34 top women-led restaurants in London and the UK

Some of the most exciting cooking in Britain right now is happening in restaurants shaped by women. This isn’t news. For years, all kinds of UK restaurants shaped by women, from boundary-pushing tasting menus to neighbourhood spots that have quietly become the heartbeat of their communities, have redefined what our dining scene looks and tastes like. Every single woman-run restaurant on this list – whether shaped by a chef whose food stops you in your tracks, or a founder with a vision to build something lasting – is driven by a woman's ideas, a woman's leadership, and a woman's hard-won success.

Mind you, it's worth acknowledging the slight discomfort that arises with lists like this. Singling out restaurants simply because they're run by women risks implying that female chefs and founders deserve a special mention precisely because we don't quite expect them to be there. It can tip easily into condescension. The UK and London’s women-led restaurants don't need a separate list to validate their brilliance – success is proof enough.

But here's the reality: women make up around 70% of the UK’s hospitality workforce (lower in Scotland, where some figures put it closer to 54%), but hold just 8% of leadership roles and earn, on average, 3.45% less than their male counterparts for the same work. Interviewing chefs for our Female Chef of the Year Awards, it’s clear that some progress is underway. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that industry challenges don't fall equally on all women – race, class, and caring responsibilities add further barriers, making creative agency and ownership an even more distant prospect for many.

This industry is quite literally built on the labour of women, and then, almost systematically, managed without them. Celebrating our favourite women-led restaurants in London and the UK specifically, rather than folding them quietly into a generic ‘best of’ roundup, is one small way of recognising the intersectional challenges our industry has been slow to address. That’s why this list matters.

Women-led restaurants in London

It's no surprise that London comes armed with a wide variety of restaurants led by women, from chefs and founders to creative directors driving changes to dining trends. 

Nipotina, Mayfair

What: One of many glorious restaurants from Samyukta Nair’s LSL Capital (including the Michelin-starred Jamavar and Mimi Mei Fair on Curzon Street), Nipotina is simply beautiful. With the kitchen led by chef Somaia Hammad, who draws inspiration from her Nonna’s kitchen, women feature at every level here. In fact, ‘nipotina’ means granddaughter. Here, you’ll find elevated Italian plates suited to the Mayfair crowd.
Founder: Samyukta Nair
Where: 49 South Audley Street, W1K 2QD
Book now: Nipotina

Firebird, Soho

What: From the same duo behind seafood bistro Noisy Oyster in Shoreditch, Firebird champions live fire cooking. To match, sommelier-owner Anna Dolgushina’s wine list champions organic European wines, drawing on small, natural and biodynamic producers. Interiors evoke a relaxed Mediterranean courtyard, with terracotta tones, greenery and an open grill at the heart of the dining room.
Founders: Madina Kazhimova and Anna Dolgushina
Where: 29 Poland Street, W1F 8QR
Book now: Firebird

Chishuru, Fitzrovia

What: From a three-month Brixton pop-up to rave reviews, an extended residency, a prime Fitzrovia address and a Michelin star – Chishuru’s had quite the rise, and deservedly so. One meal here explains the rip-roaring success. Modern West African cooking, rooted in Adejoké Bakare’s heritage – drawing on Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa traditions – receives a fine dining lilt, offering up set menus that include dishes like moi moi with trompette mushrooms and agidi pepper soup with uziza pepper. Our 2024 Female Chef of the Year was also the first black woman in the UK to win a Michelin star. 
Chef patron: Adejoké Bakare
Where: 3 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 8AX
Book now: Chishuru

Mildreds, Various Locations

What: The success of Mildreds doesn’t really need much explanation. The brand has been around since 1988, pioneering exciting vegetarian dining. Since 2021, the team has taken things totally vegan, and with multiple sites across the capital, has attracted masses of fans drawn to colourful, internationally inspired plates, and many cookbooks authored by creative director Sarah Wasserman.
Chef director: Sarah Wasserman
Where: 128 Wilton Road, SW1V 1JZ; 9 Jamestown Road, NW1 7BW
Book now: Mildreds Victoria; Mildreds Camden

