32 Amazing Women-Led Restaurants

When choosing which restaurant to dine in, there are several factors guests consider. Some of these factors might include experience, price, and cuisine type. However, 2021 Yelp data shows consumers also actively search for women-owned businesses to support. There are many incredible women-led restaurants around the country to dine at this year. The following restaurants serve incredible dishes made by female chefs or managed by female entrepreneurs each day.

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are the 32 incredible women-led restaurants in America that provide stellar dining experiences.

32 women-led restaurants 

The Grey - Savannah, GA

Occupying a 1938 art deco Greyhound Bus Terminal that was restored to its original shine, The Grey offers a food, wine, and service experience that is simultaneously familiar and elevated. Bringing a personal take on Port City Southern food to Savannah, GA, The Grey offers dishes that are soulful in their flavors. Mashama Bailey is the executive chef and partner who won the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Southeast award in 2019.

Cafe Juanita - Kirkland, WA

Cafe Juanita offers a curated dining experience with four prix-fixe tasting menus, in four iterations: omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan. Chef Holly Smith opened Cafe Juanita in the spring of 2000 to showcase her passion for hospitality and the cuisine of Northern Italy. The menu changes frequently to reflect the freshest available produce, meats, and seafood. Chef Holly believes in supporting sustainable agriculture and outstanding growers who have committed their lives to the resourceful usage of the land.

Girl & The Goat - Chicago, IL

As one of the first restaurants on Chicago’s famed Restaurant Row in the West Loop, Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat began in 2010 with a goal of serving bold, global flavors to their local community and visitors. Stephanie Izard, the James Beard “Best Chef: Great Lakes” recipient of 2013, and 2011 Food & Wine “Best New Chef,” is the executive chef and owner of five Chicago restaurants. Her first book, “Girl in the Kitchen,” was released in 2011 and her second book, “Gather & Graze,” was released in April 2018. She continues to give the people of Chicago incredible dining experiences and “This Little Goat” cooking sauces.

Irma’s Southwest - Houston, TX

In 1988, Irma Galvan opened a small sandwich shop in an old house in downtown Houston’s warehouse district. Soon after, she converted the menu to Mexican fare and created a welcoming environment rarely found in restaurants. Along with her four children, Irma began a culture driven by faith, service, and food. Irma Galvan has been featured on the Food Network and is a recipient of the James Beard Award. To this day, Irma's Southwest remains true to its core values of faith, neighborly service, and great food.

Jar - Los Angeles, CA

Jar, a modern chophouse in the heart of Los Angeles, dazzles guests with the allure of Chef Suzanne Tracht’s familiar retro dishes from the American culinary repertoire. Since its debut in 2002, Jar's devoted guests return again and again to enjoy her signature pot roast, Kansas City steak, black mussels with lobster bearnaise & fennel salt, award-winning french fries, market-fresh sides and perfectly mixed martinis. Chef Suzanne Tracht has built Jar into one of the most beloved and successful restaurants in Los Angeles.

Reyna - New York, NY

Reyna is a stunning New York City-based Mediterranean restaurant owned by Nicki Laborie. Nicki first opened two Reyna locations in Toronto, followed by Reyna Union Square in November 2022. This location is currently run by an all-female management team from the front-of-house manager to the head chef. The name, Reyna, is named after women as an ode to women. Nicki wanted to create a restaurant where women could sit and enjoy a feminine ambiance. Her concepts are feminine, simply because the owner Nicki is feminine. This is a tapas-style restaurant, and if you go we highly recommend the manchego cauliflower croquettes.

La Palapa - New York, NY

La Palapa Cocina Mexicana and La Palapa Taco Bar are owned by Barbara Sibley, a chef and artist with extensive New York City restaurant experience. La Palapa focuses on Mexico City tacos and authentic regional Mexican cuisine featuring tacos al pastor, mole negro oaxaqueño, and many other specialties from different regions of Mexico.

Lido - New York, NY

Lido is located in Harlem’s Restaurant Row and is a refreshing change of pace from life in the city. This restaurant is made up of a seasonal, simple menu with daily specials. Lido offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. Lido is owned by Susannah Koteen, and Serena Bass is the executive chef. Serena currently consults on weddings, charitable events, and new restaurant openings where she develops menus, trains staff, and oversees the quality of all components, both food and style-related.

Equinox - Washington, DC

Since 1999, five-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Todd Gray and his wife Ellen Kassoff have been committed to serving their distinct interpretation of mid-Atlantic, regional, and seasonal cuisine. Ellen Kassof has been named Manager of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and received the Women Chefs and Restaurateurs (WCR) Golden Fork Award for Front-of-the-House Excellence.

Frances - San Francisco, CA

Frances has a weekly-changing menu that spotlights the best local ingredients in an elevated family-style format and a casual, neighborhood setting. In 2009 Melissa Perello, chef and owner, opened Frances and named it after her grandmother who taught her how to cook. Frances quickly gained effusive praise and glowing reviews, both nationally and locally, from such institutions as the James Beard Foundation, Bon Appétit magazine, and Esquire magazine, as well as earning a Michelin star.

