In a city that prides itself on moving fast, nothing’s slower — or suddenly trendier — than waiting in line.
These days, it seems that New Yorkers will stand around and wait for just about anything — a bagel, a buzzy bowl of noodles, or the vague promise of “vibes.”
From hours-long lines for dinner at downtown hotspots to pancake-loving crowds rising early for brunch all over town, one of the world’s quickest-paced places has fallen in love with standing still.
Why, exactly? Did a New York minute suddenly get a whole lot longer? Experts say that the slow-moving trend isn’t just about the food.
“Restaurants are more than just a place to eat right now — they’re a place to show how high you rank on the status totem pole,” NYC food scene insider Andrea Strong of The Strong Buzz told The Post.
“Lines in the restaurant industry have to do with status — the status that the restaurant holds in the diner’s mind and the status the restaurant gives the diner when they post it on social media,” the long-time local critic explained.
Like it or not, says Queens-based culinary consultant Joe DiStefano, the “big, dumb line” has become a fixture of city dining. Like that classic “Seinfeld” episode “The Chinese Restaurant” — where Jerry, George and Elaine spend the night waiting for a table that never comes — New Yorkers are turning the agony of waiting into an unexpected badge of honor.
“Lines have been a fact of New York City dining life at old-school places like Katz’s and Emilio’s Ballato, but post-pandemic, they’ve exploded — bakeries, restaurants, you name it, in almost every borough,” DiStefano said.
The gasoline on the fire, he told The Post, is social media.
“Social media and influencer hype have a huge impact on people lining up — look at what happened to Ceres Pizza after Dave Portnoy gave it a rave review,” he explained, recalling one of downtown’s biggest viral hits in recent months.
The waiting, Strong said, is part of the thrill.
“For Gen Z, the line is part of the vibe,” she explained. “It’s another opportunity to post a Reel or something online to show how it feels and what it’s like.”
At 5 p.m. on a recent Friday night, theory met reality on the Lower East Side, in a line of 15 would-be diners hoping for a seat at the award-winning Ha’s Snack Bar (297 Broome St.) — 30 minutes before the doors even opened.
Some clutched tote bags, others sipped iced coffee, all united by one goal: a seat inside the city’s trendiest French-Vietnamese spot serving sweetbread vol au vent, pho-inspired onion soup and pâté chaud.
“It’s worth waiting in line for,” gushed Gen Zer Tavitha Remo, proudly first in line with pal Louise Fong at 4:35. “They always change their menu — it’s always a surprise.”
Fong wasn’t quite so sure — taking a when-in-Rome attitude toward the affair.
“Normally, I wouldn’t wait longer than 10 minutes,” she declared. “But this feels like such a New York thing. Around the corner, people are waiting just to go to a hair salon.”
Further down the queue, Natalia MacAdams had a more philosophical take. “I refuse to wait in lines generally, but I did want to come here. When I got here at 5:07, there was already a big line, but I’m staying in it,” she said.
“There’s also something romantic about being crammed elbow-to-elbow in a tiny New York space. We spend so much time isolated, so being human-to-human — especially post-COVID — is lovely.”
While none of these brave line-waiters had a reservation, Ha’s Snack Bar opens its reservations about 20 days in advance — and they’re gone faster than a dumpling special at closing time.
Your best shot? Line up early and pray for a walk-in. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and if you show up by 4:45 or earlier, you might snag a coveted seat.
The thrill of the chair chase is all part of the experience, said Dr. Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT and Chief Psychological Officer with Recovered — and the experience is about feeling good.
“Long lines outside unique venues give a sense of exclusivity and specialness,” Vinall said. “Many people associate their sense of self-worth with access to more privileged experiences. If something is harder to get, whether through a higher price or a long wait, it signals to many that it is precious, and therefore obtaining it is a positive reflection of your own value.”
She continued: “Social media increases our FOMO (fear of missing out) and our desire to demonstrate that we are exciting or interesting people who get to experience special things. For many people, the long wait is a worthy trade-off to take a selfie with the exclusive food or at the trendy restaurant.”
On that same Friday night and just a few blocks away, another long line had formed by 6:45 p.m. — this time for Greek favorite Kiki’s (130 Division St.), where the wait for a table can stretch as long as a ferry to Santorini.
“It’s 100% worth the wait for Kiki’s,” said Upper West Sider Andrea Engemann, who was the fourth in line of about 25 people.
“The prices are great, the cheesecake’s amazing — it’s walk-in only, so waiting to get your name in is just what you do.”
She added, “Personally, I would wait more than an hour for the experience of it all. It can be overwhelming but so exciting. You get to try cool food here in New York, and I think it’s worth it to wait in a long line.”
Her date, Filippo Massobrio, agreed — up to a point.
“If it’s more than an hour, I’m usually not waiting,” he said.
“But, if there’s a line outside, it usually means there’s an infatuation about the place, and it’s worth trying when you can.”
Engemann and Massobrio even got their family on board to wait in line during the chilly autumn evening.
Massobrio’s parents, Monica and Max Massobrio, were visiting from Italy and didn’t mind waiting in the “exciting” New York line.
Andrea’s mom, Amanda Engemann, who traveled from Fairfield, Connecticut, to dine at Kiki’s, was also game. “If my daughter says a line is worth it, I’m in,” she said with a laugh. “I guess patience is part of the meal.”
Kiki’s skips reservations — it’s walk-in or forget it.
For this group of five, waiting in line was part of the night’s plan. Andrea said that she knew the wait could stretch “up to two hours,” so she practically “ran to the restaurant just to put” her name down.
The beloved Lower East Side spot dishes out classic Greek comfort food — like juicy lamb, ocean-fresh seafood and wine — in a space so rustic-chic it feels straight out of Mykonos.
However, there’s just enough chaos outside to always remind you — you’re still in New York.
The next morning, a soggy line of 20 stretched down Morton Street for Breakfast by Salt’s Cure — even in the pouring rain. The West Village location of the burgeoning bicoastal mini-chain runs on pure chaos: no reservations, walk in, order at the counter, then stake your claim on a seat.
First come, first served — and yes, fans say those pancakes are worth the scramble.
Sisters Evelyn and Audrey Gray and their friend Anya Kerr had hitched a ride from Bergen County, New Jersey just to try the spot’s internet-famous pancakes. The three 16-year-olds said that standing in line wasn’t a drag — it was social hour on the sidewalk.
“I mean, it’s more fun waiting in line for food in New York than at the post office,” Kerr quipped. “It’s always worth it at the end.”
Her friend Audrey agreed. “When there’s a long line, there’s definitely something worth it inside,” she said. “We wait no matter what — it’s part of the fun.”
