The Smith (East Village) — Line, Wait & How to Get In · East Village, NYC

//The line

The Infatuation's review of the original East Village location says 'making a reservation is about as easy as trading for a middle seat on an airplane,' using the metaphor to convey how hard a table booking is to land at peak times — which pushes unbooked, walk-in demand into a wait. The same review adds that the restaurant is 'as consistently busy as the main concourse at Grand Central,' describing steady heavy traffic through the day rather than just a single brunch rush.

For people without a reservation, The Infatuation reports a workaround: 'you can usually find a spot at the bar' even when tables are backed up, making the bar the more dependable route in for walk-ins, particularly solo diners or pairs. The restaurant's own site lists weekend brunch as 'available Sat & Sun from open – 4:00PM,' which is the window The Infatuation frames as the restaurant's busiest stretch.

Reservations for the East Village location are bookable through Resy, per the venue's own listing on that platform, but The Infatuation's characterization of booking difficulty suggests prime weekend brunch slots go quickly, leaving walk-ins to lean on the bar or accept a wait for a table.

//When the line peaks

Weekend brunch, Saturday & Sunday from open until 4:00PM, per the venue's own East Village page Described as consistently busy 'like the main concourse at Grand Central' throughout the day, per The Infatuation

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

//Getting in

Reservations: Bookable via Resy for the East Village location; The Infatuation says landing a table is hard to come by, especially at peak weekend brunch times.

Walk-ins: Yes, especially at the bar per The Infatuation; full tables may involve a wait during busy periods.

Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday from open until 4:00PM, per the venue's own East Village page.

Book a table → · Official site →

//FAQ

How long is the wait at The Smith?

The Infatuation doesn't give an exact minute count but describes the East Village location as 'as consistently busy as the main concourse at Grand Central,' and says getting a reservation is 'about as easy as trading for a middle seat on an airplane' — meaning walk-ins without a booked table should expect a wait, especially during weekend brunch. Bar seats are typically the fastest way in, per the same review.

Does The Smith take reservations?

Yes — the East Village location is bookable via Resy, per the venue's own Resy listing. The Infatuation, however, calls landing one 'about as easy as trading for a middle seat on an airplane,' implying popular weekend brunch slots fill up fast.

Can you walk into The Smith?

Yes — The Infatuation says walk-ins 'can usually find a spot at the bar' even without a reservation, though getting a full table may mean a wait during the busiest brunch hours per the same review.

When is brunch at The Smith East Village?

The restaurant's own site lists East Village weekend brunch as 'available Sat & Sun from open – 4:00PM,' which lines up with the window The Infatuation describes as the restaurant's busiest.