Carmine's (Times Square) — Line, Wait & How to Get In · Theater District, NYC

//The line

Carmine's Times Square is a family-style Southern Italian institution steps from Broadway, and the restaurant's own site is direct about the crowding: "Our restaurants get very busy so a reservation is advised," per carminesnyc.com, though the same page adds that "walk-ins are welcome" for parties willing to take their chances. Reservations can be booked directly on carminesnyc.com or through the restaurant's OpenTable listing for the 44th Street location.

For walk-ins, Tripadvisor reviewers describe the wait as substantial without a booking — dining guides summarizing visitor reports say to expect a wait "easily 30-60 minutes or more," and one reviewer on Tripadvisor reported being quoted roughly 1.5 hours on a weekend night. The huge family-style portions and large dining room mean the room fills fast even though staff are described by reviewers as efficient at turning tables for pre-theater parties.

The crush is worst in the pre-theater window before Broadway curtains, when reviewers describe the room filling with large groups splitting family-style plates before a show. Several Tripadvisor reviewers note the wait "thins quickly" once shows begin around 7-8pm, making a slightly later reservation or walk-in visit a workaround for parties not tied to a curtain time.

//When the line peaks

Weekend evenings before Broadway curtain times — waits reported up to roughly 1.5 hours, per Tripadvisor reviewers Pre-theater dinner hours (roughly 5-7pm) are most crowded; the wait is reported to thin quickly once nearby shows begin, per Tripadvisor reviews

Patterns as reported by press and regulars — not measured by damnlines.

//Getting in

Reservations: Reservations advised due to high demand; the restaurant also welcomes walk-ins, per carminesnyc.com.

Walk-ins: Walk-ins welcome per the official site, though waits can run 30-60+ minutes or more without a reservation on busy nights, per Tripadvisor reviewers.

Book a table → · Official site →

//FAQ

How long is the wait at Carmine's (Times Square)?

Diners without a reservation should expect a long wait — reviewer accounts on Tripadvisor describe it as "easily 30-60 minutes or more" during peak pre-theater hours, and one reviewer reported being quoted about 1.5 hours on a weekend night. Carmine's own site acknowledges the crowding directly, stating "our restaurants get very busy so a reservation is advised," per carminesnyc.com.

Does Carmine's (Times Square) take reservations?

Yes — the restaurant's official site states reservations are advised given how busy it gets, and bookings can be made directly through carminesnyc.com or via its OpenTable listing for the 44th Street location, per opentable.com.

Can you walk into Carmine's (Times Square)?

Yes, walk-ins are welcome per the restaurant's own site, though Tripadvisor reviewers warn that walk-in diners without a reservation can face waits of 30-60 minutes or more, especially right before Broadway curtain times.

When is Carmine's (Times Square) busiest?

Weekend evenings and the pre-theater window are described as the most crowded by Tripadvisor reviewers, with one reviewer quoted a roughly 1.5-hour wait on a weekend; the wait is reported to thin out shortly after nearby Broadway shows begin, per the same reviews.

What is Carmine's (Times Square) known for?

Carmine's markets itself as "NYC's Legendary Family Style Italian Restaurant," per carminesnyc.com, known for oversized Southern Italian dishes like chicken parm and penne alla vodka meant to be shared around the table.