The Steveston Thai restaurant just named North America’s best is opening two new spots side by side on Granville Island in summer 2027.
Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine announced the pair in a note to guests signed by chef and owner Nutcha Phanthoupheng.
Both will sit in the Chain & Forge building at 1425 Anderson Street, the converted parking garage where Burdy just opened its sandwich shop.
The first is Baan Baan, Thai Farmer’s Table & Bar.
It’s built around Isaan, the food of northeastern Thailand, with charcoal-grilled seafood and meats, vibrant spices and traditional fermented ingredients, and it’s planned as a late-night spot.
Right beside it, Le KaNom, Thai Desserts & Caffe will serve traditional Thai sweets.
Every one of them will be gluten-free and dairy-free.
Both are a different lane from Baan Lao, which serves Royal Thai cooking through a seasonal tasting menu it calls an 18 dish journey.
The news lands days after Baan Lao was named North America’s Best Restaurant at the 2026 World Culinary Awards, a title that went to The French Laundry last year.
It was also named Canada’s Best Restaurant again, which the team says makes it three years in a row.
Phanthoupheng, a former nurse and cancer researcher from Thailand, opened Baan Lao on Bayview Street in 2021.
“Five years ago, we set out to become the best Thai restaurant in North America,” the team wrote after the win.
Earlier this year, Baan Lao also came in at no. 24 on Canada’s 100 Best 2026 list.
She’s also the chef behind MaKaam, the Thai counter at Time Out Market Vancouver in Oakridge Park.
The Granville Island move has been in the works for a while.
She was named one of the building’s first confirmed tenants back in mid-2025, when the old garage was still looking for its lineup.
Chain & Forge is filling up around her now.
Burdy opened its 14-seat chicken parm shop there in early October, and Earnest Ice Cream announced its fifth shop for the same building this summer.
There’s nothing to book yet, and no opening day beyond summer 2027.
Granville Island says to follow @baanlaosteveston for updates.
Baan Baan and Le KaNom join other upcoming Vancouver openings like Holy Shakes on Granville Street, Bento Cafe in Kerrisdale and Nuan Nuan in the West End.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Address: 1425 Anderson St., Granville Island, Vancouver, BC
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