Hausu, Peckham

What: Taking over the considerable former Coal Rooms site next to Peckham Rye station is no mean feat. But chef Holly Middleton-Joseph and brother Tom have produced a belter of a restaurant. It’s dark and moody, with a bistro-esque menu that’s frankly quite hard to categorise. What is certain, however, is that this is a very talented team. Expect perfectly grilled meats in glossy sauces, and the occasional Asian influence (the prawn toast is a must).
Chef patron: Holly Middleton-Joseph
Where: 11A Station Way, SE15 4RX
Book now: Hausu

Apricity, Mayfair

What: Chantelle Nicholson’s Apricity is a true bastion of progressive, sustainable thinking, and a dedicated champion for female chefs. Chantelle is still heavily involved at the restaurant, looking after a largely female team. Inside, Apricity is a socially conscious enterprise - much of the interior has been made with recycled materials, or rescued and renovated from reclamation yards. With a menu of seasonal, thoughtful cooking alongside, it’s easy to see why Apricity has become a fixture of Mayfair.
Chef-owner: Chantelle Nicholson
Where: 68 Duke Street, W1K 6JU
Book now: Apricity

Murano and Cafe Murano, Various locations

What: Angela Hartnett has become a truly household name thanks to her TV appearances and hit podcast alongside Nick Grimshaw, but her story was originally forged in hard-nosed Gordon Ramsay kitchens. Murano has been stone-clad Mayfair royalty since it first opened, and it has spawned a host of smaller (though equally excellent) Cafe Muranos. Between her mini restaurant empire, podcast, cookbooks, TV appearances and more, few can claim to have had the same impact as Angela Hartnett.
Founder: Angela Hartnett
Where: Various locations
Book now: Murano; Cafe Murano Covent Garden; Cafe Murano Bermondsey; Cafe Murano St James's; Cafe Murano Marylebone

Darjeeling Express, Soho

What: Asma Khan’s story was broadcast to millions via Netflix’s Chef’s Table series, but despite the acclaim, she is still front and center at Darjeeling Express every day, leading an all-female kitchen team. Inspirational and outspoken, Asma remains a champion for women in the industry, never afraid to shine a light on the struggles faced by female chefs. That’s an important part of the Darjeeling Express story, but the restaurant itself is magnificent - homely, comforting and ever-welcoming.
Chef-owner: Asma Khan
Where: Kingly Court, W1B 5PW
Book now: Darjeeling Express

BAO, Various Locations

What: Erchen Chang's well-known group of quick Taiwanese restaurants has never lost its lustre. Each restaurant has its own speciality, from noodles at BAO Battersea to grilled plates at BAO Borough. One thing is constant, though: a steady parade of fluffy bao buns with intense meaty fillings. The braised pork and beef short rib baos are the OGs, so nab a few of those, just don’t be scared to explore the rest of the menus too.
Chef director: Erchen Chang
Where: 53 Lexington Street, W1F 9AS; 56 James Street, W1U 1HF; 4 Pancras Square, N1C 4DP; 2-8 Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR
Book now: BAO Soho; BAO Marylebone; BAO Kings Cross; BAO City

Legado, Shoreditch

What: As one of the very best new openings of 2025, Legado featured highly in SquareMeal’s London Top 100, which was quickly followed by a Michelin star in February 2026. Nieves Barragán-Mohacho’s other Michelin-starred restaurant, Sabor, remains a steadfast favourite, but what sets Legado apart is that, despite the exceptional quality of the cooking, the restaurant feels wonderfully unpretentious, while offering an impressive range of dishes that celebrate the diverse culinary traditions found across every corner of Spain.
Chef patron: Nieves Barragán-Mohacho
Where: 1C Montacute Yards, 185-186 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6HU
Book now: Legado

Teal by Sally Abé, Hackney

What: Winner of SquareMeal’s AYALA Female Chef of the Year Award back in 2021, Sally Abé has spent the past few years absolutely smashing it. Former head chef at both the Michelin-starred Harwood Arms and The Pem, she’s one of the UK’s most influential culinary voices, and a champion for women in kitchens everywhere. Her debut book, ‘A Woman’s Place Is in the Kitchen’, pulled the curtain back on the sexism baked into the industry, and she hasn’t stopped pushing things forward since. After a quick stint in the Cotswolds at The Bull in Charlbury, Sally’s back on home turf with her first solo spot: Teal by Sally Abé, a bold London restaurant where she’s finally taking centre stage.
Chef-owner: Sally Abé
Where: 68 Duke Street, W1K 6JU
Book now: Teal by Sally Abé

