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Women-led restaurants, bakeries and bottle shops in Toronto
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Women-led restaurants, bakeries and bottle shops in Toronto
In honour of International Women's Day, we want to spotlight a handful of successful women in Toronto's hospitality industry. These chefs, restaurateurs and owners are not just great female business owners; they are great business owners, no need for the female delineation. From seasoned icons with years of experience under their belt to first-time owners, these women are all doing something outstanding for Toronto's hospitality industry, whether that be leading the charge on informing the community on wine or opening an empire of successful restaurants.
Below is a list of 15 women-led restaurants, bakeries and bottle shops in Toronto.
Liberty Village
85 Hanna Ave #104
Mildred's Temple Kitchen
Breakfast & Brunch
Since 1989, Donna Dooher has been overseeing the kitchen at Mildred's Temple Kitchen, which arguably has one of Toronto's most iconic dishes -- Mrs. Biederhof's Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes. A celebrated chef, author and restaurateur, Dooher co-owns Mildred's with Kevin Gallagher.
Mildred's Temple Kitchen
Liberty Village
85 Hanna Ave #104
Since 1989, Donna Dooher has been overseeing the kitchen at Mildred's Temple Kitchen, which arguably has one of Toronto's most iconic dishes -- Mrs. Biederhof's Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes. A celebrated chef, author and restaurateur, Dooher co-owns Mildred's with Kevin Gallagher.
Breakfast & Brunch
Downtown
326 Adelaide St W
Kiin
Thai
Chef Nuit Regular is no stranger to the Toronto food scene. A prominent chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality, Nuit is an integral member of our city's hospitality industry. Kiin -- which is owned and founded by chef Nuit Regular and her husband, Jeff Regular -- showcases Thailand's diverse regional cuisines.
Kiin
Downtown
326 Adelaide St W
Chef Nuit Regular is no stranger to the Toronto food scene. A prominent chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality, Nuit is an integral member of our city's hospitality industry. Kiin -- which is owned and founded by chef Nuit Regular and her husband, Jeff Regular -- showcases Thailand's diverse regional cuisines.
Thai
Scarborough
4915 Steeles Ave E #8
El Habanero & Churrobar
Partners and owners Michelle and Angel Videaux Mencias initially started the business as an authentic Cuban catering company. Following their business taking off, the duo launched a successful mobile churro bar and eventually opened a brick-and-mortar shop in 2018. Michelle leads up overall business development and is backed up by years of experience, including a prominent role at CTV News, which she resigned from to dedicate 100% of her time to El Habanero & Churrobar, which worked, since shortly after, The McEwan Group started retailing their Gourmet Churro Cakes!
El Habanero & Churrobar
Scarborough
4915 Steeles Ave E #8
Partners and owners Michelle and Angel Videaux Mencias initially started the business as an authentic Cuban catering company. Following their business taking off, the duo launched a successful mobile churro bar and eventually opened a brick-and-mortar shop in 2018. Michelle leads up overall business development and is backed up by years of experience, including a prominent role at CTV News, which she resigned from to dedicate 100% of her time to El Habanero & Churrobar, which worked, since shortly after, The McEwan Group started retailing their Gourmet Churro Cakes!
King East
47 Front St E
Fresh - King East
Vegan
Founded in 1999 by Ruth Tal as a juice bar, Fresh Restaurants has pioneered plant-based eating in the GTA and has gone on to open 10 locations, with one restaurant even in Los Angeles. Both Ruth Tal and Jennifer Houston, who is the co-owner and executive chef of Fresh Restaurants, have an undeniable love for what they do and are only continuing to grow the Fresh brand.
Fresh - King East
King East
47 Front St E
Founded in 1999 by Ruth Tal as a juice bar, Fresh Restaurants has pioneered plant-based eating in the GTA and has gone on to open 10 locations, with one restaurant even in Los Angeles. Both Ruth Tal and Jennifer Houston, who is the co-owner and executive chef of Fresh Restaurants, have an undeniable love for what they do and are only continuing to grow the Fresh brand.
