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!

The atmosphere is delightful- with a lovely and fun sense of style. The food is all made fresh and is delicious. I had the green curry chicken and it was excellent, and I enjoyed the mini eggplants. For desert, the coconut custard was delicious.

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.

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!

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.

First time eating at Kanlaya as we were craving Thai food and knew this spot was around the corner. Small and quaint space, but perfect to feel cozy and part of their family’s business. Upon walking in, an instant smile appeared at the sight of Bubu and Dudu which are characters on instagram that both we and the owner, Bella, love! For our appetizers, we had pork dumplings (can also get as chicken or veg) that paired with its yummy sauce! Panang chicken in a curry that wasn’t too overdone with coconut & chicken pad thai to fulfill my craving! Definitely would come back to try the Tom Yum burger or mocktails! 🫶🏽

Clean and cute restaurant. The owner was very kind and attentive. She was actually keeping busy tidying and organizing while checking in on me.

This was (possibly) the first time I had tom yum soup, but it was a good impression! Balanced flavor with the perfect level of spice. I also had their dumplings which were also very good.

Definitely recommend and would go back again; I want to try the curries!

OH! and she let me try a dessert that was a coconut and pandan jelly. It wasn't overly sweet. Want to have it again, soon.

Kanlaya Thai Restaurant is an absolute gem! The atmosphere is super cozy, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The food is simply amazing—authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish is a delight, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Highly recommend for anyone craving top-notch Thai cuisine. Five stars all the way!

Kanlaya was exceptional! I ordered the panang curry, and my wife had drunken noodles - standards for both of us. At the chef/owner's suggestion, we also added potstickers. Normally, I'm usually indifferent to potstickers, but Kalaya's are worth the reputation! The presentation makes it obvious that this is special. They were beautifully seasoned with chili and roasted garlic, as well as light, flavorful sauce. The drunken noodles included a stalk of fresh peppercorns, which lent a bright, citrus flavor as well as black pepper heat. I've never seen that in the dish before, and it transformed the entire flavor in a novel way. The panang curry was a classic style, but somehow the flavors were richer and more layered than any I'd had before. I told the chef it was the best I'd ever had, and I meant it!

The dining space is not big or elaborate, but it was very clean and decorated in a way that evoked the feeling of a tropical island. A benefit of the intimate space is that the owner (who is also the head chef) is never far from the guests. She was so friendly and genuine - it was obvious she cared about our experience. Her suggestions were perfect, and we felt so welcome!

Incredibly friendly hands on owner. Never had curry before, this put me on. Definitely would recommend to anyone. Made my night after a long day of walking the city. 🤍✌🏻

We had a yummy panang curry, pad Thai and Thai iced tea, all delicious! came in at an odd hour but the staff were super kind and accommodating! will be back.

Excellent curry dishes

The owner/server was so nice and kind, made us feel very welcomed. The food was beautifully presented, fresh and tasty. We had the ice tea which was the best we’ve tried in the city. The popstickers were also a highlight. This is definetly a place to visit!

Amazing food, service, atmosphere! The staff is very friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious!!

First time eating at Kanlaya as we were craving Thai food and knew this spot was around the corner. Small and quaint space, but perfect to feel cozy and part of their family’s business. Upon walking in, an instant smile appeared at the sight of Bubu and Dudu which are characters on instagram that both we and the owner, Bella, love! For our appetizers, we had pork dumplings (can also get as chicken or veg) that paired with its yummy sauce! Panang chicken in a curry that wasn’t too overdone with coconut & chicken pad thai to fulfill my craving! Definitely would come back to try the Tom Yum burger or mocktails! 🫶🏽

Amazing food and such nice people.

Owner was so delightful and the food was delicious. Good portions and service was amazing. Felt like moms food.

Carried out twice now and I plan to keep coming back! Plenty of veggie options (panang veggie steak is amazing). Definitely my new go to place for Thai food. Their hot sauce is excellent too.

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!

Absolutely loved the dinner here! The food is delicious and VERY authentic!
Thank you for the hospitality :)

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.

Tasty, delicious food. Phad Thai was flavorful, with a thick sauce, and perfectly cooked shrimp.

Potstickers were also a hit, I could have eaten just those all night and been happy.

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!

Great food and absolutely great service!
Do check it out!

Come to Kanlaya if you love fresh flavorful authentic Thai food! Bella, the owner, took excellent care of us. The Khao Kai Yang (chicken dish, pictured below) was fantastic! And we ordered Mocktails that made us feel like we were on a beach in Thailand instead of in wintry Chicago! When you come here, you’ll feel like you’ve found a special treasure!

Wonderful experience loved dinner and dessert 💕

The atmosphere is delightful- with a lovely and fun sense of style. The food is all made fresh and is delicious. I had the green curry chicken and it was excellent, and I enjoyed the mini eggplants. For desert, the coconut custard was delicious.

