Richmond’s acclaimed Royal Thai restaurant wins big at the World Culinary Awards, claims Canada’s Best Restaurant for the third consecutive year and announces two new restaurants coming to Vancouver’s Granville Island.
Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine in Richmond, British Columbia, made Canadian culinary history by becoming the first Canadian restaurant to win North America’s Best Restaurant at the 2026 World Culinary Awards.
The acclaimed Royal Thai restaurant, tucked along the waterfront in historic Steveston Village near Vancouver, also captured Canada’s Best Restaurant for the third consecutive year. For a restaurant with just 20 seats, it is an extraordinary achievement.
Baan Lao competed against 39 other nominees from Canada and the United States, joining the ranks of celebrated past North American winners, including French Laundry, Le Bernardin and Atelier Crenn.
After experiencing Baan Lao’s exquisite Royal Thai afternoon tea and its remarkable 13-course tasting menu, I am delighted to see Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng and her team receive this international recognition.
This is a restaurant where a single, delicate bird-shaped dumpling takes 30 minutes to create, the Phat Thai is wrapped in an intricate web of more than 100 strands of egg and even the smallest detail receives extraordinary attention.
Chef Nutcha prepares her 13-course tasting menu, Taste of Baan Lao – Celebrating the Bounty and Beauty of Thailand. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Fine Thai Cuisine Chef Nutcha presents Phat Thai with Mangrove Black Tiger Prawn. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Baan Lao Wins North America’s Best Restaurant at the 2026 World Culinary Awards
Chef Nutcha accepted the prestigious award on October 14, 2026, at the World Culinary Awards ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The competition included 22 Canadian and 18 American nominees and judges selected the winners through a weighted voting system.
For Chef Nutcha, the award is especially meaningful. Since opening Baan Lao in 2021, she has worked to introduce diners to the traditions, artistry and sophistication of Royal Thai cuisine.
“I wanted to show people that Thai food is more than just street food and introduce them to the beauty of Royal Thai cuisine,” said Chef Phanthoupheng. “I am very grateful to our team and everyone who has supported us. This award encourages us to keep improving.”
Her husband and business partner, John Phanthoupheng, reflected on just how far they have come. “Our goal was to become the best Thai restaurant in North America,” he said. “To be named the best restaurant overall is immensely gratifying. We hope it brings greater appreciation for the depth and refinement of Thai cuisine.”
Baan Lao Wins North America’s Best Restaurant 2026 in a Historic First for Canada
What Makes Baan Lao So Special? A Look Inside the Award-Winning Restaurant
I first visited Baan Lao for its exceptional Royal Thai afternoon tea, then returned with my daughter Melanie for Chef Nutcha’s 13-course tasting menu, Taste of Baan Lao – Celebrating the Bounty and Beauty of Thailand.
Both visits were memorable, not only for the beautiful presentation but also for the fascinating stories behind the food. Each course reveals something about Thai culinary traditions, the ingredients and the extraordinary work that goes into preparing them.
One of the most memorable dishes was a tiny bird-shaped chicken dumpling. Each one takes 30 minutes to make, with natural turmeric and beetroot extracts providing the yellow and pink colours. A small chilli forms the beak, while black sesame seeds become the eyes.
Then there is Chef Nutcha’s extraordinary Phat Thai. Rather than simply mixing egg into the noodles, she creates an intricate egg lacing of more than 100 fine strands, delicately wrapping the noodles before adding a sustainably raised mangrove black tiger prawn from Thailand. Even the sauce takes four hours to prepare, using fresh tamarind and carefully extracted chilli juices.
Baan Lao’s exquisite Organic Coconut Galangal Soup with Crispy Wild Sockeye Salmon. Photo: Melanie and Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Another unforgettable course was the organic coconut galangal soup with crispy wild sockeye salmon. A delicate, hand-painted edible flower screen rests above the soup, its colours derived from natural ingredients, including Thailand’s butterfly pea flower. Breaking through the fragile artwork becomes part of the dining experience.
The attention to detail extends well beyond the kitchen. Handcrafted Thai pottery, beautifully carved vegetables, knowledgeable sommeliers and refined white-glove service all contribute to the experience.
Read more: Michelin-worthy Baan Lao escalates its culinary magic in Richmond, my detailed review of the Royal Thai tasting menu, including photographs and the stories behind the dishes.
From Cancer Research to International Culinary Recognition
Chef Nutcha’s background is far from typical for an internationally acclaimed chef. Before entering the culinary world, she worked as a nurse and cancer researcher. Her scientific background continues to shape her approach to cooking, particularly her focus on ingredient quality, sourcing, and the relationship between food and wellness.
She trained with Michelin-starred chefs in Thailand, including Chef Chumpol Jangprai of Bangkok’s two-Michelin-starred R-Haan.
Her commitment to sourcing exceptional ingredients is equally impressive. Three varieties of organic rice used at Baan Lao come from her family’s 150-acre farm in Khon Kaen, Thailand, which has been in the family for more than 80 years.
Closer to home, she works with British Columbia producers, including McClintock Farm on Vancouver Island for organic water buffalo and Sumas Mountain Farms in the Fraser Valley for organic meats. She also grows her own organic microgreens.
