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$$$ | |
A charming courtyard garden leads to the cozy dining room of this predominantly Indian restaurant, where you'll be welcomed as if you were at a friend's home. The menu focuses on Indian selections, with a few Thai and Western options, but everything is delicious.
94 Moo 2 Donkaeo, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50180, Thailand
Known For
- Tasting menu
- Vibrant decor
- Accommodates dietary restrictions
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$$$$ | |
Dress up for this award-winning restaurant owned by a warm and welcoming British-Thai husband-wife front-of-house team and an excellent Thai chef. The three pride themselves on their old-fashioned hospitality, so don't be surprised if one of them greets you at the door and walks you out at the end of the night. The modern European cuisine, also endearingly old-school, makes for a wonderful change from Thai if you’ve been traveling in the country for a while. The braised lamb shank with red-wine sauce and mashed potatoes is superb washed down with a big red, but save room for the sticky-toffee pudding. The set menu, B1,450 for a four-course dinner, is a fantastic value.
113 Bamrungrad Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Known For
- <PRO>crêpes suzette and sticky toffee pudding</PRO>
- <PRO>curated (if pricey) wine list</PRO>
- <PRO>rich pastas</PRO>
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
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$$$ | Old City |
Guests are invited to make themselves comfortable on plump, plush armchairs and sofas and even on large cushions scattered over the polished teak floor at this colorful restaurant, decorated like the home of your kooky bohemian cousin. The cuisine is eclectic, with plenty of Thai offerings as well as mixed Western fare like fish-and-chips. Nothing is too spicy, and everything, including rich curries, refreshing salads, and vegetable-packed summer rolls, is served in pretty ceramic bowls and plates.
199 Moon Muang Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Known For
- <PRO>eclectic Thai-boho decor</PRO>
- <PRO>pretty presentation</PRO>
- <PRO>zingy cocktails with fresh herbs</PRO>
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$$ | City Center |
The cuisine is eclectic Thai, with ingredients sourced from Ginger's own farm on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, at this vibrant Thai bistro decorated with vintage furniture, large patterned cushions, and hanging plants. Nothing is too-too spicy, and everything, including rich curries, refreshing salads, and vegetable-packed summer rolls, is served in pretty ceramic bowls and plates.
One Nimman, Nimmanhemin Rd, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Known For
- Eclectic Thai-boho decor
- Pretty presentation
- Zingy cocktails with fresh herbs
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$$ | 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
Known For
- Romantic courtyard
- Not the typical Asian dishes
- Live Lanna folk music and other entertainment
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | Old City |
Trendy locals have been loving this iconic restaurant that serves creative Thai and pan-Asian fare since it opened in 2004. The walls are adorned with tropical motif wallpaper, the plush furniture is finished with dark velvets, and traditional Chinese pottery in bold colors sits on display, while the banquette seating is topped with colorful throw pillows that you can purchase in the shop. The Thai food is excellent and nicely presented, but expect to pay more than in simple Thai restaurants.
199 Moon Muang Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Known For
- International cuisine
- Long-standing favorite
- Trendy atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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This simple, open-sided restaurant just outside the city walls has been preparing such traditional northern dishes as frogs' legs fried with ginger for more than 30 years. Try the tabong (boiled bamboo shoots fried in batter) and sai ua (pork sausage with herbs). There is take-out service, too.
45 Kotchasarn Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
Known For
- Zesty sai ua (fermented pork sausages)
- Packets of curry mix to go
- Cheap and cheerful northern Thai fare
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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$$ | |
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
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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$$$ | |
This French restaurant, located in Chiang Mai's perfectly safe "red-light district," is consistently full of locals and foreigners enjoying excellent coq au vin and creamy pâtés. It's run with Gallic flair by Franco-Japanese chef Marco, and has doubled in size with the acquisition of neighboring premises, but still has a tiny, stylishly intimate, street terrace.
15/7 Loi Kroh Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | 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
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
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$$ | |
The focus at this stylish modern restaurant in an old ice factory is the wood-fired oven in the open kitchen, visible throughout the dining room. The menu tours the globe, with popular dishes including the fire-grilled pork jowl with spicy pineapple glaze and arguably the most authentic tacos in town.
