Must-see restaurants in Chiang Mai

  • Norden

    Chiang Mai

    This upscale Scandinavian restaurant serves an array of Swedish dishes, as well as pizza, smoked duck and other Western fare. Norden’s seafood dishes are…

  • Goodsouls Kitchen

    Chiang Mai

    Serving food that's good for the stomach and soul, Goodsouls Kitchen whips up vegan Thai, Western and fusion fare. Though some dishes are pricey for…

  • AUM Vegetarian Food

    Chiang Mai

    One of the original health-food peddlers, AUM (pronounced 'om') attracts crowds of veggie travellers and a few veggie-curious carnivores. The menu runs…

  • Royal Project Restaurant

    Chiang Mai

    Products from the Queen's agricultural projects are whisked into delicious salads, soups, stews, stir-fries and other healthy Thai meals at this neat…

  • Hideout

    Chiang Mai

    Hidden but found by expats looking for Western breakfast and coffee a cut above the rest, this place takes great care to serve perfectly cooked eggs,…

  • Whole Earth Restaurant

    Chiang Mai

    Set in a sprawling garden, this beautiful teak-house restaurant wears a coat of hanging vines and orchids. It is the sort of place Thais take visitors for…

  • Salad Concept

    Chiang Mai

    Build your own salad with a variety of fresh choices or choose one of the house speciality salads. There are also quinoa dishes, healthy breakfasts and…

  • Mit Mai

    Chiang Mai

    If you didn't make it to northern Thailand's mountaintop Chinese outposts, this decades-old restaurant is the place to go for Yunnanese specialities. Just…

  • Talat Pratu Chang Pheuak

    Chiang Mai

    Sprawling west along Th Mani Nopharat from the city's northern gate, this market serves all the usual suspects, alongside Chiang Mai's most famous kôw kăh…

  • Nong Bee's Burmese Restaurant and Library

    Chiang Mai

    The name may be a bit misleading, as this street food stall is in no way connected with a library. But the tea leaf and pennywort salads are delicious,…

  • Swan

    Chiang Mai

    This quaint restaurant just east of the old city offers a trip across the border, with a menu of tasty Burmese dishes such as tea leaf and pennywort…

  • Butter is Better Diner & Bakery

    Chiang Mai

    A retro '50s-style restaurant that serves some of the best American breakfasts, baked sweets and diner favourites in town. It has excellent sandwiches,…

  • Dada Kafe

    Chiang Mai

    A lovely little restaurant that does a busy trade in vitamin-rich, tasty vegetarian health food and smoothies. Wholesome ingredients such as pollen and…

  • Talat Na Mor

    Chiang Mai

    This night market is filled with food and fashion for the college set; energy levels are high and so is the volume, but prices for excellent street food …

  • Good Morning Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai

    A favourite among expats, this guesthouse cafe near Wat Phra Jao Mengrai serves big, international breakfasts, from pancake towers to continental spreads…

  • Pun Pun

    Chiang Mai

    Tucked away at the back of Wat Suan Dok, this studenty cafe is a great place to sample Thai vegetarian food prepared using little-known herbs and…

  • Thanom Phochana

    Chiang Mai

    Thanom Phochana has all the atmosphere of a hospital cafeteria, but central Thai eats here are as good as any in Bangkok. There's no English sign – look…

  • Kebab House

    Chiang Mai

    This budget-friendly Indian restaurant has a wide range of curries and vegetarian options. Its chicken kebabs are very popular, and the palak paneer is…

  • Tengoku

    Chiang Mai

    Chiang Mai loves Japanese food, but Tengoku leaves everywhere else in town in the shade of Mt Fuji. This sleekly modern restaurant serves superior sushi,…

  • Fern Forest Cafe

    Chiang Mai

    A garden cafe, with antique-looking wooden tables dotted around a brick courtyard full of shady trees, ferns, flowers and even a gurgling mini-waterfall…