This combination of Thai culinary heritage, local ingredients, and meticulous preparation makes dining at Baan Lao such a fascinating experience.
Baan Lao’s Royal Thai Afternoon Tea Is Another Experience Worth Discovering
Before returning for the tasting menu, I experienced Baan Lao’s Royal Thai afternoon tea, a beautifully presented journey through sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savoury flavours. The three courses, Arun (Dawn), Athit (Sun) and Bulan (Moon), take diners through a progression of handcrafted Thai delicacies.
You can also experience traditional Gong Fu Cha tea service, with carefully selected teas presented by a certified tea sommelier.
I particularly appreciated that guests are encouraged to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. The service is attentive, gracious and wonderfully knowledgeable.
Read more: Baan Lao’s Royal Thai Afternoon Tea Experience in Richmond, featuring my firsthand review and photographs.
Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng prepares afternoon tea at Baan Lao in Richmond. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©
Baan Lao’s Growing Collection of International Restaurant Awards
The 2026 World Culinary Awards are the latest additions to Baan Lao’s growing list of culinary honours. Among its notable achievements are:
- North America’s Best Restaurant 2026 — World Culinary Awards
- Canada’s Best Restaurant 2024, 2025 and 2026 — World Culinary Awards
- No. 12 and Best Restaurant in Western Canada 2025 — North America’s 50 Best Restaurants
- Best Destination Restaurant 2025 — Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants
These awards come from different organizations and judging systems, but collectively reflect the attention Baan Lao has attracted since opening in 2021. For Richmond and Metro Vancouver, the recognition is another reminder that some of the region’s most exceptional dining experiences can be found beyond downtown Vancouver. And Chef Nutcha is not finished expanding her culinary ambitions.
Two New Thai Restaurants Coming to Vancouver’s Granville Island in 2027
Along with celebrating its historic win, Baan Lao has announced two exciting new restaurants scheduled to open on Granville Island in summer 2027.
The restaurants will be located side by side in the Chain & Forge building, introducing more casual ways to experience Chef Nutcha’s cooking.
Baan Baan: Thai Farmer’s Table & Bar
Baan Baan will specialize in Isaan cuisine from northeastern Thailand, known for its bold, spicy and fermented flavours. The menu will feature charcoal-grilled seafood and meats, bringing a different side of Thai culinary traditions to Vancouver.
The restaurant is planned as a lively, late-night gathering place with a showpiece bar, private dining room and expansive patio.
“Baan Baan means village or community and Granville Island feels like that,” explained Chef Nutcha. “People from many different places come together there. The location feels very natural for this concept. It will allow people to experience my food in a more casual way.”
Le KaNom: Thai Desserts & Caffe
Next door, Le KaNom will introduce visitors to Thai desserts and sweets, including gluten-free and dairy-free creations. The daytime café will offer a welcome opportunity to explore another side of Thai cuisine, especially for those who have never tried traditional Thai desserts.
Both restaurants are expected to open in summer 2027, adding two interesting new dining options to Vancouver’s popular Granville Island.
MaKaam Brings Chef Nutcha’s Thai Cooking to Oakridge Park
The expansion is already underway. In May 2026, Chef Nutcha and John Phanthoupheng opened MaKaam at Time Out Market Vancouver in Oakridge Park.
Unlike Baan Lao’s elaborate fine-dining experience, MaKaam offers modern interpretations of casual Thai classics, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and healthier preparations.
Together, the three concepts offer very different ways to explore the diversity of Thai cuisine.
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A Well-Deserved Honour for Chef Nutcha and Her Team
When I think back to my visits to Baan Lao, it is the incredible precision and care behind each dish that stand out. From the tiny handmade dumplings to the elaborate presentations and carefully sourced ingredients, Chef Nutcha and her team have created something truly special in Steveston Village.
It is wonderful to see a Canadian restaurant and one I have had the pleasure of writing about several times receive this level of international recognition.
Congratulations to Chef Nutcha, John Phanthoupheng and the entire Baan Lao team on their remarkable achievement.
I look forward to seeing what comes next.
Where Is Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine?
Located on the waterfront overlooking the Fraser River, Baan Lao offers an intimate Royal Thai fine-dining experience.
The restaurant features Royal Thai tasting menus, curated beverage pairings and weekend afternoon tea. With only 20 seats, advance reservations are highly recommended.
Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine
4100 Bayview Street
Steveston Village, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
Have you experienced Baan Lao’s Royal Thai cuisine? Share your favourite dish or tell us which of the new Granville Island restaurants you are most excited to visit.
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About the Author:
Wendy Nordvik-Carr is a highly regarded travel writer who produces quality, well-researched articles with stunning photography and video.
She seeks out authentic experiences showcasing the people, culture and history that make each destination unique. Her focus is on solo, couple and multigenerational travel through cruising, air and road trip adventures.
Wendy is the editor & writer for LifesIncredibleJourney.com, an award-winning travel site that encourages exploration of destinations near & far.
She is a TMAC Director, Chair, National Governance Committee and Chair of TMAC's BC & Yukon Chapter, as well as a member of SATW, IFWTWA and NATJA.
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