Recommended restaurants and eateries in Chiang Mai city

Restaurants in Chiang Mai

Evening dining beside the river is quite romantic

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. Complete guide to Thai food.

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 30 - 70 baht; quart of beer 70 baht; whiskey shot 80 baht; cocktails 100baht

$$ dishes 70 - 120 baht; quart of beer 100 baht; whiskey shot 100 baht; cocktails 120baht

$$$ dishes 100 - 250 baht; quart of beer 120 baht; whiskey shot 130 baht; cocktails 150baht

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 Charoenrat rd (053) 243 239 $$
The Good View Restaurant, Chiang Mai:: cavernous, noisy and popular with locals, romantic band, abundant and tasty food, riverside. 13 Charoenrat rd (053) 241 866 $$
The Gallery Restaurant:: quiet, lovely interior with art gallery, variable food and service quality. Riverside venue. 13 Charoenrat rd 053 302764, 053 241866 $$

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. 71 Charoen Prathet rd (053) 276 810 $$
The House Restaurant:: one of Chiang Mai’s most commendable restaurants, serving exceptional dishes of Asian Fusion and other cuisine, in an exclusive atmosphere. The tapas bar and menu is a lighter choice. 199 Moon Muang road. (053) 41 9011. $$$
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. (053) 22 2208 $
River Ping Palace:: lovely, quiet riverside location in old teak house, with creative food and friendly staff. Charoen Prathat rd, south, near the Sheraton Hotel $$
Palaad Tawanrod:: enjoys an unbeatable location among the forest on the lower slopes of the moutain above the zoo. The views are great, but it gets busy so be prepared for a long wait for your food. Follow the signs from the right turn near the top of Suthep Rd., behind Chiang Mai University (053) 053 216039, 216576 $$
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. $$$

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. (053) 282024, 801501 $$$+
Chedi Restaurant:: an upmarket and stately experience in the grand old colonnial former Brithish consulate, located in the Chedi hotel. Fine dining, good service, convenient riverside location. 123 Charoen Prathet road. (053) 253 333. $$$
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. $$$++
La Gondola:: riverside location in romantic garden with Italian/Thai menu and soft music sung by owner. 201/6 Rim Ping Condo, Charoenrat Rd. (053) 265192, 306483 $$$
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 $$$
Mi Casa:: mediterannean food from an exceptional Spanish chef, at this quaint converted house with alfresco dining near the University. Open daily. Soi Wat Pa Dang. (053) 810088. $$
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 $$$
Fujian - Dhara Dhevi:: located in this five star Mandarin Oriental hotel, set among a mock-up Asian market, this Cantonese cuisine is delivered with authentic ambience and impeccable service. Their all-you-can-eat lunch dim sum is very affordable. Dhara Dhevi Hotel, San Khampeng. (053) 888550 $$$
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 Chantarasak, Huay Kaew road (053) 221 869 $$
Asahi:: inexpensive sushi, teriyaki and sashimi, popular with Japanese residents and ex-pats who once lived there. 98/3 Sri Donchai rd (053 275 323) $$
The Saloon:: American-styled burger and steakhouse with great Southern food, friendly owner and staff, nice atmosphere and music videos on large screen. central location. 80/1 Loi Kroh rd, 150m from Night Bazaar. Also, Ratwithi road. 084 175 3506. $$
The Dukes:: an American styled steakhouse popular with NGO and missionaries for its tasty and hearty menu, professional service and nice atmosphere, busy Sundays. 49/4-5 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Rd. (053) 249 231. New Branch at Night Market. $$
Jerusalem Falafel:: Tasty Middle Eastern food and delicacies, in a small centrally located shop. Moon Muang rd, opposite Tapae Gate (053) 270 208 $$
Haus Munchen:: genuine German fare and more, good reputation and service. 115/3 Loi Kroh rd (near Night Market) (053) 274 027 $$
The Queen Victoria Inn:: authentic English-styled pub with a full English breakfast, pub lunch and dinner menu, as well as Thai food and steakhouse favourites, generally quiet. Proppaklao road, near Chang Phuak gate, north side of the Moat (053) 418 255 $$

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 $+
JJ Bakery:: handy sandwich place, with quick service, tasty food, good coffee and shakes. Air-conditioned. 388 Tapae rd (053) 234 007 $+
Ratana's Kitchen:: popular place with aircon and tasty Thai and foreign food, conveniently located. 320-322 Tapae rd (053) 874173 $
Aroon Rai:: simple but famous with buffet and basic menu, 35 years experience, central location. 45 Kotchasarn rd (near Tapae Gate) (053) 276 947 $
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 (053) 276 947 $+
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. $
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 2 year old son). 17 Ratvithi Road, near moat. 089 515 1917. $

Vegetarian restaurants

The Vegetarian Society:: is a popular non-profit lunch time canteen providing cheap organic food. Mahidol rd (between Ku Ruang Moat corner and Airport Plaza) (053) 271 262 $
Aum Vegetarian:: all veggie place, with nice ambience seated on the floor, centrally located. 65 Moon Muang rd (opposite Tapae Gate) (053) 278 315 $
Whole Earth Restaurant:: good Indian food with wide veggie selection, located in antique house and lovely garden. 88 Sri Doncai rd (053) 282 463 $$
Blue Diamond:: Health food gem with fresh bakes and health herbs, popular brunch place. Tricky to find. Moonmuang, soi 9 (near Sriphum Moat corner) $
Khun Churn:: serves a vegetarian buffet (60 baht) every lunch which is popular with Thai and ex-pats alike in the Nimminhemin area. 120/2 Soi 7 off Nimminhemin rd. (053) 224124 $

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.

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