Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine

We did the full 18-dish Royal Thai tasting menu and every single course was a tiny work of art. The duck laarb ended up being both of our favourites; so bright, beautifully balanced, and packed with flavour but honestly, there wasn’t a single miss. The curries, yellow, green, and massamun, were crafted with such precision, layered and aromatic. Dessert turned into a full three-part festival: delicate, playful, and almost too pretty to eat. The luk chup was unbelievably intricate, and we both loved the hand-crafted bird dumpling, almost magical in its detail. A stunning, thoughtful meal from start to finish. Super excited for the new restaurant to open on Granville Island in the future. One final note about the beautiful restaurant, there were beautiful paintings that were done by an elephant; really showed me how bad my artistic skills are.

We embarked on the "From Thailand with Love" tasting menu - an extraordinary 18-dish culinary journey. Each course was a masterpiece of both visual artistry and exquisite flavor, beautifully crafted and delicious. The restaurant itself provides a lovely, intimate setting, complemented by service that was both friendly and impeccably professional. The evening was made truly memorable when Chef Nutcha personally came to our table to thank us. A heartfelt thank you to Chef Nutcha and the entire team for an unforgettable dining experience and a memorable night!

We celebrated my mom and sister’s birthdays at Baan Lao, and it was truly unforgettable. We had tried their high tea before (which was an elegant and memorable experience in its own right), but the 18-course “From Thailand with Love” dinner was in a completely different league. The setting is beautiful—right by the water, peaceful and serene—and the service was warm, professional, and genuinely caring. You could tell the team took real pride in sharing the chef’s story through the meal. Each course was meticulously crafted and full of bold, balanced flavors. What really set it apart was how each dish reflected Chef Nutcha’s personal journey and Thai upbringing. You don’t just eat here—you experience a story. We also tried three mocktails—Faux-jito, Little Bird, and Limonade—each with a unique Thai twist like pandan or a touch of spice. All were refreshing and delicious. By the end, we were full, happy, and honestly blown away. The price was more than fair for the quality, quantity, and attention to detail. I’ve eaten at several Michelin-starred restaurants, and this was hands-down the best meal I’ve ever had. Chef Nutcha is not only a gifted culinary chef but also a remarkable pastry artist—a rare combination that shines through in every course, sweet or savory. Her talent is undeniable, and I have no doubt that her upcoming Vancouver locations will be future Michelin-star destinations. Baan Lao is something special—absolutely worth the visit.

From the moment you step through the door off the sidewalk, exceptional service, delicious food and even heated toilets are at your muse. As a guest the doors are held open for you to arrive, jackets taken and put away into the cloak closet, your seat is pulled out and tucked back in as you get comfortable and a napkin is placed strategically on your lap. I arrived with my hubby and son (8years old) for the Thai Tea Experience served Saturdays and Sundays only at 12:30pm. Reservations must be made prior. It is a set menu with 5 hot beverages. 3 courses each containing a delightful 3-5 plates. Every one meticulously played and served. Every tea explained and dishes cleared and reset each course. You won't be disappointed. Without spoiling it for you, we all agreed it was worth the experience.

Service staff lacked communication and coordination. All our cocktails took over 30 min to arrive, and the overall service felt disjointed and unpolished, far from the seamless experience expected at this price point. The food was beautifully presented and well executed, though somewhat one-dimensional in flavor. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend or return. Paying almost $700 per couple feels excessive given the service quality, location, and culinary depth.

We celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary at the exquisite Baan Lao. The moment we walked through the door we realized we were in for a special treat. The team was fabulous ensuring that every need was taken care of through our journey. A special treat was to meet the wizard behind the amazing dishes- Chef Nutcha. We savoured and marveled at each dish which was loving paired with premium wines. Each bite was a sensation. We have been in Michelin star restaurants on several continents and have to rate Baan Lao and the team best.

Had one of the best fine dining experiences ever. The food was amazing and the staff went and beyond explaining the food. Especially the guy named ‘James’ was fantastic. Went there with mom and aunt. They treated us all very well and equally. Especially they were very kind and accommodating towards my mom. Wonderful experience!

