https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/baan-lao-richmond" target="_blank">Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine has just been named the Best Restaurant in Canada for the second consecutive year at the 2025 World Culinary Awards. What makes this exciting is that it’s the first Canadian restaurant to have received the award twice.

Baan Lao is a Thai restaurant helmed by chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng, a former nurse and cancer researcher from Thailand who came to Canada with a dream of healing through food.

[Phanthoupheng’s] signature 18-item tasting menu honours centuries-old traditions passed down from the Thai royal court while embracing the finest local ingredients,” wrote the World Culinary Awards. “Each dish is an exquisite work of art, served on handcrafted plateware and complemented with premium tea, wine, cocktail and sake pairings curated by world-class consultants.”

“I feel very happy,” said Phanthoupeng. “I opened Baan Lao to help people in Canada understand authentic Thai cuisine and the beauty of Royal Thai cuisine. Thai food is not only street food—fine dining is part of our culture and history. This award helps more people discover us.”

This recognition follows Baan Lao’s debut as twelfth on the inaugural 2025 North America’s 50 Best Restaurant list, where it was also named the Best Restaurant in Western Canada.

It was also named the Best Destination Restaurant in Canada by Canada’s 1oo Best earlier this year.

Other restaurants that have previously received the award include Vancouver’s St. Lawrence, Montreal’s Toque!, and the Toronto-based Alo.

The World Culinary Awards, now in its sixth year, recognizes outstanding culinary destinations, hotel restaurants, training institutions, and landmark establishments from around the world.

Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine

Address: 4100 Bayview St., Richmond

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