From the big screen to the concert stage and now to your dinner plate, these celebrities have taken their talents into the culinary world, offering unique dining experiences that reflect their personalities and passions.
Whether it's Bill Murray's love for his hometown or Shaggy's celebration of Jamaican cuisine, each of these celebrity-owned restaurants tells a unique story and offers a taste of star quality.
So, why not let your next dining experience be served with a side of Hollywood glamour?
Read on to discover our top 10 picks for celebrity-owned restaurants from around the world that you must try.
1. Soul Kitchen
Celeb Owner: Jon Bon Jovi
Location: Red Bank, New Jersey
Jon Bon Jovi, the frontman of the legendary rock band Bon Jovi, started Soul Kitchen, a restaurant that serves only locally-sourced, organic food.
The restaurant has no prices and instead operates on a pay-it-forward model, allowing patrons to volunteer for their meal.
Bon Jovi started this restaurant out of a desire to help the community. As of July 2023, over 170,000 meals have been served, with over half of those meals earned through volunteering.
2. Laughing Man Coffee
Celeb Owner: Hugh Jackman
Location: New York City, New York
Hugh Jackman, an actor best known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series, co-founded Laughing Man Coffee, a cafe that sells fair-trade coffee with all profits going back to the coffee-growing communities.
Jackman was inspired to start Laughing Man Coffee after a trip to Ethiopia where he met a coffee farmer named Dukale. He decided he wanted to help create a marketplace for farmers in developing countries to sell their goods directly to consumers.
3. Southern Hospitality
Celeb Owner: Justin Timberlake
Location: New York City, New York
Justin Timberlake, an internationally acclaimed musician and actor, is a co-founder of Southern Hospitality, a BBQ-focused eatery that boasts dishes like Baby Back Ribs and Pulled Pork.
Timberlake was inspired by his Southern roots and the mouth-watering BBQ from his home state.
This nostalgia prompted him to open Southern Hospitality and bring a taste of Tennessee to NYC.
4. 40/40 Club
Celeb Owner: Jay Z
Location: New York City, New York
Jay Z, an influential rapper and music producer, is the owner of the 40/40 Club, an upscale sports bar and lounge that offers a blend of sports, music, and food in a chic setting.
The name "40/40" is a baseball term for the elite group of players who have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in a single season, reflecting Jay Z's love for sports.
5. The Varsity
Celeb Owner: Bill Murray
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Bill Murray, a versatile actor known for his roles in movies like "Ghostbusters" and "Lost in Translation", co-owns The Varsity, a family-friendly eatery that serves local favorites like burgers and beer.
Murray opened The Varsity with his brothers in his hometown.
The eatery is a testament to Murray's love for his city and his penchant for bringing people together with good food and cheer.
6. Ole Red
Celeb Owner: Blake Shelton
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Blake Shelton, a country singer and one of the coaches on NBC’s "The Voice", owns Ole Red, a lively entertainment venue that serves Southern cuisine with a side of live country music.
Ole Red takes its name from Shelton’s breakout hit, "Ol’ Red".
A fan of laid-back, Southern fun, Shelton aimed to create a restaurant that reflected his easygoing personality and love of country music.
7. Wahlburgers
Celeb Owner: Mark Wahlberg
Location: Multiple locations across North America
Mark Wahlberg, an actor famed for his roles in "Boogie Nights" and "The Departed", co-owns Wahlburgers, a casual dining burger joint, with his brothers Donnie and Paul.
The restaurant was born out of a reality TV show of the same name. The show, which follows the Wahlberg brothers' adventures in starting a burger restaurant, became a hit, and the burger joint itself quickly followed suit.
Wahlburgers boasts family recipes and a fun atmosphere.
8. Martha's At The Star
Celeb Owner: Martha Stewart
Location: Frisco, Texas
Martha Stewart, a household name for her lifestyle brand, owns Martha's at The Star, a bakery that offers sweets, sandwiches, and coffee, all with Stewart's signature touch.
Stewart, ever the entrepreneur, saw a great opportunity to expand her empire into the culinary world.
Martha's at The Star not only offers food, but also sells Martha Stewart-branded merchandise.
9. RPM Italian
Celeb Owner: Bill Rancic
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Bill Rancic, an entrepreneur and the first winner of "The Apprentice", co-owns RPM Italian with his wife Giuliana. The elegant Italian restaurant serves modern Italian classics in a stylish setting.
RPM Italian was born out of Bill Rancic's passion for Italian food and his desire to bring a modern twist to classic Italian dishes.
The "RPM" in RPM Italian stands for "Rancic, Paris Club, Melman", the last name of the partners involved in the restaurant.
10. Shaggy's
Celeb Owner: Shaggy
Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Shaggy, a Grammy-winning artist known for hits like "It Wasn't Me" and "Angel", co-owns Shaggy's, a restaurant that offers a blend of Caribbean and international cuisine, providing a culinary journey for diners.
Shaggy, a native Jamaican, opened Shaggy's to celebrate his island's vibrant culture and cuisine.
The restaurant serves a mix of international dishes with a Jamaican twist, mirroring Shaggy's own blend of reggae and pop music.
From musicians to actors to lifestyle moguls, these celebrities have parlayed their fame into successful restaurant ventures, offering their fans a taste of their personal culinary passions.
Whether it's a casual burger joint or an upscale Italian restaurant, each establishment reflects its celebrity owner's unique style and taste.