Wow, it was the first time I ever ate somewhere and enjoyed everything start to finish. I went for their afternoon tea which I believe is reasonably priced for the experience you get. You get to choose between caffeine or non caffeine tea. It was really fun getting the opportunity to taste multiple types of tea. It was also surprising how well the tea actually went with the food. Every bite of the food selection was delicious and it definitely does leave you feeling full. Not only that, the presentation of each course is art itself. I definitely will be returning for their set meal one day!

It is not only a meal, but an experience. The atmosphere is serene and calming. The service is impeccable. I went for their tea service and was amazed at the food and the tea pairings. They have a non-caffeinated tea menu as well and all the teas are so flavourful. The white gloved server explains each dish and the accompanying tea. The dishes are a work of art. We took the time to appreciate the expertise of the chef before enjoying the dish. I can't pick a favourite dish, they all were unique and tasted as good as they looked. The attention to detail in the decor, the service, the food, the tea, and even the plates and cups they serve you with is second to none. When we left, we felt we had been treated like royalty.

The food is exquisite, being equally beautiful in artistic presentation, as well as layered with complex delicious flavor profiles. The space is gorgeous, and the service is literally white glove, yet warm, attentive, and comfortable at the same time. Above all, it's the little extra attentive details of hospitality and the intangibles that make it such an amazing dining experience.

We were greeted and sat promptly, I was pleasantly surprised by the personalized welcome letter. But I'm curious though, my husband didn't specify in the reservation that he's bringing me, yet in the letter they address me as 'Mrs X', so it makes me wonder how they obtain that information. What if my husband was to bring a family member or a friend or same sex partner, then that well intentioned letter would have been awkward. As the journey of our tasting menu and wine pairing starts, every dish is a work of art. From sourcing, explaining of each dish and its story/inspiration, presentation and taste are magnificent. The most beautifully decorated dishes amongst the menu is the Tom Kha (coconut galangal soup). It's colourful, intricate and tasty. The most delicious dishes amongst the menu is the Pad Thai. It's perfectly al dente, not oily, yet noodles do not stick together. Each noodle is evenly coated with tamarind sauce, yet is not a saucy dish at all. The beautiful egg net wrapping the noodles like a present is definitely a fancy cherry on top. The wine pairing I enjoyed the most was the one paired with the dessert. The Riesling ice wine paired with the smoked ice cream added so much depth and almost like a salted caramel taste to the dessert dish. All servers are very professional and courteous, with the exception of our main server William. Perhaps he was too occupied to think of logistics or felt too busy/stressed, he was polite but he was the only one on the floor without a smile. Unfortunately he made our first half of the dining experience rather uncomfortable and intimidating. When we asked for the bill, my husband asked William whether he was nervous, it opened up the conversation and he was actually very friendly and pleasant when he loosen up and smiled. As for the restaurant ambience, it has a very high ceiling and more of a minimalistic industrial feel to it. Since it was already night time, it was pitch black so we couldn't enjoy the beautiful serene view. I wish there's some way to enjoy a hint of Thailand scenery and decoration at night. It would also be amazing if there's some transcendental soothing music background. I believe that would help elevating the whole dining experience. One last thing, at no fault of the restaurant or servers, one of the other table, a guest kept using his cell phone to watch videos, and his volume was rather loud and disturbing. It was totally unexpected at such a high end restaurant. If we're only talking about sourcing, presentation and taste, I think Baan Lao is worthy of a Michelin 2 stars. I look forward to trying their afternoon tea some day.

