Chiang Mai City Restaurants

Week End Market Food and Dining

The Weekend Market sees street vendors come out in their droves selling noodles, Pad Thai, kebabs, spring rolls and Thai desserts, this is some of the best food you will eat in Thailand and rightly so, the cheapest! Around Nimmanhaemin Road is an area that particularly caters to the epicurean needs of the expatriate community. French bakeries, European boutique style eateries and pizza joints pepper the streets while the Huay Kaew Road has a generous selection of both Asian and western eateries.

A standard concept in Thailand is to serve food at night venues, thus combining nightlife and dining. Therefore many places you might assume as being more for an after-dinner drink are also likely to be where you can dine while being entertained. Closer to the walled city there is also a good selection of dining options that will appease your taste buds at the end of the evening. Fish and chips or a burrito perhaps? It's all there…

Antique House

A riverside setting, atmospheric interiors and tasty Thai dishes are what keep diners coming back to Antique House. Overlooking the Ping River, the al fresco dining terrace offers a casual, relaxing feel. The first branch in the city centre (Charoen-Prathet Road, opposite Wat Gate) is housed inside an old teakwood house, offering the classic northern Thai ambience with low tables and ceiling fans. Recommended dishes include boneless snake-head fish and steamed chicken Antique House style.

Opening Hours: 10:00-midnight
Location: Charoen-Prathet Road (1st branch), Chiang Mai-Lamphun Highway (2nd branch)
Tel: +66 (0)53 27 6810 (1st branch), +66 (0)53 240 270 (2nd branch)
Cuisine: Thai

Asma

This modest shop-house restaurant is where to go for the best Indian food in town. While the interior décor is nothing to write home about, the food will leave you wanting to come back again and again. The menu covers a wide range of Indian, Muslim and Thai fare, including Tandoori chicken, masalas, curries, dal and a range of breads. For the price and quality of food, Asma will not disappoint.

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30-14:00 (lunch), 17:00-20:00 (dinner)
Location: 248 Maneenoparat Road
Tel: +66 (0)53 404 506
Cuisine: Indian, Arabic, Halal, buffet

Beccofino

Bringing the taste of Napoli to the North of Thailand, native Italian chef, Angelo Rotelli takes great pleasure in producing homemade delights and pizzas in his custom-made wood burning pizza oven at this popular restaurant. Guests can choose to dine inside amid the quaint décor which feature a Venetian wall mural or on the outdoor terrace, overlooking a tree-lined lane. The daily appetizer buffet is well worth checking out.
Cuisine: Pasta, salads and Italian style pizzas

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30-14:30 and Dinner 18:00-22:30
Address: 20/2 Soi 7, Nimmanhaemin Road
Tel: +66 53 226 590-2
Cuisine: Pasta, salads and Italian style pizzas

Birds Nest Cafe

Chiang Mai’s Old Town is littered with places to eat ranging from upscale antique laden eateries, to generous portions of street food for next to nothing to fine European cuisine. Catering to all budgets and preferences it is generally regarded as a great place to eat out, with most places occupying both indoor and al fresco areas, for the most part they all are charming venues with original décor concepts. This is also a great place to find lean cuisine with many of the cafes dealing only in organic produce bought fresh that day from the market.

Opening Hours: 09:30 to 20:00 every day
Address: Singharat Soi 3, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tel: +66 87 177 4940

Bubbles Live

A sweet little café that does fantastic sandwiches made with fresh bread and salad. The quirky décor will definitely catch your eye with a concept looking like a pop music video meets children’s TV program.

Opening Hours: 08:00-22:00
Address: 5 Ratchamanka Road, Soi 2
Tel: +66 (0) 53 208203
Cuisine: Coffee and Sandwiches

Cafe de Naga

The in-house bakery serves up fresh baked bakery-pastry items and homemade jam. The restaurant has a selection of fresh baked items, snacks, freshly brewed coffee, juices, variety of smoothies and homemade ice creams. In addition it serves and enticing selection of international favourites, famous Thai dishes and local flair.

Specialties included famous curry noodle (khao soy), Vietnamese spring rolls, roasted duck curry and sweet sticky rice with fresh mango. Visitors should also note that the café has free WiFi making it an all-the-more-pleasant place to sit and chill out.

Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00
Address: 21 Soi 2 Ratchamanka
Tel: +66 (0) - 53 209030
Cuisine: Western and Thai

Café de Baan Kerr

All cuisine is served on Lanna Thai dishes amid sensational antique furniture either in the warm air of the courtyard setting or the cooler choice of indoors. All recipes are taken from traditional Lanna-style dishes which are well suited to the colonial house venue in which the boutique hotel and restaurant are housed.

Opening Hours: 17:00-23:00
Address: 156 Wualai Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 273174
Cuisine: Thai

Charlie’s Fish and Chips

An unusual encounter of a taste of England in the heart of Chiang Mai can be found at this converted garage-cum-courtyard where Blackpool-born Charlie serves English-style fish and chips. Loi Kroh Road has a few flyers with directions along the street, it’s easily found and well worth looking for.

Opening Hours: 12:30-20:30
Address: Located between Kotchasarn Road Lane 1 and Loi Kroh Road, close to Kampaengdin Road. Loi Kroh Road – Kampaengdin Lane 1
Tel: 086 9162418
Cuisine: Fish and Chips

Charcoa

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 impossibly romantic and nicely secluded. Breakfast comes highly recommended as does the hotel to which it is attached.

Opening Hours: 08:00-21:30
Address: 4 Soi .1 Sripoom Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53-212681
Cuisine: Thai and International

Chez Marco

A cute restaurant set among the bars of the Loh Kroh area, its French trained Chef, Marco, can be observed in his kitchen making the magic happen. Dishes include tapas selections and typical French fare including roasted zucchini salad, pan-seared red snapper and duck breast with sautéed apples, escargot, tuna carpaccio and shrimp bisque. The wine list perfectly accompanies the textured dishes. A great pull of this restaurant are the flexible closing hours. After a great meal you are welcome to sit and finish off a few bottles of wine in pleasant surroundings.

Opening Hours: 5:00 till late.
Address: 80/1 Loy Kroh Rd
Tel: + 66 (0)86 1810690
Cuisine: French Mediterranean

Chocolate Fact

Chocolate candles or scent anyone? Chocolate Fact, as you might imagine, is all about chocolate and the different products that can be formed from the faithful cocoa plant. Besides these novel treats you can get variations of chocolate cakes and drinks, the owner’s signature creation is a chocolate heart cake which is a heated, soft pastry with a chocolate filling, drenched in cranberry sauce and served with a side of peach and blueberries

Opening Hours: 09:00-20:00
Address: Walking Street
Tel: +66 (0) 53 289245
Cuisine: Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate…

Cote Jardin

All dishes at this relaxed French restaurant are chalked onto a board and change daily, past specials have included goat’s cheese and bacon salad, chef’s homemade pâté , venison stew, lamb couscous, duck confit and salmon steak. This is a totally cool and relaxed venue, with a garden/courtyard style setting in which you actually feel like you could be in France.

Opening Hours: 16:00-23:00
Address: 15/1 Ratchamanka Road, Soi 2
Tel: +66 (0) 86 273 8675
Cuisine: French

Country café

The Country Café offers a wide selection of cakes, pastries and cookies along with assorted teas, filtered Arabica coffees and fruit smoothies. Beyond the great sweets and aromatic coffee the profusion of plants in the outdoor seating area makes for a great setting, regardless of the time day.

Address: 2/7 Nimmanhaemin Soi 3
Tel: +66 (0) 53-220412
Cuisine: Cakes and Coffee

Dada Kafe

Fruit shakes and lassies made from organic bio fruits are just two of the delights on this organically based menu, featuring both Thai and international food made from the freshest ingredients. This is also a great place to meet people, with a lot of travelers turning up for breakfast.

Opening Hours: 08:00-22:00
Address: Ratchamanka Road, Soi 4
Tel: +66 (0) 81 0084240
Cuisine: Organic

El Diablo's

This burrito joint could be easily missed if you’re not looking for it. Offering a range of generously sized burritos packed with fresh ingredients of your choice. Free chips and dips are served up to those who just fancy a drink and a light snack.

