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Explore the Best Women-Led Restaurants in Canada for 2019

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by The OpenTable Team
Updated February 03, 2023
If you follow Canada's culinary scene, you're probably familiar with Chef Alida Solomon, Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg, and television star Ivana Raca. There are many more women in Canada's restaurant scene who are true culinary stars, and their fierce spirit and dedication to hospitality deserve recognition. In honor of International Women’s Day, OpenTable is celebrating the talented women on the front lines of the food scene. From Montreal to Toronto to Calgary, Canada's women deserve to take center stage. Diners are welcome to book a seat and experience for themselves why these female chefs, owners, and operators are rocking Canadian kitchens.
Tutti Matti
4.9 (1330)
CAN$51 and over
Italian
Entertainment District
Traditional Tuscan cuisine is at the heart of Adelaide Street's Tutti Matti, where Chef Alida Solomon has been at the helm for over 17 years. Early in her career, Chef Solomon studied in Italy as a young apprentice who intended to only stay for six months, but instead remained for six and a half years. The Tuscan approach to food — local, seasonal, and screamingly fresh — was the inspiration for Tutti Matti's menu. House-made pastas and breads, and proteins like wild boar and rabbit are utilized when in season. Chef Solomon's approach to food at Tutti Matti is the same as what she witnessed in Tuscany: eat fresh, eat seasonally, and eat local not because it's trendy, but because that's what tastes best.
Top review
Donna
Dined on May 8, 2025
Always a warm welcome and delish food and drink. Thank you Alida and team Tutti Matti for the stellar hospitality.
Traditional Tuscan cuisine is at the heart of Adelaide Street's Tutti Matti, where Chef Alida Solomon has been at the helm for over 17 years. Early in her career, Chef Solomon studied in Italy as a young apprentice who intended to only stay for six months, but instead remained for six and a half years. The Tuscan approach to food — local, seasonal, and screamingly fresh — was the inspiration for Tutti Matti's menu. House-made pastas and breads, and proteins like wild boar and rabbit are utilized when in season. Chef Solomon's approach to food at Tutti Matti is the same as what she witnessed in Tuscany: eat fresh, eat seasonally, and eat local not because it's trendy, but because that's what tastes best.
Top review
Donna
Dined on May 8, 2025
Always a warm welcome and delish food and drink. Thank you Alida and team Tutti Matti for the stellar hospitality.
Grey Gardens
4.8 (1275)
CAN$51 and over
Contemporary American
Chinatown / Kensington Market
Eclectic and funky Kensington Market is home to a variety of specialty grocery stores and vintage clothing shops all with an urban edge. Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg, whose other ventures notably include the Black Hoof, Cocktail Bar, and Rhum Corner, opened Grey Gardens in Kensington in 2017 after noticing a void in the city's dining scene: a wine bar with outstanding food. Agg carefully chose the interior decor to have stark contrasts between vintage and modern, and comfort and elegance, much like the dichotomy of the neighborhood itself. She has also entered the literary world with her novel, I Hear She's a Real Bitch, which tackles misogyny and sexism in the restaurant world.
Top review
DougVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Just about a perfect evening - really loved every aspect of the night!
Eclectic and funky Kensington Market is home to a variety of specialty grocery stores and vintage clothing shops all with an urban edge. Toronto restaurateur Jen Agg, whose other ventures notably include the Black Hoof, Cocktail Bar, and Rhum Corner, opened Grey Gardens in Kensington in 2017 after noticing a void in the city's dining scene: a wine bar with outstanding food. Agg carefully chose the interior decor to have stark contrasts between vintage and modern, and comfort and elegance, much like the dichotomy of the neighborhood itself. She has also entered the literary world with her novel, I Hear She's a Real Bitch, which tackles misogyny and sexism in the restaurant world.
Top review
DougVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Just about a perfect evening - really loved every aspect of the night!
Graziella Restaurant
4.7 (1266)
CAN$51 and over
Italian
Old Montreal
Chef Graziella Battista of eponymous restaurant Graziella credits her mother as the inspiration behind her restaurant. She recalls seeing her mother feed large groups of people, and the sense of gratitude and satisfaction of the people on the receiving end of her meals. The open kitchen at Graziella allows Chef Battista to experience the same view of her patrons as they enjoy what she's created. Dishes such as grilled octopus and squid ink brioche, lemon-basil ricotta gnocchi, and braised milk-fed veal shank highlight the chef's love of classic Italian cuisine while also showing a deft hand in the kitchen.
