Raf's

What groups say

Mostly small birthday celebrations; the few larger parties report hard booking and tables that could not be seated together.

• Reviewers with parties above 4 report slow or no response to calls and emails when booking.
• One party of 7 was split across separate tables rather than seated together.
• A large party was offered only a 9:30 PM seating and then waited until 10 PM to be seated.
• Staff have marked birthdays unprompted, including bringing out cake with a candle.

Drawn from 10 Google reviews of Raf's that mention a group, a private room or a celebration, read September 2026. The reviews below describe a group visit, private rooms and larger events first, with the critical ones kept in.

• large party dinner

  My friends and I dined at Raf’s this past Friday, and the experience was deeply disappointing. Booking a large party reservation was an absolute nightmare. I had to email over 15 times just to confirm a reservation, and by the time they finally replied, they could only offer a 9:30 PM seating — a much less desirable time that likely could have been avoided with more competent and timely communication. When we arrived promptly at 9:30 PM, our table was not ready, and we were forced to wait until 10 PM. While the food and drinks were solid and the sommelier was a highlight, the service overall was embarrassingly poor. The front-of-house team mirrored the same dismissiveness and disorganization as the reservation process. Staff were curt, rushed our meal, and aggressively cleared our drinks by midnight without so much as a polite warning — it felt like we were being thrown out. Although the food was good, there are countless restaurants in New York City offering comparable cuisine, better value, and infinitely more professional service. After this experience, we have no interest in visiting The Musket Room either, given it shares ownership with Raf’s. I would strongly advise against dining here if you value being treated with basic courtesy and respect.

• twins birthday dinner, party of 7

  Was really looking forward to trying this establishment out but was truly disappointed. Firstly, it’s very difficult to get in touch with anyone at the restaurant. No one picks up the phone or responds to emails, especially when it’s a party of more than 4ppl. Second, when arriving the waitress, Jenna was extremely rude, unwelcoming, and Inflexible. We had a party of 7 with us, and she could not seat us all together because “that’s not how the aesthetic of this place is” like WHAT??!? Our party had to be separated where we played musical chairs to be able to catch up with one another and try to have the birthday girls (twins) happy. Just steer clear of her. Lastly, the food was ok. Nothing super special. Presentation was beautiful but quality and taste - meh. Spend your money elsewhere. Good luck!

• birthday celebration

  A very quaint, cozy and classy restaurant with great vibe: not too noisy, and not too crowded. Bread and pastries outstanding. Bread basket very fresh and unique. Salad niçoise was a great choice. Very attentive server: Carlos. Carlos was above and beyond. We went there to celebrate my son’s birthday and Carlos noticed the exchange of gifts, and without being asked, he brought a piece of cake and a candle, which we felt was very special and thoughtful. Highly recommended.

Good to know

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Raf's have a private dining room?

Yes. Raf's offers a private dining room for groups in SoHo. Contact the restaurant for capacity and availability.

How much does it cost to book a private event at Raf's?

Raf's has not published event pricing. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Raf's for the current minimum and deposit terms.

When is Raf's open?

Raf's is open closed Monday, Tuesday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 to 11:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM, and Sunday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.

What kind of restaurant is Raf's?

Raf's is a Restaurant restaurant in SoHo, New York City, rated 4.1 stars across 256 Google reviews.

What do guests say about group dining at Raf's?

Mostly small birthday celebrations; the few larger parties report hard booking and tables that could not be seated together. Reviewers with parties above 4 report slow or no response to calls and emails when booking. One party of 7 was split across separate tables rather than seated together. A large party was offered only a 9:30 PM seating and then waited until 10 PM to be seated. Staff have marked birthdays unprompted, including bringing out cake with a candle. Reviewers praise: individual servers noted for thoughtful birthday touches; sommelier and wine list praised, including by a large party; room stays quiet enough for table conversation. Watch for: booking parties over 4 is slow and unresponsive; large groups may be split up or given late seatings; reports of rushed service and early clearing of drinks. Based on 10 Google reviews of Raf's that mention a group, a private room or a celebration.

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