all the celebrity-backed restaurants in NYC

Opening a restaurant seems to be a celebrity rite of passage.

Many stars choose to open restaurants in New York City. 

Here are the most notable celebrity restaurants. Scroll for details about what kind of food they serve. 

Samantha Lee/Business Insider

Joanne Trattoria — Lady Gaga

The owners of Joanne Trattoria are Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta, Lady Gaga's parents. The Italian-American restaurant opened in 2012 and last year, it released a cookbook with a foreword by the star. Menu options include a Gaga cocktail, a Little Monster mocktail, or a bottle of Gaga Chardonnay (pictured here) or Pinot Noir.

Locanda Verde, Nobu, Tribeca Grill — Robert De Niro

You could say that Robert de Niro really loves Tribeca. He is a co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival and co-owns three restaurants in that area: Nobu, Locanda Verde and Tribeca Grill. There is a second Nobu location in Midtown among others across the country and abroad. (Pictured: Robert de Niro and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa)

The Spotted Pig — Jay-Z, Bono, Fatboy Slim and more

Gawker was the first to unveil the star power behind this West Village gastropub, often referred to as the first of its kind in the US. Investors include Jay-Z, Bono, Fatboy Slim, Michael Stipe (lead singer of R.E.M.), music industry lawyer Michael Guido, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, chef Mario Batali and restaurateur Ken Friedman. Celebrity sightings are common here.

Buffalo Boss — Jay-Z

Jay-Z, along with his mother and sister Andrea, invested in Buffalo Boss — a place founded by his cousin Jamar White and Ronald Lee. You can get your wing fix — organic, nonetheless —late into the night at one of the three locations in Brooklyn and Harlem. 

The 40/40 Club — Jay-Z

Jay-Z is the founder of this upscale sports lounge, complete with giant plasma screens, a mezzanine and fiber optic chandeliers. One of the private rooms is called the Jay-Z Lounge.

Laughing Man Coffee & Tea — Hugh Jackman

You might know him as Wolverine but Hugh Jackman is also a self-described coffee snob. With friends Barry and David Steingard, Jackman is responsible for bringing flat whites to your Tribeca neighborhood since 2011. The cafe is connected to Laughing Man Foundation, Jackman’s nonprofit organization that supports educational and entrepreneurship programs around the world.

21 Greenpoint — Bill Murray

When word got out that Bill Murray was bartending at a bar in Brooklyn for a night, people flocked to 21 Greenpoint. Murray is an investor in the restaurant, which was opened by his son Homer Murray and Syd Silver.

Do Hwa — Quentin Tarantino

This Korean restaurant is frequented by co-owner Quentin Tarantino, who also frequents the restaurant. Diners can feast on Korean barbecue amidst the director's movie posters.

Baohaus — Eddie Huang, Evan Huang

Eddie Huang, author of “Fresh Off the Boat” and host of “Huang’s World” on Viceland, opened this Taiwanese-Chinese joint with his brother Evan Huang. The menu includes hormone-free meat fillings in steamed white buns, rice bowls and crowd-favorite taro fries.

VYNL — Adrian Grenier

VNYL is a nightclub with a cafe and record shop with albums and some of the venue’s tracks curated by its music director Adrian Grenier. The actor, a co-founder of Lonely Whale Foundation — a nonprofit focused on protecting the ocean and marine wildlife — also ensured that the seafood menu was sustainable.

Mermaid Oyster Bar — Zack Braff

Zack Braff of “Scrubs” and “Garden State” fame is an investor in this restaurant where his longtime friend Laurence Edelman is the chef. Seafood dominates the menu here and happy hour includes $1 oysters. There are two other locations (though not under Braff’s investment) under the name The Mermaid Inn. 

The Cutting Room — Chris Noth

This live music club has hosted Lady Gaga, David Bowie and Billy Joel (pictured here). It is co-owned by Chris Noth of “Sex and the City” and “The Good Wife.” The actor saw a need for a place like this, telling The Wall Street Journal: “Music was such an essential part of my life growing up.”

Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C. — Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is the founder of Michael Jordan’s The Steak House N.Y.C., which serves up prime rib with a balcony view inside Grand Central Terminal. There are three other locations in Chicago, Connecticut and Washington. 

The Half King — Sebastian Junger, Scott Anderson, Nanette Burstein

This bar and restaurant in Chelsea hosts weekly readings, as well as literary and photography events. It was opened by journalist Sebastian Junger (author of"The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea"), journalist and novelist Scott Anderson, and filmmaker and TV director Nanette Burstein (director of “Going the Distance”).

Five Leaves — Heath Ledger

This popular brunch spot in Greenpoint was designed by Heath Ledger before he died. It was opened after his death with the help of money from his estate. Owner Jud Mongell told The New York Times that he still considers Ledger a partner.