From Richard Gere to Ryan Gosling: America’s best celebrity-owned restaurants
Dine with the stars

Michael Jordan: Michael Jordan’s Steak House

Since his days of being the NBA’s greatest player of all time, retired basketball player Michael Jordan has turned to other interests: his business ventures. He owns four Michael Jordan’s Steak Houses across the US, which serve prime 45-day dry aged steak to the athlete's standard. Find them in Chicago, Connecticut, Washington State and Grand Central Terminal, New York City (the dining room of the New York steak house is temporarily closed but the bar is still open). He also owns Michael Jordan’s Restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant in Chicago.
Pharrell Williams: Swan and Bar Bevy

Newly-opened in November 2018, Swan and Bar Bevy, located in Miami’s Design District, is a partnership between hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman and musician Pharrell Williams, who is responsible for the 2014 hit Happy. The restaurant is distinctly pastel pink-themed with marble furnishings, animal print, chandeliers and flowers. The menu, as impressive as the decor, is globally-inspired and locally-sourced, with dishes such as snapper sashimi and dover sole with brown butter, capers and lemon.
Chip and Joanna Gaines: Magnolia Table

Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV series Fixer Upper – a programme where they turn dilapidated homes in Texas into showplaces – have recently opened Magnolia Table a vegetarian-friendly restaurant in Waco, Texas. They serve breakfast and lunch only, with locally sourced ingredients and produce grown in Joanna’s garden. However, if you want to visit this brunch spot, arrive early as they don’t accept reservations.
Zach Braff: Mermaid Oyster Bar

Scrubs actor Zach Braff is a partner in Mermaid Oyster Bar, a high-end seafood restaurant with coastal vibes in Greenwich, New York. Mermaid Oyster Bar is known for its oyster happy hour and lobster rolls, but they also have some tempting cocktails such as ‘mermaid paloma’, (tequila, grapefruit, agave and soda) and ‘blood of zarro’ (jalapeno infused Herradura tequila, blood orange and lime). The restaurant has two twin sisters, The Mermaid Inn on the Upper West Side and in East Village.
Piper Perabo: Jack’s Wife Freda

She famously played a bartender in Coyote Ugly, but in real life actress Piper Perabo co-owns three New York restaurants. Located in Soho, Chelsea and West Village, the outposts of Jack’s Wife Freda are managed by Dean and Maya Jankelowitz, who hail from Israel and South Africa respectively. Alongside classic burgers and salads they serve a variety of dishes which reflect their heritage, such as peri-peri chicken and matzo ball soup. Piper Perabo is also an investor in Employees Only, a speakeasy in West Village.
Olivia Culpo: Back 40

This cosy Rhode Island restaurant, serving retro American comfort food, is owned by actress, model and Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo and her family. Situated on a country road in North Kingston, south of Providence, the building has been designed to feel like a restored barn and opened in 2017 to much fanfare. Stop by pastoral Back40 for a hearty plate of meatloaf, mash and beef gravy or chicken parmesan with focaccia and gnocchi.
Ralph Lauren: Polo Bar

Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar in New York, is one of four restaurants the fashion designer owns – it opened in 2015, joining RL Restaurant in Chicago and Ralph’s in Paris, and in 2017 Ralph Lauren also opened Ralph’s Coffee and Bar in Mayfair, London. Expect to dine on the designer’s favourite dishes, including crab cake and crispy kale salad, corned beef sandwich and the signature Polo Bar Burger, while drinking classic cocktails. Take in the polo-inspired decor: deep green walls, portraits of thoroughbreds and equestrian memorabilia.
Mark Wahlberg: Wahlburgers

Made famous by the TV series of the same name, Wahlburgers is a joint venture between actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul, the latter an experienced chef. As documented on the award-winning reality show, the family opened their first burger bar in 2011 at Hingham, Massachusetts, and quickly expanded the franchise to 26 locations across the USA. In 2019 they will open their first restaurant outside of America, in Covent Garden, London.
Jay Z: The 40/40 Club

Never one to miss a business opportunity, music mogul and entrepreneur Jay Z launched The 40/40 Club in New York City in 2003. The all-American sports bar, which is spread over several floors, is opulently decorated with bronze mirrors, leather-panelled walls, an 18-foot champagne tower and countless flat-screens for the games. The menu includes rib-eye steak, ribs and 'Gram Slam Platters' with wings, nachos, southern-fried chicken and onion rings.
Channing Tatum: Saints & Sinners

Styled on the old burlesque halls and bordellos of New Orleans in the early 1900s, Saints & Sinners was launched by actor Channing Tatum and his childhood pal Keith Kurtz in 2012. Tatum fell in love with the city’s colourful, risqué history while filming 21 Jump Street and opened the bar on Bourbon Street soon afterwards. Described as ‘fun, not fine dining’, the bar mixes cocktails with classic southern dishes.
Jon Huertas: Clutch