Vegan
East Danforth
1912 Danforth Ave
Mary's Brigadeiro
Chocolate
Mary Oliveira owns and runs this specialty chocolate shop on the Danforth. Originally from Brazil, Oliveira opened Mary's Brigadeiro back in 2014 in the hopes of sharing Brazil's sweet confection with the people of Toronto. Brigadeiro, a composition of sweetened condensed milk, real butter, pure cocoa powder and fine chocolate, comes in various flavours and is a must-try for anyone with a love for chocolate.
Mary's Brigadeiro
East Danforth
1912 Danforth Ave
Mary Oliveira owns and runs this specialty chocolate shop on the Danforth. Originally from Brazil, Oliveira opened Mary's Brigadeiro back in 2014 in the hopes of sharing Brazil's sweet confection with the people of Toronto. Brigadeiro, a composition of sweetened condensed milk, real butter, pure cocoa powder and fine chocolate, comes in various flavours and is a must-try for anyone with a love for chocolate.
Chocolate
Danforth Village
596 Danforth Ave
Simone's Caribbean Restaurant
Caribbean
This Jamaican restaurant in Greektown doles out succulent and spicy jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish and curry, all under Simone Lawrence's ownership (with guidance from her mother, Donna Ogilvie, who helps in the kitchen).
Simone's Caribbean Restaurant
Danforth Village
596 Danforth Ave
This Jamaican restaurant in Greektown doles out succulent and spicy jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish and curry, all under Simone Lawrence's ownership (with guidance from her mother, Donna Ogilvie, who helps in the kitchen).
Caribbean
Downtown
149 Dundas St W
Kimchi Korea House
Korean
This beloved Downtown Toronto Korean restaurant is owned by Michelle Lee, who has several years of experience working in the hospitality industry. Besides running the restaurant, Lee also sells her homemade kimchi, Mama Lee’s Mak Kimchi.
Kimchi Korea House
Downtown
149 Dundas St W
This beloved Downtown Toronto Korean restaurant is owned by Michelle Lee, who has several years of experience working in the hospitality industry. Besides running the restaurant, Lee also sells her homemade kimchi, Mama Lee’s Mak Kimchi.
Korean
Yorkville
120 Avenue Rd
Sotto Sotto
Italian
Since 1993, when Marisa Rocca founded the Sotto Sotto team, this Italian restaurant has grown into a Toronto institution, from an expansion to Oakville to holding the title of one of Drake's favourite Toronto restaurants.
Sotto Sotto
Yorkville
120 Avenue Rd
Since 1993, when Marisa Rocca founded the Sotto Sotto team, this Italian restaurant has grown into a Toronto institution, from an expansion to Oakville to holding the title of one of Drake's favourite Toronto restaurants.
Italian
Yorkville
158 Cumberland St
Bar Reyna
Mediterranean
The popular Mediterranean snack and cocktail bar, Bar Reyna and Reyna on King is owned by Nicki Laborie, who also founded ViewtheVibe.com. Laborie has a background in media and PR and has worked in several cities before landing back in Toronto to oversee the opening and execution of Reyna.
Bar Reyna
Yorkville
158 Cumberland St
The popular Mediterranean snack and cocktail bar, Bar Reyna and Reyna on King is owned by Nicki Laborie, who also founded ViewtheVibe.com. Laborie has a background in media and PR and has worked in several cities before landing back in Toronto to oversee the opening and execution of Reyna.
Mediterranean
Downtown
364 Adelaide St W
Tutti Matti
Tuscan
Chef and owner Alida Solomon has been at the helm of Tutti Matti since 2002 and has since received countless awards and recognition, including the "L'Eccio D'Oro" for Osteria of the Year (an award previously won by Alain Ducasse). The chef opened Tutti Matti after spending six years living and cooking in Tuscany kitchens and wanted to bring the regional cuisine to Toronto. Solomon has become a notable figure in Canada's food scene, making several appearances on the Food Network and inspiring young cooks that follow in her footsteps.
Tutti Matti
Downtown
364 Adelaide St W
Chef and owner Alida Solomon has been at the helm of Tutti Matti since 2002 and has since received countless awards and recognition, including the "L'Eccio D'Oro" for Osteria of the Year (an award previously won by Alain Ducasse). The chef opened Tutti Matti after spending six years living and cooking in Tuscany kitchens and wanted to bring the regional cuisine to Toronto. Solomon has become a notable figure in Canada's food scene, making several appearances on the Food Network and inspiring young cooks that follow in her footsteps.
