In case you haven't heard by now, women run the world. We could go on for days (and we probably will), but for now, we'll start by celebrating some of the Bay's most creative women in the restaurant industry. From French cuisine to heavenly vegan eats, check out the Bay's best women-owned restaurants.
Updated March 4, 2026
Via Julia Child
(1517 Shattuck Ave // Berkeley)
Owner: Alice Waters
Alice Waters is a Berkeley legend, and she's owned the go-to spot for celebrating anniversaries, graduations, and milestones for the last 50 years. Always using organic farm-grown, local produce, Chez Panisse is focused on sustainable eating and sourcing for quality ingredients. It's also the alleged birthplace of the beloved Baked Goat Cheese Salad! In December 2025, the restaurant expanded to open Bar Panisse, located right next door.
Via Devil's Teeth Baking Company
(Multiple Locations)
Owner: Hilary Passman
San Francisco's most iconic breakfast sandwich can be found at Devil's Teeth Bakery, an Outer Sunset staple that has now expanded to three locations in the city since it opened in 2011. Founder Hilary Passman now lives her baking dreams full-time after a career as a lawyer in Downtown SF. She advocates for the community, most recently by selling anti-ICE cookies to benefit an advocacy group in Minnesota.
(941 Cole St // Cole Valley)
Owners: Jennifer Piallat, Megan Cornelius, Mario Rojas, Francisco Romero
Opened in 1992 by Caroline Opoix in Cole Valley, Zazie is known for its delectable dinners and bright brunch menus. Jen Piallat worked as a server at Zazie before buying the restaurant in 2005 — now, Jen co-owns the restaurant with three other longtime Zazie crew members, Megan, Mario, and Francisco. Jen is an outspoken supporter of workers' rights and benefits, including full medical + dental insurance, paid leave, and an employer-matched 401(k). Stop by Zazie for a glass of champagne with your baked chocolate chaud (no need to tip, it's already included)!
(Tenderloin & Oakland)
Owners: Brenda Buenviajé and Libby Truesdell
The world needs New Orleans soul food — where would we be without country gravy and beignets? This French restaurant's Chef Brenda grew up right around New Orleans, trapping crawfish and picking wild blackberries as a child. Brenda moved to San Francisco in 1997 and opened her French soul food palace 10 years later, serving up shrimp, grits, and more with Libby, her wife and the co-owner of Brenda's French Soul Food. Come for the po' boys, stay for the chicory coffee. Don't forget to check out Brenda's Meat and Three as well!
Via Atelier Crenn
(3127 Fillmore St // Cow Hollow)
Owner: Dominique Crenn
Sometimes treating yourself comes in the form of a luxurious culinary experience, and you can leave it to Atelier Crenn to deliver (but not literally — it's by reservation only). Co-owner and chef Dominique Crenn holds three Michelin stars for this artisanal French experience, which opened in San Francisco in 2011. Dominique is the first female chef in the US to have earned even two Michelin stars, beating her own record in 2018 after her third was achieved. If you're ready to meditate on one of the best meals the city can offer, make sure Atelier Crenn is high on your bucket list.
Via Piccino
(Dogpatch + Presidio Locations)
Owners: Sher Rogat and Margherita Stewart Sagan
Pizza and pasta is staple in the world of Piccino, a restaurant that's a cornerstone in the Dogpatch neighborhood. For almost 20 years, founders/owners Sher Rogat and Margherita Stewart Sagan have been serving Italian-inspired California cuisine. The two first ran into each other at their favorite cafe spots before forming a friendship, and then a business partnership that led to the restaurant's opening in 2006. Today, the restaurant is still at the original Dogpatch location, with Bar Piccino next door, a Coffee Bar around the corner, and a new restaurant in the Presidio.
(3459 Champion St // Oakland)
Owner: Dominica Rice-Cisernos
Dominica Rice Cisernos' restaurant brings Mexican and Californian cuisines together in a manner that doesn't disappoint. Chef Dominica believes good food should be accessible, and works as a community activist and urban gardener alongside her deep calling for preparing out-of-this-world culinary creations. She champions strong women joining the restaurant industry, and if her clear mission isn't enough to bring you in, the shrimp tacos definitely will.
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Written by Skylar De Paul & Kim Reyes
After your meal, go out on a Winter Date!
