How Many Restaurants Does Wylie Dufresne Have?

Wylie Dufresne Restaurants: Key Takeaways

Chef Wylie Dufresne currently owns 1 restaurant worldwide, located in New York City.
He earned 1 Michelin star for his pioneering restaurant wd~50, which opened in 2003.
Dufresne’s portfolio includes a mix of fine dining and diverse casual dining concepts such as Alder, Du's Donuts and Coffee, and Stretch Pizza.
All restaurants are independently owned (not franchised or licensed), maintaining a tightly controlled operation focused in New York City.

Wylie Dufresne is a chef renowned for his innovative approach to cuisine, particularly molecular gastronomy. Although his restaurant footprint is modest in size compared to other celebrity chefs, he has made a significant impact on fine dining culture in New York.

This article explores how many restaurants Wylie Dufresne owns, highlighting his Michelin-starred legacy at wd~50 as well as his ventures into modern casual dining formats. From pioneering tasting menus to gourmet donuts and pizza, we cover it all.

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Wylie Dufresne Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Wylie Dufresne currently owns and operates a total of 1 restaurant worldwide. His operations are concentrated in New York City, where he established his reputation through innovative culinary techniques and fine dining experiences.

Though the overall footprint is limited to the United States, particularly New York, Dufresne’s influence extends beyond numbers due to his creative approach and critical acclaim.

Dufresne’s portfolio blends a high-profile fine dining venue with several influential casual dining spots within New York City, reflecting a diverse restaurant strategy.

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	1	wd~50 (formerly, New York City)

Note: Wylie Dufresne’s restaurants are independently owned and currently do not include franchised or licensed venues. The count is focused exclusively on active establishments as of 2025.

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Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

Wylie Dufresne is best known for pioneering molecular gastronomy in the United States, particularly through his Michelin-starred flagship restaurant.

His most notable Michelin accolade comes from wd~50, which earned 1 Michelin star during its operation. The restaurant opened in 2003 in New York City and quickly became a landmark for innovative and experimental cuisine.

Although wd~50 eventually closed in 2014, it remains a significant part of Dufresne’s legacy and influence in fine dining circles.

wd~50 (New York City, USA) – 1 Michelin star. Established in 2003, this venue was acclaimed for its cutting-edge use of molecular gastronomy and avant-garde dishes delivered in an intimate fine dining atmosphere.

This Michelin-starred status, even though linked to a now-closed venue, epitomizes Wylie Dufresne’s contributions to progressive culinary arts and invisible influence on contemporary chefs.

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Notable Wylie Dufresne Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Wylie Dufresne’s restaurant concepts are characterized by a blend of creative fine dining and approachable casual formats, mostly centered in New York City.

wd~50

Wd~50 was Dufresne’s flagship fine dining restaurant, open from 2003 to 2014, famed for its pioneering molecular gastronomy techniques. Patrons enjoyed a 12-course tasting menu priced around $155 per person featuring innovative and playful dishes.

Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, wd~50 was a culinary trailblazer that influenced modern American cuisine.

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Alder

Alder is a casual dining restaurant in New York City that offers modern interpretations of classic pub fare. It presents a more relaxed dining experience compared to fine dining venues and appeals to a broader audience.

The concept reflects Dufresne’s versatility in crafting menus that merge comfort food with elevated techniques.

Du's Donuts and Coffee

Du's Donuts and Coffee is a gourmet donut shop located in New York City, offering unique and inventive flavors. Pricing ranges from $3 to $5 per donut, making it an accessible casual option.

This concept expands Dufresne’s reach into the quick-service dessert category, emphasizing creativity and quality ingredients.

Stretch Pizza

Stretch Pizza is a casual dining spot in New York City focused on innovative pizza creations. Priced between $15 and $25 per pizza, it combines traditional pizza styles with modern culinary twists.

This brand marks Dufresne’s entry into fast-casual dining, showcasing his experimentation beyond haute cuisine.

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Wylie Dufresne Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In summary, Wylie Dufresne owns a total of 1 active restaurant internationally, concentrated in New York City. His legacy is heavily tied to wd~50, the Michelin-starred restaurant that defined his early career.

While his current portfolio is compact, it spans from avant-garde fine dining to accessible casual eateries like Alder, Du's Donuts and Coffee, and Stretch Pizza, illustrating Dufresne’s culinary range.

All venues are independently owned, allowing Dufresne to maintain close creative control over his brand and concepts. His focus seems less on expansion and more on innovative dining experiences within a local market.

Though he operates on a smaller scale than many celebrity chefs with hundreds of venues, Wylie Dufresne’s influence on molecular gastronomy and New York’s food scene remains strong and distinctive.

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01. How involved is Wylie Dufresne in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Wylie Dufresne maintains a hands-on role in his restaurant operations, especially in culinary development and menu design. While he may delegate daily management tasks to trusted staff, he closely oversees the creative direction and execution to preserve his brand's quality and innovation.

02. Are Wylie Dufresne’s restaurants expensive—and which ones offer the best value?

Wylie Dufresne’s fine dining restaurant wd~50 featured a high-end tasting menu priced at approximately $155 per person, reflecting its exclusive molecular gastronomy experience.

His casual dining establishments, such as Du’s Donuts and Coffee and Stretch Pizza, offer more affordable options ranging between $3 and $25, making them accessible for everyday dining.

Patrons seeking value might prefer these casual venues for quality and innovation at lower price points.

03. How does Wylie Dufresne choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Currently, Wylie Dufresne's restaurant portfolio focuses exclusively on New York City, with no public plans for expansion to new cities or countries. His approach appears centered on perfecting and innovating locally rather than rapid geographic growth.

04. Are Wylie Dufresne's restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

Sustainability and local sourcing practices at Wylie Dufresne’s restaurants align with current industry standards. While specific sustainability programs are not widely publicized, his casual venues often emphasize quality ingredients, some of which are locally sourced when possible.

05. Can you book Wylie Dufresne’s restaurants online—and are there loyalty programs?

Reservations for Wylie Dufresne’s dining venues, especially fine dining restaurants when active, can generally be made online through the restaurants’ own websites or third-party platforms.

At present, there are no known centralized loyalty programs across his establishments.