Celebrity chefs have gained popularity in the past few decades, with shows like Top Chef making and breaking the careers of culinary industry hopefuls. Reservations at celebrity chef-owned restaurants can be difficult to obtain while the meals are notoriously expensive. If you’ve never eaten at one, you might wonder if they’re even worth the hype.
Luckily, we’ve rounded up a few across the U.S. that are worth the reservation. From traditional barbecue to deliciously inventive dishes, here are some celebrity chef restaurants worth visiting.
1. Bar Boulud – New York, New York
Award-winning French chef and cookbook author Daniel Boulud heads this bistro, which also has a location in London. Found in Lincoln Center in Manhattan, Bar Boulud offers American-inspired fare and French-influenced food and wine offerings. Sit on the terrace and sip a glass of wine from the Rhône Valley to feel like you’re on vacation in the south of France without paying an arm and a leg.
2. Best Friend – Las Vegas, Nevada
Chef Roy Choi serves world-class yet accessible Korean fare on the Las Vegas Strip. A neon sign out front reads “Roy Choi is my best friend,” and you’ll share the sentiment after a family-style meal in this welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant has other fun features, including colorful merchandise, a walk-up bar, and decor that feels like you entered a liquor store in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. You’ll feel like you know the chef before trying his signature dishes.
3. Red O – Los Angeles, California
Rick Bayless heads this high-end Mexican spot with multiple locations around LA. Bayless is a star in the culinary world, focusing on ethically sourced Mexican cuisine. As you indulge in the fish tacos or famous mole sauce at Red O, you can rest assured that the ingredients come from local farmers and not exploited workers.
4. Girl & the Goat – Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California
Top Chef: Chicago winner Stephanie Izard is behind this Mediterranean–Southeast Asian fusion restaurant. The original one in Chicago was her first venture, and she has since opened a location in LA and three other restaurants in Chicago. Izard’s menu offers delicious and unusual grilled foods, including wood oven-roasted pig’s face.
5. Kann – Portland, Oregon
Kann, a Haitian-inspired venture in the heart of Portland since 2022, is headed by Top Chef: Boston contestant Gregory Gourdet. The challenges Gourdet faced when trying to open his dream restaurant during the pandemic paid off: Kann was awarded Best New Restaurant at the James Beard Awards in 2022. With the groundbreaking restaurant, Gourdet pays homage to Haiti’s rich history of rebellion against colonizers.
6. HŪSO – New York, New York
Buddha Lo went from Top Chef straight to Madison Avenue with his decadent “caviar speakeasy.” The winner of season 19 of the show, Lo delights New York foodies with high-end caviar, delicious desserts, and bread that has to be tasted to be believed.
7. Sweet Cheeks Q – Boston, Massachusetts
Meat lovers rejoice! At Sweet Cheeks, barbecue beef and pork are the main attractions. Top Chef and All-Stars finalist Tiffani Faison has perfected her recipes over the years (the pork belly is a must-try). This Fenway-area joint also features a beer garden and an impressive whiskey list to go along with your perfectly barbecued ribs.
8. Good Stuff Eatery – Washington, D.C.
This top-notch burger restaurant has multiple locations around the U.S. and even one in Egypt. Chef Spike Mendelsohn, a Top Chef: Chicago winner, draws inspiration from his grandfather, who was also a chef. Try the Eatery’s spicy twist on French fries or a thick gourmet milkshake to accompany a classic burger.
9. Balla Italian Soul – Las Vegas, Nevada
If you’re seeking Italian food in Las Vegas, look no further than Balla Italian Soul. Award-winning chef Shawn McClain serves up some of the best pasta on the Strip for more affordable prices than many surrounding restaurants.
As soon as you walk in, you’ll see the bar, which offers a wide selection of delicious cocktails. From there, treat yourself to tasty antipasti, pasta, pizza, sides, and desserts. No portion of the meal will leave you hungry, but you won’t feel overwhelmed by all the choices.
10. Red Rooster – New York, New York
Harlem’s Red Rooster is headed by Top Chef Masters winner Marcus Samuelsson, who has made other TV appearances and even cooked for a White House state dinner during the Obama era. Red Rooster features a main dining room where you can enjoy live jazz and gourmet fried chicken and biscuits. There’s also a speakeasy upstairs where you can have cocktails and enjoy the music and atmosphere late into the night.
11. 610 Magnolia – Louisville, Kentucky
This tribute to Southern cuisine is one of the many projects of Edward Lee, a Top Chef: Texas fan favorite. Opened in a converted carriage house in 2003, 610 Magnolia is a fixture of Old Louisville in which Lee marries Southern comfort with Korean flavors. The prix fixe menu rotates, but Lee and his staff always serve up stunning dishes that pay homage to Louisville’s history and Lee’s personal journey.
12. Ramsay’s Kitchen – Las Vegas, Nevada
It’s no wonder he’s one of the few chefs to become a household name—Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants rarely disappoint. From a delicious raw bar to his signature Beef Wellington, Ramsay’s Kitchen has it all, in addition to excellent service and ambiance. This isn’t one of the more affordable options on this list, but you get all the best of Ramsay’s dishes without the stress of trying to book a reservation at one of his more famous restaurants.