  • Dash

    Chiang Mai

    A cut above the average tourist restaurant, Dash offers flavoursome Thai curries that are full of spice, served inside a smart teak house or outside on…

  • Smoothie Blues

    Chiang Mai

    This expat favourite is a top spot for breakfast – pancakes, sandwiches, granola, an array of egg dishes from egg-white-only omelettes to decadent…

  • Neau-Toon Rod Yiam

    Chiang Mai

    Build your own soup at this yummy corner-shop cheapie. Choose between rice or several types of noodles, spice level, then meat, ranging from basic chicken…

  • River Market

    Chiang Mai

    Trading on its location rather than its kitchen, River Market nevertheless scores romantic dinner points for the nighttime views across the illuminated…

  • Khao Soi Islam Noodles

    Chiang Mai

    The locals' favourite for kôw soy (wheat-and-egg noodles in curry broth), although we found it less flavourful and more salty than other options on this…

  • Kao Soi Fueng Fah

    Chiang Mai

    The most flavourful of the Muslim-run kôw soy (wheat-and-egg noodles in a curry broth) joints along Halal St, with the choice of beef or chicken with your…

  • Esan Cafe

    Chiang Mai

    A modern, bright cafe serving delicious Isan-style salads and grills. There are half a dozen variations on sôm·đam and the salad dressings are fiery and…

  • Khao Soi Samoe Jai

    Chiang Mai

    Superior kôw soy (wheat-and-egg noodles in curry broth) comes with all the trimmings at this popular Buddhist-run eatery on Th Faham's kôw soy strip.

  • Salad Concept

    Chiang Mai

    Branch of the popular Th Nimmanhaemin salad-bar restaurant.

  • Night Market

    Chiang Mai

    Every evening, this parking lot north of Halal St fills with food and drink vendors and loud music.

  • Cheevit Chiva

    Chiang Mai

    Known for its elaborate bowls of bingsu (a popular Korean dessert made with shaved milk ice covered in sweet toppings), Cheevit Cheeva is an airy dessert…

  • IM Kitchen Chiangmai

    Chiang Mai

    A darling little spot for brunch, IM Kitchen offers tasty Thai and Western dishes in a design-forward, bright setting. The hipster aesthetic (think…

  • Anusarn Food Centre

    Chiang Mai

    Behind the Anusarn souvenir market, the Anusarn Food Centre has a neat gaggle of hawker-style stalls selling Thai-Chinese standards, and a collection of…

  • Oh Ka Jhu

    Chiang Mai

    Found inside the Nim City Community Mall, Oh Ka Jhu is a busy farm-to-table restaurant that uses home-grown vegetables for the mains and fresh Thai herbs…

  • Party Buffet

    Chiang Mai

    Don't be put off by the name – this all-night Korean BBQ and hotpot buffet is where Chiang Mai's night owls come to play. It's all-you-can-eat, so pay…

  • Fruit Pulse Healthy Juice Bar & Cafe

    Chiang Mai

    An excellent stop for fresh juices, smoothies, and healthy breakfasts such as the acai bowl. The cafe also serves traditional Thai curries with your…

  • Into the Woods

    Chiang Mai

    This fairy-tale-inspired cafe is a hit with families and students thanks to its whimsical coffee and home-style desserts baked by the owner. If you’re…

  • BB Burger

    Chiang Mai

    This late-night diner is the perfect place to get American fast-food dishes and other Western comfort foods, as well as breakfast. Its burgers hit the…

  • Kaow Tom 1 Baht

    Chiang Mai

    This partly open-air canteen is a bit more tourist-savvy than it first appears, but the Thai food is decent, the prices are right, and it's a great place…

  • Good View Village Restaurant & Karaoke

    Chiang Mai

    A popular place for locals to have dinner or drinks and karaoke in one of the many private rooms. Alternatively, choose the large and beautiful outdoor…

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