Address: Corner of Kotchosan and Chang Moi Road (Next door to Mike's Burgers)
Tel: +66 (0) 81672 1187
Cuisine: Burritos

El Toro

El Toro features a large menu consisting of tortillas and salsa made daily, along with tacos, nachos, guacamole, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, flautas, tostitos, fajitas, quesadillas and chimi changers, served with salsa fresca and salad. Definitely a place to head if your head is feeling bigger than your stomach; no doubt, a frozen pitcher of margarita will see you leaving the establishment suitably 'borracho'.

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00 – 14:00 and Dinner 17:00 – 22:00 closed Mondays
Address: 24/5 Loi Kroh Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 273 574
Cuisine: Mexican

Fern Forest Cafe

Fern Forest Cafe is located on a small residential street in Chiang Mai’s old town. It is not immediately obvious as you walk past, with the sign hidden amongst foliage, which makes you feel like you have stumbled upon a well-kept secret. The cafe tends to be quiet on weekdays and a Thai favourite in the early evenings and at weekends, but it always retains its relaxed vibe.

Opening Hours: 08:30 to 20:30 every day
Address: Singharat Rd., Soi 4, Si Phum Sub-district, Mueang District, Chiang Mai
Tel: +66 (0)53 416 204

Huen Pen

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.

Opening Hours: 08:30-16:00, 17:00-22:00
Location: Rachamanka Rd., inside the Old City wall
Tel: 053 814 548
Cuisine: Northern Thai

Juicy 4 U

All juices and sandwiches are freshly prepared here at Juicy 4 U, a vegetarian restaurant and juice bar. Very popular with travelers who appreciate some wholesome fare and food that hasn’t spent the past 20 minutes in a frying pan. An important thing to note about this place is that it is considered to have the best veggie burger in Chiang Mai. Lovely staff and cheery décor make this is a good choice for breakfast or lunch.

Opening Hours: 08:00-20:00
Address: 5 Ratchamanka
Cuisine: Vegetarian Restaurant

Khan Toke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center

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.

Opening Hours: 18:45-21:30
Location: Wualai Rd.
Tel: 053 202 993-5
Cuisine: Thai, Japanese, international

Kiat Num

Popular with Chiang Mai’s well-heeled set, expect to pay a bit more for a good meal here. Serving up Thai food and some Western favourites including German pork loin and pasta dishes, Kiat Num certainly has the edge with its espresso bar. Kiat Num promises a great atmosphere, great food and great service.

Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00
Address: 12 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 11
Tel: +66 53 218 530
Cuisine: Thai

Koh Lanta Pizzeria

In the likely event that a day of exploration in and around Chiang Mai leaves you slightly exhausted and unable to move from the bed, pick up the phone and get the guys over at Koh Lanta to pop over with a wood-baked pizza. With branches in Bangkok and Krabi, this popular chain is favoured for its wood-fired oven baked pizzas that can be topped off with ingredients of your choice.

Opening Hours: 11:30-22:00
Address: Nimmanhaemin Soi 5
Tel: 089 632 6223
Cuisine: Pastas, salads, steaks and pizzas.

La Lantera di Genova

Open for more than five years now, the restaurant is named after the world's oldest lighthouse in Genova, Italy. This is a distinguished eatery and contrary to its humble appearance the food here is exemplary. Set in a homely shop house, the restaurant’s décor in no way reflects the standard of food on the menu, but isn’t that often the case with great restaurants?
And this is all authentic to the core; each dish is prepared by the Genovese-born chef with no single item mixed with produce from another country, therefore all the foods are 'pure' Italian.

Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00
Address: 31 Ratchadamnoen Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 278973
Cuisine: Italian

Mokador Coffee Shop

Mokodor deals in cakes, sandwiches and general snacks but it is a place to head primarily for the Italian Coffee. It’s a superb place to begin the day outside on the terrace with a cup of Italy’s finest aromatic coffee.

Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
Address: Samlan Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 814806

Pasta Café

The setting of a converted bungalow makes for a romantic stage on which to enjoy homemade pasta and salad dishes on offer here. Some of the kitchen staff trained at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, so expect the food to be up to scratch. Dishes include Caesar salad with cos lettuce, croutons, crispy bacon and parmesan with Caesar dressing and roasted chicken. For something more wholesome try a pasta dish, the panne arrabbiata is especially good.

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30-14:00 and Dinner 18:00-23:00
Address: 21 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 5
Tel: +66 53 357 310
Cuisine: Pastas and salads

Raming Tea House Siam Celadon

Having afternoon tea in the garden or on the terrace of Raming Tea house is an enjoyable way to end a busy day exploring Chiang Mai. This pretty teak house was renovated in 2002 and now houses a shop for Siam Celadon, the famous pale green pottery, baked and glazed in northern Thailand. Towards the back of the shop you will find the Raming Tea House and garden where you can enjoy the peace and quiet and a cup of tea.

Opening Hours: 09:30 until 18:00 daily
Address: 158 Tha Pae Rd, Chiang Mai
Tel: +66 (053) 234 518

Salad Concept

This is the place to head if you want to have a substantial dish while keeping the calories down. The Salad Concept serves up a large selection of salads with homemade dressings, compact with wholesome ingredients that are hydroponically grown and pesticide free. The drinks menu features good coffee and an array of fruit-based smoothie drinks.

Owned by two sisters, the idea for the café arouse after their father was struck by cancer and subsequently restored his health through a radical change in his diet, the girls applied their culinary skills with his knowledge and with that we have the Salad Concept.

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 22:00
Address: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 13
Tel: +66 53 894 455
Cuisine: Pastas and salads

Su Casa

Tucked away off Nimmanhaemin Road, the restaurant is set in a converted 70's house occupying a cosy space with an outdoor terrace surrounded by greenery. Serving up Mediterranean treats and tapas, the wine list is well matched to the menu.

The décor is homely while still retaining a classic elegance; the general atmosphere is one of being a home-away-from-home.

Taking advantage of the quality and freshness of produce found in Northern Thailand, the menu constantly changes while keeping the core principles of texture and flavor at the helm. Typical dishes include estofado de Cordero (lamb stew w/mushrooms) and aceitunas marinadas (marinated queen olives).

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30-14:00 and Dinner 18:00-22:00, closed Sundays
Address: 28 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 11
Tel: +66 53 810 088
Cuisine: Tapas bar

The Art Café

Serving up delicious, well-sized dishes from around the globe, you can take your pick from Mexican, Italian and Thai food. Few dishes exceed 250 baht so it is all fairly reasonably priced and is set in pleasant surroundings with both indoor and outdoor seating.

Opening Hours: 08:00-23:00
Address: 291 Thapae Road
Tel: (+66) 53 206 365
Cuisine: Thai and International

The Glasshouse Restaurant

Located on the corner of Ratchapakinai road in the old city, this modern restaurant serves a incredible range of Thai and international food, perfect for lunch or a light evening meal. The restaurant really stands out in this part of town because of its modern structure. However, by keeping the design sleek and simple it adds another dimension to the surroundings, which include antique wooden buildings on the restaurant grounds. As well as the main restaurant which is housed inside the glasshouse, there is also a large covered veranda and a small selection of comfy seats on the front lawn. Read More...

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 daily
Address: 169 Ratchapakinai Road T. Sripoom, Muang , Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
Tel: +66 53 418 118

The Gigantea

Ran by husband-and-wife team Montree and Hiromi-san, the couple bring authentic Japanese dishes, including sushi and sashimi, to Chiang Mai. The most telling testimony of this restaurant and the calibre of its food is the number of Japanese expatriates who eat here.

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:00 – 14:00 and Dinner 17:00 – 22:00 closed Mondays.
Address: 300 Chang moi Road
Tel: +66 (0)53 233 464
Cuisine: Japanese

The House - Restaurant and Tapas Bar

If you feel like splashing out when in Chiang Mai then this is definitely a place you should thing about going to. 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.

Opening Hours: 18:00-22:30
Address: 199 Moon Muang Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 419014
Cuisine: Thai and International

The Pub

West of the Amari Rincome Hotel, this is a very reputable English-style pub with a great selection of imported beers and good food. Coverage of all major live sporting meetings and extensive parking.

