24 Women-Owned Restaurants in the US You Need to Try

Dining out is one of my favorite things to do when traveling. It allows us to explore the heart of a destination through food. If I can also support women-owned restaurants while indulging in culinary bliss — even better!

If you are seeking female-owned restaurants near you or for your next getaway, this guide is for you. In this list, I highlight some incredible women-owned restaurants around the United States.

While you should definitely support women-owned businesses year round, if you’re reading this during March (Women’s History Month and National Women’s Day on March 8th), I suggest you show these spots some extra love! Share this article on social media or head straight to dine there in person.

The impressive women behind these restaurants have scored long lists of recognition. In fact, some of the restaurants on the list you’ll find below have even won James Beard awards.

This guide includes everything from cultural staples and fusions that honor the melting pot that is the US, to food trucks and even breweries. Keep reading to find top-notch women-owned restaurants near you.

1. Cafe Mamajuana – Burlington, VT

88 Oak St, Burlington, VT 05401

The local community is important to Maria Lara-Bregatta, the chef and owner of Café Mamajuana. That’s why she chose to establish her restaurant in the diverse Old North End neighborhood of Burlington.

As an Afro-Latina, she sought to bring the diverse flavors of Dominican food to her new city.

Café Mamajuana works with local Vermont vendors and farms to create flavor influences ranging from Afro-Caribbean to Spanish and Italian. Try the savory empanadas or sweet plantains, or for a unique fusion of Dominican flavors with a Vermont flair, order the tostones poutine: made with green fried plantain and local cheese curds!

• Travel tip: Headed to Burlington for a getaway? Here is my amazing Burlington itinerary to help guide your trip.

2. Menton – Boston, MA

354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Chef and restauranteur Barbara Lynch is currently the only woman in the US to hold the Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux title. Since she opened Menton in Boston’s Seaport District in 2012 the restaurant has continuously been recognized for its excellence.

Menton is a high-end restaurant serving French-Italian fare. For a fun experience, order the tasting menu with wine pairings. Note that while there’s no dress code enforced, guests tend to dress up, especially on the weekends.

• Travel tip: If you’re just visiting Boston, save this list of free things to do in Boston

3. Sooo Trucking Delicious – Philadelphia, PA

5100 Grays Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (food truck)

Aminah McDaniel and Angel King own the Sooo Trucking Delicious food truck. You’ll find them near Bartram’s Garden every Tuesday-Saturday from 3-8 pm. Their brick-and-mortar location on 1112 Locust Street opens in the spring of 2022!

If you’re looking to support Black-owned, women-owned restaurants, check them out. Their crowd favorite is their chicken wings in a variety of flavors. They also offer a variety of sides, fish- and chicken-based plates, and desserts.

• Travel tip: Here are more recommended Black owned restaurants in Philly

4. La Palapa – NYC

Check out one of La Palapa’s locations:

• 11th Avenue and W45th Street in Hell’s Kitchen
• Vanderbilt Avenue and E45th Street in Midtown
• St. Marks Place and 1st Avenue in the Bowery

Owner Barbara Sibley grew up in Mexico, bringing Mexican street food classics to NYC. Enjoy papas, elote, and jicama, or order from a long list of delicious tacos.

The elevated cantina-style restaurant also has a full bar and offers a variety of dishes inspired by central Mexican cuisine. Enjoy duck in black mole and huitlacoche (corn mushroom, or Mexican truffle).

5. Kin Southern Table + Bar – Providence, RI

71 Washington St, Providence, RI 02903

Support Black women-owned restaurants in New England and head to Kin Southern Table & Bar in downtown Providence. There, Julia Broome is serving up soul food at its finest. You’ll love the atmosphere, with 90s R&B playing and fun art on the walls.

Nowhere else in Providence will you find authentic Southern fare like this. There are all the soul food classics, like chicken and waffles, collard greens, fried catfish, and more. The cocktails are something special with names like “Pass the…Henny!” and “Black Girl Magic”.

6. Lido – NYC

2168 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10026

Next on the list of women-owned restaurants is Lido, an Italian restaurant located in Central Harlem and a personal fave. Owner Susannah Koteen opened the restaurant with an ethical, sustainable business model on Harlem’s Restaurant Row.

Lido serves Tuscan-style dishes made with organic local ingredients, including humanely treated animals. Enjoy their seasonally unique food and drink menus based on Italian classics like fresh squid ink linguine and lamb ragu.

• Travel tip: Lido is a restaurant group now. The other restaurants from the group are BIXI (Asian menu) & The Fox (Gastro pub), also in Harlem and owned by Susannah Koteen in collaboration with Chef Serena Bass.

7. Bud & Marilyn’s – Philadelphia, PA

1234 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

For classic American food in a fun retro diner, head to Center City in Philadelphia! That’s where restaurateurs Valerie Safran and Chef Marcie Turner co-own Bud & Marilyn’s. They wanted to create a nostalgic comfort food spot in Philly, and they succeeded.

Find yourself in a classic diner down to the Formica tables and faux leather booths! Enjoy towering buckets of fried chicken, birthday cake with sprinkles, and a full bar.

