New York City has long been a magnet for celebrities due to the city’s vibrant entertainment scene, entrepreneurial spirit and unparalleled energy. So is it any surprise that actors, musicians, artists flock to the city like moths to a flame, adding to the city’s overflowing pool of talent and creativity.
One of the most common questions I get from out-of-town visitors relates to celebrity-owned restaurants in New York City. Seems like everyone’s eager to eat at one of these famous joints while visiting the Big Apple. So, I thought it’d be fun to roundup the most exciting celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC, let’s dive in!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Celebrity-Owned Restaurants in NYC
Table of Contents: Restaurants Celebrities Own in NYC
Table of contents: Restaurants in NYC Owned by Famous People
- Celebrity-Owned Restaurants in NYC
- Owned by Robert De Niro: Laconda Verde, Nobu & Tribeca Grill
- Owned by Michael Imperioli: Scarlet Lounge
- Owned by Hugh Jackman: Laughing Man Cafe
- Owned by Zach Braff: Mermaid Oyster Bar
- Owned by Lady Gaga’s Family: Joanne Trattoria
- Owned by Henrik Lundqvist: Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs
- Co-Owned by Piper Perabo: Jack’s Wife Freda
- Owned by Nicholas Braun: Jac’s on Bond
- Owned by Buddy Valastro: Carlo’s Bakery
- Restaurants Owned by Celebrities in NYC (Post Summary)
- Restaurants in NYC Owned By Famous People (Map)
Owned by Robert De Niro: Laconda Verde, Nobu & Tribeca Grill
Robert De Niro probably needs to introduction. The famous actor has a big presence in the city’s dining scene. He’s responsible for several celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC, most famously the Tribeca Grill, which opened in 1990. The joint is best known for upscale American cuisine and swanky ambiance, not to mention a top-notch wine list.
But the party doesn’t stop there. De Niro also co-owns Nobu, a popular Japanese restaurant locals can’t get enough of, the restaurant is a hotbed for celebrity sightings. Seems like nobody can resist Nobu’s signature black cod with miso.
Additionally, the Oscar winner has a stake in the Greenwich Hotel, which is home to Locanda Verde, a charming Italian restaurant. Needless to say, there’s no shortage of De Niro-owned restaurants to dine at while visiting NYC.
Locals Tip: Laconda Verde is also home to some of the best brunch in Tribeca.
Owned by Michael Imperioli: Scarlet Lounge
Address: 468 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
If you’re a fan of Sopranos, you might better know Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti, Tony’s reckless nephew who constantly kept us on our toes. Imperioli recently opened up a ritzy cocktail bar on the Upper West Side, alongside his wife. Opened in 2023, this is one of the newest celebrity-owned restaurants in New York City.
The Scarlet Lounge offers exciting cocktails in a warm atmosphere adorned with red and gold accents throughout. Fans of Imperioli can expect playful drinks like the White Lotus (a nod to his role as Dominic Di Grasso in season 2) and the Scarlet Letter (a tribute to the bar’s name).
With an intimate and alluring ambiance, the lounge pays meticulous attention to detail, evident in features such as the city skyline mural and wall decals. When it comes to food, you can’t go wrong ordering lamb chop lollipops and truffle fries. While the food is excellent, the real highlight is the drinks.
Owned by Hugh Jackman: Laughing Man Cafe
Website: Laughing Man Cafe
Address: 184 Duane St, New York, NY 10013
Hugh Jackman co-founded the Laughing Man Cafe back in 2011. Named after a brand of tea from Jackman’s native Australia, the cafe strives to support coffee farmers and community development projects worldwide. Jackman’s involvement in the cafe was inspired by a trip to Ethiopia where he met a coffee farmer named Dukale.
Since then, Jackman has opened one of the best coffee shops in Tribeca while trying to address a larger issue. A portion of the proceeds goes towards programs aimed at building a sustainable life for farmers and their families, making it more than just a celebrity-owned restaurant in NYC. This coffee shop is where your money goes towards a bigger cause, so you can feel good about supporting it.
Owned by Zach Braff: Mermaid Oyster Bar
Website: Mermaid Oyster Bar
Address: 89 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
Zach Braff partnered with a childhood friend-turned-chef to open Mermaid Oyster Bar, one of NYC’s top happy hour spots. Braff gained fame through his role on “Scrubs,” but he’s also known for being a writer and director.
