The best women-owned restaurants in the U.S.

What is it? Founded by Ling Chen, this innovative midtown Manhattan Japanese restaurant spotlights ultra-rare Zao Wagyu—straight from, you guessed it, Japan—through an intimate omakase counter and a relaxed lounge (with a prix-fixe menu on the way), pairing deep culinary tradition with a distinctly modern New York sensibility.

Why we love it: This isn’t just a meal—it’s a deep dive into wagyu as an art form. The chef’s counter omakase highlights every cut and expression of Zao Wagyu with precision and storytelling, from delicate preparations to bold techniques such as straw-fire (warayaki) infusion and rice-bran fermentation. While the omakase experience leans immersive and refined, the lounge offers a more casual vibe, with wagyu-focused plates like sliders, gyoza and skewers plus sides, desserts and libations.

Time Out tip: Book the Chef’s Counter Omakase ($195) for the full experience, consisting of nine mouthwatering courses. 

Address: 37 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm

What is it? A three-Michelin-starred restaurant from chef and owner Dominique Crenn, AKA the first female chef in the United States to earn three Michelin Stars. Here, fine dining unfolds through her concept of “poetic culinaria,” a highly personal, narrative-driven experience that reimagines French technique through a contemporary California lens.

Why we love it: The tasting menu reads like a story, with each course arriving as part of a poetic progression, blending artistry, emotion and technical precision. Beyond the accolades, Crenn’s commitment to sustainability is just as compelling: much of the produce comes from her biodynamic farm, and the kitchen is entirely meat-free—proof that haute cuisine can be both innovative and environmentally conscious.

Time Out tip: Reservations book out far in advance, so plan ahead. Also, come ready to engage: As previously mentioned, the menu is presented as a poem, and the experience is best enjoyed with curiosity (and without rushing).

Address: 3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–8:30pm

What is it? A bold Vietnamese-American concept from Christine Ha, the first and only blind contestant (and winner!) of MasterChef. What began as a tiny food hall stall has grown into one of Houston’s most compelling dining destinations for deeply personal, flavor-packed cooking.

Why we love it: Ha’s cooking blends Vietnamese tradition with American influences, creating plates that feel both nostalgic and inventive. Her journey—from losing her vision to winning MasterChef—adds another layer of meaning, but it’s the food that keeps people coming back, with vibrant, comforting fare like Han's take on her childhood favorite egg rolls (aptly called "Mom's Eggrolls") plus innovative entrees like Texas BBQ Brisket Fried Rice. Also, the restaurant’s roots as a humble 400-square-foot stall make its rise (including a James Beard semi-finalist nod) all the more impressive.

Time Out tip: Go with a group so you can try a range of dishes; the menu is built for sharing. 

Address: 8145 Long Point Rd, Houston, TX 77055

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–9pm; Fri–Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? The brainchild of chef-owner Kristen Hall, this Parisian-style bistro and wine bar offers a refined yet approachable take on French comfort food in the heart of Birmingham.

Why we love it: La Fête strikes that rare balance between precision and warmth. Hall’s pastry background shines through in dishes like savory pies, seasonal tarts and an expertly executed beef Wellington. Since stepping into full ownership, she’s sharpened the restaurant’s identity into something more personal and distinctly comforting—earning her a James Beard Award for Best Chef: South nod along the way.

Time Out tip: Save room for dessert—Hall’s pastry background shines, from brunch favorites like vanilla chocolate chip croissants and seasonal danishes to standout after-dinner delights like carrot cake and profiteroles.

Address: 2018 Morris Ave, Birmingham, AL 35203

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 5–10pm; Sat–Sun 10am–10pm

What is it? A lively, Cuban-inspired street food spot from chef Eve Aronoff Fernandez, whose French culinary training meets bold Latin flavors. The concept centers on her take on “fritas”—Cuban-style burgers featuring spicy chorizo and topped with shoestring fries on a soft egg bun—and “batidos,” tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit, crushed ice and sweetened milk.

Why we love it: Equal parts playful and cravable. Fernandez takes the spirit of Cuban street food and elevates it with classical technique, resulting in juicy chorizo-spiced burgers piled with crispy shoestring fries and paired with refreshing, fruit-forward batidos. There’s a sense of joy in every detail, from the punchy flavors to the casual, energetic atmosphere—it’s the kind of place that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers on every level.

