12 Phenomenal Women-Owned Restaurants in L.A.
Though the food and beverage industry remains significantly male-dominated, several women have stepped up to create their own legacy as chefs and restaurateurs, while drastically improving the city’s ever-growing culinary landscape.
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Despite being significantly underrepresented, the leading ladies of L.A.’s dining scene have mastered the art of breaking through the glass ceiling. The food and beverage industry remains significantly male-dominated, but several women have paved their own way to becoming renowned chefs and restaurateurs, while drastically improving the city’s ever-growing culinary landscape. With Women’s History Month right around the corner, now is the perfect time to brush up on your go-to list of women-owned restaurants in L.A.
Casual spots like chef Rashida Holmes’ Bridgetown Roti and Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson’s Kismet Rotisserie have become locally-loved staples, but those seeking a more formal, sit-down experience will also find plenty of female-led options in L.A. Violet Bistro is a longtime French favorite, and in November 2025, owner Dana Slatkin expanded her repertoire with a British-inspired restaurant in Brentwood. N/Naka is a Michelin-starred kaiseki experience helmed by chef Niki Nakayama, while Stephanie Izard’s Chicago transplant Girl & The Goat remains one of the Arts District's best dinner spots. If you’re craving Spanish fare in a pretty pink atmosphere, head to Santa Monica for Xuntos, or cure your seafood craving with a visit to the Sunset Strip’s Saltie Girl.
Whether you’re looking to splurge on a Chinese fine dining experience in Beverly Hills or kick back with a glass of natural wine and steak au poivre in Silver Lake, we’ve rounded up some of the most noteworthy women-owned restaurants for an elegant dinner in L.A.
Just a Few of the Women-Owned Restaurants to Support in L.A.
Wilde’s
- 1850 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Located in Los Feliz, Wilde’s pays homage to English fare with a refined twist. The eatery, which acts as a cafe by day and a more formal restaurant by night, is owned and operated by childhood friends Tatiana Ettensberger and Natasha Price. The concept opened at the end of 2025 to immediate praise, introducing L.A. locals to some of Britain’s most underrated dishes. Pop by in the morning for a sausage roll and seasonal quiche, or sit down for wine, battered skate and a meat pie during dinner.
88 Club
- 9737 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
A few years after the closure of her restaurant Nightshade, chef Mei Lin rebounded with the modern Chinese concept 88 Club. This fine-dining-focused restaurant is located in Beverly Hills, boasting a moody interior complete with acid-washed green walls, checkered marble floors and Art Deco sconces. Start with the Martini 88, made with gin and pickled mustard greens, while enjoying cold appetizers like the hiramasa crudo and mung bean jelly noodles. As is the case with traditional Chinese dining, you’ll want to order several dishes to share, including highlights like sesame prawn toast and kung pao scallops.
Chao Krung Thai
- 111 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Around since 1976, Chao Krung is one of L.A.’s oldest Thai restaurants. Today, the original owners’ daughters, Katy Noochlaor and chef Amanda Maneesilasan, own and operate the restaurant with a commitment to carry forth their parents’ legacy. The space was revamped in 2022, but it still maintains a comforting, old-school ambiance with no frills. If you’re in the mood for noodles, keep things classic with an order of pad Thai or savory pad see ew. The curries are another popular entrée for regulars, as is the flavorful crab fried rice.
N/naka
- 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
N/Naka is a Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant from chef Niki Nakayama. Her hands-on approach has resulted in one of the most thoughtful and intimate tasting experiences in the city, featuring a 13-course spread balanced between fresh seafood, meat and farmers’ market produce. The $395 menu is constantly changing, but one of N/naka’s signature dishes is the abalone spaghetti with pickled cod roe and black truffle.
Botanica
- 1620 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Created by former food writers Emily Fiffer and Heather Sperling, Botanica is a charming restaurant and market located near the heart of Silver Lake. The all-day eatery offers an extensive array of natural wines, complemented by a seasonally driven menu that focuses on locally-sourced ingredients. During breakfast and lunch, expect more casual fare ranging from healthy bowls and tacos to tuna melts and salads. In the evening, elevated dishes like steak au poivre, French onion soup and seared steelhead trout take center stage. Though there are plenty of wines by the glass to enjoy alongside your meal, purchase a couple of bottles to bring home.
