8 min read

How Many Restaurants Does Geoffrey Zakarian Have?

Discover how many restaurants Geoffrey Zakarian owns, from his Michelin-starred flagship to diverse American bistros and unique cruise line venues.

how many restaurants does geoffrey zakarian have

Geoffrey Zakarian Restaurants: Key Takeaways

  • Geoffrey Zakarian owns 7 restaurants, all located within the United States.
  • His portfolio includes 1 Michelin-starred restaurant, named Country in New York City.
  • Zakarian’s signature concepts range from American bistros to seafood and modern American dining, featuring spots like The National and The Lambs Club.
  • His empire extends beyond city restaurants to unique venues including cruise line partnerships and resort dining in Florida and Atlantic City.

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is a highly regarded restaurateur with a concentrated portfolio of restaurants primarily across several key U.S. markets. Known for his polished modern American cooking, Zakarian’s range encompasses fine dining as well as approachable bistro-style concepts.

This article provides a detailed overview of how many restaurants Geoffrey Zakarian owns, highlighting his Michelin-starred flagship, various restaurant brands, and notable venues from New York to Florida and Atlantic City.

For restaurant owners interested in expanding or refining their own operations, how to hire restaurant staff fast is a valuable guide that can speed up the recruitment process effectively.

Geoffrey Zakarian Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Geoffrey Zakarian owns and operates 7 restaurants, all based in the United States as of 2025. His operations are concentrated mainly in major urban and resort markets including New York, Florida, New Jersey, and select other venues.

Zakarian’s restaurants range from fine dining establishments to more casual American bistros and seafood-focused eateries. His ownership includes both fully owned venues and licensed partnerships, notably with hospitality groups and cruise lines.

RegionApprox. Number of RestaurantsNotable Examples
United States7Country (New York, Michelin-starred), The National (NY & CT), The Lambs Club (NY), Point Royal & Counter Point (Hollywood, FL), The Water Club (Atlantic City, NJ), Ocean Blue (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Note: This count reflects fully or partially owned and licensed restaurants, including unique locations such as cruise ship venues.

Zakarian’s U.S.-based restaurants cover an assortment of dining styles from the refined modern American cuisine at The Lambs Club to casual bistro fare at The National. His partnerships with Norwegian Cruise Line and hotel resorts in Florida and Atlantic City further diversify the brand reach.

Restaurant owners and managers may find insights in restaurant management styles to optimize operations across diverse dining concepts like Zakarian's portfolio.

Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

Among Zakarian’s portfolio, Country in New York City stands out as his only Michelin-starred restaurant. Awarded 1 Michelin star, this restaurant opened in 2005 and offers a classic, elevated dining experience in a refined setting.

The Michelin star at Country underscores Zakarian’s capability to deliver fine dining excellence alongside his broader casual and mid-priced restaurant brands.

  • Country (New York, NY, USA) – 1 Michelin star, opened 2005. This flagship has been recognized for its sophisticated take on American cuisine and has maintained its Michelin recommendation for many years.

While his other restaurants have not been awarded Michelin stars, many maintain high standards and acclaim in their respective categories.

For hospitality professionals interested in Michelin-starred cuisines and career paths, the analysis titled restaurant Michelin stars statistics offers valuable industry perspective.

Notable Geoffrey Zakarian Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Zakarian’s restaurant concepts span a variety of themes from casual bistros to exclusive fine dining, with notable venues across multiple states and unique partnerships on cruise ships.

The National Restaurants

The National is an American bistro concept with two locations in New York, NY and Greenwich, CT. Known as a neighborhood café with high-quality food, this brand emphasizes hardwood grilling, craft cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere.

The price range typically falls between $30 and $60 per person, offering an accessible yet elevated dining experience.

The Lambs Club

A single location in New York City, The Lambs Club offers modern American cuisine in a refined setting. It is noted as a power dining room popular with Broadway actors, politicians, and media executives.

Pricing ranges from $50 to $100 per person, placing it among Zakarian’s more upscale venues.

Point Royal and Counter Point

Located in Hollywood, Florida inside The Diplomat Beach Resort, Point Royal serves coastal American seafood at mid-to-upper price points ($40–$80 per person).

Adjacent is Counter Point café, offering coffee and light fare at more casual prices ($20–$40). Both reflect Zakarian’s ability to deliver diverse dining and casual café concepts within resort environments.

For those managing or recruiting kitchen staff in such venues, how to hire reliable kitchen staff provides practical hiring strategies and templates tailored to hospitality.

The Water Club and Ocean Blue

The Water Club in Atlantic City, NJ, is a modern American restaurant located inside the Borgata Hotel, providing a polished fine dining experience with prices between $50 and $100.

Ocean Blue represents Zakarian’s unique cruise line venture on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, specializing in seafood dishes with similar price points.

Unique Venues in Sonoma, CA

Zakarian also operates exclusive venues in Sonoma, California at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa, including Layla, The Bar at MacArthur, and The Porch. These unique locations diversify his portfolio beyond traditional cities and resorts.

Geoffrey Zakarian Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In conclusion, Geoffrey Zakarian currently owns 7 restaurants, all situated in the United States, covering key cities and resort destinations.

His holdings include a Michelin-starred flagship, Country, alongside a mix of American bistros, seafood restaurants, and licensed partnerships such as the Ocean Blue on Norwegian Cruise Line. The portfolio demonstrates both depth and versatility within a modest footprint.

Zakarian’s brand is notable for blending classic fine dining with accessible neighborhood concepts and unique hospitality partnerships, ensuring his presence in both sophisticated dining circles and casual markets.

His expansion plans by 2025 include international ventures like Doha, Qatar, indicating growing ambitions beyond the U.S.

Restaurant owners aiming to retain top talent may benefit from insight into strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover that help maintain a skilled and motivated workforce.

FAQs About Geoffrey Zakarian's Restaurants

Zakarian remains involved at a strategic and creative level, overseeing menus and concept development across his restaurants. While he visits key venues personally, day-to-day operations and service execution are managed by experienced executive chefs and hospitality partners.

His licensed locations, such as those on Norwegian Cruise Line, operate under agreements where local teams handle routine management while maintaining his standards and style.

Zakarian’s pricing varies by concept, with fine dining venues like The Lambs Club and The Water Club generally costing between $50–$100 per person.

More casual options such as The National or Counter Point offer mid-range pricing from $20 to $60, providing good value for quality food in laid-back environments.

For a good balance of quality and affordability, The National’s American bistro locations are often recommended.

Expansion decisions are driven by a mix of market demand, strategic partnerships, and brand compatibility. Zakarian looks for hospitality venues such as resorts, hotels, and cruise lines where his culinary vision aligns with the location.

His 2023–2025 foray into Doha, Qatar signals an interest in developing international projects where luxury dining is in demand.

Many of Zakarian’s restaurants embrace seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients where possible, especially in his fine dining venues. His menus typically emphasize fresh, high-quality produce and sustainable seafood.

However, sustainability practices vary by location, particularly in resort and licensed settings, depending on local supply chains and operational considerations.

Most Zakarian restaurants offer online reservations through their websites or third-party platforms such as OpenTable. This includes fine dining spots like The Lambs Club and bistro venues like The National.

Currently, there is no unified loyalty program across the Zakarian brand portfolio.