Chiang Mai Restaurants and Dining in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai's restaurants offer a wide range of food, second only to Bangkok. Naturally it's a good place to sample northern Thai food: in particular, hunt down some khao soi, yellow wheat noodles in curry broth traditionally with chicken (kai')) or beef (neua), but available some places as vegetarian or with seafood. Another local speciality is hang ley, Lanna-style pork curry. For those tired of eating rice or noodles there's also a wide range of excellent western food restaurant in Chiang Mai, from cheap hamburger stands to elaborate Italian eateries.

Thai :

- Anusarn Market, Chang Khlan Road (same side of road as "Galare Food Centre" but much further up beyond Loi Kroh crossroad towards Sri Dornchai) is a busy outdoor night market with lots of little Thai restaurants and food vendors. Great atmosphere.

- Brick Road Cafe, 141/8 Ratchadamneon Road,053 272012 , French-run cafe with a relaxed atmosphere serving genuine Thai and European food with more and more french cuisine added regularly.

- Kalare Food Centre, Chang Khlan Road (opposite the Night Bazaar Building), has a large open-air food court, featuring free Thai classical dance performances nightly. All food is paid for with coupons; most mains 20-50 baht.

- Kuaytiaw Reua Koliang, Moon Muang Road (near Ratchamankha Road; no English sign) serves authentic kuaytiow reua (literally "boat noodles", rice noodles in dark broth with beef). It's good stuff anyway at 25 baht a pop.

- Ratana's Kitchen, Tha Pae Road (near Tha Pae Gate), has a wide range of Thai dishes at low prices (30-60 baht for many) and a huge vegetarian selection.

- Re-Feel Café, 48/4-5 Rachavithi Road offers great (cheap) Thai food, good atmosphere, friendly staff and free billiards.

- Sailomjoy Restaurant, 7 Rachadamnoen Road (near Tha Phae Gate) Inexpensive and delicious food (Thai, Western and vegetarian), friendly service, and simple and relaxed atmosphere. Open: Daily 7:30AM to 4:00PM.

- Suthep Road - By the University, past the Canal Road, has dozens of food carts set up every evening around from around 17:00 until about 22:00, with a huge variety of very inexpensive food, and tables set up along the sidewalk.

- Muan Baan, Moon Muang Soi 7 (about 100m in from Moon Muang road, on right) offers a variety of both Thai and Western meals, for breakfast and lunch. The food is excellent & inexpensive, and the owners and staff are very pleasant and helpful. Highly recommended.

- Huen Phen, 112 Ratchamankha Road, specialises in Northern Thai food, and is popular with Thais and foreigners alike. Lunch in the air-conditioned hall is decent enough, but dinner in the profusely decorated old house in the back is little short of magical. Best of all is the price: a bowl of khanom jiin naam ngiaw (Shan-style pork rib noodles), a plate of som tum (green papaya salad) and some sticky rice will still leave you change from 50 baht! Open daily 08:00-15:00 & 17:00-22:00.

- Just Kao Soy - a reasonably priced restaurant with excellent kao soy and vegetarian curry broth.

- Ob Luang - serves genuine Thai-Chinese cuisine at reasonable prices in a secluded garden setting directly on the Ping River. Open daily 10AM-2PM and 5PM-12AM.

- Sila Aat - Located on the southern edge of the Kalare Market (sometimes referred to by farang as the 'Kalare Food Centre'), the Sila-Aat Restaurant offers fresh seafood (fresh on ice or from the huge tanks) as well as a wide selection of Thai and Northern/Lanna specialties. Operated by two sisters, the restaurant has [by far!] the best seafood in Chiang Mai. Open daily from 15:00 to 24:00, the Sila-Aat offers a good selection of Thai and western alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

- Ghekko Garden Bar and Restaurant - Located opposite the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel. Offers good priced Thai food as well as a small western selection. highlights are lemongrass beef and sundried beef. Their chilli crab is also worth a try. Also make wonderful drinks such as mango daquiry. Enquire at the bar blackboard to daily specials.

