Celebrities who own restaurants

Many artists and personalities choose to invest their money outside of the entertainment world. This is the case with Priyanka Chopra. She opened her own Indian restaurant in New York, specifically between the iconic Flatiron Building and Union Square. 'Sona' (as the restaurant is called) offers a menu of typical Indian food as well as an exhibition of works by Indian artists, which can be purchased at the restaurant.

Sandra Bullock opened 'Bess Bistro' in 2006 in Austin, Texas. The restaurant had an accessible menu and all its products were biodegradable. However, in 2016, the actress decided to close its doors.

Instead of the restaurant, Sandra now has a specialty market, where she sells bread, flowers, drinks, and takeout. The space was opened in 2009 and is very close to its old Bistro. A total success!

'SPiN' was founded in 2009 by actress Susan Sarandon and four other partners. Its concept is simple but innovative: a table tennis club joined to a bar. In addition to playing ping pong with their friends, customers can also eat and drink. On the menu are pizzas, salads, and appetizers.

The actor is another great gastronomy entrepreneur. He is a partner in a Japanese haute cuisine restaurant in Miami, which is part of the 'Nobu' chain run by one of the best sushi chefs in the world, Nobu Matsuhisa. Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are frequent customers!

Image: De Niro in 'The Irishman' / Netflix

In 2019, De Niro decided to invest in a new 'Nobu' Restaurant in Barcelona, Spain. It's located on the 23rd floor of the 'Nobu Hotel' and has a spectacular 360-degree view of the entire city.

In 2016, the former FC Barcelona player invested in two restaurants in the city of his former club. 'Boteco Fogo' served typical Brazilian dishes, such as feijoada and moqueca, and 'Alquimia Fogo' offered a very sophisticated tasting menu. He closed the businesses in 2021.

'The Casa Aveiro Restaurant' owned by Cristiano Ronaldo’s family was forced to close its activities due to the covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Opened in 2018, the space offered Portuguese cuisine and was located in Gramado, in southern Brazil. The family, lovers of gastronomy, are already planning their next venture.

One of the greatest basketball players in the world also bet on the pleasures of the table. His first steakhouse, called 'Michael Jordan's Steak House,' opened in 1993 in Chicago. He has since opened three more restaurants, all in the US.

In October 2011, the singer's first restaurant opened in New Jersey, his home state. It is a community space that offers food in exchange for donations or volunteer work. The initiative was so successful that Bon Jovi opened the second 'JBJ Soul Kitchen' in 2016 in Toms River.

The American actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker decided to make a comfortable and relaxed bar to receive friends as if they were at home. 'Ray's Bar' has just the right mix of cheap beer with vintage decor, perfect for an after-work happy hour.

The rapper, actor, and entrepreneur opened a restaurant at Atlanta's international airport. Its differential is the quality of the food and the great offer of artisanal beers, produced in the region. In 2019, Atlanta Magazine ranked the restaurant as one of the best in town.

Called 'Chicken + Beer', the name refers to the artist's album, released in 2003. The kitchen is led by gastronomic director Rodd Richards and chef Gary Caldwell. It was so successful that there are plans to open a new space at Los Angeles airport soon!

'Café Zoetrope', opened in 1999, was created from Coppola's habits, including his own recipes in the house menu. The Café doubles as a wine bar and an Italian-style restaurant located in the majestic Sentinel Building, a historic landmark in San Francisco, USA. Coppola purchased the building in 1972 to house his film production company, American Zoetrope.

In November 2010, Lady Gaga became an investor and co-owner of a restaurant on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. Her parents, Joe and Cynthia, are also shareholders in the establishment. 'Joanne Trattoria' serves classic Italian food, without much refinement, in a very cozy atmosphere.

This venture has a beautiful story behind it. 'The Café' page explains: "In 2009, Hugh Jackman and his wife Deb traveled to Kochere, Ethiopia, and met a coffee grower named Dukale, who used simple, carbon-free technology. So, inspired by his production method and lifestyle, [Jackman] promised Dukale he would help him. That's how 'Laughing Man Coffee and Tea,' a coffee and tea house, in New York was born."

The Australian actor and singer took a liking to the experience as an entrepreneur and decided to open a second space, totally vegan, 'Laughing V.' The Café offers a variety of homemade vegan sandwiches, sweets, and pantry items, as well as delicious coffee, made by small producers.

One of the most successful American musicians is the owner of the '40/40 Club', a bar and nightclub, with luxurious decor and sports decorations. The name refers to a term used in the baseball world when a player can hit 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season. On the menu, its patrons enjoy typical American sports bar cuisine, such as buffalo wings, made with attention to detail.

Today, the '40/40 Club' is a franchise. The first club was opened in New York, in 2003. After that, 4 more establishments were opened, all in the USA, but two of them have already closed their activities.

One of Hollywood's most renowned actors and filmmakers acquired an old property in 1986, which he decided to renovate while keeping its facilities in the original style. The place was transformed into a hotel and restaurant. 'Hog's Breath Inn' is located in the city of Carmel, 150 km from San Francisco, California. The menu includes culinary delights such as smoked salmon and buttered shrimp.

The Brazilian racer, runner-up in the 2008 Formula 1 championship for Ferrari, is a partner at 'Beefbar' in São Paulo. The restaurant has a sibling in Monaco, where Felipe Massa lived for more than 10 years. The menu is sophisticated and contemporary, with high-end cocktails, specialty meats, and world street food classics.

The actor reopened a former Cajun restaurant, which is located in New Orleans' famous red light district. Inspired by the brothels and burlesque lounges of the Storyville era, 'Saints & Sinners' uses its location and profits to help local charities such as Love Thy Neighbor Foundation and around the world.