Rioja - Denver, CO

Rioja is a restaurant in Denver’s Larimer Square with a contemporary design and Mediterranean menu influenced by local and seasonal Rocky Mountain ingredients. Executive Chef/Owner Jennifer Jasinski and General Manager/Owner Beth Gruitch lead the team at Rioja. Jasinski was the first Denver chef to win The James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest award in a ceremony in New York City.

Chauhan Ale & Masala House - Nashville, TN

Co-owner and Executive Chef Maneet Chauhan's Indian roots, zest for travel, and affection for Southern cuisine have beautifully collided to offer a menu featuring globally influenced Indian cuisine. This menu highlights aspects of the culinary scene not only in Mumbai or New Delhi, but Nashville as well, perfectly combining Indian fare with traditional Southern dishes.

Nostrana - Portland, OR

Nostrana specializes in wood-fired, hand-tossed pizzas, creative seasonal pastas, robust meat and fish dishes, and an award-winning selection of wines from Italy and the Northwest. Cathy Whims, a six-time James Beard Award finalist, opened Nostrana with her husband David West in 2005. Nostrana has been mentioned in many local and national magazines including Sunset, Cosmopolitan, Details, Esquire, Food and Wine, the Northwest Palate, Gourmet, The New York Times Travel magazine, Alaska Airlines magazine, and Italian Cooking and Living.

Barbuzzo Restaurant - Philadelphia, PA

Barbuzzo is a Mediterranean restaurant that uses farm-fresh ingredients. This restaurant specializes in small plates that are meant to be shared. Head Chef Marcie Turney from Wisconsin runs this restaurant and several others in the Philadelphia area.

Border Grill - Las Vegas, NV

In 1985, Chef/Owners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken debuted the first Border Grill as a small, forty-seat “taco stand” on Melrose out of a deep affection and appreciation of the Mexican kitchen. Blending their classical culinary training with conscientiously-sourced ingredients, and regional recipes inspired by home cooks from Oaxaca to Mexico City, street vendors in Tijuana, and taco stands along the Yucatan and Baja coasts, the award-winning chefs continue to evolve their California-inflected Mexican-inspired cuisine.

Chez Nous - Charleston, SC

Located in downtown Charleston, Chez Nous is a neighborhood restaurant that features food and wine from Southern France, Northern Italy, and Northern Spain. Jill Mathias is the executive chef and she changes the menu daily! This quaint bistro provides a relaxing ambiance and the addition of the handwritten menus make for a refreshing, memorable experience.

The Pink Door - Seattle, WA

At The Pink Door, owner Jackie Roberts offers a produce-driven menu and entertainment such as trapeze, cabaret, music, and tarot. Since 1981, Jackie has been serving the people of Seattle Italian dishes that are fresh and seasonal. Jackie ignores trends while staying true to her own food affinities, and many of her offerings derive from La Padrona's family recipes—inspired by weekly Sunday gatherings and days in her grandfather's garden. Book a reservation at The Pink Door for delicious, fresh Italian dishes.

Otway - Brooklyn, NY

Located in Clinton Hill in Brooklyn, NY, this women-owned restaurant is a neighborhood favorite. With pastries, natural wine, and delicious entrees such as roasted cod, this is a comforting spot for locals to enjoy. Owners Claire Welle and Samantha Safer told Forbes they aim to, “make people happy, serve great food, and drink wine with great people”. The owners focus on quality, and their menu is ever-changing. If you’re ever in the neighborhood and looking for a friendly neighborhood eatery, Otway is the spot.

Mokbar - New York, NY

Mŏkbar has 3 amazing locations to choose from – one in Chelsea Market, the other next to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and one location in Midtown on Lexington Avenue. Mŏkbar serves noodles and Korean “Anju” or shareable small plates typically served with beer and soju. 

The chef & owner, Esther Choi, is an influential Chef driven by her Korean roots. With a personal passion for introducing New Yorkers to the flavors of Korean culture, Chef Esther’s cooking combines traditional and modern influences with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

The Dutchess - Ojai, CA

The Dutchess is an all-day establishment with pastry chef Kelsey Brito running the bakery and Zoe Nathan managing the whole restaurant. The majority of their ingredients come from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and winemakers within 50 miles, who are focused on the health of the land and water. You can enjoy breakfast and coffee at The Dutchess in the morning, a salad in the afternoon, and specialty cocktails with dinner at night - the perfect restaurant for any meal!

Kismet - Los Angeles, CA

At Kismet, chefs Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer have a modern, global perspective on their Middle Eastern dishes. From their snacks like harissa olives to their main dishes like roasted maitake mushrooms, this menu is flavor-packed. Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer were named the 2017 Chefs of the Year by Eater, and they continue to shine in the competitive LA food scene.

Fox & the Knife - Boston, MA

South Boston is filled with so many restaurants and bars, but Fox & the Knife continues to stand out in the booming neighborhood. Fox & the Knife is a vibrant Enoteca & Restaurant by Chef Karen Akunowicz. Here they offer traditional Italian food and drink with modern sensibility, focusing on handmade pastas, bright antipasti dishes, and their Apertivi and Amaro programs. 