Top review
Margaux
Dined 3 days ago
It was great. Fish was amaze. Would totally go back
Chef Graziella Battista of eponymous restaurant Graziella credits her mother as the inspiration behind her restaurant. She recalls seeing her mother feed large groups of people, and the sense of gratitude and satisfaction of the people on the receiving end of her meals. The open kitchen at Graziella allows Chef Battista to experience the same view of her patrons as they enjoy what she's created. Dishes such as grilled octopus and squid ink brioche, lemon-basil ricotta gnocchi, and braised milk-fed veal shank highlight the chef's love of classic Italian cuisine while also showing a deft hand in the kitchen.
Top review
Margaux
Dined 3 days ago
It was great. Fish was amaze. Would totally go back
Helena
4.8 (1971)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Portuguese
Old Montreal
Montreal's Old Neighborhood houses Helena, a love letter to the cuisine of Portugal. Chef and owner Helena Loureiro pays homage to her Portuguese upbringing with the restaurant that bears her name. A bright celebration of wines, small plates, meats, soups, and salads, Helena invites guests to share plates, conversation, and laughs. This aligns with Chef Helena's philosophy of food bringing people together in a warm environment. Priding herself on fresh ingredients, Chef Helena features daily catches from Portugal, as well as local meats such as a grilled Quebec rack of lamb.
Top review
MackVIP
Dined on May 8, 2025
We had a fantastic night at Helena celebrating my son’s graduation. The service surpassed our expectations. Our waiter made our celebration impeccable.
Montreal's Old Neighborhood houses Helena, a love letter to the cuisine of Portugal. Chef and owner Helena Loureiro pays homage to her Portuguese upbringing with the restaurant that bears her name. A bright celebration of wines, small plates, meats, soups, and salads, Helena invites guests to share plates, conversation, and laughs. This aligns with Chef Helena's philosophy of food bringing people together in a warm environment. Priding herself on fresh ingredients, Chef Helena features daily catches from Portugal, as well as local meats such as a grilled Quebec rack of lamb.
Top review
MackVIP
Dined on May 8, 2025
We had a fantastic night at Helena celebrating my son’s graduation. The service surpassed our expectations. Our waiter made our celebration impeccable.
Île Flottante
4.8 (2054)
CAN$51 and over
International
Mile End
The remodeled Ille Flottante, formerly Les Deux Singes de Montarvie, is one of the most prestigious and highly regarded restaurants in Montreal. This is thanks to chef and owner Nada Abou Younes' desire to put her own finishing touches on both the decor and the menu of the restaurant that she took over. The result? Ille Flottante, a restaurant with a three-, five-, or seven-course tasting menu complete with an expert wine pairing. The restaurant represents a dream come true for Chef Younes, whose strict father discouraged her foray into a professional kitchen. Young Younes began cooking at Les Deux, and when the opportunity arose, she was able to purchase the restaurant and change its name — with the help of her father, now her biggest supporter.
Top review
BrendanVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Amazing food with some of the best vegetables we've ever tasted, service was friendly and knowledgeable, restaurant gets pretty loud quickly not in a bad way.
The remodeled Ille Flottante, formerly Les Deux Singes de Montarvie, is one of the most prestigious and highly regarded restaurants in Montreal. This is thanks to chef and owner Nada Abou Younes' desire to put her own finishing touches on both the decor and the menu of the restaurant that she took over. The result? Ille Flottante, a restaurant with a three-, five-, or seven-course tasting menu complete with an expert wine pairing. The restaurant represents a dream come true for Chef Younes, whose strict father discouraged her foray into a professional kitchen. Young Younes began cooking at Les Deux, and when the opportunity arose, she was able to purchase the restaurant and change its name — with the help of her father, now her biggest supporter.
Top review
BrendanVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Amazing food with some of the best vegetables we've ever tasted, service was friendly and knowledgeable, restaurant gets pretty loud quickly not in a bad way.
CHARCUT
4.5 (4291)
CAN$30 and under
Contemporary Canadian
Downtown
Chef and owner of Charcut, Connie DeSousa, was a contestant on Season One of Top Chef Canada, as well as Top Chef All-Stars. Her dedication to the precision and artistry of dance at a young age follows her in the kitchen, where her butchery skills are at the core of Charcut's meat-centric menu. Dubbed "the primal ballerina," Chef DeSousa was able to work under Alice Waters at Berkeley's Chez Panisse, which also influenced her style of cuisine. On the menu at Charcut, diners will find house-made sausages, poultry, and beef roasted in the restaurant's custom-built rotisserie, and a handcrafted charcuterie eating bar.
