Chiang Mai restaurants and food guide
Eating is a national obsession in Chiang Mai, and there is food everywhere you look. Thailand is a culinary delight, with food and fruit carts on many street corners, noodle shops everywhere and endless restaurants with choices ranging from top international cuisine to rustic little bars with a kitchen.
Chiang Mai restaurants are numerous and cover a broad range of food. As a tourist town, there is a particularly good selection of restaurants for the foreign palate, offering toned down spicy Thai food, Northern specialities and Isarn food as well as menus laden with favourites from France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Vietnam, China, the Middle East, India, Pakistan and Mexico. There are also a number of American-styled steak houses and diners and the proverbial British fish and chips.
Coffee shops have also sprung up all over Chiang Mai and some offer simple lunch dishes. Most guesthouses and hotels serve western breakfasts along with muesli, yoghurt and a wonderful selection of exotic Thai fruit.
Although there are scores of restaurants in Chiang Mai to choose from, here are a few we recommend. For a full guide we suggest you pick up a copy of:
Citylife Guide to Wining, Dining, Pubbing and Clubbing, widely available.
Budget rating approximately
$ dishes 40 - 80 baht; quart of beer 80 baht; whiskey shot 90 baht; cocktails 100baht
$$ dishes 80 - 150 baht; quart of beer 100 baht; whiskey shot 100 baht; cocktails 120baht
$$$ dishes 150 - 400 baht; quart of beer 120 baht; whiskey shot 130 baht; cocktails 150baht
Update: Jan. 2010
Entertainment restaurants
- The Riverside, Chiang Mai:
- Lively and popular with two live bands, broad mixed menu and indoor/outdoor seating, romantic setting alongside the river. 9*11 Charoenrat Rd.., Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 243 239, 246 333, $$
- The Good View Restaurant, Chiang Mai:
- cavernous, noisy and popular with locals, lively band, abundant and tasty food, riverside. Dine early, as the band is so loud conversation is impossible. 13 Charoenrat Rd.., Watgate, Chiang Mai, (053) 241 866 $$
- The Brasserie:
- Best known for its blues and rock guitar playing main man ‘Took’, who is a local legend with a six-string. It gets going loudly from 11pm until late, but the food and riverside ambience makes it a good eating experience beforehand. Open: 10am to 2am, 37 Charoenrat Rd., (053) 241 665. $$.
All three are located along a stretch of the Ping River's east bank, just north of Nawarat Bridge.
Ambience restaurants
- Antique House:
- a beautiful 100-year-old teak house with good service and food, and a peaceful ambience. 2 Branches: Changklan Branch: 71 Charoen Prathet Rd.., (053) 276 810 , Rim Ping Branch: (053) 232 078. Open 11am to Midnight $$
- The House Restaurant:
- one of Chiang Mai’s most commendable restaurants, serving exceptional dishes of Asian Fusion and other cuisine, in an exclusive atmosphere. The tapas bar and menu is a lighter choice. 199 Moon Muang Road, Sriphum, Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 419 011-13. Open: 10am to 11pm $$$
- Khun Nai Dern Sai:
- roughly translated as ‘the lady wakes late’ is the delightful creation of Khun Noi, complete with an unusual Thai menu, cute décor, perfect background music and a nice ambience that attracts the bohemian trendies. Soi 11, Nimminhemin Road, Chiang Mai, (053) 22 2208, 046 0712. Open: 5.30pm to Midnight. $
- Palaad Tawanron:
- enjoys an unbeatable location among the forest on the lower slopes of the moutain above the zoo. The views are great, but it gets busy so be prepared for a long wait for your food. Follow the signs from the right turn near the top of Suthep Rd.., behind Chiang Mai University. 100 Huay Kaew, Chiang Mai, (053) 053 216039, 216576. Open: 11am to Midnight. $$
- The Moxie:
- situated in Chiang Mai’s hippest new hotel, the D2, this fine dining experience for the trendy is accompanied by the Mix bar and it’s good looking staff, convenient location. D2 Hotel 100 Chan Klan Road. (053) 99 9999. $$$
- The Gallery Restaurant:
- quiet, lovely interior with art gallery, variable food and service quality. Riverside venue. 25, 27, 29 Charoenrat Rd.., Chiang Mai 50000, (053) 248 601-2, info@thegallery-restaurant.com. $$
Chiang Mai international restaurants
- Le Coq d'Or Restaurant:
- unrivalled with 35 years of French food and wine excellence, lovely antique teak house. Luxury experience. 11 Soi 2 Koh Klang Rd.., Nong Hoi, Muang, Chiang Mai 50000, Tel: (053) 141555, 801501, open: 5pm to 10pm, lecoqdor@lecoqdorchiangmai.com. $$$+
- Chedi Restaurant:
- an upmarket and stately experience in the grand old colonnial former Brithish consulate, located in the Chedi hotel. Fine dining, good service, convenient riverside location. 123 Charoen Prathet road. (053) 253 333. open: 7am to 11pm. $$$
- Farang ses - Dhara Dhevi:
- is a silver service, luxury priced French restaurant set among this extraordinary Lanna themed hotel in San khampeng. Situated in a temple-styled building, Restaurant has a menu that offers world class dishes and a first class dining experience, unmatched in Chiang Mai. Dhara Dhevi Hotel, San Khampeng. (053) 888 888 Ext. 8549. $$$++
- Girasole:
- Conveniently located pizzaria and trattoria from same expert Italian management as La Gondola. Indoor (a/c) and al fresco dining in the Kad Klang Wiang garden arcade near Thapae Gate. Good menu and service, open 11am to 11pm. Kad Klang Wiang, Rachadamnoen Road, Old Town, 053-276 388, lagondola_thailand@yahoo.com. $$
- Giorgio:
- is an unassuming place near the night market with exceptional food and faultless service, boasting clientele such as the Crown Prince. 2/6 Prachasampan Rd.., Changklan (near intersection with Sri Donchai road) booking recommended. (053) 818 236, open: 11.30am to 2.30pm / 6pm to 10.30pm. $$$
- Mi Casa:
- mediterannean food from an exceptional Spanish chef, at this quaint converted house with alfresco dining near the University. Open daily. Soi Wat Pa Dang. 60/2 Moo 14, Soi Wat Pa Dang, Chiang Mai, (053) 810 088, 810 240, open: 11am to 2pm / 6pm to 10pm. $$
- Jia Thong Heng:
- a busy choice full of Chiang Mai's elite, with first class Chinese food and service. 193/2-3 Sri Donchai Rd.., (053) 820860-2. open: 10am to 10pm. $$$
- Fujian - Dhara Dhevi:
- located in this five star Mandarin Oriental hotel, set among a mock-up Asian market, this Cantonese cuisine is delivered with authentic ambience and impeccable service. Their all-you-can-eat lunch dim sum is very affordable. Dhara Dhevi Hotel, San Khampeng. (053) 888 888 ext 8548, open: 11.30am to 2.30pm / 6.30pm to 10.30pm. $$$
- Le Gong Kum:
- charming Vietnamese restaurant set in superb garden and neo-colonial French house, wide menu and quiet atmosphere. Closes early. Suan Doi House, 38/3, Soi Chansap, Huay Kaew road (053) 221 869, 406 091, Open: 7am to 9pm. $$
- Asahi:
- inexpensive sushi, teriyaki and sashimi, popular with Japanese residents and ex-pats who once lived there. 98/3 Sri Donchai Rd.., Changklan, (053) 275 323, open: 5pm to 11pm. $$
- Chiang Mai Saloon (2 locations):
- American-styled burger and ‘Southwest’ steakhouse, friendly staff, nice atmosphere, big screen music videos and sporting events, pool tables and free internet, cheap margaritas, open from breakfast until late. Two locations. 80/1 Loi Kroh Rd., 150m from Night Bazaar, 08-0675 2169, and 30 Ratchawithi Rd., inside the moat, 08-1930 2212. $$
- The Dukes:
- an American styled steakhouse popular with NGO and missionaries for its tasty and hearty menu, professional service and nice atmosphere, busy Sundays. River Ping River Barnch: 49/4-5 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd.. Tel: (053) 249 231. Night Barzaar Branch: 1st & 2nd Floor, Chiang Mai Pavilion, Changklan Rd.., (053) 818 603. $$
- Jerusalem Falafel:
- Tasty Middle Eastern food and delicacies, in a small centrally located shop. Moon Muang Rd., opposite Tapae Gate. 5/5 Moon Muang Rd.., Prasing, Muang, Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 270 208, open: 9am to 3pm / 5pm to 10pm. $$
Solly that one no have!
It’s a standing joke in Chiang Mai but local restaurants have a habit of ‘running out of dishes’. A menu is more a list of what they can make rather than what’s available, so expect your first choice to sometimes be ‘that one no have today’. If you’re really unlucky they’ll come back and tell you this 15 minutes later (meaning they tried to bunk out to the local market for ingredients unsuccessfully). From the most expensive to the humbliest eateries we’ve experienced this, with one hapless place even running out of rice! Needless to say, none of them are mentioned here.
