Kalaya Named No.11 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants List

Kalaya Chef and Co-Owner Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon and Defined Hospitality partners Nicholas Kennedy, Al Lucas, and Greg Root celebrate the restaurant’s ranking on the second edition of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, securing No.11, revealed tonight at the organization’s award ceremony in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ranked No. 7 on the inaugural list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants in September 2025, with Suntaranon named North America’s Best Female Chef, this year’s accolade reflects Kalaya’s continued efforts to preserve, authentically represent, and educate diners on the bold flavors and dishes of Southern Thailand. 

Upon opening in 2019, Kalaya was featured on Esquire’s and Food & Wine’s “Best New Restaurant in America” lists and has received James Beard Foundation Award nominations for “Best New Restaurant” in 2020 and “Outstanding Restaurant” in 2025 and 2026. Nok received the James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic” in 2023, was named to the prestigious TIME 100 list in 2025, and received a spot on Forbes’ “50 Over 50” list the same year. 

“At Kalaya, every detail is deeply personal. Named after my mother, I aim to bring her love and pride for Southern Thai cuisine to the community, and being able to showcase the flavors and memories of my childhood within the 50 Best ecosystem is incredibly special.” says Chef and Co-Owner Nok Suntaranon. 

At No. 11, Kalaya maintains its status as one of North America’s best restaurants, ranking in the top 25 for two consecutive years, representing the evolution of the Philadelphia culinary scene and honoring authentic Southern Thai cuisine. 

Congrats!

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