Tuscan
Kensington Market
199 Augusta Ave
Grey Gardens
Eclectic
Restaurateur and author Jen Agg has a track record of launching successful new restaurants and bars. Responsible for Grey Gardens, Bar Vendetta, Rhum Corner, Le Swan and Cocktail Bar, Agg consistently delivers unique concepts and fresh menus.
Grey Gardens
Kensington Market
199 Augusta Ave
Restaurateur and author Jen Agg has a track record of launching successful new restaurants and bars. Responsible for Grey Gardens, Bar Vendetta, Rhum Corner, Le Swan and Cocktail Bar, Agg consistently delivers unique concepts and fresh menus.
Eclectic
Corktown
501 King St E
Gusto 501
Italian
Gusto 54 CEO and owner Janet Zuccarini is nothing short of a seasoned hospitality expert. With several restaurant concepts under her guidance, such as Gusto 501, Gusto 101, Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen and the newly opened Azhar, Zuccarini's projects execute menu, decor and ambiance to a high level of excellence. Besides building a restaurant empire, Zuccarini also holds a seat as a Top Chef Canada judge.
Gusto 501
Corktown
501 King St E
Gusto 54 CEO and owner Janet Zuccarini is nothing short of a seasoned hospitality expert. With several restaurant concepts under her guidance, such as Gusto 501, Gusto 101, Chubby's Jamaican Kitchen and the newly opened Azhar, Zuccarini's projects execute menu, decor and ambiance to a high level of excellence. Besides building a restaurant empire, Zuccarini also holds a seat as a Top Chef Canada judge.
Italian
Danforth Village
699 Danforth Ave
SugarKane Restaurant
Caribbean
This Danforth neighbourhood eatery, dishing out Caribbean and Cajun fare, is run by business partners and sisters Nicole, Renée and Donna. The sisters have poured their savings and not to mention their souls into the passion project and are dedicated to serving the community.
SugarKane Restaurant
Danforth Village
699 Danforth Ave
This Danforth neighbourhood eatery, dishing out Caribbean and Cajun fare, is run by business partners and sisters Nicole, Renée and Donna. The sisters have poured their savings and not to mention their souls into the passion project and are dedicated to serving the community.
Caribbean
Dundas West
1247 Dundas St W
Grape Witches
Talk about a powerhouse duo. Nicole Campbell and Krysta Oben, or more widely known as The Grape Witches, took their popular Instagram account and informative wine club and tastings and opened up a brick-and-mortar bottle shop and wine bar on Dundas West. The women are spearheading the natural wine movement and the surge of interest in low intervention wines within the community through virtual tastings, wine pack drops and an overall unpretentious approach to wine.
Grape Witches
Dundas West
1247 Dundas St W
Talk about a powerhouse duo. Nicole Campbell and Krysta Oben, or more widely known as The Grape Witches, took their popular Instagram account and informative wine club and tastings and opened up a brick-and-mortar bottle shop and wine bar on Dundas West. The women are spearheading the natural wine movement and the surge of interest in low intervention wines within the community through virtual tastings, wine pack drops and an overall unpretentious approach to wine.
Barbershop Patisserie
Owned by pastry chef Jill Barber, Barbershop Patisserie opened only a few months ago but has quickly become a favourite for those seeking out unbelievably flaky pastries, cakes, cookies and sausage rolls. Barber is a seasoned industry vet with more than 14 years of experience under her belt; the chef previously worked as a pastry chef for Paradise on Bloor Group and was the head of the pastry department at Blackbird Baking Co.
Barbershop Patisserie
Owned by pastry chef Jill Barber, Barbershop Patisserie opened only a few months ago but has quickly become a favourite for those seeking out unbelievably flaky pastries, cakes, cookies and sausage rolls. Barber is a seasoned industry vet with more than 14 years of experience under her belt; the chef previously worked as a pastry chef for Paradise on Bloor Group and was the head of the pastry department at Blackbird Baking Co.