Berlin as a hotspot for top-class female cuisine

Berlin, 17 February 2026 Women continue to be the exception in Germany's top gastronomy: nationwide, only four per cent of Michelin-starred chefs are women. While the gourmet festival eat! Berlin is once again putting the capital's culinary scene in the spotlight these days, a remarkable structural development is emerging: according to the current Chefin:in Watch List 2026, 21 of the 72 experts listed work in the capital. That is around one in three entries.

Sabine Wendt, CEO of visitBerlin: "Berlin's gastronomy is diverse and has long been dominated by women. The German capital is setting standards in the international food scene and helping to ensure that Berlin remains attractive to visitors from all over the world."

The curated list on the platform for top female chefs covers five categories: chefs, hosts, sommeliers, bartenders and international chefs, thereby highlighting female expertise in the restaurant industry. 

There are 27 names listed in the female chefs category nationwide, including ten female chefs from Berlin. Julia Leitner, who cooks at Berlin's CODA, awarded two Michelin stars, and Sarah Hallmann, whose restaurant hallmann & klee has one Michelin star, are prime examples of Berlin's rise in female culinary styles in top-class gastronomy. The Berlin representatives on the list are shaping Michelin-starred restaurants as well as innovative concepts combining fine dining, casual dining and sustainability, thereby making a lasting contribution to changing the image of German haute cuisine.

Berlin female chefs

• Ash Lee (Chungking, Berlin)
• Cäcilia Baldszus (Bar Basta, Berlin)
• Hannah Cooper Borchardt (Feed the Pony, Berlin)
• Julia Anna Leitner (Coda, Berlin)
• Sarah Hallmann (Hallmann & Klee, Berlin)
• Shani Ahiel (Yafo, Berlin)
• Shani Leiderman (Beba will Feed You, Berlin)
• Sophia Hoffmann (Happa, Berlin)
• Sophia Rudolph (Lovis, Berlin)
• Sophie & Xenia Oswald (Rocket & Basil, Berlin)

Best Hostesses in Berlin

• Claudia Steinbauer (Luna D'Oro, Clärchens, Berlin)
• Ilona Scholl (Tulus Lotrek, Berlin)
• Katharina Bambach (Sphere Fernsehturm, Berlin)
• Kristiane Kegelmann (pars Restaurant, Berlin)
• Marie-Anne Wild (Restaurant Tim Raue, Berlin)
• Mical Rosenblat (Loumi, Berlin)

Best Sommelièren in Berlin

• Andrea Hochlenert (Freundschaft, Berlin)
• Nancy Grossmann (Grill Royal, Berlin)

Best Female bartenders in Berlin

• Aurora Almenar (Bar Clara, Berlin)
• Maria Gorbatschova (Green Door Bar, Berlin)
• Susan Choi (Mr. Susan, Berlin)

(Berlin excerpt from the complete list of www.restaurant-ranglisten.de/news-magazin/details/15643-chefin-mit-mehr-chefinnen/, see also www.chefin.watch/) 

This list highlights what has been developing in the scene for years: Berlin offers an extraordinary range of culinary backgrounds, diverse career paths and international perspectives. The city serves as a testing ground for contemporary gastronomy concepts and as a location where women in leading culinary positions are becoming visible and setting standards.

Restaurant visits for Berlin's guests centrally located
This development is also relevant for tourism in Berlin: according to visitBerlin's guest study visiting a restaurant is one of the most popular activities during a trip to Berlin. Culinary delights are also one of the reasons for choosing Berlin as a travel destination.

Further information on Berlin's gastronomic offerings can be found on this page. We have compiled the latest food spots and trends for you here, with images here.