This was my first time trying Thai-themed afternoon tea at this authentic Thai restaurant. The service was excellent when I entered the restaurant. They already knew my name and smoothly guided us to our table. Each waiter explained the afternoon tea course, including the tea sommelier. First, they served a refreshment drink, then the appetizer course began, as you can see below. Khao Kriap Pak Mo(Stir fried Organic Chicken breast with steam rice paper dumpling) - Very delicious. ground nuts made dumpling sweeter side Yum Salmon Fu(Crispy Wild Sockeye salmon salad in crispy golden pastry) - A bit sour side, the pieces of vegetable was amazing. Kuai Tiao Lui Suan(Rice noodle Butterfly pea salad roll with Thai Herbal sauce) - This one is also sour side. beautiful appearance. Paired with Thai Hibiscus tea (tad sour matched with salad) Thung Thong Nuea Kwai(Stir Fried water Buffalo Money bag) - Delicious. Khao Chi Nuea Yang(Sticky rice with Marinated beef tenderloin with tomato chilli sauce) - One of the best. The beef was so tender and paired perfectly with the sticky rice. Thot Man Kung(Crispy Mangrove Prawn Cake) - Very delicious. Deep fried prawn cake never go wrong. Tao Hu Thot(Deep Fried Organic Soft Tofu with Wild seaweed Caviar)- very unique one.. Can't recognize tofu until I see menu. Gai Sa Tay(Homemade Brioche and Grilled Yellow Curry Organic Chicken breast) - very interesting texture. Paired with Chrysanthemum and chamomile tea(rich texture, really matched with savory item) Khao Niao Ma Muang(Sweet Mango with Coconuts Milk Sticky Rice) - delicious. Another item never go wrong. Khai Tao Phueak Sang Kha Ya BaiToei(Deep Fried Taro ball with Pandan coconuts custard) - Pandan coconuts custard was amazing, really good with Taro ball. Phon La Mai Kae Sa Lak(Hand carved seasonal fruits) - Amazing little carving fruits. Paired with Honeybush tea - sweet flavor, I really love this tea. Finale - White Rose blend tea - Nice to drink as final item I was really amazed by their afternoon tea and service. Before we paid the bill, the owner chef came over to our table and greeted us. It was very impressive. Excellent service and excellent food. I don't usually make a rating 5 star, but, this place is definitely 5 star restaurant. It's really worth trying. I hope I can try their dinner one day.

We've been meaning to try Baan Lao for a while as we are intrigued by what Thai fine dining entails. If I can describe the restaurant in one sentence, I would say the story is richer than the food. Don't get me wrong, every food item was presented beautifully - I can see the time and hard work that was put into each dish. I appreciate the creativity for some of the dishes that has interesting components (eg insects). However, I wasn't really wowed by any of the dishes. I understand they use better ingredients (organic/imported) so that may justify the pricing of the meal ($175+ tax pp); but the portion seems a bit too small. Aside from the food, the service/ambiance are top notch. We received warm welcome as soon as we walked through the door. The server explained every dish with such details that you feel immersed in the experience. That is the reason why I gave 4 stars - the service here is truly a fine dining experience. Would I come back for a second time? Most likely not. But I would say it is great for a one time experience.

This was truly such a 5-star experience that I could not recommend enough! Location: the restaurant is in a residential neighbourhood of Richmond. When we got dropped off by our Uber, we thought we were lost. We went at night, so we didn't have a view, but if you went a little earlier, you would have a nice view of the water. Since it's in a residential neighbourhood, you can see people walking their dogs. Food: Truly exquisite, amazing food! We did the Taste of Baan Lao, and even though it is the shorter menu, we left full. The dishes were complex with a variety of flavours and textures. Lots of the ingredients were locally sourced, either from BC or even from the Chef's own greenhouse. Some of the food was a little spicy, but that's part of the experience! The presentation of the food was also amazing, and was definitely a highlight. Service: The team at Baan Lao were all amazing. The service is French Service, so everyone is served at the same time and all the dishes are taken away at the same time too. Each person we spoke with about the food, or the restaurant, was clearly passionate about their work. It truly showed that there's a culture that has been built, and speaks highly of Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng. Atmosphere: Upscale, very nice atmosphere. There are only maybe 10(?) tables, so it's definitely intimate. Perfect for a celebration, like a birthday. To top all of this off, Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng is a Thai woman chef! The restaurant aims to support Canadian and local businesses, and is farm to table. Truly could not recommend this experience enough - and this restaurant is truly deserving of a Michelin. Cannot wait to return!