• Travel tip: add this fun experience to your Philadelphia itinerary for a weekend visit

8. South Philly Barbacoa – Philadelphia, PA

1140 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

Just a block north of Capitolo playground is South Philly Barbacoa, owned by Chef Cristina Martinez. She grew up in Capulhuac, Mexico, where she came from a heritage of barbacoeros.

Martinez established herself in Philadelphia, quickly making a name for herself, and winning awards — in addition to a feature episode on Netflix’s “Chef’s Table”. Today people come from all over to South Philly Barbacoa, for the best lamb barbacoa tacos around.

Martinez’s latest venture involves Masa Cooperativa. This farmer’s co-op uses sustainable practices to produce organic corn. You can find tortillas made with this corn at South Philly Barbacoa.

• Travel tip: Head to north Philly to experience Philadelphia’s Latin soul at Feria del Barrio during Septembers

9. Equinox – Washington, DC

818 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

When it comes to women-owned restaurants in Washington, DC, Ellen Kassoff has a prime location just a block north of the White House.

With her co-owner and husband Chef Todd Gray, she’s opened a plant-based restaurant that continues to win awards.

With a vision for plant-centered dishes, you don’t have to be vegan to love the New American-style offerings at Equinox. They choose only ethical local ingredients with a focus on small-growers and crafters in the Chesapeake Bay area.

10. Babette’s Cafe – Atlanta, GA

573 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307

Support more women-owned restaurants by heading to Babette’s Café near Freedom Park in Atlanta. Come by Babette’s, which owner and Chef Marla Adams named for the short story by Isak Dinesen.

Making its home in a cozy renovated cottage, Babette’s Café is an elevated European-style restaurant.

They offer a variety of Spanish, French, and Italian dishes. Regulars raving about the cassoulet. Come by 5-8:30pm every day except Monday and Tuesday.

11. The Grey – Savannah, GA

109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401

Come for the gorgeous interior design and comfort food at this woman-owned, Black-owned restaurant. The Grey is in a renovated bus terminal in Savannah’s historic district.

Chef Mashama Bailey and her co-founder, John Morisano, created The Grey with a passion for southern food.

Enjoy fascinating dining rooms in a combination of Art Deco, modular, and industrial styles. At The Grey, you’ll experience beautifully styled haute cuisine twists on Southern classics. Chef Bailey focuses on locally sourced seafood, meat, and plant-based dishes.

• Travel tip: Savannah makes the list of most romantic places to visit in the US for a couples getaway. If that sounds up your alley, then here is my guide to Savanah, GA for couples.

12. El Burén de Lula – Loíza, Puerto Rico

C4GP+FFF, Loíza 00745, Puerto Rico

Visit Loíza in Puerto Rico for both Afro-Latino history and an enriching experience with an icon women-owned restaurant.

El Burén de Lula is located in Loíza, a remote portion of the island that was settled by enslaved Africans and to this day holds the largest Black population on the island. Afro-Latina owner Maria Dolores “Lula” De Jesús honors that heritage.

The restaurant has been recognized for serving authentic Puerto Rican food. Try classics like mofongo and pasteles. People come from all over for Lula’s crab empanadas and sweet coconut!

13. Zasu – New Orleans, LA

127 N Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA 70119

Find Zasu just off Canal Street in New Orleans ’ Mid-City neighborhood. Head chef and owner Sue Zemanick combines experimental dining with childhood favorites stemming from her Czech background.

Zemanick’s true expertise is seafood, which is featured throughout the menu. You’ll love the romantic feel of the modern, green dining room with gold chandeliers inside a traditional New Orleans longhouse. Check out Zasu Wednesday through Saturday when they’re open from 5:30-10pm.

14. Irma’s Southwest — Houston, TX

1475 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Irma’s Southwest, located next to Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston, Irma’s is the creation of award-winning Irma Galvan. Enjoy first-class service while you eat down-home favorites.

Irma’s Southwest combines Tex-Mex dishes with wild game from the Texas Hill Country and seafood from the Gulf of Mexico! Try their selection of wine, beer, and cocktails when they’re open Monday through Saturday.

15. Chauhan Ale & Masala House – Nashville, TN

123 12th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203

Check out Chauhan Ale & Masala House in downtown Nashville for a fun take on Indian food. Chef, Food Network host, and co-owner Maneet Chauhan brings together the best parts of both southern and Indian cuisine. The interior design is also a stunning combination of both Indian and Nashville cultures.

You can try fun fusions like Nashville hot chicken pakoras or American-Indian classics like Tandoori chicken. They also have an extensive wine, beer, and cocktail menu.

Come for dinner 7 days a week starting at 5 PM. Chauhan also opens on Sunday from 11 am-2 pm for brunch.

16. Mawa’s Kitchen – Aspen, CO

305 Aspen Airport Business Center F, Aspen, CO 81611

Many of you have seen me feature Mawa’s in previous guides and on social media, but if you haven’t, here’s your opportunity to learn more!

Restaurateur and James Beard-nominated Chef Mawa McQueen runs Mawa’s Kitchen. You’ll find this hidden gem a quick drive outside of downtown Aspen and near the airport. Mawa’s cooks up American classics alongside Mediterranean dishes with African flavors.