12/8 Wualai Soi 3, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
Known For
- Homemade tortillas
- A favorite of trendy locals
- Mouth-watering beef brisket
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$$ | 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
Known For
- Airy, plant-filled dining room
- Great Indian breads
- Homemade sorbets and ice creams
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$ | |
On a backstreet in an increasingly cool local neighborhood dotted with cafés and small eateries, this restaurant in a traditional teak house serves authentic Lanna cuisine. Try the nam prik ong (tomato, minced-pork dip) served with crispy vegetables, the larb moo (a rich minced-pork salad), or the locally revered gaeng hang lay (pork belly curry). Don't be surprised if you find yourself returning for another meal. Most patrons do. Before you leave, check out the framed wall photos of the owner-chef's appearance on Iron Chef Thailand.
24 Ratchpruek Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
Known For
- Open-air dining room surrounded by greenery
- Solid vegetarian options
- Fried bamboo shoots filled with minced pork
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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The name of this restaurant derives from its origins as an ice-cream parlor—and nine flavors are served—though the menu these days is much more expansive, covering Chinese, Thai, and Indian food as well as some Western favorites. The interior is modern with two private dining rooms and is surprisingly quiet for being on a main highway. Try the sensational lamyai fried rice.
37/9 Moo 2 Lamphun-Doiti Road, Lamphun, Lamphun, 51000, Thailand
Known For
- Ice cream sundaes and banana splits
- Air-conditioned respite with free Wi-Fi
- Good coffee, hot or iced
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
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$$ | |
Born from Chef Yaowadee's desire to keep artisanal fisherman in business down south, this casual eatery features Thai comfort food with an emphasis on the freshest catch of the day—something not that common in this landlocked region. The menu features stir-fried squid, crab ceviche, and an impressive array of fish dishes, including charcoal-grilled trevally, mackerel curry, and brown-sugar-cured sardine jerky, all accompanied by local organic rice and stir-fried vegetables.
88 Thapae Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
Known For
- Sustainable seafood
- Local flavors
- Charcoal grilled fish
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The menu at this tranquil teahouse is fairly short, with a selection of curries, salads, sandwiches, satay, and desserts, but the cool interior of this exquisitely restored century-old Chinese merchant's house is a wonderful respite from the bustle of the city. It doubles as a showroom of fine celadon pottery and has an adjoining courtyard with a shop selling Lanna fabric and the pottery used in the restaurant. There are indigo dyeing, textile weaving, and ceramic painting workshops available here, too.
158 Thapae Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
Known For
- Pretty home goods in its shop
- Peaceful garden tables
- Housemade tea blends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$$ | |
This handsome Lanna-style restaurant complex is next to Chiang Mai's historic Iron Bridge, and the spacious outside terrace has lovely views of the bridge and the Ping River. The chefs prepare the full range of authentic, if pricey, Thai dishes, along with a couple of continental options, including a cheeseburger.
Although the restaurant is fairly family-friendly, with a lawn on which kids can run around, there's not much on the menu for picky eaters.
33/12 Charoen Prathet Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Known For
- Pretty setting overlooking the Ping River
- Modern twists on pan-Thai fare
- High prices to match the setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | | International
The ever-popular Riverside has an informal waterfront location and a modern and elegant dining room across the road. The boisterous atmosphere of the riverside venue is replaced at the latter by a more sophisticated dining experience, although there's nightly live music here, too. A candlelight dinner in the romantic central courtyard on a warm evening is especially recommended.
9/11 Charoen Rat Rd., Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
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$$ | |
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
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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$ | |
Part tearoom, part casual eatery, this rustic place, whose furnishings include tables made of recycled wood, focuses on food crafted from fresh organic ingredients sourced from local farmers and artisanal producers. The all-day breakfasts are hugely popular—try the brioche French toast brûlée with fresh fruit—but the tacos and salads, among them a fine one with quinoa and pumpkin, have many fans, too, especially among trendy locals. The house-made ice cream in flavors like blueberry basil (sherbet) and peanut butter stout with chocolate is just the ticket after a long day temple-hopping.
Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi 7, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand
Known For
- <PRO>all-day breakfast</PRO>
- <PRO>vegan and gluten-free baked goods</PRO>
- <PRO>house-made ice creams</PRO>