Jikoni, Marylebone

What: This warm, colourful restaurant from chef Ravinder Bhogal celebrates the overlaps between East Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Britain. The menu is a joyful reflection of Bhogal’s heritage and travels. Dishes move from Gujarati-inspired snacks to slow-cooked Kenyan stews and fragrant curries. Pretty in pink, the atmosphere remains deeply homely, with mismatched crockery, patterned textiles and generous dishes designed for sharing. 
Chef patron: Ravinder Bhogal
Where: 19-21 Blandford Street, W1D 3DH
Book now: Jikoni

Rambutan, Borough

What: Bringing Sri Lankan cooking into the spotlight - exactly where it belongs - Cynthia Shanmugalingam's Borough restaurant is known for sensational rotis and wave after wave of samols, curries, and fragrant rice. This is diaspora cooking, tracing the twists, turns, and cultural interplay which have come to define Sri Lankan cooking today. Nab a seat at the open kitchen counter for the full experience.
Chef patron: Cynthia Shanmugalingam
Where: 10 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD
Book now: Rambutan

The River Café, Hammersmith

What: Few restaurants can claim the same weight of influence as The River Cafe. Opened in 1987 by Ruth Rogers and the late Rose Gray, it helped redefine London’s understanding of Italian dining, placing unwavering emphasis on impeccable ingredients and simple, confident cooking. Decades on, and the formula still feels timeless: handmade pastas, wood-fired meats and vegetables, and a fiercely seasonal menu that has trained generations of chefs.
Chef Patron: Ruth Rogers
Where: Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6 9HA
Book now: The River Café

Gina, Chingford

What: A neighbourhood restaurant with serious culinary pedigree, Gina is the first joint venture from power couple pastry chef Ravneet Gill and chef Mattie Taiano. Gina blends the feel of a classic chophouse with the infectious warmth of a family-run dining room. Menus shift frequently, offering up carefully sourced meat and fish, and addictive desserts that reflect Gill’s pastry background.
Chef patron: Ravneet Gill
Where: 92 Station Road, E4 7BA
Book now: Gina

Mambow, Hackney

What: Chef Abby Lee’s much-loved East London restaurant is a riot of bold Malaysian flavours. After first making waves as a pop-up in Peckham, Lee settled Mambow into a permanent home where punchy, deeply comforting dishes take centre stage. Running the restaurant alongside co-owner Vanessa Fernandes, Lee keeps the menu playful, ever-evolving, and packed with heat, while the wine list leans juicy, matched with a small set of very drinkable cocktails.
Founders: Abby Lee and Vanessa Fernandes
Where: 78 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0RN
Book now: Mambow

Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill

What: Conscientious British cooking defines Core, the flagship restaurant of Northern Irish chef Clare Smyth. Since opening in 2017, it has become one of the UK’s most celebrated dining rooms, earning three Michelin stars and cementing Smyth’s reputation as one of the country’s most accomplished chefs. Precise cooking and sustainable ingredients are the name of the game, sourced from responsible producers across the British Isles.
Chef patron: Clare Smyth
Where: 92 Kensington Park Road, W11 2PN
Book now: Core by Clare Smyth

Master Wei, Bloomsbury

What: From the chef behind Xi’an Impression, Master Wei is built around signature biangbiang noodles made fresh every day. Few chefs have done more for Shaanxi cuisine in London than Guirong Wei, who has since gone on to open a second Master Wei in Hammersmith, as well as The Wei in Fulham, which puts the focus on dumplings alongside her signature dishes.
Chef patron: Guirong Wei
Where: 13 Cosmo Place, Holborn, London, WC1N 3AP
Book now: Master Wei

Caractère, Notting Hill

What: Helmed by Emily Roux, Caractère adds the warmth and comfort back into fine dining. Inside, it’s all soft lighting and comfortable seating, but don’t think the menu follows suit - the cooking here is full of personality but sharp as anything. It draws on Roux’s classical training and French heritage as well as husband and co-founder Diego Ferrari’s Italian roots, all synthesised into a modern European menu.
Chef patron: Emily Roux
Where: 209 Westbourne Park Road, W11 1EA
Book now: Caractère