Best known for his role in HBO’S Generation Kill as Sergeant Antonio ‘Poke’ Espera, Jon Huertas is the owner of the Cali-Mex restaurant and bar Clutch in California’s Venice. Situated on Highway 1, the roadside spot is known for its dry-rubbed BBQ, craft beer, fine wine, motorcycles and classic cars. Stop by for ‘Taco Tuesday’ or check out the mighty ‘Cali Turf’ menu with options such as a 1lb fire-grilled angus rib-eye served with a 10oz cold water lobster tail, beans, guacamole, salsa and tortillas.
Jimmy Buffett: Margaritaville

Country singer Jimmy Buffett, who famously sings Margaritaville and songs about Caribbean island life, owns a global chain of hotels, resorts, casual-dining restaurants and casinos under the same brand name. At Margaritaville expect to fill up on Southern American classics: crispy fried wings with blue cheese, chicken quesadillas, nachos and plenty of shrimp. Naturally, the restaurant has an extensive margarita menu.
Ryan Gosling: Tagine Beverly Hills

When chef Ben Benameur prepared his grandmother’s Moroccan recipes for Ryan Gosling the Hollywood actor told him it was “the food I want to eat for the rest of my life”. With nowhere else in Los Angeles serving similar dishes, the pair decided to launch Tagine Beverly Hills in 2004. With candlelit tables and jazz music, the romantic venue is now one of the top-rated restaurants in LA and was awarded the OpenTable Diners’ Choice award in 2016.
Giuliana and Bill Rancic: RPM Italian

Reality TV stars Giuliana and Bill are the ultimate business partners and husband and wife celebrity duo. With Bill the first Apprentice winner and Giuliana an E! News anchor – the couple met in an interview – they decided to focus their skills on the restaurant industry. RPM Italian is a contemporary Italian restaurant with a focus on sharing dishes, fresh pasta, slow-roasted meats and seafood, with locations in Chicago and Washington DC. However, they’re also the owners of RPM Steak and RPM On The Water, both in Chicago.
Sandra Bullock: Walton’s Fancy & Staple

Actress Sandra Bullock closed her French restaurant Bess Bistro in 2015 after nine years but still owns Walton’s Fancy & Staple – a coffee shop, deli, bakery, restaurant, cocktail bar and catering company in Austin, Texas. Opened in 2009 in a once-neglected building, it's a modern, yet rustic space with exposed brick work and wooden floors. Classic southern dishes include biscuits and gravy and shrimp 'n' grits.
Danny Trejo: Trejo’s Tacos

Big screen villain Danny Trejo, starring in Spy Kids, Machete and Bad Ass, is an unlikely restaurant owner but the man behind Trejo’s Tacos, which created a buzz when it first opened in 2016. With options such as blackened salmon, surf and turf, and jackfruit on the menu, this isn’t your average taqueria. Get your taco-fix at six different locations around California, or instead, fuel up on coffee and donuts at Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts in Hollywood.
Lisa Vanderpump: Villa Blanca, SUR and Pump

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Vanderpump and her husband Ken Todd once ran 26 restaurants but now keep themselves busy running three successful spots in California. Villa Blanca in Beverley Hills (pictured), specialises in top-notch Mediterranean cuisine, while SUR in West Hollywood serves southern European dishes. At PUMP, also in West Hollywood, dishes draw on inspiration from around the world – with the fish and chips highly recommended.
Dierks Bentley: Whiskey Row

Country music singer and songwriter Dierks Bentley is the owner of American gastropub and go-to place for happening nightlife Whiskey Row, with locations in Scottsdale, Tempe and Gilbert in Arizona and Nashville in Tennessee. On the menu are sliders in soft brioche buns, beef burgers, sandwiches, chicken and waffles and beer can rotisserie chicken, to name a few options. The Nashville venue boasts an impressive line-up of country musicians.
Ty Burrell: Beer Bar

Modern Family actor Ty Burrell opened Beer Bar in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2014. He launched the venture with chef Viet Pham, winner of Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef award in 2011. Committed to using local ingredients, the bar serves spicy sausages, apple strudels and Belgian fries, along with Pham’s signature 'Reuben Brat' sandwich with pastrami, bratwurst, Swiss cheese and pickled vegetables. Burrell also owns the bar next door, Bar-X, with his brother Duncan.
Sammy Hagar: Cabo Wabo Cantina

Not one to shy away from business ventures, rock musician Sammy Hagar, (aka The Red Rocker) has turned his hand to restaurants and tequila. Cabo Wabo Cantina, with locations in Las Vegas, Hollywood and San Lucas in Mexico, does Mexican-style quesadillas, shrimp dishes, enchiladas and burritos, and has live music daily. Sammy Hagar also owns Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill in Honolulu, Las Vegas, Cleveland and West Memphis.
Hugh Jackman: Laughing Man Coffee Shop

Hugh Jackman was inspired to open his own cafe after meeting young coffee farmer Dukale during a trip to Ethiopia in 1999 with the charity World Vision. Laughing Man Coffee has two locations in New York City, where you can buy fair-trade coffee, with all proceeds going to charitable programmes that support health, housing, education and fair-trade farming. The brand has gone from strength to strength, recently undergoing a refresh and expanding the availability and varieties of its bagged coffees.
Moby: Little Pine

