Top 10 Chiang Mai Restaurants

This fine dining establishment is truly a unique place that combines the beauty of art and crafts with the art of cooking. Unmistakable, the neon-lit sign that sits outside immediately draws you in from the street to what appears to be a treasure trove of goods. Housed in one of the oldest wooden structures in Chiang Mai – it is thought to have been built in 1892. Try one of the curries on the menu, spiced up to your taste, the fish also comes highly recommended too. Cuisine: Thai, international Open: 12:00-midnight Phone: 053 248 601-2 Location: 25-27-29 Charoenrat Rd.

This long-time favourite restaurant has been serving up mouthwatering northern Thai fare for more than four decades. It serves one of the best khao sois in Chiang Mai, along with a range of northern Thai fare prepared according to the family recipe. The non-descript open-air section is open for lunch, whereas dinner is served in an atmospheric dining room bedecked with wooden sculptures, antiques and treasures. Cuisine: Northern Thai Open: 08:30-16:00, 17:00-22:00 Phone: 053 814 548 Location: Rachamanka Rd., inside the Old City wall

Well-known for its celebrity owner and folk singer Soontaree Vechanont, Huen Suntari is an ideal place to immerse yourself in an authentic Lanna experience, through its cuisine, music and ambience. The setting is by the River Ping, in a two-storey wooden house decked out in a lovely northern Thai style. The menu features both classic and specialty northern Thai fare, but the main highlight is the live music performance by the owner herself. Cuisine: Northern Thai Open: 16:00-midnight Phone: 053 872 707-8 Location: 208 Patan Rd. (north of city centre)

While not a must-do, you might want to try a khan toke dinner at least once when in Chiang Mai. At the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center, the setup is highly elaborate – from the elegant teakwood room decked out in ethnic Lanna style to the round teak tray containing nine side dishes to the sitting arrangement on the floor – all designed to re-enact the original khan toke experience. A cultural show, featuring ethnic hill-tribe dances, finger-nail dance and folk music performances, accompany the dining experience. Open: 18:45-21:30 Phone: 053 202 993-5 Location: Wualai Rd.

This riverside resto-bar is an institution in Chiang Mai, due to a stunning riverfront location, quality live band entertainment every night and a fantastic menu of Thai, Japanese and international fare at reasonable prices. The wooded interiors give the place a warm, cosy, living room feel. There’s also an al fresco garden terrace where you can wine and dine amidst an idyllic backdrop of the Ping River. Cuisine: Thai, Japanese, international Open: 10:00-1:30 Phone: 053 302 764, 053 241 866 Location: 13 Charoenrat Rd.

A gorgeous restaurant that will charm your socks off, both in setting and menu choices. The Thai dishes are delicious and spiced up to your preference, while the pad Thai has been labeled as one of the best in Chiang Mai by customers. The courtyard-cum-garden setting is romantic and nicely secluded. Breakfast comes highly recommended as does the B&B hotel to which it is attached. Cuisine: Thai, international, desserts Open: 7:30-21:30 Phone: 053 212 681 Location: Soi Sripoom 1 (inside Old City)

If you feel like splashing out when in Chiang Mai then this is definitely a place you should think about going. World class in terms of design, service and food, it is a stunning restaurant experience. The overriding antique vibe is enhanced by the eclectic combination of textures, colour and hand-painted Chinese antique furniture. Cuisine: Thai, international Open: 18:00-22:30 Phone: 053 419 014 Location: 199 Moon Muang Road (inside Old City)