Try the breakfast menu with traditional offerings like eggs benedict and fluffy pancakes. There’s also a lunch menu with dishes like Vietnamese Banh Mi, yucca fries, or a Middle Eastern sampler that includes lentil-cashew hummus! Mawa’s is open 7-days a week but closes from 3-5pm to prepare for dinner.

• Travel tip: Plan a getaway in Aspen with my blissful Aspen itinerary

17. Atrevida Brewing Company — Colorado Springs, CO

204 Mt View Ln #3, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Head to the rocky mountains to visit Atrevida Brewing Company in northeast Colorado Springs.

Here you’ll find Jess Fiero, who not only co-owns and head brews Atrevida, but is the first Latina to do so. She was also the winner of Season 1 Beerland on VICE.

Enjoy this microbrewery with a patio and tasting room. There’s a wide variety of about a dozen brews on tap. Try a flight for a unique taste. While you won’t find any food on the menu, they usually have food trucks lined up outside during the week.

18. Honey Salt – Las Vegas, NV

1031 S Rampart Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145

Elizabeth Blau is the founder and CEO of Honey Salt. With her male co-owner, Chef Kim Canteenwalla, they started this casual farm-to-table in Angel Park, Las Vegas. They serve up New American cuisine in a rustic bistro that caters to families.

You’ll love their passion for family-oriented meals while offering organic, locally sourced ingredients and American wines. Honey Salt seeks to involve their Las Vegas community with regular events open to the public like Green Garden Mondays.

19. Octavia – San Francisco, CA

1701 Octavia Street San Francisco, CA

Located in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood you’ll find Octavia restaurant. Owner and Chef Melissa Perello serves San Francisco with high-end New American fare at her Michelin-star restaurant.

Take in the natural sunlight and soft beige interiors of Octavia that allow the food to shine. You’ll feel right at home while you enjoy San Francisco sourdough, braised oxtail, and the chef’s prix fix tasting menu with wine pairings.

20. Wahpepah’s Kitchen — Oakland, CA

3301 East 12th St Suite #133, Oakland, CA, 94601

Not only was Chef Crystal Wahpepah of the Kickapoo nation the first Native American contestant on Food Network’s show, “Chopped” years ago, but she is also now northern California’s first Native American-owned restaurant.

Wahpepah’s Kitchen features fusions of indigenous cuisines, with ingredients locally sourced from both US and Indian Country. You can experience Chef Crystal Wahpepah’s menu Wednesday-Saturday from 11am-6pm, or Sundays 11am-2pm.

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21. Cafe Juanita – Seattle, WA

9702 NE 120th Pl, Kirkland, WA 98034

Located on the northeast side of Lake Washington is Café Juanita. Chef Holly Smith opened Café Juanita with a vision for creating seasonal interpretations of North Italian cuisine.

Enjoy tasting menus and an award-winning wine collection. Café Juanita seeks sustainable ingredients that are seasonally and locally sourced. They serve dinner Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday beginning at 5pm.

22. Kachka — Portland, OR

960 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Check out Kachka in the heart of East Portland. This is a unique stop on the list of women-owned restaurants. Chef Bonnie Morales created Kachka to capture the food of her childhood, raised by immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

In 2014, Kachka opened its doors, introducing traditional Belarusian cuisine to Portland. Kachka includes Lavka, a deli market selling fresh bread and Eastern European pantry goods and wine. While the restaurant is closed on Wednesdays, it opens at 4pm during the rest of the week.

23. Parachute – Chicago, IL

3500 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

You’ll find Parachute in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood. Owner and Chef Beverly Kim serves up fun twists on American Korean-style food. There’s a casual feel with a menu that deserves Parachute’s awarded Micheline Star!

Enjoy classic cocktails or wine and main dishes like lobster tempura. Try the tasting menu. The prize of Kim’s popular restaurant is the addictive Bing Bread. You can order this classic savory Korean-style bread to be shipped all over the US from their website!

• Travel tip: travel in style with my hack on getting cheap rates at Viceroy Chicago

24. Glam Doll Donuts — Minneapolis, MN

2605 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Satisfy your sweet tooth with quirky flare and fresh ingredients at Glam Doll Donuts in Minneapolis, a women-owned restaurant by Arwyn Birch and Teresa Fox.

Along with creative donuts and rich shakes and malts you’ll find a pink-ceilinged shop decorated with a photo booth, artwork, fun retro seating. You can visit Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm and weekends 8am-4pm (or until sold out from the day’s batch).

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Which women-owned restaurant will you visit first?

Women-owned restaurants run the gamut when it comes to taste and style. And what I love the most about this list is so many of these flavors honor “home” and what it means to those chefs.

Whether you head to South Philly for pit-slow roasted lamb and a taste of Mexican history, get away in Rhode Island and enjoy a taste of the south, or are in Oakland learning about food sovereignty and the cultural foods of this stolen land… every flavor tells a story and it is an honor to taste it all.

Did any of the above women’s stories or their restaurants pique your interest? Let me know which one you’ll be visiting!

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