Kanlaya

Found Kanlaya while walking around Lincoln Square and I’m so glad I did 🙌 The dumplings came out hot and crispy 🥟 and were gone in seconds. The edamame had just the right amount of heat 🌶️ and kept me reaching for more. The Panang Chicken with rice was full of flavor 🍛 and felt like something made with care. Khao Kai Yang was smoky and juicy 🍗 and the shrimp pad thai was exactly what I was hoping for 🍤 simple and really well done. Tried the ramen too 🍜 and it was warm and satisfying without being too heavy. Ended with mango sticky rice 🥭 soft and lightly sweet. Also a special shoutout to Bella who made the whole experience even better 💛 so kind and welcoming from the moment I walked in. Everything just felt real. No gimmicks. Just good food and good people. If you're looking for authentic Thai food in Chicago this is the place ❤️

I fully acknowledge that this place will become even more popular by me leaving this review and singing its praises and that’s ok. Eating there even once was such an insanely great experience I’ll treasure it forever. Cutting to the chase: We had Thai iced tea, Pork potstickers with special house sesame sauce and fried garlic, Thai Steamed Seafood Curry, and Khao Soi Chicken. No notes. Top to bottom completely perfect meal. The Seafood Curry comes with a tiny liquid side dish of garlic and spicy peppers which she recommends just using a little at a time because it is spicy and salty. It complimented the dish so well!! The owner waited on us and for a decent while we were the only table in the restaurant. We came in at 6pm on a Tuesday. She gave us incredible service, and also shared a lot of her personal lore of how the restaurant came to be and where the dishes come from. Her name is Chef Bella Sansak and she is a total delight and a culinary force to be reckoned with. All of her offerings are made with fresh ingredients and from scratch. Bella is an open book and so hospitable. She offers to teach anyone who is interested in learning some Thai words and also happy to share any travel and cultural tips. The place is small and mighty. I won’t be surprised if there’s a line out the door one of these days. Can’t wait to come back!!

The Thai food at Kanlaya is okay for what it is compared to the hundreds of other Thai restaurants in Chicago. I ordered the Thai iced coffee and the taste was not even remotely close to other Thai iced coffee that I have had at other places. The potstickers and the Panang chicken with rice was nothing amazing to note. Overall, I was disappointed about the food here at Kanlaya, I came here to try out the food from what I saw on IG. I guess it was over-hyped on IG. I would advise to try another Thai restaurant like Noble Thai, Mama Thai, Silverspoon. Those Thai restaurants are vastly better in terms of the quality and taste of the food.

If you’re looking for authentic thai restaurant, Kanlaya is your go to. All the recipes are from Bella, the owner. You experience the authentic Thai culture with every bite. The entire staff there makes you feel like they invited you into their home for a home cooked meal. Can’t wait to go back to try out their new dish, Drunkin Noodle.

First time visiting Kanlaya and it was fantastic. I ordered the chicken pad thai for lunch. The ingredients were very fresh and the sauce was the perfect balance of sweet from the palm sugar and sour from the tamarind. I like how you could mix in the peanuts, chili flakes, and bean sprouts too. The owners were very friendly and even gave me some free treats at the end, which her mom recently brought back from Thailand. Don’t miss out on this gem!

A cozy little spot in Lincoln Square, serving excellent Thai fare. We were famished and couldn't find a place with meat and vegan options, until we happened upon Kanlaya. Even at 30 minutes to close, the staff made us feel welcome!

Food 5/5 ⭐️ We sampled a variety of dishes, all delicious and authentically Thai. The portions were generous, and the curry was particularly outstanding. Service 5/5 ⭐️ It’s a charming mom-and-pop restaurant, the owner personally served us. She was very nice, attentive, and ensured everything was perfect. Atmosphere 5/5 ⭐️ The restaurant is quaint, it offers a nice view of the Western Ave. It's very clean with subtle decor that ties up the space beautifully.

I visited Kanlaya last night, an absolute gem located in Lincoln Square, and everything about my experience was flawless. The cozy, charming ambiance makes it the perfect spot for a date or an intimate dinner with friends. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed with warm hospitality. The service was impeccable, and having the owner, Bella Nista, there to greet guests and offer recommendations added a delightful personal touch. I started with the Pork Potstickers, which were perfectly crispy on the outside and filled with flavorful, tender pork. They were light and not greasy, setting the tone for the rest of the meal. The Larb Salad with beef was a refreshing and vibrant dish, packed with fresh, organic greens and perfectly seasoned beef. The combination of herbs, lime, and just the right amount of spice made it incredibly satisfying and healthy. For the main course, I had the Khao Crying Tiger, a beautifully plated dish featuring tender, grilled slices of beef bursting with rich, smoky flavor. It was served with a side of perfectly cooked rice and a tangy dipping sauce that elevated the dish even further. To complement the meal, I enjoyed a Mojito Mocktail, which was refreshingly crisp, with just the right amount of mint and lime to cleanse the palate. Every dish was crafted with care, using the freshest organic ingredients, and the flavors were bold, clean, and authentic. Kanlaya Thai is truly exceptional, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for delicious, healthy, and authentic Thai cuisine in Chicago. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

