Highlights
- Atlanta saw several Women-Led Restaurants open in 2024
- The women come from diverse backgrounds and have made their presence known in Atalanta’s culinary space.
- Notably, some celebrity-owned restaurants are also part of the list.
The past year saw incredible restaurants led by incredible women open in Atlanta. The culinary space in Atlanta is not new to restaurants that have women leading them. These empowered women have made their mark in Atlanta’s food scene, inspiring many to pursue their dreams.
The Mother and Daughter Duo at Miss Conduck
A Trinidadian Mother and Daughter team from Brooklyn opened a Caribbean fusion restaurant in May this year. Emily James and LaToya Franklyn opened Miss Conduck in what previously was Noni’s location. The name Miss Conduck signifies the perfect woman according to them – a woman who conducts herself well, but also is not afraid to misconduct if you cross her. A woman who is calm, but also speaks up when needed.
The menu includes oxtails, stew chicken, callaloo, macaroni pie, rasta pasta, roti, and curry. They also serve some amazing Caribbean-themed cocktails.
The owners wish to keep the space as somewhere people can come and have a good time. The Restaurant hosts live music, DJs, comedy, karaoke, bingo, trivia, and speed dating events. Moreover, spaces for private events are available in the sports bar, VIP den, formal dining room, and outdoor garden.
The Delight of Delilah’s Everyday Soul
Delilah Winder is already quite famous for her delectable cuisine and amazing aura. Her Restaurant, Delilah’s Everyday Soul, opened its third location at Politan Row in Midtown Atlanta in July 2024. Delilah is known for her original recipes and is even the favorite chef of some celebrities.
Delilah’s specialty is staple southern favorites – her cookbook that contained the recipes for the same is what made her famous. Her signature bone-in fried chicken and fried seafood sandwiches are very much loved.
Recently, Delilah was featured on Netflix’s “Barbeque Showdown”. She has been featured on various media platforms such as the Food Network’s “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”. The Oprah Winfrey Show had called her mac & cheese as the nation’s best mac & cheese.
Anne’s Plantbaed and Her Mission
Anne is a first-generation Nigerian-American woman who has taken the plant-based food scene in Atlanta by storm. She is the Founder and CEO of Plantbaed, a healthy lifestyle brand, and alkaline and whole foods plant-based catering and food delivery company. Her restaurant serves organic and alkaline plant-based dishes that are delicious and healthy at the same time.
Through her brand, Anne aims to inspire and empower everyone to learn to live their best life, through food. She has made it her mission to educate people on the importance of transitioning from the standard American diet.
The signature dishes at Plantbaed include the G Burger, Walnut Meat Tacos, Fried Shroom’ and Waffles. Everything is made with 100% plant-based, organic produce and clean oils. The menu is completely non-GMO, sustainable, and artisanal. While diners are welcome at the Plantbaed cafe, they also do catering and daily and weekly meal preps as well.
J’s Smokehouse By Jonnetta Patton
Jonnetta Patton is the owner of J’s Smokehouse in Doraville – a barbecue restaurant and food truck. Patton is perhaps even more famous in her other role, as the mother and manager to the Grammy-award-winning singer, Usher.
She opened the J’s Smokehouse in August 2024. The restaurant serves the traditional authentic Barbeque but with a modern twist. They also have a second grill that will be used to prepare vegan dishes.
Patton has been a Culinary entrepreneur since 2016 after starting the J’s Kitchen Culinary Incubator. The company offers aspiring chefs and caterers with commercial kitchen space, equipment, virtual cooking workshops, and more. She had also partnered with HUNGRY to connect independent chefs to businesses and catering events. She has been working towards fostering culinary talent, which made her an identity within the culinary community.
Christine and Her Story of Love at Boarding Pass Coffee
Christine and Murilo Santos opened the Boarding Pass Coffee at Alpharetta City Center in August 2024. The couple met in 2013 over a cup of coffee and eventually traveled the world together. Boarding Pass Coffee is a result of their love of each other and their joint love for coffee.
They bring coffee beans from the Murilo family farm in Brazil and roast them in small batches. From light to dark, peaberry, geisha, and organic, Boarding Pass offers some award-winning coffees. As the specialty coffee roaster, they also serve options of the best coffees from around the globe.
The travel-themed coffee shop has its specialty-grade roasts named after unique travel destinations. Speaking of the theme, the decor that has a small airplane hanging from the ceiling must be mentioned.
These fantastic women made their presence known in Atlanta’s culinary microcosm. Atlanta already has so many women who work from top to bottom in the Restaurant industry. More women will make their spaces in the coming years, inspired by many who led the way.
