Explore the Best Women-Led Restaurants in Houston for 2019
by The OpenTable Team
Updated February 03, 2023
March 8th is International Women’s Day. In celebration, we created a list featuring some of the most exceptional women in Houston’s culinary scene. A hotbed for Tex-Mex and vibrant flavors, this big southern city’s very influenced by its diverse residents and a promise that everything’s bigger in Texas. Next time you’re in town, we invite you to celebrate women (and eat something delicious) at one of these top spots.
4.7 (1092)
$31 to $50
Mexican
River Oaks
When Armando's opened in 1978, the 1920s made a reappearance. Seen through the lens of Mexico City, this decade enjoyed a vibrant social scene that’s a foundational asset of a meal served here. Cinda Palacios is one half of the power couple behind warm, antique finishes and a fresh, Latin-inspired menu. Her decades of experience in the restaurant industry bring authentic enjoyment to every order of guacamole, enchiladas, Carne guisada, and a host of other menu classics. Her impeccable taste is showcased in the careful selection of antique mirrors and the sunburst lattice ceiling that adorn the interior.
\n Crisp, white tablecloths look welcoming against the deep red draperies, and bona fide Mexican pottery and cookware is on display to reference Cinda's roots and the inspiration behind each dish. Cinda and Armando did not stop with their family-named eatery. These local legends also have a hand in the success of Manditos, Lulus, and Bad Hombres—a slew of other dining spots, each with a unique take on food and a fun, wink-worthy decor.
Top review
M
MarthaVIP
Dined 6 days ago
When Armando's opened in 1978, the 1920s made a reappearance. Seen through the lens of Mexico City, this decade enjoyed a vibrant social scene that’s a foundational asset of a meal served here. Cinda Palacios is one half of the power couple behind warm, antique finishes and a fresh, Latin-inspired menu. Her decades of experience in the restaurant industry bring authentic enjoyment to every order of guacamole, enchiladas, Carne guisada, and a host of other menu classics. Her impeccable taste is showcased in the careful selection of antique mirrors and the sunburst lattice ceiling that adorn the interior.
\n Crisp, white tablecloths look welcoming against the deep red draperies, and bona fide Mexican pottery and cookware is on display to reference Cinda's roots and the inspiration behind each dish. Cinda and Armando did not stop with their family-named eatery. These local legends also have a hand in the success of Manditos, Lulus, and Bad Hombres—a slew of other dining spots, each with a unique take on food and a fun, wink-worthy decor.
Top review
M
MarthaVIP
Dined 6 days ago
4.9 (1936)
$50 and over
Spanish
Bellaire
Angeles Dueñas and Kitty Bailey bring a combined near six decades of expertise to the kitchen and atmosphere at Costa Brava Bistro. Dueñas alone has lived through 30 years in the hospitality industry, with much of it spent in management at the Cordua Group, the parent company behind Churrascos, Americás, and Artista. As she developed her knowledge of restaurant management, she devoted equal time to her love of wine. As a certified sommelier, her educated palate is behind many of the wine selections on the menu, along with thoughtful pairing suggestions to turn an entree into a truly sublime experience.
\n Kitty Bailey, co-owner and leader in the kitchen, has always been a creative soul. Moving from the front of the house at Cent’anni, La Mer, Café Annie, and Abuso Catering Co., Bailey brings an equal amount of experience at the prep counter to the kitchen at Costa Brava Bistro.
\n These two amazing women make up the executive management team at one of Houston's best Spanish restaurants. Costa Brava Bistro is a fine-dining restaurant that uses traditional French cooking techniques to prepare authentic Spanish cuisine like the Angeles Paella or Basque Chicken.
Top review
S
sueVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Angeles Dueñas and Kitty Bailey bring a combined near six decades of expertise to the kitchen and atmosphere at Costa Brava Bistro. Dueñas alone has lived through 30 years in the hospitality industry, with much of it spent in management at the Cordua Group, the parent company behind Churrascos, Americás, and Artista. As she developed her knowledge of restaurant management, she devoted equal time to her love of wine. As a certified sommelier, her educated palate is behind many of the wine selections on the menu, along with thoughtful pairing suggestions to turn an entree into a truly sublime experience.
\n Kitty Bailey, co-owner and leader in the kitchen, has always been a creative soul. Moving from the front of the house at Cent’anni, La Mer, Café Annie, and Abuso Catering Co., Bailey brings an equal amount of experience at the prep counter to the kitchen at Costa Brava Bistro.