Amazing meal; worth every penny (minus the cocktails - more on that later). Five stars for the food, tea pairing, and service. Let's start with the booking. All booking is done via Tock, where you prepay for the meal. You can pay for your tea or wine pairing while you book, but if you're not sure, you can add these when you're at the restaurant. All online payments include 20% gratuity. There's two types of meals: the Taste of Baan Lao and the Signature Dinner. The Signature is more expensive and only once a month on a Saturday. My group did the Taste of Baan Lao, and the dinner truly exceeded all of our expectations. They had each place setting with our individualized names (which we didn't realize - oops!). This coordination was important for considering allergies/food sensitivities, of which I notified the restaurant at the time of booking. They go all out with making sure food sensitivities are addressed. They don't just omit something, or replace with something inadequate. A lot of thought is put into an alternative. For example, my friend cannot eat cilantro or microgreens. They have a house made fish sauce, which was out of this world - and they made a special one for my friend. Every course was thoughtfully prepared and delicious, and easily the best version of that dish we've ever had (opinions are unanimous). Three of us got the tea pairing, and I loved all of the teas. We were rationing the tea at first for each course, until we realized we get refills! The only down side was that I couldn't sleep that night due to all the yummy tea! One of my friends got a number of cocktails, but none of them quite wowed us. Usually, we can find at least one that we love, but it wasn't the case here. The service was impeccable with friendly staff that explained all of the food, tea, and cocktails. I had noted on the reservation that we were celebrating a birthday, and they hand made a beautiful card for my friend, which was signed by all the staff. The chef also came out to greet us at the end of the dinner. Definitely coming back for the Signature dinner at some point!

5 star dining! The best dining experience I've had ever! Everything from the reservation, communication, excellent service, quality of food and environment. This place is a hidden gem. The servers are very knowledgeable and experienced. I loved how they explained where all the food is sourced and story behind each dish. All the dishes were prepared fresh and you can taste the difference. The thought behind every dish is very well executed. The Thai curry, salmon with basil crunch was exquisite. The dessert was divine, almost too pretty to eat. Chef Nutcha is a culinary artist. Make sure to try their drinks and wine pairings. FYI Need to make reservations in advance. Get there early to walk and enjoy a stroll along the water before dinner. Also ask for parking because it's limited in the area.

My husband and I love Baan Lao's food and enjoy the experience just as much. The service is always on point, friendly and special. The food is so tasty and beautiful. Chef Nutcha prepares everything with care and serves amazing flavours on every dish. The food carvings were exceptional, and the very enjoyable stories that accompanied every dish made our dinner a lovely experience.

Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine不仅提供了令人难忘的泰国美食体验，更是让人感受到了皇家般的待遇。这家餐厅的环境优雅，菜品精致且美味。每道菜都展现了泰国菜的独特风味，而且使用的是新鲜、当地的食材。服务员态度非常友好，服务周到，让整个用餐体验提升到了一个新的水平。非常推荐给喜欢尝试泰国美食的朋友们。这里不仅是味蕾的享受，更是一次文化的探索。

Baan Lao is more than just a restaurant, its an experience like no other. With every amazing dish you're served comes with a story about the history of Thailand and the experiences of the Chef. The service was top notch down to the little details and is helped by the staff who are very informative and kind making it easy to strike up a conversation. The restaurant itself is beautiful from the artwork and décor that comes from Thailand to the location being on the waterfront.

My visit to Baan Lao was one I will not forget. It was more than just fine dining, it was an artistic cultural experience. Being located right on the Fraser River, we were able to experience the light of the setting sun all around us. From the unique art that hung on the walls to the food itself, everything had an amazing origin story and significance. The flavors were so rich, and the colorful presentations were so creative you almost didn't want to disturb them, but everything was so delicious I had to dive right in. You felt that the owner, John, and chef, Nutcha, wanted you to experience the wonders of their culture with every bite you took. I have never felt so connected to the dining experience and the culture from which the dishes themselves originated. I can't wait to bring my friends and family again.

