The reality show genre may be known for scandalous hookups, explosive fights, and stiff competition, butsometimes the stars take their talents, and money, into the real world.Reality TV fans are some of the most loyal and excitable fan base in the world, so when they get a chance to feel like they can be part of their favorite shows, they’ll take the opportunity to be there and support! Whether the show features a restaurant as the backdrop or it’s an endeavor created following their show’s appearance,many reality stars have opened restaurants around the globe.And these are just some of the few you need to check out.
This list is a mix of restaurants from reality shows and restaurants owned by stars inspired by their show or lives.While this could easily be filled with celebrity chefs, we’re going to limit their spots and save that for another venture. We’ll also keep big name celebrities who judge competition shows off the list as well. For now, pack your bags and start your reality star foodie tour!
10Bill Rancic
RPM Italian
It may take some digging to remember how you knowBill Rancic, but in case you need a reminder, he was the first winner ofThe Apprentice. He then went on to marry TV hostGiuliana Rancic, where they starred in their own reality series,Giuliana and Bill. He finished the reality show trifecta as a contestant, a subject, and then host ofKitchen Casinoon Food Network.
The success of the flagship restaurant led to sister restaurants RPM Steak in Chicago, RPM Seafood in Chicago, RPM Italian in Las Vegas, and RPM Italian in Washington, DC.
In 2011, Bill and Giuliana opened up their first restaurant in Chicago calledRPM Italian.The success of the flagship restaurant led to sister restaurants RPM Steak in Chicago, RPM Seafood in Chicago, RPM Italian in Las Vegas, and RPM Italian in Washington, DC., the latter location of which wasfrequented by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
9Robert Irvine
Fresh Kitchen by Robert Irvine
Robert Irvinewas a staple on the Food Network where fans watched him attempt to rescue failing restaurants onRestaurant: Impossible. He then helped failing chefs gain culernary skills onWorst Cooks in America. But when it comes to personal failures, Robert Irvine knows very little about it. The average citizen might have a little difficulty getting intoFresh Kitchen by Robert Irvineas it’s located in the Pentagon.
But it’s much easier than heading to the now-defunct Tropicana in Las Vegas, where you could have dined at Robert Irvine’s Public House. Regardless, despite its unique location within the Pentagon, Fresh Kitchen blends fresh ingredients and fresh perspectives.
Worst Cooks In America
8Kwame Onwuachi
With so many contestants from theTop Cheffranchise to select from, we’re going withTop ChefSeason 13’sKwame Onwuachithanks to his name-drop from his exMya AllenduringSummer House.
He was able to open his restaurant,Tatianain 2022. Located in New York City,he calls it a tapestry of the city that is a fusion of Caribbean, African, and American flavors.The restaurant is a reflection of his own journey and inspirations. The menu is filled with unique and colorful dishes that are destined to excite any pallette.
7Craig Conover and Austen Kroll
Carriage House
Love ‘em or hate ‘em,Craig ConoverandAusten Krollare Bravo royalty. Whether you know them originally fromSouthern Charmor during their appearances onSummer HouseorWinter House,these best friends have gone on a restaurant endeavor together.
The Manhattan eateryCarriage House, built into a historic carriage house, features an array of dishes that are American classics with an international flair.The restaurant prides itself as “polished, without being pretentious.“While Craig and Austen may be busy focusing on their South Carolina bar, some fans have claimed they have spotted their Summer House costars eating at Carriage House.
Summer House
6Kandi Burruss
Old Lady Gang
Is there anythingKandi Burrusscan’t do? She started in the world of music before starring onThe Real Housewives of Atlanta. She appeared on numerous other reality programs, includingCelebrity Big BrotherandThe Masked Singer, but one of her biggest prides is her Atlanta restaurant,Old Lady Gang.
The flagship store opened in 2017 andfeatured a menu of comfort food inspired by recipes from her mom, Joyce, and her aunts, Bertha and Nora.The entire menu looks scrumptious! Don’t forget when you visit one of three ATL locales, you can’t leave without your OLG merch!