\n These two amazing women make up the executive management team at one of Houston's best Spanish restaurants. Costa Brava Bistro is a fine-dining restaurant that uses traditional French cooking techniques to prepare authentic Spanish cuisine like the Angeles Paella or Basque Chicken.
Top review
S
sueVIP
Dined 5 days ago
4.8 (709)
$31 to $50
Mexican / Southwestern
Downtown
Irma Galvan first entered the restaurant scene serving up sandwiches out of an old home. Irma approaches hospitality from a place of deep faith and with a commitment to service. Her sandwich shop rapidly evolved into a Mexican restaurant, serving the same flavors she’d always enjoyed. Galvan's decades spent perfecting her craft in the kitchen received national attention when Irma's took home the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award in 2008. Irma continues on her culinary journey through Irma’s Southwest, adding a fine-dining element to her creations, while still keeping true to her roots. Mexican flavors are at the forefront, with housemade salsas and guacamole delightfully paired with entree plates like wild boar enchiladas. By blending locally-sourced wild game with authentic Mexican dishes, Irma creates a menu that is unique to Texas and an overall Houston favorite.
"\n Mexican flavors are at the forefront, with housemade salsas and guacamole delightfully paired with entree plates like wild boar enchiladas. By blending locally-sourced wild game with authentic Mexican dishes, Irma creates a menu that is unique to Texas and an overall Houston favorite.
Top review
M
Mattpatt
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
Irma Galvan first entered the restaurant scene serving up sandwiches out of an old home. Irma approaches hospitality from a place of deep faith and with a commitment to service. Her sandwich shop rapidly evolved into a Mexican restaurant, serving the same flavors she’d always enjoyed. Galvan's decades spent perfecting her craft in the kitchen received national attention when Irma's took home the James Beard Foundation's America's Classics Award in 2008. Irma continues on her culinary journey through Irma’s Southwest, adding a fine-dining element to her creations, while still keeping true to her roots. Mexican flavors are at the forefront, with housemade salsas and guacamole delightfully paired with entree plates like wild boar enchiladas. By blending locally-sourced wild game with authentic Mexican dishes, Irma creates a menu that is unique to Texas and an overall Houston favorite.
"\n Mexican flavors are at the forefront, with housemade salsas and guacamole delightfully paired with entree plates like wild boar enchiladas. By blending locally-sourced wild game with authentic Mexican dishes, Irma creates a menu that is unique to Texas and an overall Houston favorite.
Top review
M
Mattpatt
Dined on Mar 5, 2025
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4.7 (3856)
$31 to $50
Vietnamese
Galleria / Uptown
Classic French meets Southeast Asia at Le Colonial, a well-known Houston restaurant. Nicole Routhier and Hassan Obaye are the culinary masters behind the menu that delicately balances French cooking with Asian flavors. Routhier developed the first Le Colonial menu, and Obaye continues to reproduce many of those dishes today. Routhier brings a wealth of experience to this menu, as one of the world's most noted experts on Vietnamese cuisine. Her cookbook collection includes titles like, The Foods of Vietnam and Cooking Under Wraps.
Nicole is an avid writer who spends almost as much time describing the process as she does cooking food. Her work is in The New York Times and The Houston Chronicle, along with dozens of food magazines. When Le Colonial was looking for a chef-consultant for their fusion menu, this Houston culinary teacher was an obvious choice. Dishes like the braised sablefish or shaking beef serve classic flavors with a modern twist.
Top review
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 6 days ago
Classic French meets Southeast Asia at Le Colonial, a well-known Houston restaurant. Nicole Routhier and Hassan Obaye are the culinary masters behind the menu that delicately balances French cooking with Asian flavors. Routhier developed the first Le Colonial menu, and Obaye continues to reproduce many of those dishes today. Routhier brings a wealth of experience to this menu, as one of the world's most noted experts on Vietnamese cuisine. Her cookbook collection includes titles like, The Foods of Vietnam and Cooking Under Wraps.
Nicole is an avid writer who spends almost as much time describing the process as she does cooking food. Her work is in The New York Times and The Houston Chronicle, along with dozens of food magazines. When Le Colonial was looking for a chef-consultant for their fusion menu, this Houston culinary teacher was an obvious choice. Dishes like the braised sablefish or shaking beef serve classic flavors with a modern twist.
Top review
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Dined 6 days ago
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