Best Thai Restaurants in Shawnigan Lake

The food was delicious, the atmosphere/vibe and service were all five-star level. The cocktails, however, were far too sweet for my personal liking/tastes for example the Thai-Tanik or other mango-based ones only tasted like mango puree nothing more.

Food was amazing with such wonderful flavours, presentation and interesting combinations. Lovely pottery serving dishes and plates. Our server was fantastic with lots of energy, very good knowledge of food and wine and enough attention but not too much. Highly recommend this great restaurant . Oh and new cocktail list was a hit.

For the past four years, my son made it a tradition to celebrate my birthday by taking me to a fine dining restaurant. This year, I was especially excited to try Baan Lao, a place I had heard glowing reviews about. Service I made my reservation through OpenTable and noted that we were celebrating my birthday. In most fine dining settings, special occasions are acknowledged early, so I was surprised when no one mentioned it until near the end of the tasting menu, prompted only after it came up in conversation with a neighboring table. That said, the restaurant later gifted me a tin of chocolates, which was a thoughtful gesture. When my son encountered an issue with one of his dishes, the response was excellent. The server examined it carefully, apologized sincerely, and replaced it without hesitation. They also offered him a complimentary drink, to my surprise, extended the same to me, which I appreciated. Overall, the service was very good: knowledgeable, attentive, and professional. Small touches, like promptly providing lemon and ice for my water and refolding my napkin when I returned from the washroom, reinforced that standard of care. Presentation Each dish was visually stunning. The level of artistry and attention to detail was exceptional, and not a single course fell short. Presentation was a clear highlight—an easy 5/5. Taste Most of the tasting menu was strong, though two dishes didn’t quite land for me. Interestingly, after speaking with the table beside us, we discovered we shared the same impression: while the concepts and stories behind the dishes were thoughtful, the flavors didn’t fully resonate with our palates. Conclusion The evening wasn’t flawless, but it was memorable. Baan Lao clearly takes pride in both quality and service, and I have no doubt they will continue refining the experience. I would gladly return for another visit.