The South West’s most exciting female-run restaurants proving that hospitality is not just a man’s world
Clouds, Bristol
Having been open for just over a year, Clouds has already caught the attention of Bristol’s discerning foodies, who return time and again to savour the exquisite handmade dim sum.
Chef-owner Anita Cheung built a loyal following with her street food venture, Ah-Ma’s Dumplings, before opening this dim sum cafe and wine bar with co-owner Luke in late 2024. From sunup to sundown, tables are stacked with bamboo steamers filled with pillowy, fried, and translucent dumplings. After midday, the bite-sized dishes are best paired with delicious drops from a carefully curated, indie wine list.
The regular Hilda bakery takeover on Saturday mornings is worth rising early for. Pair the carby delights with top-notch speciality coffee brewed using beans from Bath’s Round Hill Roastery and Bristol’s Radical Roasters.
Sabzi, Cornwall
If vibrant salads and lip-smacking deli goods are your jam, make a beeline for one of Sabzi’s Cornish delis and fill your belly with fresh, mood-boosting goodness.
Inspired by founder Kate’s Iranian and British heritage, the deli counter is packed with platters of salads dressed in punchy dressings and finished with fragrant herbs. Brunch and lunch are just as enticing. House-made granola with warming cinnamon, cacao and sharp Iranian barberries (available to buy in-store) is served with thick yogurt and local honey, while savoury plates are spiked with Middle Eastern spices.
Kate honed her culinary skills in Michelin-starred restaurants in London before reaching the quarter-finals of MasterChef in 2018. She went on to host sell-out events across the South West before opening her first deli, celebrating both Cornish produce and her heritage.
Queen of Cups, Glastonbury
Executive chef and founder Ayesha – winner of Best Trencherman’s Chef 2025 – is a powerhouse, celebrated for her infectious energy and Middle Eastern dishes with a modern edge.
The restaurant takes its name from the tarot card, a nod to Glastonbury’s mystical history and a symbol of feminine strength and compassion. Ayesha has breathed new life into the 17th-century coaching inn with inventive small plates rooted in her Jordanian heritage and delivered with the finesse of a classically trained chef. The restaurant has retained its Michelin Bib Gourmand for a fourth consecutive year and climbed 32 places on the Estrella Top 50 Gastropub list. For a guaranteed good time, grab a friend (or two), opt for the chef’s selection – the Queen’s Feast – and pair it with a round of sharing ciders.
Visiting the capital? Don’t miss the International Women’s Day lunch at Cavita in London on March 8, where Ayesha joins four talented female chefs to cook a five-course feast inspired by each chef’s heritage.
Harry’s, Devon
Since opening its doors in 1993, Harry’s has remained firmly rooted in Exeter’s community, providing locals with a go-to dining destination in the city centre.
Chef-proprietor Samantha Pounds took over the business from her parents and now works alongside her four daughters and a tight-knit team who have been together for years. Expect smart brunches, crowd-pleasing lunches and hearty dinners, with fellow local indies namechecked throughout – a testament to decades of relationship-building. The famed cheddar soufflé, topped with crispy shallots, is a rite of passage, as are the well-crafted cocktails that pair perfectly with the gothic building and moody lighting.
The Dog House, Dorset
With a women-led team and impressive open-fire cooking on a handmade grill, landlord Zoe Guild has transformed this formerly boarded-up venue into one of the best pubs around.
After a short stint in the corporate world and with roots in hospitality (she grew up in a bed and breakfast), it felt natural for Zoe to open a space that celebrates community and showcases female talent in the industry.
At The Dog House, guests share locally sourced food cooked over flames via a menu of small plates and family-style platters, designed by head chef Pascale Vickery. Dishes are complemented by a stellar drinks selection that includes local craft ales, ciders and a curated wine list.
Thanks to the pub’s runaway success – it was mentioned in the Michelin Guide within its first couple of years of opening – Zoe is launching a second site in Tisbury this summer. Keep ’em peeled for The South Western, a hotel and restaurant.
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