Time Out tip: Come for happy hour (Sun-Thu 4-6 PM or last hour of service) for $5-and-under daiquiris and snacks)  

Address: Ann Arbor: 117 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104; Detroit: 66 W Columbia St, Detroit, MI 48201; Brooklyn 334 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Ann Arbor & Detroit: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri–Sat 11am–12am; Sun 11am–11pm. Brooklyn: Tue–Thu 12–9pm; Fri–Sat 12–10pm; Sun 12–9pm

What is it? A vibrant Spanish tapas and Latin-inspired restaurant inside the historic Drake Oak Brook hotel, led by Mexico-born restaurateur Tely Nagle. 

Why we love it: The menu blends Spanish technique with Mexican influence, centered around agave-driven cuisine and spirits. Nagle’s heritage and travels shape every detail—from hand-painted tiles sourced in Guadalajara to a menu that moves from classic tapas to bold seafood, steaks and paellas. The agave focus adds a distinctive layer, with tequila and mezcal woven into both the drinks and dishes. It all comes together in a space that feels immersive, personal and transportive.

Time Out tip: Book a later reservation and watch as the restaurant transforms into a lively, nightclub-like scene—making it a one-stop shop for a fun and flavorful night out.

Address: 2301 York Rd, Oak Brook, IL 60523

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–1am; Sun 10am–10pm

What is it? Greenville’s first dedicated dim sum restaurant, helmed by chef Khailing Neoh, serves traditional Chinese dishes rooted in family recipes and culinary heritage.

Why we love it: As the daughter of immigrants—whose parents and grandparents ran restaurants—Neoh left a career in engineering to follow her passion. Building on a series of sold-out pop-ups, she created a space that brought authentic dim sum to a city that hadn’t had it before. Expect classics like shumai, dumplings and char siu pork along with a steady lineup of Asian-inspired drinks like the Five Spice Old-Fashioned 

Time Out tip: Make a reservation or arrive early—lines can get long, especially on weekends. 

Address: 307 E Washington St, Greenville, SC 29601

Opening hours: Wed–Thu 5–8:30pm; Fri–Sat 5–9pm; Sun 4:30–8:30pm

What is it? A hyper-seasonal, farm-driven restaurant in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where chef-owner Kari Shaughnessy builds ever-changing menus around what local growers harvest.

Why we love it: Shaughnessy, a two-time James Beard nominee, brings a quietly radical approach to wine-country dining. After cooking at top Bay Area kitchens, she relocated to Oregon and rooted her restaurant in deep relationships with nearby farmers, ranchers and winemakers. The result is a weekly-changing menu shaped entirely by what's in season, guided by a rigorous zero-waste philosophy that uses each ingredient thoughtfully and fully.

Time Out tip: Consider pairing your meal with local Willamette Valley wines for the full experience.

Address: 114 N Pine St, Carlton, OR 97111

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 4:30–9pm

What is it? A lively Southern barbecue spot in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, best known for its biscuits and bold flavors. 

Why we love it: Owned by Top Chef alum Tiffani Faison, Sweet Cheeks Q has been a Boston mainstay for over a decade for its high-quality Southern BBQ and energetic vibes. The dining room is almost always packed, and the food—from smoked brisket to fall-off-the-bone ribs—is consistently spot-on. Beyond the plate, the restaurant has built a genuine sense of community, with events like line dancing and interactive programming that make it feel more like a hub than simply a place to eat.

Time Out tip: Come hungry and don’t skip the biscuits—they’re what put the place on the map.

Address: 1381 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11:30am–10pm; Sun 11:30am–9pm

What is it? A vibrant Caribbean-Latin restaurant from chef-owner Michelle “Michy” Bernstein, who leads the concept alongside partner David Martinez, celebrating the bold, sun-soaked flavors of the tropics.

Why we love it: A Miami native, Bernstein is a James Beard Award–winning chef who has long helped define the city’s dining scene. At La Cañita—Spanish for “little sugarcane”—she turns her focus to Caribbean and Latin American flavors, pulling from Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico, all with a modern spin. The cooking is bold and unfussy, grounded in big flavors and a sense of place rather than fine-dining formality. Since opening in 2021, it’s grown into a three-location Miami concept, with outposts in Kendall and on Miami Beach.

Time Out tip: Come for the live music—check each location for specific day and night schedules.

Address: Bayside: 401 Biscayne Blvd 2nd Floor, Miami, FL 33132. Kendall: 8405 Mills D,r Suite 203, Kendall, FL 33183. Miami Beach: 1200 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Bayside: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri–Sat 11am–10pm. Kendall: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri–Sat 11am–1am. Miami Beach: Mon–Thu 12pm–12am; Fri 12pm–2am; Sat–Sun 11am–2am.