Opening Hours: 07:00-24:00
Address: 189 Huay kaew Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 211 550
Cuisine: Thai and International

The Salsa Kitchen

Daily trips to the local market ensure all the produce turned out at the Salsa Kitchen is as fresh as possible. With walls in that all-too-common Chiang Mai orange, the restaurant is warm, well lit and reasonably priced. It's the sort of place you might go with a group of friends, share a few dishes and pitchers of icy margaritas. Dishes on the menu include the usual tacos, salads and enchiladas as well as a selection of ribs and steaks.

Opening Hours: 11:00-23:00
Address: 26/4 Huay Kaew Road
Tel: +66 (0)53 211 550
Cuisine: Mexican

Tong

Tucked in a quiet soi (lane) just off the Nimmanhaemin artist strip, this open-air restaurant is one of the best places to sample tasty northern Thai cuisine in a pleasantly laid-back atmosphere. The extensive menu features a large variety of dishes whipped up from locally sourced vegetables and ingredients. The must-try dishes include kaeng hang le (northern Thai style curry), larb kua (fried minced park salad), deep-fried chicken wings and nam prik (chilli dips).

Opening Hours: 11:00-midnight
Location: Nimmanhemin Soi 13
Tel: 053 222 207
Cuisine: Northern Thai

Tonio Creperie

An important address for those with a sweet tooth, the crepes here literally melt in your mouth and are not as expensive as they should be, considering their size. This authentic creperie gives you a choice of fillers to accompany the huge crepes with everything from fresh fruits and cream to chocolate and bananas to curries.

Opening Hours: 16:00 – 24:00
Address: 19/3 Ratchamanka, Soi 2
Tel: +66 (0) 82 39033 29
Cuisine: Crepes

U Chiang Mai

Part of the U Chiang Mai Hotel, choose from the outdoor terrace seating that looks over Ratchadamern (the heart of the walking street market) or the air-conditioned interior which is equally as pleasant, especially if you been walking through the market prior to eating. The menu consists of local cuisine cooked using traditional methods and served in the finest tradition of Thai hospitality – with a smile.

Opening Hours: 17:00-23:00
Address: Ratchadamern Road
Tel: +66 (0) 53 419014
Cuisine: Thai

Villa Duang

Former guests of this hotel talk of a ‘love at first sight’ experience with the Villa Duan, a place with bottomless charm. The café is a great place sit and chill on a Sunday during the Walking Street Market, stopping in here for dinner or just a drink is a great opportunity to sit back in a gorgeous courtyard garden and observe the steady stream of shoppers floating on by. This is a true Chiang Mai gem, delightful in every sense of the word. The menu has both Thai and International dishes prepared from fresh and organic ingredients.

Opening Hours: 08:00-Midnight
Address: 82 Ratchadamern Road, Soi 6
Cuisine: Thai and International

W by Wanlamun Cafe

Chiang Mai’s Old Town is littered with places to eat ranging from upscale antique laden eateries, to generous portions of street food for next to nothing to fine European cuisine. Catering to all budgets and preferences it is generally regarded as a great place to eat out, with most places occupying both indoor and al fresco areas, for the most part they all are charming venues with original décor concepts. This is also a great place to find lean cuisine with many of the cafes dealing only in organic produce bought fresh that day from the market.

Opening Hours: 11:00 until 22:00 with lunch 11:30 until 2:30 and dinner from 18:30 until 22:00
Address: 1 Chang Moi rd. Soi 2, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai Thailand 50300
Tel: +66 (0) 53 232328

Yangzi Jiang

The menu offers a wide selection of classic Chinese dishes, including dim sum, barbequed suckling pig and roasted Peking duck, as well as more exotic concoctions for the adventurous palate, such as steamed chicken feet with chilli sauce, Mexican abalone, Japanese scallops, and fish maw in rich broth. Prices are on the high side, but the quality of the cuisine makes it well worth it.

Opening Hours: Lunch 11:30-14:30 and Dinner 18:00-22:00
Address: 10 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 5
Tel: +66 53 225 313
Cuisine: Cantonese