In May, the owners opened MaKaam at Time Out Market Vancouver at Oakridge Park.

The Royal Thai restaurant earns its third consecutive Canadian title at the World Culinary Awards, with an Isaan restaurant and Thai dessert café planned for 2027.

Steveston’s Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine has been named North America’s Best Restaurant 2026 at the World Culinary Awards, becoming the first Canadian restaurant to receive the title, according to the restaurant’s announcement.

The 20-seat waterfront restaurant also won Canada’s Best Restaurant for the third consecutive year. Previous North American title holders include The French Laundry, Le Bernardin and Atelier Crenn. Winners are determined through a weighted voting system.

I’ve been following chef-proprietor Nutcha Phanthoupheng’s work, including covering her collaboration earlier this year with Bangkok’s chef “Pam” Pichaya Soontornyanakij and Philadelphia’s Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon. Now, alongside the award, she and co-owner John Phanthoupheng have announced two restaurants planned for Granville Island in summer 2027.

“Our goal was to become the best Thai restaurant in North America,” says John. “To be named the best restaurant overall is immensely gratifying. We hope it brings greater appreciation for the depth and refinement of Thai cuisine.”

Royal Thai dining on the Steveston waterfront

A former nurse and cancer researcher, Nutcha opened Baan Lao in 2021. Its Royal Thai tasting menus feature individually plated courses and white-glove service, with tea, wine, cocktail and sake pairings available.

“I wanted to show people that Thai food is more than just street food and introduce them to the beauty of Royal Thai cuisine, which is an important part of our culture,” says Nutcha, who accepted the award in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“I am very grateful to our team and everyone who has supported us. This award encourages us to keep improving.”

The restaurant also serves weekend afternoon tea, offering another way to explore its Thai culinary program.

Two new Thai restaurants for Granville Island

I’ve been wondering what’s coming next for dining on Granville Island, and was poking about when I checked out the newly opened Burdy just the other day.

Baan Baan, Thai Farmer’s Table & Bar, will specialize in Isaan cuisine, serving charcoal-grilled seafood and meats with spicy, fermented flavours. Plans for the late-night gathering place include a showpiece bar, private dining room and expansive patio.

The charcoal grilling and fermented flavours are what I’m most curious about, along with how the restaurant will fit into the island’s evening dining scene.

Le KaNom, Thai Desserts & Caffe, will offer a daytime counterpart, serving gluten-free and dairy-free Thai sweets.

Both restaurants are planned for summer 2027.

The projects follow the couple’s expansion into casual dining earlier this year. In May, they opened MaKaam at Time Out Market Vancouver at Oakridge Park, offering modern takes on casual Thai classics.

For now, diners can visit the original Baan Lao at 4100 Bayview St. in Steveston. Reservations and current menus are available at baanlao.ca.

A fixture in Vancouver’s food and hospitality scene for decades, Cassandra Anderton tells the stories of the chefs, producers, and places that define our city. She is the publisher and editor of Good Life Vancouver and a member of both the B.C. chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier and the Chefs’ Table Society. Whether she’s exploring B.C.’s wine regions or scouting the best new table in town, Cassandra’s work is a love letter to the “good life” in the 604 and beyond.