Kanlaya Thai Restaurant is an absolute gem! The atmosphere is super cozy, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed and enjoyable meal. The food is simply amazing—authentic, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish is a delight, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Highly recommend for anyone craving top-notch Thai cuisine. Five stars all the way!

delicious food and incredible service 😍

This place was amazing - delicious vegan options, great service. Will be back soon!

It's was such a beautiful presentation and an amazing taste. Will be coming back for sure.

Such a great place to dine - great food ambiance & overall experience

Amazing Food and Amazing People, a Wonderful Environment, and a great Atmosphere. The Food is absolutely Delicious, definitely come by sometime, what a Wonderful Place.

Thank you for such good food!!! It was delicious, I recommend everything!! And the service was the best.
Love it 🤩🤤

Came here when birthday plans failed last minute and it couldn’t have been a better surprise. Food was excellent and so was the staff

Best Thai food in Chicago! There is not need t travel to Thailand to taste authentic Thai food. The restaurant is beautiful and the food and drinks are so yummy!

We were not so pleased with our meal from Kanlaya, unfortunately. The green curry was too salty and the flavor seemed off, the sauce for the pad thai also seemed strange and off. Panang curry was okay... I'm not claiming to be an expert in Thai cuisine, but I have been to Thailand five times and have tried all the above there so I think I have a good idea of how they should taste. I understand there are variations amongst dishes, but none of the items we tried here, especially not the pad thai, seemed to get close to an authentic flavor. This and the higher-than-average prices make Kanlaya difficult to recommend, though I wish them the best of luck.

Clean and cute restaurant. The owner was very kind and attentive. She was actually keeping busy tidying and organizing while checking in on me.

This was (possibly) the first time I had tom yum soup, but it was a good impression! Balanced flavor with the perfect level of spice. I also had their dumplings which were also very good.

Definitely recommend and would go back again; I want to try the curries!

OH! and she let me try a dessert that was a coconut and pandan jelly. It wasn't overly sweet. Want to have it again, soon.

Cute place with great atmosphere. Food is great and server was really nice. Will come back again!!

Appetizers and entrees were delicious and the service was amazing!

Delicious food, a degree better than most casual Thai places and the people running it seem really nice

I had dinner with friends yesterday evening. The food was delicious. They were aware of my shellfish allergy and made sure there was no cross contamination. I enjoyed their Panang curry and even added more protein in it, veggie pot sticks and edamame. They have a great selection of cocktails and vegan dishes. Glad they recently added dishes for vegetarians/vegans. Great addition to the neighborhood!

Went to dinner here and the food and service were phenomenal. The owner made us feel very welcome and everything we had was tasty.

We had our first meal at Kanlaya the other night and I would highly suggest this spot for high quality Thai food. Not only was the food great, Bella the chef / owner was a delight. As she shared, everything is fresh, even her lime juice is squeezed on site! Go check them out!

Good food, small portions for price - each entree came with 4 shrimp
Service was lackluster - appetizer came out with entree, waiter didn't know what ingredients were in the drinks
Inside is very cramped

Very small place, but cozy and has an incredibly warm environment. The owner is very welcoming and friendly, and the food is great. Would come again.

Had a great experience there due to the amazing food, lovely atmosphere, and service.

Really nice spot for lunch or dinner. The staff is very sweet and the food is flavorful. The mocktails were really nice too, try the paloma

Best Thai food in Chicago. Done

Lovely cute place for Thai food. Small menu but everything is delicious. Authentic flavors. A rare find!! Love the mocktail.

Wonderful new Thai restaurant that serves excellent food! Recipes are authentic from home cooked meals and recipes from Thailand! The mocktails were very creative and refreshing, especially the Spicy Elephant. Their Thai Iced tea is very addictive! I've been there twice, each time with a different group. I have have had the Thai Spices Edamame, Tom Yum Shrimp, and Panang Chicken, on my first visit. On the second visit, I shared Khao Yang Gai and Khao Kor Moo Yang and the Khao Tiger Cry. All were amazing! The dining space is small but is very comfortable and extremely well decorated. They took care in designing the space to make it feel very personal and inviting. The service was very friendly, personal, and impeccable! I fully recommend Kanlaya! Stop by and you will not be disappointed!

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’ve have been there twice and the food was amazing. If you like spicy it’s a place to go. Can’t wait to go back!

*Finally* a Thai restaurant that matches the vibe of Lincoln Square. Hip, friendly, new + traditional flavors, delicious, and the cutest, most pleasant atmosphere, with the BEST service. And, it's BYOB! Their mocktails are ready for you to add your own choice of liquor, and let me tell you, they're beautiful. I have *no* idea why the panang dishes aren't at the top of the menu with a giant star next to them, indicating customer favorite, but it's to die for. They just opened on Monday, and all I can think about is the next time I'll be available to eat there again. Get the panang. GET THE PANANG. 😂

The food was delicious and clearly freshly made. It was very unique and had food very different from a typical Thai restaurant. We had the fish balls, thom yum soup, khao gai yang, and pork larb for dinner and kanom tuay for dessert. We can't wait to come back and try more dishes!

What a great find for authentic Thai food in Lincoln Square. They do take out too!