In "When Harry Met Sally...", what is the name of the deli where the famous scene occurs?

The story behind the answer

The deli in 'When Harry Met Sally...' where the famous scene occurs is Katz's Delicatessen. The landmark Jewish deli is located in Manhattan's Lower East Side and serves as the setting for Sally's unforgettable demonstration about whether men can recognize a fake orgasm.

During lunch, Harry argues that men can usually tell when a woman is faking. Sally disagrees and suddenly performs an exaggerated fake orgasm at their table. The scene ends with a nearby diner, played by director Rob Reiner's mother Estelle Reiner, delivering the famous punch line: 'I'll have what she's having.'

The scene was written by Nora Ephron and developed with director Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal, and Meg Ryan. Ryan suggested placing the argument in a restaurant, while Crystal is credited with coming up with the punch line. The sequence was filmed repeatedly, helping it become one of the most recognizable moments in romantic-comedy history.

Katz's Delicatessen remains closely associated with the film. A sign above the table references Harry and Sally, and visitors still seek out the specific spot. It is not the Stage Deli, Carnegie Deli, or Joe's Pizza.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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