Lunch restaurants in Chiang Mai
- Zest Restaurant:
- convenient location, nice outdoor seating area and healthy menu with good service. Moon Muang Rd. (near Tapae Gate) (053) 418 090 $+
- Ratana's Kitchen:
- popular place with aircon and tasty Thai and foreign food, conveniently located. 320-322 Tapae Rd. (053) 874173, open: 7.30 to Midnight. $
- Aroon Rai:
- simple but famous with buffet and basic menu, 35 years experience, central location. 45 Kotchasarn Rd. (near Tapae Gate), Tel: (053) 276 947. open: 10.30am to 9pm. $
- Salad House:
- is set among nice outdoor gardens and has a creative but simple menu drawing from their organic fields on-site, they also sell produce. Mahidol road adjacent to Airport plaza, heading towards airport, also Kad Klang Wiang on Ratchadamnoen road. 053 201690 $+
- Café De Siam:
- conveniently located near the Night Market area, this simple bistro offers a healthy, tasty menu ideal for visitors. Professional service. 85 Loi Kroh Road. (053) 207 258. open: 6.30 to 22.00 $
- Kona Café:
- a sweet little place that uses organic products and doubles as an adventure tour agent for rafting, biking and climbing. Friendly owners and tasty food and shakes (Kona is their young son). 17 Ratvithi Road, near moat. 089 515 1917. $
- Just Khao Soy
- This is a curious one, for there is just one dish on the menu – Khao Soy. But if you’re looking to try the signature Northern Thai/Burmese dish (soft and hard ribbon egg noodles with a spicy chicken saffron curry) then this place does it best. Professional, near Anusarn market. 108/2 Charoenphratet Rd., Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 801 257, open: 11am to 11pm.
Vegetarian restaurants
- The Vegetarian Society:
- is a popular non-profit lunch time canteen providing cheap organic food. 42 Mahidol Rd. (between Ku Ruang Moat corner and Airport Plaza) (053) 271 262, open: Monday to Friday, 6am to 2pm. $
- Aum Vegetarian:
- all veggie place, with nice ambience seated on the floor, centrally located. 65 Moon Muang Rd., (opposite Tapae Gate) (053) 278 315, open: 10am to 8pm. $
- Whole Earth Restaurant:
- good Indian food with wide veggie selection, located in antique house and lovely garden. 88 Sri Doncai Rd., (053) 282 463, open: daily 11am to 10pm. $$
- Blue Diamond:
- Health food gem with fresh bakes and health herbs, popular brunch place. Tricky to find. 35/1 Moonmuang, soi 9 (near Sriphum Moat corner) (053) 217120, open: 7am to 9pm. $
- Khun Churn:
- serves a vegetarian buffet (60 baht) every lunch which is popular with Thai and ex-pats alike in the Nimminhemin area. 4 Nimanhemin Rd., Soi 17, Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 224124, open: 8am to 10pm. $
Most the restaurants in Chiang Mai serve a cornucopia of delicious Thai dishes and this alone could be the highlight of your visit. Be a little adventurous and try the piquant tom yum goong (a seafood soup delicately balanced with sweet, sour, spicy and salty ingredients) or the famous khaeng khieo wan (green curry). Then there's the steaming pla jian (whole fish poached in ginger, onions and soy sauce), or the mild kai phat met ma muang (chicken fried with vegetables and cashew nuts), or the perennial Thai lunch favourite, somtam - a spicy papaya salad with a myriad of herbaceous ingredients. Northern favourites include sai ua (spicy sausage), khao soy (Shan-Yunnanese influenced curry noodles), Kaeng hang lae (pork curry casserole with ginger and peanuts) and kaen yuak (banana palm curry). Many of these dishes are served as vegetarian dishes and those with a sweet tooth should certainly sample the coconut-sweetened sticky rice and mango with nuts.
Thai Cultural experience
In recent years the concept of the Khantoke evening has grown in popularity and these complete cultural experiences are hosted in beautiful Thai teak pavilions, with Thai dancing and traditional music as you enjoy Northern specialities while seated at floor level.
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Traveller tale: Northern-style cuisine
Chiang Mai is renowned throughout the country for its traditional culture and delicious cuisine. You might wish to experience the finest of both these worlds in one evening while enjoying Khantoke dinner...more
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