Top review
Pete
Dined 7 days ago
Food was very tasty and good value as well. Service was excellent. Our young waiter, Phoenix, was knowledgeable, attentive and personable. He was kind and polite too. When we left, he hurried to hold the doors open for my mother in law.
Chef and owner of Charcut, Connie DeSousa, was a contestant on Season One of Top Chef Canada, as well as Top Chef All-Stars. Her dedication to the precision and artistry of dance at a young age follows her in the kitchen, where her butchery skills are at the core of Charcut's meat-centric menu. Dubbed "the primal ballerina," Chef DeSousa was able to work under Alice Waters at Berkeley's Chez Panisse, which also influenced her style of cuisine. On the menu at Charcut, diners will find house-made sausages, poultry, and beef roasted in the restaurant's custom-built rotisserie, and a handcrafted charcuterie eating bar.
Top review
Pete
Dined 7 days ago
Food was very tasty and good value as well. Service was excellent. Our young waiter, Phoenix, was knowledgeable, attentive and personable. He was kind and polite too. When we left, he hurried to hold the doors open for my mother in law.
Donna Mac
4.6 (570)
CAN$30 and under
Contemporary Canadian
Calgary
Donna Mac's co-owner Amy Turner has been churning out grandma-style classic dishes with modern touches at the Beltline restaurant in Calgary. The name of the restaurant comes from Turner's grandmother, a resourceful mother of six who knew how to hunt, kept a garden, and was able to make masterful meals out of limited means. Turner's goal for the restaurant is for diners to have a new appreciation for all parts of animals, fruits, and vegetables, even the bits and scraps that one often overlooks.
Top review
KennethVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Food is very interesting with great flavour Great service
Donna Mac's co-owner Amy Turner has been churning out grandma-style classic dishes with modern touches at the Beltline restaurant in Calgary. The name of the restaurant comes from Turner's grandmother, a resourceful mother of six who knew how to hunt, kept a garden, and was able to make masterful meals out of limited means. Turner's goal for the restaurant is for diners to have a new appreciation for all parts of animals, fruits, and vegetables, even the bits and scraps that one often overlooks.
Top review
KennethVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Food is very interesting with great flavour Great service
Ten Foot Henry
4.9 (6513)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary Canadian
Calgary
One of Calgary's most popular casual eateries, Ten Foot Henry was launched by co-owners Aja Lapointe and Stephen Smee. A true neighborhood restaurant that is open all day, Lapointe wanted to create a space that was vegetable-heavy in a city that's surrounded by cattle country. The balance that was created by Lapoint and her chef-husband Smee is a menu that has dishes that are not only healthy, but also leave diners coming back for more. Chargrilled carrots with salsa verde and jerk spice cauliflower are a few of the options that Lapointe serves to Calgary guests to balance out the meat-centered offerings found across the city.
Top review
TanyaVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Great food and service! Wonderful date night spot
One of Calgary's most popular casual eateries, Ten Foot Henry was launched by co-owners Aja Lapointe and Stephen Smee. A true neighborhood restaurant that is open all day, Lapointe wanted to create a space that was vegetable-heavy in a city that's surrounded by cattle country. The balance that was created by Lapoint and her chef-husband Smee is a menu that has dishes that are not only healthy, but also leave diners coming back for more. Chargrilled carrots with salsa verde and jerk spice cauliflower are a few of the options that Lapointe serves to Calgary guests to balance out the meat-centered offerings found across the city.
Top review
TanyaVIP
Dined 1 day ago
Great food and service! Wonderful date night spot
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine (fka Zest Restaurant)
4.8 (1316)
CAN$51 and over
Japanese
Kitsilano
~ STORY OF YUWA JAPANESE CUISINE ~

Chef Masahiro Omori is the Executive Chef / Co-owner of Yuwa Japanese Cuisine who was born and raised in Chiba, Japan. His grandmother "YUWA" passionately owned a fish market in Chiba, Japan for over 50 years. Yuwa's dedication to her craft deeply touched Chef Omori and he lovingly brings her spirit forward with his professional experience at a well-known long-established Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.

Chef Masahiro Omori brings specialized regional dishes from across Japan taking advantage of the highest quality, freshest local BC ingredients. These can all be paired with our specialized selection of wines and sake.
Top review
BarbaraVIP
Dined 1 day ago
The food was delicious and artistically presented. A total delight.