Baan Lao is everything one should expect when visiting a fine dining establishment. The décor was exquisite and the location of the restaurant gives guests a beautiful view of the Steveston Harbour. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by staff that were very hospitable and professionally dressed. The 14 course dining experience was delectable. Nothing was short of impressive, from the taste of the food to the beautiful food plating presentations. Each dish was particularly made to accentuate the authentic flavors of Thailand. Each bite of the food brought back memories of my visit to Thailand and the wonderful culture. The option of Wine or Tea pairings provided an elegance to the cuisine. I opted for the Wine option to compliment the dishes. I had no regrets as the pairings were chosen perfectly by a Sommelier. After our meal the Head Chef Nutcha personally took the time and came out to ask us how everything was to ensure that we had a wonderful experience. Chef Nutcha has personally trained with Michelin Star Chefs, an Iron Chef of Thailand, and a Chef who served the Thai Royal Family. This is why it comes as no surprise that the food came out perfect in every aspect. I especially loved that this establishment is Family owned. Other than the rice that is grown on the family's rice fields in Thailand, the restaurant obtains their ingredients from local businesses. Baan Lao was the best fine dining experience that I have come across and I would put this establishment at the top of your list of places to visit. Just make sure that you book a reservation in advance as the restaurant can get extremely busy resulting in limited availability.

There is a reason why this restaurant has won many awards in Vancouver. From the exemplary service from all staff to the exquisite interiors and of course to the delicious food, Baan Lao sets the new bar very high. The full experience is something severely lacking in the Lower Mainland. I'm going to let you in on a secret about me. Years ago when we went to the Herbfarm in Washington state, there was one dish that was so beautiful it was a work of art and my eyes started to fill up. Well last night it just about happened again. While every dish was beautifully presented, the Pad Thai was just gorgeous. I'm not going to go into detail about everything as I would like you the reader to take in the full experience yourself. Please go. Thank you again Chef Nutcha.

Not just the best Thai restaurant in Greater Vancouver, but perhaps the best restaurant in Greater Vancouver period. Our fixed menu was perfectly balanced. We could not have made such thoughtful selections ourselves. Light floral appetizers were followed by reinterpretations of Thai classics: Pad Thai and Green Curry. Reinterpreting classics can be dull and pretentious but these were inventive and delicious. Then desserts. I won't try to describe them - you have to go and taste for yourself. Mango and coconut flavours in surprising shapes and textures. Wine pairings were good. Tea pairings if you prefer. Service was attentive without being awkward. Some ceremony. But relaxed. Perfectly balanced. The room is also a balance of casual and formal. Spectacular sea urchin chandeliers in matte black on white background are trendy but fun. The view of the river (from which the salmon is fished) is beautiful. Pricey. But yolo.

Located in Steveston, British Columbia, overlooking the ocean, is Baan Lao. Inside, you are given a heartwarming welcome and referred to by surname. A note addressed to you detailing Chef Nutcha's restaurant philosophy and an amouse bouche trio awaits for you at your table. After being walked to your table, draped in white table cloth, you are given a warm lemongrass infused hand towel. A brightly smiling server removes, with white gloves, the sun hat shaped cover of the amouse bouche and explains the artful dish's ingredients, culture, and inspiration. As the appetizer, soup, and mains are presented the essential lemon grass oil from the warm hand towel is still fragrant in the air. Every detail possible is truly thought out; from pulling out your chair for you to sit, heated restroom seats, and stunning decor - paintings by a fifteen year old female Thai elephant, who signs her own name "Suda" on the canvases, adorn the wall. The gestalt of all this is to allow you to fully appreciate the dishes; such as the the Chib Thai dumpling, so well hand crafted into a chiclet that you pause before you can bite into it; The incredible sweet and tangy two year fermented wild anchovy sauce, perfectly paired with a Hakkaido scallop donned in 23k gold from Florence, Italy and seaweed caviar; and a red curry sauce with unimaginable depths of soft waves of hand pressed coconut, anchovy umami, and earthy curry spice poured onto organic beef tenderloin, to name a few. At Baan Lao, you experience royal fine dining.

