How Many Restaurants Does Claudette Zepeda Have?

Claudette Zepeda Restaurants: Key Takeaways

Claudette Zepeda owns a total of 3 restaurants worldwide, with a presence in the United States and Australia.
While she currently holds no Michelin stars, her portfolio includes a blend of fine dining and casual dining concepts.
Signature restaurants like Leu Leu and VAGA Restaurant & Bar showcase her diverse culinary influences from Mexican-American to Mediterranean flavors.
Recent expansion efforts have focused on the Leu Leu concept in Leucadia, California, reflecting a commitment to intimate and culturally inspired venues.

Chef Claudette Zepeda has established a growing culinary footprint with three restaurants located in key markets across the United States and Australia. Her restaurants highlight a unique fusion of global flavors, emphasizing fresh and authentic experiences.

This article explores the scope of Claudette Zepeda’s restaurant ownership, covering her current venues, culinary concepts from casual taco joints to elegant oceanfront fine dining, and her expansion strategy from 2023 to 2025.

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Claudette Zepeda Restaurants: Global Presence and Restaurant Count

Claudette Zepeda currently owns and operates 3 restaurants worldwide. Her portfolio spans two continents, with two locations in the United States and one in Australia.

The restaurants encompass different dining styles, including fine dining and casual dining, reflecting Claudette’s versatile culinary approach and commitment to authentic and immersive dining experiences.

Below is a breakdown of her restaurant presence by region, including notable examples:

Region	Approx. Number of Restaurants	Notable Examples
United States	2	Leu Leu (Leucadia, California), VAGA Restaurant & Bar (Encinitas, California)
Australia	1	Taqueria Zepeda (Sydney)
Total (Global)	3	(Across California, USA, and Sydney, Australia)

These restaurants operate under full ownership rather than franchised or licensed arrangements, allowing Claudette full creative and operational control.

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Her expansion in recent years has focused on consolidating her presence in Leucadia, California, where she launched Leu Leu as part of a 2023–2025 growth strategy highlighting intimate and culturally rich settings.

Michelin-Starred Flagship Restaurants

As of now, Claudette Zepeda does not own any Michelin-starred restaurants. Her portfolio is more focused on delivering authentic, approachable, and globally inspired culinary experiences through both casual and fine dining establishments.

Rather than Michelin accolades, Claudette emphasizes atmosphere, innovative menus, and high-quality ingredients, fostering strong local followings and critical acclaim through community and guest satisfaction.

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Notable Claudette Zepeda Restaurant Concepts and Locations

Claudette Zepeda’s restaurant concepts represent diverse culinary styles, ranging from relaxed taco spots to elevated fine dining with a coastal Californian ambiance. Here are her most notable concepts:

Leu Leu

Located in Leucadia, California, Leu Leu is a single-location casual dining restaurant known for its globally inspired menu that creatively blends Mexican-American cuisine with Mediterranean, Moroccan, and Eastern influences.

Set inside an intimate 1930s bungalow, Leu Leu offers a welcoming lounge atmosphere that complements its eclectic flavors. The price range is moderate, approximately $50 to $100 per person, appealing to diners seeking approachable yet sophisticated meals.

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Taqueria Zepeda

Taqueria Zepeda in Sydney, Australia, is a casual dining spot focusing on authentic Mexican tacos and a simple, traditional menu. It offers affordable prices, typically $15 to $30 per person, and values culinary authenticity with minimalistic presentation emphasizing fresh ingredients.

This taqueria is the only Claudette-owned location in Australia and represents her connection to grassroots Mexican cuisine outside of the United States.

VAGA Restaurant & Bar

VAGA Restaurant & Bar in Encinitas, California, represents Claudette’s fine dining vision. It features a menu celebrating local ingredients and immigrant influences, set against a beautiful oceanfront backdrop.

Pricing for VAGA is higher, typically ranging from $75 to $150 per person, catering to guests seeking a premium experience blending coastal California vibe with global flavors.

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Claudette Zepeda Restaurant Empire: Conclusion

In conclusion, Claudette Zepeda currently owns 3 restaurants spanning the United States and Australia, encompassing both casual and fine dining concepts.

Though her portfolio has no Michelin stars, Claudette’s restaurants showcase a rich tapestry of cultural flavors that highlight Mexican-American heritage alongside Mediterranean and global influences.

Her intimate venues like Leu Leu and fine dining oceanfront restaurant VAGA demonstrate a nuanced approach to hospitality emphasizing atmosphere, culinary innovation, and authenticity.

With full ownership of her establishments and a focus on careful expansion, Claudette’s restaurant empire remains boutique but thoughtfully global, with steady growth from 2023 onward.

Her commitment to creating distinct dining experiences rooted in community and diversity sets her apart in today’s competitive restaurant industry.

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01. How involved is Claudette Zepeda in day-to-day restaurant operations?

Claudette Zepeda maintains a hands-on approach to her restaurants, particularly given her ownership of all locations.

She is directly involved in menu development, sourcing, and the overall guest experience, often partnering with trusted collaborators like Jason Janececk and Britt Corrales to manage operations.

While she may delegate daily management to onsite teams, Claudette’s creative and strategic influence remains central to all decisions.

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

Claudette Zepeda’s restaurants range in price from affordable casual dining to upscale fine dining.

Venue Type	Price Range (per person)	Notes
Taqueria Zepeda (Sydney)	$15–$30	Authentic Mexican tacos with simple menus offering great value.
Leu Leu (Leucadia)	$50–$100	Casual dining with global flavors in an intimate setting.
VAGA Restaurant & Bar (Encinitas)	$75–$150	Fine dining focused on local and immigrant-inspired cuisine.

For guests seeking high value and authentic flavors at a reasonable cost, Taqueria Zepeda in Sydney is an excellent choice. Fine dining enthusiasts will appreciate VAGA’s premium offerings and oceanfront ambiance.

03. How does Claudette Zepeda choose new cities or countries for expansion?

Claudette’s expansion strategy focuses on locations where her culinary vision resonates with local culture and market demand.

The choice of Leucadia and Encinitas in California reflects a desire to connect with vibrant coastal communities that appreciate her fusion cuisine.

The Sydney location was selected to serve a market that values authentic Mexican cuisine and to explore new international opportunities.

Claudette prioritizes partnerships, community engagement, and venue atmosphere when considering new ventures.

04. Are Claudette Zepeda restaurants sustainable or locally sourced?

Sustainability and local sourcing are important values throughout Claudette Zepeda’s restaurants.

Especially at VAGA Restaurant & Bar, there is a strong emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients that celebrate regional flavors while reducing environmental impact.

Casual concepts also tend to integrate sustainable practices such as responsibly sourced seafood and ethically raised produce where possible.

Though Claudette’s operations are currently boutique-sized, sustainability remains an integral part of her culinary ethos.

05. Can you book Claudette Zepeda restaurants online—and are there loyalty programs?

Reservations at Claudette Zepeda’s restaurants can generally be made online through their respective websites or popular booking platforms such as OpenTable.

While there are no unified loyalty programs across her venues, some locations may offer localized promotions or email newsletters to engage frequent diners.

Given the boutique size of the restaurant group, personal connections and direct communication can greatly enhance the guest experience.