There are a lot of Thai restaurants in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Kanlaya is a new one that opened about six or seven months ago. They already seem to have to their stuff down pat. I recently visited the restaurant for lunch. First, the restaurant has bright and fun atmosphere. It's a small restaurant that has maybe a total of six or seven tables. I think that in the summer that there is outdoor seating. The restaurant gets good sunlight at midday and it makes the restaurant bright. The decor is colorful and fun. They have a green fake plant ivy signature wall. They also have many fun figurines and toys that liven up the restaurant. Second, their food is delicious. I ordered a number of dishes and drinks. Of all of the dishes I tried, my favorite was the Panang curry chicken with rice. The curry was flavorful and delicious. The chicken was cooked perfectly and was not dry at all. They also make a good pad Thai. They have a number of great drinks and mocktails. Each drink I tied was color or served in a fun cup. The Thai iced tea was particularly good and the naughty monkey is a must order. Third, the service is excellent. The staff was friendly and my food came out quickly. This is a must visit Thai restaurant in Chicago.

Whatever you do, PLEASE do not sleep on this amazing little gastronomic gem!! The authenticity and hospitality here are seriously unmatched to any other Thai restaurant I've been to. All the following criteria for proper Thai cuisine are met here: fresh, simple, presentable and vibrant. Started off with the pork potstickers, which were so incredibly juicy and well-sauced. Then onto the seafood balls that were like a symphony of various shapes and textures in my mouth, pairing perfectly with their signature green sauce (sporting very piquant and acidic notes). The tiger cry was also incredible, with steak cooked perfectly rare and the red/green sauces to complement it. Now, forget about any panang curry you've had before in Chicago, because this one is the real deal!! No filler ingredients present here (such as peppers, onions, carrots, mushrooms, etc.) as the flavors shine through in the curry base, where the shrimp adds just the right amounts of protein and substance to the dish. I would say this item left the most lasting impressions out of everything I ordered. The grapefruit paloma (non-alcoholic) and pink drink were both fantastic and had the absolute cutest presentations to them!! The flower desserts were fun, as I really enjoyed the firm jelly-like textures, and the taro custard was delicious as well. It was not evenly warm in the center, although the flavors were most certainly on-point. I really appreciated the subtle vanilla-y zing to the custard. Regardless of how familiar you are with Thai cuisine, you definitely will tell the authenticity speaks for itself, which is reflected by Kanlaya's humble atmosphere. I am excited to try their green curry, pad Thai, and phat dog next time. Do visit for the true Thai hawker experience without having to leave Chicago!!

Great service- very passionate about customer's comfort and needs. We had the Shrimp Pad Thai, Panang Chicken and Shrimp Tom Yam. Each dish/entree had its own flavor and aroma. We really enjoyed our dinner. We also had dessert - taro pudding. Lovely way to end dinner with a warm dessert and not cold. Reasonable prices for each dish. Full house! Best to make reservations ahead of time. Tiny storefront restaurant; cozy!

You should go here STAT! Get the Khao Soi. EXCELLENT! And the owner Bella is SO friendly, welcoming and happy. I left feeling like I had a new best friend! Have her tell you the story of her logo. So sweet! Oh and the mocktail mojito was Yum! I will 1000% be back! (PS...you may find yourself ordering some extra food to take home.)

I've been here twice and both times had a great experience. The chicken basil is amazing. We also loved the pad Thai and pork pot stickers. This is a cute, friendly place and I hope it does well in the 'hood!

Wanted to try the new Thai place in the neighborhood. My coworker and I were really looking forward to our lunch today. What a huge letdown. Portion was large and hot but Chicken Pad Thai was inedible. Both of us tossed it in the trashed after a couple of bites. Rainbow Thai and Green Leaf, both within walking distance of this place are 100 times better. Never again.

Many of the good thai places in lincoln square have fallen off in recent years. This place is a welcome entry into the neighborhood it is just well executed, delicious thai with fresh ingredients. I got the pad thai and vegan green curry and they are both excellent. Very friendly staff. Definitely worth a try!