Normah’s, Bayswater

What: The secret of Normah’s is well and truly out in the open now. It’s a one-woman show, operating in a small dining room in Bayswater where Normah Abd Hamid cooks up a range of Malaysian dishes. It’s as traditional and authentic as it gets, stretching from beef rendang and laksa prawns to nasi goreng chicken. Expect traditional Malaysian teh tarik and Bandung to match.
Chef patron: Normah Abd Hamid
Where: 23-25 Queensway Market, W2 4QJ
Book now: Normah’s

Myrtle, Chelsea

What: The first solo venture from Dublin chef Anna Haugh, Myrtle blends modern European cooking with Irish influences, making use of the Emerald Isle’s rich larder wherever possible. You’ll find dishes named after legends like the Salmon of Knowledge, alongside traditional Irish staples (like boxty), elevated into a modern tasting menu format. Plus, Myrtle gets its name from Myrtle Allen, the first Irish woman to win a Michelin star.
Chef patron: Anna Haugh
Where: 1A Langton Street, SW10 0JL
Book now: Myrtle

Women-led restaurants across the UK

Few voices champion women-run restaurants outside of London. But just as in the capital, you'll find women chefs and founders making a major impact, from rural country settings to buzzy city spots. This is just a snapshot. 

Wilsons, Bristol

What: Named for co-founder Mary Wilson's family restaurant, Wilsons is, in our eyes, the ideal neighbourhood restaurant. Don’t get us wrong, it sits very much in the fine dining camp, but it’s warm, heartfelt and chock full of talent. Mary’s partner, Jan Ostle, helms the kitchen, but it’s her background in regenerative farming and her unending work on their small farm that drives creativity. In 2026, it won top spot in SquareMeal’s Top 100 Restaurant Awards.
Co-founder: Mary Wilson
Where: 24 Chandos Road, BS6 6PF
Book now: Wilsons

The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh

What: Tucked away in Leith, The Little Chartroom is the flagship restaurant from chef Roberta Hall-McCarron. Known for confident, produce-led cooking that celebrates Scotland’s larder, the regularly changing menu balances technical precision with warmth and generosity. Hall-McCarron has since expanded with sister restaurants Eleanore and Ardfern, but Little Chartroom remains the heart of the operation.
Chef patron: Roberta Hall-McCarron
Where: 14 Bonnington Road, EH6 5JD
Book now: The Little Chartroom

Mowgli, Various Locations

What: Mowgli began as a single restaurant in Liverpool. More than a decade later, former barrister Nisha Katona’s Indian street food restaurants have exploded across the UK. Focusing on the vibrant street food she grew up eating at home, the formula has proved intensely popular, with its yoghurt chaat bombs, fragrant curries and signature fairy-lit interiors drawing crowds of devoted fans across the UK.
Founder: Nisha Katona
Where: 5 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RE; Unit 30, Stephenson Place, B2 4BF; 78 St Vincent Street, G2 5UB; Unit 16, 37 Corn Exchange, M4 3TR; 3 Water Street, L2 0RD
Book now: Mowgli Charlotte Street; Mowgli Birmingham, Mowgli Glasgow; Mowgli Manchester; Mowgli Liverpool Water Street

Queen of Cups, Somerset

What: A classic coaching inn pub, turned modern Middle Eastern restaurant and freehouse, much like its namesake tarot card, the Queen of Cups puts compassion and feminine energy at centre stage. After years working in professional kitchens and running acclaimed pop-ups, Ayesha Kalaji’s menus move easily between smoky grilled meats, vibrant salads and richly spiced stews.
Chef patron: Ayesha Kalaji
Where: 10-12 Northload Street, BA6 9JJ
Book now: Queen of Cups

Dongnae, Bristol

What: From the same team behind Bokman, Dongnae is named for the Korean word for neighbourhood. Housed within a pared-back dining room on Chandos Road, chef Kyu Jeong Jeon delivers just that: sincere Korean dishes, drawing on traditional fermentation and charcoal cooking to produce authentic plates with subtle elevations. It’s entirely original, led by some properly talented chefs that we should all be keeping our eyes on.
Chef patron: Kyu Jeong Jeon
Where: 5-7 Chandos Road, BS6 6PG
Book now: Dongnae

