British Columbia
A Richmond, B.C., restaurant has been named the best in North America by a global hospitality and culinary industries group, in a first for a Canadian establishment.
Baan Lao is the 1st Canadian restaurant to earn the title from World Culinary Awards
The Canadian Press · Posted: Oct 15, 2026 9:59 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago
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Baan Lao, located in Steveston, B.C., has been named North America’s best by the World Culinary Awards. (Google Street View)
A Richmond, B.C., restaurant has been named the best in North America by a global hospitality and culinary industries group, in a first for a Canadian establishment.
Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine has been named North America’s Best Restaurant by the World Culinary Awards, topping a group of 22 Canadian nominees and 18 in the United States.
The restaurant was also named the top Canadian restaurant for the third straight year.
The awards were established in 2020, with winners determined by weighted voting among the public and registered members of the culinary industry.
Baan Lao opened in 2021 and serves “Royal Thai tasting menus with individually plated courses.”
The previous six winners of the North American award have all been from the United States, including two wins each by Le Bernardin in New York and The French Laundry in California.
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