Violet Bistro
- 1121 Glendon Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Looking for comforting French food in the heart of Westwood? Violet Bistro is a locally-loved restaurant and cooking school owned by Dana Slatkin. The charming courtyard boasts classic Parisian bistro tables, overhead string lights and red brick walls, setting the scene for a romantic dinner of duck leg confit and a warm baguette with butter. For dessert, nothing beats a glass of pinot noir and the decadent chocolate mousse with whipped crème fraîche. At the end of 2025, Slatkin opened a second restaurant, the English-inspired The Wilkes, in Brentwood.
Pizzana
- Multiple Locations
Candace Nelson, the mastermind behind the former Sprinkles Cupcakes empire, has moved on to pizzas. In 2017, she partnered with Chris and Caroline O’Donnell and chef Daniele Uditi to create an upscale pizzeria specializing in neo-Neapolitan-style pies, and now, there are locations all over the city. Everything from the diavola pizza to the pastas is great, but the Margherita is a simple classic that never gets old. Considering Cupcake Wars judge Nelson is best known for her masterful sweet tooth, it makes sense that she would have a huge part in crafting the dessert section of the menu, which includes a can’t-miss salted caramel panna cotta.
A.O.C.
- 8700 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Though the second Brentwood location closed in 2025, the original A.O.C. continues to thrive as one of West 3rd’s most quintessential spots for a girl’s night out. Owned by Caroline Styne and chef Suzanne Goin, A.O.C. is great for both brunch and dinner, but its true calling is as a wine bar. Order a bottle of chilled red and enjoy alongside a shareable spread of bacon-wrapped dates, fluffy focaccia and wood-fired clams with toast.
Saltie Girl
- 8615 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
At the very end of 2022, Kathy Sidell brought her beloved Boston eatery to West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. Saltie Girl is a stylish seafood restaurant with a feminine ambiance and an extensive list of tinned fish. Before diving into the food, indulge in the signature Saltie martini, which features caviar-topped olives, or pop open a chilled bottle of Sancerre. The warm lobster roll is one of the most popular dishes, but if you want to spice things up, opt for the one-of-a-kind lobster frites. Saltie Girl also just launched a solid happy hour featuring $10 tiny ‘tinis and mini shellfish platters.
Xuntos
- 516 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
For authentic Spanish tapas in a chic, bistro-style setting, Xuntos delivers on all fronts. This chic Santa Monica hotspot is owned by chef Sandra Cordero, and boasts an iconic scallop shell wall that is anchored in a surrounding sea of pink walls and decor. All of Spain's most classic small plates are on the menu, including stuffed piquillo peppers, Galician-style empanadas and pan cristal con tomate. Seafood lovers also shouldn’t miss the saffron butter scallops, grilled octopus and garlic shrimp.
Crustacean Beverly Hills
- 468 N Bedford Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
In 1995, chef Helene An opened Crustacean Beverly Hills. One of the most iconic restaurants in the 90210, Crustacean is a classic eatery you can visit for lunch, brunch or dinner. From the glass floors with live koi fish underneath to the beloved garlic noodles, no visit to Beverly Hills is complete without stopping in for a bite or an espresso martini. Though no formal date or move has been confirmed, Crustacean has announced it is looking for a new location in 2025, promising locals that, while it might have a different address soon, chef An isn't leaving L.A.
Girl & The Goat
- 555-3 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard made headlines when she brought her renowned Chicago restaurant to L.A in the summer of 2021. Located in the bustling Arts District, Girl & The Goat is an innovative restaurant that fuses farm-fresh ingredients with globally-inspired flavors. The farmer’s market margarita is constantly changing based on seasonality, and it’s the perfect cocktail to kick off your dinner. Most of the plates at Girl & the Goat are designed to be shared, with some highlights including the naan bread and dips, chickpea fritters, sautéed green beans and signature sticky glazed pork shank.