Shwen Shwen, Kent

What: A quiet side street in Sevenoaks might not be the most obvious location for an accomplished modern Sierra Leonean restaurant, but Maria Bradford’s cooking is right at home here. Generous plates incorporate spices you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, and the dining room is just as vibrant. A tasting menu offers the full tour, though you’d fare just as well sharing a few plates from the à la carte.
Chef patron: Maria Bradford
Where: 1-2 Well Court, Bank Street, TN13 1UN
Book now: Shwen Shwen

Northcote, Lancashire

What: Northcote looms large in the world of UK restaurants. Headed up by Lisa Goodwin-Allen, it delivers true Northern hospitality complete with garden views and seasonal menus. Goodwin-Allen first became head chef here at the age of 23 and also leads the hotel’s renowned Obsession food festival each year, bringing leading chefs from around the world to cook in its kitchens.
Chef patron-director: Lise Goodwin-Allen
Where: Northcote Road, BB6 8BE
Book now: Northcote

Hansom, North Yorkshire

What: Set in the small village of Bedale, Ruth Hansom runs her restaurant almost entirely on her own. There’s no sous or commis chef by her side. Manning the kitchen by herself, Hansom delivers a seven-course tasting menu for up to 28 diners each night. Expect modern cooking like smoked leek agnolotti with foraged mushrooms, savoury bread and butter pudding, and plenty more dishes flecked with North East character.
Chef patron: Ruth Hansom
Where: 7-9 North End, DL8 1AF
Book now: Hansom

Riverine Rabbit, Birmingham

What: Crowned Michelin young chef of the year, Ash Valenzeula-Heeger’s Riverine Rabbit restaurant in Birmingham’s Stirchley neighbourhood is one of the most on-trend restaurants in the UK’s second city. Co-owned with wife Erin, the pair moved from South Africa, bringing with them dishes that really push the boat out. Expect the unusual, with dishes titled ‘Grannies on Acid’, fried chicken and caviar, and wagyu tartare.
Chef patron: Ash Valenzuela-Heeger
Where: 1464 Pershore Road, B30 2NT
Book now: Riverine Rabbit

The Parkers Arms, Lancashire

What: Chef Stosie Madi and business partner Kathy Smith have taken this derelict pub building and slowly transformed it into one of the best pubs in the UK. Senegal-born Madi is known for her signature pies, which change daily; the entire menu here celebrates the local Lancashire landscape. The dining room is relaxed and cosy, with a roaring fire and a sunny beer garden.
Chef patron: Stosie Madi
Where: Hallgate Hill, BB7 3DY
Book now: The Parkers Arms

Long Friday, Newcastle

What: One of Newcastle’s most highly rated restaurants, Long Friday is all about simple, relaxed neighbourhood-style dining. Led by Anna Hedworth, the same chef behind Cook House in Ouseburn, Long Friday offers creative cocktails, a strong, natural-led wine list to match with punchy, broadly European dishes often flecked with Asian ingredients and global flair.
Chef patron: Anna Hedworth
Where: 46 Brentwood Avenue, NE2 3DH
Book now: Long Friday

Inver, Argyll & Bute

What: Set on the banks of Loch Fyne, few dining rooms in the UK match the pure serenity of Inver. Helmed by chef Pamela Brunton, the restaurant has a Michelin green star, sourcing shellfish from the nearby lochs, alongside plenty of other ingredients from nearby Argyll and Bute producers. Plus, alongside wonderfully contemporary menus, the restaurant offers bothy-style rooms overlooking the loch.
Chef patron: Pam Burton
Where: Strathlachlan, PA27 8BU
Book now: Inver

Gaga, Glasgow

What: Since opening in late 2021 in Partick’s bustling west end, Gaga has become one of Glasgow’s most talked-about dining spots. Founded by Glasgow chef Julie Lin (of Julie’s Kopitiam fame) alongside partners from The Thornwood bar, it brings bold Southeast Asian cooking to Dumbarton Road. The menu centres on shareable, flavour-rich plates – from fried chicken sandwiches to Malaysian curries and pork pad prik king – all washed down with a lively cocktail list.
Chef patron: Julie Lin
Where: 566 Dumbarton Road, G11 6RH
Book now: Gaga

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