, the restaurant recommends arriving at 4 p.m. and putting your name on the list for a later walk-in table.
Can people request specific tables?
The team says if guests request a specific table, they will do their best to accommodate the request, but it is not always possible.
Chef Missy Robbins surrounded by her team at Lilia.
Photo by Meredith Jenks for Resy
Chefs on the line at Lilia.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
Outdoor seating has helped make it a bit easier to score a Resy at Lilia these days.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
Lilia’s clams, topped with breadcrumbs, are a favorite.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
Preparing the restaurant’s signature mafaldini.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
The mafaldini is topped with pink peppercorns.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
Lilia’s grilled artichoke.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
Lilia’s cacio e pepe fritelle.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
The Italian Job dessert.
Photo by Rachael Lombardy, courtesy of Lilia