~ STORY OF YUWA JAPANESE CUISINE ~

Chef Masahiro Omori is the Executive Chef / Co-owner of Yuwa Japanese Cuisine who was born and raised in Chiba, Japan. His grandmother "YUWA" passionately owned a fish market in Chiba, Japan for over 50 years. Yuwa's dedication to her craft deeply touched Chef Omori and he lovingly brings her spirit forward with his professional experience at a well-known long-established Kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo, Japan.

Chef Masahiro Omori brings specialized regional dishes from across Japan taking advantage of the highest quality, freshest local BC ingredients. These can all be paired with our specialized selection of wines and sake.
Top review
BarbaraVIP
Dined 1 day ago
The food was delicious and artistically presented. A total delight.
Deane House
4.7 (2035)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Inglewood
A collection of beautifully curated rooms, each with its own unique character, set the stage for a Canadian culinary journey at Deane House. In the dining room, library, bar and gardens, we guide guests on a seasonal, regional exploration. Enjoy dinner and weekend brunch in Inglewood, 5 minutes from Calgary's city centre.
Top review
Emma
Dined 3 days ago
My mom and I went for afternoon tea for a late Mother’s Day present and it was spectacular. The service was stellar, the food was incredible (the scones were fresh and the cucumber sandwich was to die for!), and the overall ambience and character of the Deane House is unrivalled. Can imagine choosing The Deane House for many future events and celebrations!
A collection of beautifully curated rooms, each with its own unique character, set the stage for a Canadian culinary journey at Deane House. In the dining room, library, bar and gardens, we guide guests on a seasonal, regional exploration. Enjoy dinner and weekend brunch in Inglewood, 5 minutes from Calgary's city centre.
Top review
Emma
Dined 3 days ago
My mom and I went for afternoon tea for a late Mother’s Day present and it was spectacular. The service was stellar, the food was incredible (the scones were fresh and the cucumber sandwich was to die for!), and the overall ambience and character of the Deane House is unrivalled. Can imagine choosing The Deane House for many future events and celebrations!
River Café
4.7 (4924)
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Canadian
Calgary
An extraordinary dining experience is a journey—one of taste, place, and connection.
We've created a beautiful space in a remarkable setting, where every detail is designed to make you feel at home. Our passionate chefs craft menus rooted in regional, seasonal ingredients, offering a true taste of place, while our caring team ensures every moment feels special.
Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, we are proud to be a regular on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and France’s World's Best Restaurants 'La Liste', in addition to enRoute and Avenue Magazine’s best restaurants year after year.
Step into our warm wooden interior, relax by the inviting stone fireplace, or dine al fresco on our serene, water-facing patio. Surrounded by lush gardens and open green space, we also offer seasonal picnic baskets for those seeking a more leisurely experience.
Top review
ChristopherVIP
Dined 2 days ago
River Cafe was absolutely delightful. It's setting in Prince's Island Park makes it a real experience because you have to park in a city lot or on the street and then walk about 10 minutes into the park to get to the restaurant (hint: street parking is free after 6pm, so plan your reservation accordingly), so there is a kind of built-in "chill time" before you even walk through the impressive front doors. The setting is mountain cabin kitsch, the service is casual but very professional, and the food is simply excellent. Have a cocktail, peruse the impressive wine list (with a healthy Canadian component), for God's sake get the pea agnolotti, tuck in to the delicious and imaginative entrees and all will be well.
An extraordinary dining experience is a journey—one of taste, place, and connection.
We've created a beautiful space in a remarkable setting, where every detail is designed to make you feel at home. Our passionate chefs craft menus rooted in regional, seasonal ingredients, offering a true taste of place, while our caring team ensures every moment feels special.
Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, we are proud to be a regular on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and France’s World's Best Restaurants 'La Liste', in addition to enRoute and Avenue Magazine’s best restaurants year after year.
Step into our warm wooden interior, relax by the inviting stone fireplace, or dine al fresco on our serene, water-facing patio. Surrounded by lush gardens and open green space, we also offer seasonal picnic baskets for those seeking a more leisurely experience.
Top review
ChristopherVIP
Dined 2 days ago
River Cafe was absolutely delightful. It's setting in Prince's Island Park makes it a real experience because you have to park in a city lot or on the street and then walk about 10 minutes into the park to get to the restaurant (hint: street parking is free after 6pm, so plan your reservation accordingly), so there is a kind of built-in "chill time" before you even walk through the impressive front doors. The setting is mountain cabin kitsch, the service is casual but very professional, and the food is simply excellent. Have a cocktail, peruse the impressive wine list (with a healthy Canadian component), for God's sake get the pea agnolotti, tuck in to the delicious and imaginative entrees and all will be well.
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