My wife and I came here with two other couples as we had heard that the dining experience was second-to-none; we were not disappointed! The remarkable service from the staff started from the minute we came through the door. We were given in-depth explanations of every appetizer, main course, and wine/tea pairing, which were exquisitely made and incredibly delicious. I would definitely recommend this fine dining restaurant for your next special occasion.

Amazing service with friendly staff. Clean place and nicely decorated but still elegant and simple. Reservation needed and parking lot and street parking around the area. In the winter there's not much to see but when the season and winter is better, you can see the sunset since it's by the dock. The plating is creative and the food is delicious. Great texture and flavour. It's not the best I've had from other similar experiences and with the price, but it was still a very enjoyable evening. Some of the tea I loved like the Japanese one but a couple were okay. There are still some details that could be paid more attention to but overall it's great!

We had an absolutely stellar meal.. the most memorable ever. The food was innovative and outstanding, with superbly imaginative presentations. We loved the exquisite Thai dancer between the complimentary amuse bouche and the many other courses. The menu was perfectly executed and there was more than enough to be filling. The staff was most attentive, with each dish being followed by a detailed verbal description of the components. The decor is gorgeous, with lovely music creating a beautiful ambience. The actual plating and serving dishes are dramatic and unique. Incredible artistry.. no effort is spared. We enjoyed meeting the lovely talented chef and her most personable and knowledgable husband. We enjoyed chatting with our friendly server and also the manager of this new fine dining establishment. We wish them well and hope to be back! The menu changes every three months we were told.

Four of us had a remarkable dinner at Baan Lao last evening. Gorgeous premises, stunning food, brilliant service. A joy from start to end!

Meal was lovely and service was very good. Amuse (a little Berkshire pork ball) was excellently flavoured, if slightly dry. Money bags appy was delicious. Loved the lacey eggs around the phat Thai. A few misses (dirty gloves on one fellow) and the wine was nicely paired, flavour-wise but a complete fail for value. Pours were absolutely chintzy 1 1/2 oz per glass for 5 glasses, and 1 oz for the dessert wine. The wines were all local except a couple. I calculated the exact cost of each pour and the grand total cost of all the wine we consumed was $17.30... and for this the charged $70... SEVENTY DOLLARS! Although the food was good, we will not return because if you want to enjoy wine with your meal (which we do) you do not have the option of buying a bottle.

So it's been a long time coming watching the sleepy Stevenston community all of a sudden come alive on a different level.. I decided that I wanted to go down there with my family to sample Chef Nutcha's creations ( whom learned under the careful eyes of one of the Chefs to the King of Thailand as well as the only 2 star Michelin Chef in the Kingdom along with a number of other 1 star Michelin chefs plus one of the latest carving champions of Asia).. Reservations were 4-6 weeks in the making so if you have a Special Occassion coming up.. do plan ahead and make your reservations.. Situated on the banks of the Fraser River, sits a Red Building that Houses this Gem..we order the 9 course set menu as well as a Tea Paring .. The service is entirely White Glove reminiscing of the days of when our team looked after Lady Di and Prince Charles at the Hyatt..Servers served from the Right side and after each presentation, the explanation of what we were served was extremely helpful..thoroughly entertained not only visually but our tastebuds .. timing of cleansing the palate sorbet to lemongrass/pandan shots were perfect before the next course.. the history of each tea served as well as how it was prepared was lead by Leonardo Torio and the floor staff by Jose Monterio..the wonderful creations were carefully plated as to arouse our senses.. give them a call and tell them that I sent you

Wow, what an amazing place. We had a fabulous experience for over 3 hours. The staff was courteous and attentive, the 11 courses of food were over the top and the setting was super comfortable. We have eaten at the French Laundry and while Thai food is obviously completely different, this experience equalled and possibly exceeded our experience at the French Laundry. It is not for those on a strict budget but it is worth every penny. Rod and Febe