Chef Karen Akunowicz won the 2018 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Northeast and is the 2020 James Beard Award finalist for Best New Restaurant in America. Fox & the Knife’s menu highlights Akunowicz’s flair for the soul-satisfying and graceful Italian food that she perfected while working in Italy as a pasta maker and Chef of L’Avian Blu Enoteca.

Lenoir - Charleston, SC

From chef, cookbook author, and PBS star, Vivian Howard, Lenoir reminds people that the South is a nuanced place with a storied history and disparate terrain. This vibrant restaurant exalts the pillars of Southern hospitality and leaves people feeling like they are guests in a home rather than patrons in a restaurant. 

The menu features incredible southern-inspired dishes such as blueberry BBQ chicken wings, roasted tomato pie, and sage-brined peculiar pig pork chop. Stop by to enjoy great Southern customer service and Vivian Howard’s delicious menu creations.

Nue - Seattle, WA

Nue is a unique restaurant co-owned by Uyen Nguyen. Nue doesn’t claim to be one thing or another but instead is constantly changing. The menu changes with the seasons as well as whenever the chef discovers a new ingredient or tasty flavor. If you must categorize this incredible restaurant you might call it a culinary experience made up of street food from around the globe- a must try!

Nobody’s Darling - Chicago, IL

In 2021, Nobody’s Darling opened and broke the mold of LGBTQ bars in Chicago and then was named a James Beard Award finalist in 2022. Co-owners Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes positioned their business as an inclusive space led by queer women. This bar features classic yet elevated cocktails and offers events like mixers, DJ sets, and more!

Joule - Seattle, WA

Joule is a Korean-fusion steakhouse open for take-out, patio, and indoor dining. Co-owner and chef Rachel Yang can be found at Joule on any given night cooking on the line among her staff. Joule has a flavorful menu featuring smoked tofu, dan dan noodles, grass-fed ribeye, and more! Joule is a local favorite and a must-try spot in Seattle.

Parachute - Chicago, IL

Another Korean hot spot, Parachute is a contemporary Korean restaurant located in Chicago. Their menu blends Korean dishes with local ingredients, seasonal touches, and a modern approach to Chef Beverly Kim’s family recipes. Every dish can also be paired with their extensive list of wines from Korean purveyors featuring traditional bottles along with sool, an umbrella term for rice wine.

The Duck & The Peach - Washington, DC

The Duck & The Peach is run by a true dream team: The culinary team is led by Kat Petonito, the pastry team by Rochelle Cooper, and Wines by Danya Degen. This restaurant is also owned by Hollis Wells Silverman, a hospitality expert who has multiple thriving concepts in DC’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The Duck & The Peach is committed to serving food made with natural and organic products from surrounding farms and farmers. The menu features beluga caviar, golden tilefish, and more.

Reem’s - San Francisco, CA

Located in San Francisco, Reem’s offers the warmth of Arab hospitality through the discovery of flavors, aromas, and techniques of the modern Arab street corner bakery. Here they use traditional Arab flavors and local ingredients to guarantee freshness and authentic spice. Reem’s was founded by Reem Assil in 2015 who then became a 2018 James Beard Semi-Finalist for Best Chef West, San Francisco Magazine's 2018 Chef of the Year, and San Francisco Chronicle's 2017 Rising Star Chef.  

Pizzeria Lola - Minneapolis, MN 

Ann Kim is the chef and owner of Pizzeria Lola, located in Minneapolis. Ann is a Korean immigrant who was inspired by the pure love of food and her mother’s delicious cooking. Fun fact: Pizzeria Lola was actually named after Ann’s dog, Lola! This restaurant is a no-tipping establishment that instead adds a percentage of the total to each guest bill as a surcharge. This is because they believe in cultivating a stable work experience that provides fair wages and benefits for their staff. Check them out to enjoy a Cubano pizza with their signature Lolita cocktail!

Colada Shop - Washington, DC

Looking for a fun, bright restaurant for a quick bite? Daniella Senior Alvarez founded Colada Shop in 2016 with the goal of spreading Cuban coffee and tradition to the DC community. Colada has since expanded to multiple stores in the DMV area, serving as a gathering space for good food, coffee, cocktails, and conversation. The Colada Shop menus include a variety of options from Cuban coffees & smoothies to cocktails and even salads and sandwiches.

Celeste - Somerville, MA

Maria Rondeau is the architect and general director at Celeste, a restaurant with culinary offerings that include Peruvian staples. The menu here includes ceviche and slow-cooked stews, causas, salads, and other daily specials that complement the path of this culinary route to the root of Andean food. Check out Celeste in Union Square today!

The 32 women-led restaurants featured in this article showcase the diversity, creativity, and talent of female chefs and restaurateurs in the United States. From fine dining to cozy wine bars, these women are making their mark on the culinary scene. Guests can enjoy delicious, memorable meals at any of these incredible establishments. So next time you're looking for a place to eat, consider supporting a woman-led restaurant in your community – you won't be disappointed.