Menu
Braisin' Ladies

Braisin’ Ladies: The Best Women-Led Restaurants

Braisin Ladies

Do you find yourself wondering how you can support more women-led spaces in the restaurant industry? You’re in the right place. In honor of International Women’s Month, we’re kicking off our series, Braisin’ Ladies, a curated list of our favorite restaurants cheffed, led, and owned by women.

We’ll update it every month so you can get out and support the boss ladies running restaurants in your community! In the meantime, for a searchable list of women-led restaurants nation-wide, head to RestaurantHER.

What are some of your favorite women-led spots? Shoot us an email – we’d love to feature them.

THE SPOTS:

Boston

Barbara Lynch smiling in a sunlit room

Barbara Lynch

Menton – 354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Since opening in 2010, Menton has received numerous accolades, including a 4 star review from The Boston Globe, recognition as one of Bon Appétit and Esquire magazines’ best new restaurants in 2010 and a 2011 James Beard Foundation Award nomination for Best New Restaurant. The Zagat Boston Restaurant Guide gave it Best Newcomer, Best French and Best Service distinctions in 2011-2012. It is also Boston’s only Relais & Châteaux and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property. Chef Lynch is currently the only female in the United States to hold the distinguished title of Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux. She currently owns seven food and beverage properties in Boston and is a catalyst for growing top female chef talent in Boston.


Chicago

Chef Mariya Russel, stands proudly and smiles

Mariya Russell

Kikko – 630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661

An intimate, candle-lit bar with just 10 seats, dining at Kikko is a warm and interactive experience, in true omakase fashion. It was recently awarded one Michelin Star, making its chef de cuisine, Mariya Russell, the first black woman to head a Michelin-starred restaurant. Kiiiind of a big deal.


Dallas

Misti Norris stands against a navy blue wall

Misti Norris

Petra & the Beast – 601 N Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75246

Petra and the Beast focuses on farming, foraging, fermentation and fire. Chef Misti Norris, the James Beard nominated chef and owner of this spot is one of the most innovative chefs on the Dallas scene right now. She does nose-to-tail butchering and experiments with dishes like chicken hearts, pig tails and pork tongue ragu.


Los Angeles

Jessica Koslow stands in front of Sqirls doors with a plate of food

Jessica Koslow

Sqirl – 720 N Virgil Ave, Ste 4, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Sqirl really changed the breakfast culture in LA, with a globally inspired menu, homemade pastries and homemade jams. There’s always a line around the corner for the Crispy Rice Salad and Avocado Toast from this 2019 James Beard Award nominee.


New York City

Allison Kave and Keavy Landreth laugh over milkshakes in a diner booth

Allison Kave & Keavy Landreth

Butter & Scotch – 818 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225

This women-owned and run bakery-bar is smashing the patriarchy one boozy cake shake at a time. Since opening in 2015, its become a feminist and queer hub for Crown Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods. The bar’s adjoining kitchen churns out freshly baked cakes, cookies and pies every day. We recommend a big ol’ slice of the “Hotline Bling” chocolate cake.


Philadelphia

Jezabel Careaga smiles with a cup of tea and sits at a table against an exposed brick wall

Jezabel Careaga

Jezabel’s Argentine Cafe and Bakery – 206 S 45th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Chef Jezabel Careaga’s restaurant did more than just introduced authentic Northwestern Argentine cuisine to the West Philly community, it redefined the neighborhood cafe.


Portland

Naomi Pomeroy in a red shirt stands with a table spread of vegetables, fruit, and a suckling pig

Naomi Pomeroy

Beast – 5425 NE 30th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Chef Naomi Pomeroy’s James Beard award-winning produce-driven fine dining restaurant keeps it fresh by offering a six-course pre fixe tasting menu that changes every two weeks. The communal seating-style spot has been acknowledged as Portland’s best restaurant since opening in 2007 and has won countless awards along the way.


San Francisco

Sher Rogat & Margherita Stewart Sagan

Piccino Cafe – 1001 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107

Local, farm-to-table fare with Jewish-Italian roots hidden away in one of San Francisco’s most charming neighborhoods, the Dogpatch. The menu changes seasonally, but don’t leave without ordering the Focaccia and at least one dessert.


Savannah

Mashama Bailey

The Grey – 109 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401

Built in an old Greyhound bus station, The Grey focuses on Southern food with Italian and African influences and a European wine list. Inspired by the cooking of Edna Lewis, Bailey has wowed locals and critics alike with her impressive and award winning, yet not extravagant ability to combine global flavors in a cohesive way, comfortable way. The space is stunning with an Art Deco, Mid-Century style and has also won awards.


Tampa

red brick building, exterior of Ellas Folk Art Cafe

Melissa Deming

Ella’s Folk Art Cafe – 5119 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33603

Melissa Deming is the owner and art curator of this eclectic cafe and bar in Seminole Heights, Florida. Serving up soul food and live music. The restaurant is fully decorated with locally created art creating a unique and vibrant vibe. Definitely check out the Chicken & Biscuit Pot Pie. It’s “fagettaboutit” good.

No Comments

    Leave a Reply