Moby opened vegan restaurant Little Pine in Silver Lake in 2015. The musician teamed up with chef Kristyne Starling to create the 100% organic, plant-based and Mediterranean-inspired menu, which includes dishes such as vegan sausage and polenta, and 'shepherdess pie' made with shiitake mushrooms and French lentils. Moby, who has been a vegan for more than 30 years, donates all profits from the bistro to animal rights organisations.
Richard Gere: Bedford Post Inn

In 2007, the old Bedford Post Inn building in Bedford, New York, was looking rundown and neglected. So, local residents Richard Gere, Carey Lowell and Russell Hernandez came to the rescue and transformed the historic landmark into a luxury inn with eight bedrooms, a yoga loft and two restaurants. These include The Barn, where they serve casual brunches and The Farmhouse a fine-dining restaurant with a large wood fire grill.
Toby Keith: I Love This Bar and Grill

Country music singer Toby Keith founded I love This Bar and Grill in 2005 and named it after his hit song I Love This Bar. Expect Southern American cuisine, including rib-eye steak seared over an open flame, slow-smoked St. Louis-style ribs, pecan pie and live music. They have three locations in Oklahoma: in Bricktown, in Hard Rock Casino and in Winstar World Casino and Resort.
Susan Sarandon: SPiN

Ping pong club meets restaurant, SPiN is the perfect choice if you fancy a change from the usual drinks and dinner – and plan to work up an appetite beforehand. Now in nine locations, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco, the laid-back and lively chain is part-owned by actress and activist Susan Sarandon, who helped launch the first club in Manhattan in 2009. The menu includes sharing platters, sliders, flatbreads and cocktails.
Lady Gaga: Joanne Trattoria
Joanne Trattoria in Manhattan’s Upper West Side has all the feel of a traditional, family-run Italian trattoria. It’s run by Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga’s parents who have Italian ancestry, but the singer and songwriter herself is said to be part-owner. Both the restaurant and Gaga's most recent album Joanne were named after Gaga's late aunt Joanne. Stop by for pizza that comes with unlimited toppings and homemade spaghetti and Italian meatballs.
Ludacris: Chicken+Beer

Got a flight to catch at Atlanta airport? Make sure you check-in to Chicken+Beer, the southern comfort-food diner owned by rapper Ludacris and named after his 2003 double-platinum album. Ludacris teamed up with chef Andrew Tabb to create the indulgent menu, which includes a double stack burger and Luda’s chicken and waffles.
Robert De Niro: Nobu

High-end sushi restaurant Nobu was co-founded by Robert De Niro. The actor and director teamed up with chef Nobu Matsuhisa for the opening of the original downtown New York restaurant in 1994 and the pair have since launched more than 30 Nobu restaurants and hotels on five continents.
Francis Ford Coppola: Rustic
Despite the name, at the award-winning Francis Ford Coppola Winery you'll find so much more than vino. Located in Geyserville, California, the award-winning resort from the director promises ‘wine, food and adventure’ with a vineyard, movie theatre, swimming pool and restaurant, Rustic. The menu includes traditional Italian dishes, Neapolitan-style pizza and rigatoni with meatballs.
Norman Reedus: Nic & Normans

Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus and director Greg Nicotero teamed up to open Nic & Normans in Senoia, Georgia, where the TV series is filmed. Among the all-American classics on the menu you’ll find cheesesteaks, meatloaf, fried chicken and gourmet burgers including a bison patty burger with cheddar, caramelised onions, applewood smoked bacon and the house N&N sauce.
Chris Noth: The Cutting Room

A famous music venue and restaurant, New York City's The Cutting Room has played host to performers including Lady Gaga, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Bowie and Kid Rock. Established in 1999, it closed after ten years and was relaunched by Sex and the City actor Chris Noth in 2013. Diners can now enjoy live music while tucking into lobster rolls, steak salads, flat-bread pizzas and burgers from Mr Big himself.
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Gloria and Emilio Estefan: Larios on the Beach

Larios on the Beach opened in 1992 and has been one of the go-to spots for Cuban food in Miami ever since. Overlooking Ocean Drive, the restaurant is owned by musical power couple Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who opened Estefan’s Kitchen in the city’s design district in 2017 – and also own the Bongos Cuban Café at the Walt Disney World Resort. Devised by chef Odell Torres, Larios' popular dishes include bacon-wrapped plantain, pork tamales and arroz con pollo.
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Jon Bon Jovi: Soul Kitchen

Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea opened the non-profit community restaurant Soul Kitchen in 2011 to help, ‘address the issues of hunger and homelessness’, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Following its success, in 2016 the couple opened their second outpost in Toms River, New Jersey. Diners are offered the chance to buy a 'Pay It Forward certificate' for $20, with the money going towards feeding others in need, while those short of cash can volunteer their time in lieu of payment.
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