Santa Fe Restaurant Leo's Named to Top 50 List
The New York Times has recognized the Santa Fe eatery for its Thai and Malay-inspired menu.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Dining Out
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Leo's, a Santa Fe restaurant founded by Jonathan Boyd and Zakary Pelaccio, has been named to The New York Times' annual list of the top 50 restaurants in the United States. The recognition adds to the establishment's growing acclaim within the national culinary scene.
Why it matters
The inclusion highlights the rising prominence of Santa Fe's dining culture as local establishments continue to gain national recognition from major publications. The restaurant's rapid ascent has solidified its reputation among both critics and diners in a short timeframe.
Leo's was selected as one of 50 restaurants on the national list. The restaurant is located in a building that operated as a gas station and auto shop for over 65 years.
The players
Jonathan Boyd
He is a co-founder of the Santa Fe restaurant Leo's.
Zakary Pelaccio
He is a co-founder of the Santa Fe restaurant Leo's.
Leo CdeBaca
He was the former owner of the building that now houses the restaurant.
The details
Founded by co-founders Jonathan Boyd and Zakary Pelaccio, the restaurant specializes in Thai and Malay-inspired cuisine. The name of the establishment serves as a tribute to Leo CdeBaca, the former owner of the building.
Timeline
The building operated as a gas station and auto shop for 65 years.
Leo's was named to an Esquire best restaurants list in December 2025.
Bon Appetit recognized the restaurant in August 2026.
Culture Shift
This recognition aligns with the trend of historic industrial spaces being repurposed into celebrated culinary destinations. The movement reflects a broader societal interest in preserving architectural heritage while elevating local gastronomic experiences.
Residents can anticipate increased demand and longer wait times for reservations following the national exposure. The popularity of the spot may also influence local dining trends and future development in the immediate neighborhood.
The takeaway
Achieving national acclaim in just over a year demonstrates the significant impact of niche, globally-inspired menus on local dining scenes. Visitors should plan to book well in advance to accommodate for the surge in attention from national food critics.
Further reading
Explore more local culinary highlights on the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.
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