The celebrity-owned restaurant focuses on fresh seafood dishes. Located in the West Village, the joint is seldom empty. The headliner is the $1.25 oyster special on happy hour (minimum order of 6). Pair the $6 happy hour beer with the salmon tartare and you’ll see why locals consider this one of the best celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC.
Owned by Lady Gaga’s Family: Joanne Trattoria
Website: Joanne Trattoria
Address: 70 W 68th St, New York, NY 10023
Lady Gaga’s family owns Joanne Trattoria, an Italian restaurant located on the Upper West Side. Named after her late aunt, the restaurant is inspired by Gaga’s family recipes and Italian heritage.
While Lady Gaga has mentioned the restaurant in interviews (and has been spotted dinning inside), her involvement seems to be more of a personal connection and endorsement rather than direct ownership or management.
Although not officially a celebrity-owned restaurant in New York City, its familial connection to Lady Gaga makes it a natural addition to our list.
Owned by Henrik Lundqvist: Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs
Website: Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs
Address: 135 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Henrik Lundqvist, the former NHL goaltender, and his wife, Therese, are the owners of Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs. The celebrity-owned restaurant is often considered one of the cutest restaurants in NYC.
Lundqvist’s involvement extends beyond ownership; he’s been actively engaged in the restaurant’s operations and has contributed to its success. Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs is known for American fare, including brunch, lunch, and dinner options, as well as its charming ambiance.
Co-Owned by Piper Perabo: Jack’s Wife Freda
Website: Jack’s Wife Freda
Address: Multiple locations
Jack’s Wife Freda is a popular NYC restaurant known for its cozy atmosphere and Mediterranean-inspired menu. Founded by Dean and Maya Jankelowitz, the restaurant pays tribute to Dean’s grandparents, Jack and Freda.
And while those names might not sound familiar, the reason Jack’s Wife Freda made our list of celebrity-owned restaurants in NYC is thanks to co-owner Piper Perabo. Perabo is best known for roles as Annie Walker in Covert Affairs and Violet Sanford in Coyote Ugly.
Perabo befriended the Jankelowitz, who had previous restaurant experience, Maya was the maître d’ of Balthazars and Dean was the maître d’ of Schiller’s. When they shared their plans to start their own venture, Perabo was eager to join them.
Now almost a decade later with five locations, Jack’s Wife Freda has grown to be an incredible success, attracting locals and visitors seeking delicious meals in a welcoming setting.
Owned by Nicholas Braun: Jac’s on Bond
Website: Jac’s on Bond
Address: 26 Bond St, New York, NY 10012
You might know Nicholas Braun as cousin Greg from Succession. However, the staff at Jac’s on Bond in NoHo call him “boss.” The intimate cocktail bar has a sophisticated vibe, with plush velvet booths and rustic cellar-esque stonework. Polished but still casual, Jac’s on Bond is a perfect first date spot.
There’s a lot of standing room (there’s even a pool table!), but only a few tables available for those who want a meal. Speaking of which, this popular celebrity owned restaurant in NYC has a small menu with items like meatball skewers and light bites. I strongly recommend making reservations ahead of time, especially on the weekends when the subterranean bar swells with locals.
Owned by Buddy Valastro: Carlo’s Bakery
Website: Carlo’s Bakery
Address: 625 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Buddy Valastro, the famous baker and star of TLC’s “Cake Boss,” is closely involved with Carlo’s Bakery. As the owner and face of the celebrity-owned bakery, Buddy has brought his family’s baking legacy to the forefront, creating a beloved institution known for its delectable cakes, pastries, and other sweet treats.
Carlo’s Bakery, originally established by Buddy’s father, has expanded from its flagship location in Hoboken, New Jersey, to include multiple locations across the country. Buddy’s hands-on approach, innovative baking techniques, and charismatic personality have contributed to the bakery’s continued success which makes this one of the most popular celebrity-owned spots in NYC.
Restaurants Owned by Celebrities in NYC (Post Summary)
- Laconda Verde
- Nobu
- Scarlet
- Laughing Man Cafe
- Mermaid Oyster Bar
- Joanne Trattoria
- Tiny’s and the Bar Upstairs
- Jack’s Wife Freda
- Jac’s on Bond
- Carlo’s Bakery
Restaurants in NYC Owned By Famous People (Map)
And there you have it, a list of celebrity-owned restaurants in New York City, if you think we missed a spot leave it in the comments below!
Cheers.
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