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
5Tom Colicchio
He may be best known for his status as the head judge onTop Chef, butTom Colicchiois one of the most storied celebrity chefs on the planet. With numerous restaurants to his name, he is the recipient of five James Beard Foundation Awards.
Native New Yorkers are quite familiar with the historic Gramercy Tavern, a restaurant he co-founded withDanny Meyer, but his flagship restaurant isCraft, also located in NYC. Craft is where you can enjoy Tom Colicchio’s signature “What’s local is best.“With Tom as the executive chef, it’s the closest you’ll get to the Top Chef judge’s incredible dishes.
4Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz
Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar
We are not going to mention Scandavol. We are not going to mention Scandavol. OK we are. Before there was Scandavol, there were two young chaps onVanderpump Ruleswho dreamed of opening up their own restaurant. With help from Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd,Tom Tom Restaurant & Barbecame a reality forTom SchwartzandTom Sandoval.
WithVanderpump Rulesbeing one of the biggest pop culture phenomenons,fans can feel apart of the drama by dining at the Toms’ place.With news that the fate ofVanderpump Rulesis up in the air, getting a glimpse of filming may not be an opportunity anymore.If a new season does get an order, you might get a glimpse of Tom and Tom.
Vanderpump Rules
3Leva Bonaparte
Republic Lounge and Garden
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsspun off a restaurant reality program for one of their stars, and in 2022,Southern Charmdid the same. Following the lives and careers of the employees ofLeva Bonaparte’s restaurants,Southern Hospitalityis theSouthern Charmspin off that got fans to say yes ma’am. The series primarily focuses on Leva’s restaurant,Republic Garden and Lounge.
The restaurant focuses on the Southern charm and flavors of the area and distinctly states you must dress to impress, so be sure to follow the dress code before you arrive.This Charleston eatery will give you a chance to be part of the action of the shows you love Leva for!
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
2Chip and Joanna Gaines
Magnolia Table
Chip and Joanna Gainesmight just be the biggest successes of HGTV. Fans fell in love with the couple on their showFixer Upperas they renovated homes in the Waco, Texas area. When they ended their show, it was to begin their venture on the new network, Magnolia Network. On top of that, Chip and Joanna have made Waco a destination location thanks to the Magnolia brand. It’s your one-stop shop for everything Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Whether you visit the Silos to shop or head toMagnolia Table, HGTV-obsessed fans have turned this place into a mecca.Magnolia Table wouldn’t be a Chip and Joanna project if there wasn’t some sort of history attached to the restaurant.The menu features a smattering of breakfast, brunch, and lunch using fresh ingredients. The slogan for Magnolia Table is “where everyone has a seat at the table.” The sentiment is there, but you had better get there early because the lines can sometimes be outside the door.
Fixer Upper
1Lisa Vanderpump
Vanderpump à Paris
When you think of reality stars with restaurants, there’s one name that comes to mind:Lisa Vanderpump. Alongside her husbandKen Todd, theReal Housewives of Beverly Hillssuperstar owns an array of restaurants, bars, and clubs across the United States and the United Kingdom.Vanderpump Rulesfans have flocked to the shows’ various venues, including SUR Restaurant & Lounge, Pump Restaurant, and the aforementioned Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar. But Lisa has a world outside of West Hollywood. Lisa Vanderpump is joining her friend andGordan Ramsay’s Food Starsco-starGordan Ramsayas she is on the verge of taking of the Las Vegas eating scene.
Her first venture was Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace and followed up with the much-desiredVanderpump à Parisat Paris Las Vegas. The Parisian-inspired eatery may be the closest thing fans may get to feeling like they’ve visitedVanderpump Villa.The restaurant features delectable dishes, whimsical and unique cocktails and a lush, elaborate atmosphere.LVP has a place in Lake Tahoe and another at the Flamingo in Vegas on the horizon. Needless to say,Lisa Vanderpump is the queen of reality televisionAND the queen of restaurants.
