In May, the owners opened MaKaam at Time Out Market Vancouver at Oakridge Park.<\/p>\n
The Royal Thai restaurant earns its third consecutive Canadian title at the World Culinary Awards, with an Isaan restaurant and Thai dessert caf\u00e9 planned for 2027.<\/p>\n
Steveston\u2019s Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine has been named North America\u2019s Best Restaurant 2026 at the World Culinary Awards, becoming the first Canadian restaurant to receive the title, according to the restaurant\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n
The 20-seat waterfront restaurant also won Canada\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been following chef-proprietor Nutcha Phanthoupheng\u2019s work, including covering her collaboration earlier this year<\/a> with Bangkok\u2019s chef \u201cPam\u201d Pichaya Soontornyanakij and Philadelphia\u2019s Chutatip \u201cNok\u201d Suntaranon. Now, alongside the award, she and co-owner John Phanthoupheng have announced two restaurants planned for Granville Island in summer 2027.<\/p>\n \u201cOur goal was to become the best Thai restaurant in North America,\u201d says John. \u201cTo be named the best restaurant overall is immensely gratifying. We hope it brings greater appreciation for the depth and refinement of Thai cuisine.\u201d<\/p>\n Royal Thai dining on the Steveston waterfront<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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,\u201d says Nutcha, who accepted the award in Montego Bay, Jamaica.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very grateful to our team and everyone who has supported us. This award encourages us to keep improving.\u201d<\/p>\n The restaurant also serves weekend afternoon tea, offering another way to explore its Thai culinary program.<\/p>\n Two new Thai restaurants for Granville Island<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been wondering what\u2019s coming next for dining on Granville Island, and was poking about when I checked out the newly opened Burdy<\/a> just the other day.<\/p>\n Baan Baan, Thai Farmer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The charcoal grilling and fermented flavours are what I\u2019m most curious about, along with how the restaurant will fit into the island\u2019s evening dining scene.<\/p>\n Le KaNom, Thai Desserts & Caffe, will offer a daytime counterpart, serving gluten-free and dairy-free Thai sweets.<\/p>\n Both restaurants are planned for summer 2027.<\/p>\n The projects follow the couple\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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>.<\/p>\n