New York City is a place where ambition knows no bounds, and its women entrepreneurs are proof that glass ceilings are meant to be shattered.
From bustling bookstores to luxury hotels and fantastic restaurants, women-owned and operated businesses are redefining the city’s landscape. This Feminist City Guide guide spotlights some of NYC’s women-owned restaurants, hotels, and shops that we love, celebrating their creativity, leadership, and impact on the city.
Whether you want to savor a memorable meal, unwind in a beautifully curated space, or discover unique finds, these destinations offer exceptional experiences, empower communities, and inspire future generations.
Cafe Con Libros
Here at Unearth Women, we love bookstores and are addicted to coffee, so it is no surprise that we gravitate towards businesses that combine the two. Founded by Kalima Desuze, Cafe Con Libros is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. Desuze, an Afro-Latinx feminist, wears many hats as an activist, social worker, teacher, and veteran.
Book Club Bar
If we were to open an Unearth Women book store, it might look a lot like Book Club Bar. This Manhattan bookstore, which has a living-room feel with leather armchairs and wooden shelves brimming with novels, also doubles as a bar serving literary-themed cocktails, locally roasted coffee, and beers brewed in New York. Book Club Bar was founded Erin Neary and her husband, Nat Esten, back in November 2019 and has since become a much-beloved New York City staple.
The Strand
Dating back to the mid-1920s, The Strand is one of the most famous bookstores in New York City. Originally founded by Benjamin Bass, the store has stayed within the Bass family name and is now owned and operated by Nancy Bass Wyden. The Strand is a large and expansive bookstore with rows upon rows of new, used, and rare books. The store also hosts author readings, signings, and other literary events, so make sure to check out their upcoming events page.
Yu & Me
Found in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood, Yu and Me Books is the first Asian American woman-owned bookstore in New York City. The bookstore is focused on celebrating the stories of immigrants across the country, focusing on books authored by Asian Americans. At the bookstore, you’ll find a peaceful setting where a generous selection of books by the BIPOC community can be enjoyed over coffee, beer, and wine.
Astoria Bookshop
Originally founded by Lexi Beach in 2013, Astoria Bookshop boasts a diverse and carefully curated selection of titles to enjoy. Beyond its books—many of which are penned by local authors, including Unearth Women’s co-founder Nikki Vargas—this woman-owned bookstore hosts author readings and signings, book clubs, writing workshops, and children’s storytime.
Fish Eddys
Fish Eddys is one of those beloved and quirky gems that feel so quintessentially New York. Founded by Julie Gaines back in the 1980s, Fish Eddys sells unique dishes, novelty mugs, and a slew of other kooky kitchenware. Walking into the store feels like stumbling into the storage unit of a friend who has been collecting unique dishes, mugs, and tchotchkes from their travels. Beyond plates and mugs, you’ll also find the work of local artists featured at the store, such as these adorable dog portraits.
Gone to the Dogs
Speaking of dogs, this women-owned Brooklyn pet store partners with a diverse group of women artisans worldwide, from NYC immigrant communities to marginalized communities in the Global South, to ethically source and produce its pet products. You’ll find everything you need to pamper your pup, from leashes to paw wax.
Big Night
When Katherine Lewin, the former editor of The Infatuation, set out to open Big Night, it was with the idea of combining her passion for food with her experience in food editing and retail merchandising. Founded in 2021, Big Night is a one-stop shop for all your entertaining needs, highlighting unique pantry items, artisanal condiments, and colorful kitchenware. To step into Big Night is to be transported to a magical world filled with locally-made ceramic bowls, woman-crafted olive oils, vintage coupe glasses, and colorful tins of oily fish. You can find Big Night in Greenpoint, Brooklyn or at their West Village location.
Lockwood Shop
Lockwood is an LGBTQ+ and women-owned business that began in Astoria, Queens, before expanding out to other locations in Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Their Astoria location is, especially, a destination in itself, as you’ll find Lockwood, Lockwood Paper, and Lockwood Style situated next to each other. This is the perfect place to shop or pick up a souvenir, from cute coffee mugs to stylish clothes to feminist-inspired gifts.
Talea Beer Co
Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland founded Talea Beer Co., NYC’s first woman-owned brewery and taproom. Talea specializes in fruit-forward beers and hazy IPAs, such as their Lemon Gem, which is brewed with honey malt, lemon, chamomile, and dry-hopped with Idaho gem. Talea is open as a workspace during the day, making this the perfect place to transition from work to happy hour.
Ovenly
Opened in 2010 by Erin Patinkin and Agatha Kulaga, Ovenly has become a popular bakery with shops in Park Slope, Manhattan, Greenpoint, and Williamsburg. Feminist and social justice issues are very much a part of the company’s ethos, which pledges fraternity and maternity leave for all its employees.
Raf’s
Raf’s is an all-day café and restaurant located in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood. Opened in March 2023 by the team behind the Michelin-starred The Musket Room (as part of Elizabeth Street Hospitality), Raf’s offers a menu that elegantly blends French and Italian cuisines. Executive chef and co-owner Mary Attea, executive pastry chef and co-owner Camari Mick, and co-owners Jennifer and Nicole Vitagliano are the all-woman team behind Raf’s skyrocketing success and popularity. The restaurant occupies a historic space that once housed an Italian American bakery established in 1933, a history that Raf honors with fantastic baked goods. Recently, Elizabeth Street Hospitality opened their third restaurant, Cafe Zaffri, in the newly opened Twenty-Two New York, a hotel, restaurant, and member’s only club.
Via Carota
Call out to our fellow Swifties who know Via Carota to be a favorite of superstar Taylor Swift. Founded by acclaimed chefs Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, the restaurant draws inspiration from Sodi’s former home in the hills of Florence, blending old-world charm with modern simplicity. Via Carota balances tradition and innovation by offering comforting and refined dishes with a menu that highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Its warm, inviting interior, adorned with heirloom keepsakes and vintage decor, creates an ambiance that feels like a home away from home. It’s tricky to snag a reservation at Via Carota, but if you do, it’s not just a dining destination but a heartfelt celebration of Italian culinary tradition.
Meow Parlor
Meow Parlour is the city’s first cat cafe that combines the option to adopt kittens with the joy of eating freshly baked treats. Meow Parlour offers by-the-hour playtime with free-roaming cats. In addition, guests can enjoy pastries and treats from Meow Parlour’s sister company, Macaron Parlour. Christina Ha, who is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, is the Co-Founder and head Pastry Chef of Macaron Parlour.
Akwaaba Mansion
Finding a true woman-owned and operated hotel in NYC is quite challenging, making Akwaaba Mansion a true gem. Just a 15-minute subway ride from Manhattan, Akwaaba Mansion is an 1860s mansion with four spacious suites to choose from, a secluded garden, a sun porch, a guest library, and a hearty southern breakfast. Founded by Former Essence Magazine editor Monique Greenwood, who switched from publishing to running a mini bed-and-breakfast empire, Akwaaba feels like an oasis in the heart of Brooklyn.
The Wall Street Hotel
The Wall Street Hotel in New York’s Financial District is a luxury hotel celebrated not only for its elegant design and world-class amenities but also for its commitment to empowering women. It gained attention for hosting events such as the ‘Women of New York Light Up Wall Street’ panel, which celebrates influential female leaders across various industries. The hotel’s ambiance combines historic charm with modern sophistication, offering a boutique experience catering to business travelers and leisure guests. With its prime location near iconic landmarks like the New York Stock Exchange and the Statue of Liberty, The Wall Street Hotel is a stellar choice for travelers staying in Lower Manhattan.
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