When you come to Chiang Mai you should try a Khantoke dinner and show. Although these are just for tourists it is still a nice way to spend an evening. The first Khantoke dinner was held in 1953 by Prof Kraisi Nimanhemin who wanted to host a special event for 2 friends leaving Chiang Mai, 2 others were held both in 1953 and thus "Khantoke" dinners are not "authentic" but a relatively recent invention. Khantoke literally means Small bowl, low table (Khan = small bowl. Tok = low level table) There are also many garden restaurants where you can enjoy an excellent Thai meal in a beautiful setting.

- Baan Rom Mai Garden Restaurant, Changklan Plaza, 191/12 Changklan Road +66 53-820031 /2. Open daily 10:00-midnight.

- Galae Garden Restaurant, at the end of Suthep Road +66 53-278655 / +66 53-811041 - Doi Suthep foothill location at edge of a sparkling reservoir. Thai & Northern Thai food and grilled specialties in delightful outdoors.

- Khum Khantoke, in Chiang Mai Business Park +66 53-304121 - be entertained while you dine on traditional North Thailand Cuisine. Reservations are a good idea to get a good seat. Family style all you can eat 350 baht. Nightly 19:00-22:00.

- Le Grand Lanna Garden Restaurant, 51/3 Sankampaeng Road +66 53-262569 is a must see for its architectural teak splendor. Open daily.

- Old Chiang Mai Culture Center 185/3 Wualai Road +66 53-275097 - the first commercial Khantoke Dinner in Chiang Mai more than 30 years ago. They have the best Northern Thai food of any of the Kantoke establishments however the seating, show and music are not as good as at Khum Khantoke. Nightly 19:00-21:30.

- Palutside Gaad Tawanron Garden Restaurant, on a reservoir. Thai and English food. Wat Fai Hin behind CHiang Mai University, Suthep Road +66 53-216576 / +66 53-216039.

- Saenkham Terrace Garden Restaurant, Clubhouse Ban Naifan 2, 199/163 T. Maehea +66 53-838990 - open daily 11:00-22:00.

- A Star Burgers, Loi Kroh soi 1, Outside Centerplace Guest House, great burgers and snacks at economy prices..Friendly service.

- Alois Bavarian Restaurant, Soi 8, Phrapoklao Road +66 53-278515 - authentic Bavarian specialties - open Tue-Sun, 11:30-23:00.

- Arcobaleno Italian Restaurant, (in front of Watket Temple), ''+66 53''-306254, Open lunch & dinner.

- Fillmore East Bar & Grill, Charernrasd Road +66 53-262416 - seating on two dining terraces facing Mae Ping river. Delicious USDA Beef, lamb, veal, chops, burgers. Excellent homemade deserts such as pecan, pumpkin and apple pie with large choice of toppings. The bar is separate from the riverside dining area so you can enjoy a romantic dinner in peace.

- Piccola Roma Palace Italian Restaurant, at corner of Charoenprathet Road & Sri Donchai Road near Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel +66 53-820297 / +66 53-271256 - open lunch & dinner. An unforgettable dining experience amid beautiful surroundings. Serving residents over 15 years.

- The House, 199 Moonmuang Road +66 53-419011 - old 1930's colonial style house in town center. Pacific rim & fusion food. Open 18:00.

Vegetarian:

- Whole Earth, 88 Sridonchai Road +66 53-282463 - open 11:00-21:00.

Western :

- All Star Burgers - budget burgers and western meals Loi Kroh Soi 1 - outside Centerplace Guest House. Great Cocktails, Fruit shakes, Beer and soft drinks. A good range of tasty western meals at budget prices. Delicious burgers start from 59 Baht - Home baked cookies YUM!- free WiFi.

- "Daily Delight" Coffee Shop & Restaurant 119/4 Thapae Rd, ph 053 209070. Great coffee espresso, cappuccino and specialty coffees. A good range of western and Thai food (most dishes 50-65 baht).

- Mike's Hamburger Stand, on the corner of Chaiyapoom Road and Chang Moi Road (along the east side of the moat) and on Nimmanhaemin Road (across from Soi 1) are brightly-lit, "old-school" joints - just stools and a counter in an open shop.

