Chiang Mai Restaurants

All the city's top hotels serve reasonably good food, but for the best Thai cuisine go to the restaurants in town. The greatest variety—from traditional Thai to Italian—are to be found within the Old City, and Nimmanhemin Road, about 2 km (1 mile) northwest of downtown, is a star-studded restaurant row. The best fish restaurants, many of them Chinese-run, are found at the Anusan Market, near the Night Bazaar. Chiang Mai also has northern Thailand's best European-cuisine restaurants.

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  • 1. Butterhead Kitchen & Bake Shop

    $$

    Lampang native, Achareeya Chapin, studied baking and pastry at the Culinary Institute of America, and worked at a highly acclaimed restaurant in Napa Valley before returning home to set up shop. The restaurant, on a sleepy little river evoking the feeling of times gone by, has a selection of Thai and Western dishes, all prepared to perfection. Leave room for dessert.

    80/2 Monkrating Soi 15 Bo Haew, Lampang, Lampang, 52100, Thailand
    086-345–8514

    Known For

    • Macadamia cheesecake
    • Riverside dining
    • Roast chicken

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
  • 2. Ginger Farm Kitchen

    $$ | City Center

    The cuisine is eclectic Thai, with ingredients sourced from Ginger's own farm on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, at this vibrant Thai bistro decorated with vintage furniture, large patterned cushions, and hanging plants. Nothing is too-too spicy, and everything, including rich curries, refreshing salads, and vegetable-packed summer rolls, is served in pretty ceramic bowls and plates.

    One Nimman, Nimmanhemin Rd, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
    052-080928

    Known For

    • Eclectic Thai-boho decor
    • Pretty presentation
    • Zingy cocktails with fresh herbs
  • 3. Rachamankha

    $$ | Old City

    A meal at the Rachamankha hotel's elegant restaurant is a must whether you're a guest or not. The menu focuses on Lanna, Burmese, and Shan cuisine, a sensible approach given the entwined history of these northern neighbors. The formal dining room inside, decorated with tasteful antiques, is best during the day, but reserve a table in the softly lit, brick-lined courtyard if you'll be here after dark. The servers are discreetly attentive, and the prices are reasonable for such impeccably prepared food.

    6 Ratchamankha, Soi 9, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
    053-904111

    Known For

    • Romantic courtyard
    • Not the typical Asian dishes
    • Live Lanna folk music and other entertainment

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 4. The House by Ginger

    $$ | Old City

    Trendy locals have been loving this iconic restaurant that serves creative Thai and pan-Asian fare since it opened in 2004. The walls are adorned with tropical motif wallpaper, the plush furniture is finished with dark velvets, and traditional Chinese pottery in bold colors sits on display, while the banquette seating is topped with colorful throw pillows that you can purchase in the shop. The Thai food is excellent and nicely presented, but expect to pay more than in simple Thai restaurants. 

    199 Moon Muang Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
    053-287681

    Known For

    • International cuisine
    • Long-standing favorite
    • Trendy atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 5. Beast Burger

    $$

    If you find yourself craving Western fast food, skip the global franchises and make a beeline for this restaurant, which grew out of a popular food truck. Run by two young Thai siblings and open from 11 am until 10 pm or when sold out, Beast's burgers are made with premium-quality ingredients and are perfectly cooked. The veggie patty is great, too. Choose from onion rings or fries for the perfect accompaniment.

    14 Nimmanhaemin, Soi 17, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
    080-124–1414

    Known For

    • Cool crowd
    • House-made sauces, like Korean ketchup and blue cheese
    • Good value

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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  • 6. Dash Teak House

    $$ | Old City

    In a beautiful, traditional, two-story teak house with a balcony overlooking a garden, Dash is one of the Old Town's best midrange restaurants. Guests receive a warm welcome from the Thai mother--son team who returned to Thailand to open the restaurant after living for many years in the United States. Expect generous servings of classic Thai food from across the country. The khao soi (chicken curry noodle soup), gaeng hang lay (pork curry), and other Lanna specialties stand out. Those not in the mood for Thai can avail themselves of pasta and burgers.

    38/2 Moon Muang Rd., Soi 2, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
    053-279230

    Known For

    • Tranquil garden seating
    • Lanna dishes like gaeng hang lay (pork curry)
    • Tasty Western fare for those tired of Thai

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 7. Greensmoked

    $$

    The focus at this stylish modern restaurant in an old ice factory is the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen, visible throughout the dining room. The menu tours the globe, with popular dishes including the fire-grilled pork jowl with spicy pineapple glaze and arguably the most authentic tacos in town.

    12/8 Wualai Soi 3, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
    062-449–9425

    Known For

    • Homemade tortillas
    • A favorite of trendy locals
    • Mouth-watering beef brisket
  • 8. Hinlay Curry House

    $$ | Wat Ket

    Tucked away in a corner of a former businessman's mansion, this small, open-sided restaurant specializes in inexpensive curry dishes from India, Burma, and Thailand, with some Japanese-inspired dishes as well. Daily specials, accompanied by two varieties of rice or a selection of Indian breads like pillowy naan, are written on a blackboard. The tiny terrace overlooks the grounds of the mansion, whose present owners run the restaurant.

    8/1 Na Watket Rd., Soi 1, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
    053-242621

    Known For

    • Airy, plant-filled dining room
    • Great Indian breads
    • Homemade sorbets and ice creams
  • 9. Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen

    $$

    Born from Chef Yaowadee's desire to keep artisanal fisherman in business down south, this casual eatery features Thai comfort food with an emphasis on the freshest catch of the day—something not that common in this landlocked region. The menu features stir-fried squid, crab ceviche, and an impressive array of fish dishes, including charcoal-grilled trevally, mackerel curry, and brown-sugar-cured sardine jerky, all accompanied by local organic rice and stir-fried vegetables.

    88 Thapae Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
    098-248–2446

    Known For

    • Sustainable seafood
    • Local flavors
    • Charcoal grilled fish
  • 10. Riverside Bar & Restaurant

    $$ | International

    The ever-popular Riverside has an informal waterfront location and a modern and elegant dining room across the road. The boisterous atmosphere of the riverside venue is replaced at the latter by a more sophisticated dining experience, although there's nightly live music here, too. A candlelight dinner in the romantic central courtyard on a warm evening is especially recommended.

    9/11 Charoen Rat Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
    053-243239
  • 11. Rustic & Blue Farm

    $$

    Chiang Mai's farm-to-table pioneer Chef Radee Timsuren realized her dream of opening a restaurant right on the family farm, just about a 15-minute drive outside Chiang Mai. The casual daytime menu features impeccably made sandwiches, pizzas, and an array of colorful salads, while at night the options veer toward fine dining, with an impressive selection of imported wine and craft beer. The artisan breads and pastries are all made in-house.

    73/8 Buak-Klog-Luang, Moo 1, Soi 10, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 5000, Thailand
    086-654–7178

    Known For

    • Sunset views
    • Seasonal produce from the farm
    • Homemade ice-cream, breads, and pastries

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential

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