- Woody's Fine Fast Food, 56 Chaiyapoom Road (On the moat road, half-way between Thapae Gate and Spicy Pub, next to the 7/11.), 0857 229708. Open 5PM to late. Serves Kebabs (Gyros), Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Falafel, Chips (Fries), Beer, Liquor and Soft Drinks. Stays open after most restaurants have closed.

- Joe Jets Burger Emporiun 237/1 Huay Kaew Road. Great Burgers in a 50's style themed diner.

- Amazing Sandwich, 20/2 Huay Kaew Road (north-west corner of the moat, opposite the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel; plus two other locations) - choose from a million and one items on their list and they'll build a sandwich for you your way. They also serve breakfasts and have bagels. Open daily 8AM-10PM (Sunday close 4PM).

- El Toro Restaurant & Pub, 5/2 Loi Kroh Road. New Mexico style Mexican food at its finest prepared by experienced cook. Free food 5PM-7PM every Friday.

- O'Malley's Irish Restaurant, Anusarn Market, 149-14/15 Changklan Road +66 53-271921 - international cuisine and Guinness on tap.

- Red Lion English Pub & Restaurant, Loi Kroh Rd, just past McDonald's and Burger King in the Night Bazaar +66 53-818847 - International and Thai food. Draught Guinness and John Smith's.

- The Dukes +66 53-249231 is located 50 meters north of the Tourism Authority of Thailand office at 49/4-5 Chiang Mai - Lumpoon Road, south of the Narawat bridge on the east side of the Ping River. Excellent American style dishes and desserts - ribs, burgers, pizza, cheesecake, etc. Full bar with local and imported beers and wines. Great family atmosphere, no loud music or entertainment, just good food.

- The Olde Bell: British Pub: Located on Loi Kroh Rd, next to the Raming Lodge Hotel and about 300m from the moat. Modern British cuisine, Indian Curries, Thai and Hill Tribe dishes are served up by attractive bar staff. British and Continental Cheese boards are a speciality of the house. Traditional British Pub Atmosphere: A wide range of beers, ciders and wines are kept in the well stocked bar.

- The Meeting Restaurant & Cafe, 6/1 Soi 1, Kotchasarn Road. Have a talk with the friendly managers. Closed Sundays.

Japanese :

- Fuji, 1st branch Central Airport Plaza, 2nd branch Panthip Plaza is a great and reasonably priced Japanese restaurant. While perhaps not a special restaurant in that it is not unique to Chiang Mai (it's actually a large chain) for those seeking reasonably priced Japanese food Fuji is a must. Expect to pay 120 baht and up for each dish (for instance a single sushi roll), however there are several spectacular sets that offer great "bang for you buck", for instance the Fuji Sashimi Set which can easily fill a sushi lover for 190 baht.

- Asahi Japanese Restaurant, Original Japanese-style restaurant with choice of 100+ dishes near the Nightbazaar. Open daily 11AM-2PM and 5PM-11PM. Tel: 053-275 323

Kosher :

- Kosher Restaurant, 89/15 Changklan Road (100 m from Empress hotel).

Vegetarian: It can be hard to find safely vegetarian food in Chiang Mai, as fish and oyster sauce are used frequently, and the local Buddist monks themselves often eat fish. (Thus, asking for your dish to be prepared "like the monks," which works in other places, does not get the same results in Chiang Mai.) There are a few completely vegetarian options, however.

- Khun Churn, 120/2 Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 7 +66 53-224124 - Thai vegetarian. Open 9:30AM-2:30PM & 5:30PM-10PM, closed the 16th of every month.

- Taste from Heaven 237 Thapae Rd, Chang klan, Chiang Mai. 053-208803. Thai vegetarian with vegan options. Owned by a friendly English ex-pat, proceeds to go Elephant Nature Park. A short walk or ride from the Night Market, this restaurant offers curries and noodle dishes in a comfortable and clean setting, with both indoor and garden seating

- Tianzi Asia - Serves organic and macrobiotic food, and carries a large assortment of teas and other products from Yunnan, China. Situated near the Nightbazaar. Open Mon-Sat 10AM-10PM. Tel: 053-449 539

- Nice Vegetarian - Serves a large variety of vegetarian food, along with fresh fruit and vegetables drinks. Breakfast menu also available. Open Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM. Tel: 085-866 2747