We'll be in Chiang Mai this July (CAN"T WAIT!) and want to know what "can't miss" places we should check out for great,, authentic Thai food. Also, what dishes should we make sure we try? We're not looking for anything expensive, just delicious. Tell us! We've got the Nancy Chandler map, so we should be able to find what you recommend. Many thanks for your recommendations!

Sue
'Best eats' in Chiang Mai? I can't say, although I've been to Chiang Mai numerous times. One place we have tried, that seems popular, is The Good View. The location is riverside, which adds to the atmosphere. There is sometimes live entertainment, which IMO can be too loud if you are close to the stage. The food is good.

We ate at a place called Dalaba (sp) a few years ago. I do not know if it is still open. It is a house that has been converted to a restaurant. The food was more 'fusion' according to our Thai friend who dined there with us.

A place we like to frequent, on the evening of a return flt to BKK, is right directly across from CM airport! Very handy! I do have the name of this one, from my travel journal! It's called Kaew Pla Soe (pronounced Kay Plah so). A Thai friend recommended it a while back, and we just keep going back there. We always enjoy it. Really good Thai food.

We found a new place a month ago, a place that had replaced a favorite Italian restaurant (riverside) that we used to enjoy. When we went there this last time, it had now become a very good Thai restaurant. The name was in Thai so I can't tell you what it said!!! Sorry... The Italian place was called La Gondola (I think), which may or may not be on your Nancy Chandler map... depending upon just how 'new' this new Thai place that replaced it is.

Chiang Mai has lots of good food. I'm sure others will chime in with some of their own favorites.

Carol

A favorite 'grazing' place of mine in the evening is the evening market around the plaza over the moat just outside the Chiang Mai gate on the south side of the old city. The Khanom Jin (rice flour spaghetti) is a favorite at around 5 Baht per small bowl with one topping. There are usually around 10 sauces to choose from. For something more substantial you can try the fried chicken or sai oua (a sausage that's a specialty of Chiang May - a definite must-try). For dessert, try the khanom grok - little coconut 'puddings' or the various kinds of patong-ko - fritters.

Khao Soy is another 'must' local food. It's made with thin egg noodles like linguine served in a thick broth of chicken or beef. The 'original, authentic' place to try it is the side street running from Chang Klan (the night bazaar road) toward the river, just a block from Tapae Road, which runs from the river to the old city. There are two or three stalls on this road near the mosque that serve the real stuff. They're only open for lunch.

Agree with michael re Khao Soy and re trying it out at one of the places near the night bazaar. If you prefer something a bit more upmarket try Just Khao Soy on Thanon Charoen Bprathet. They serve it up in a sort of modern tapas style. A link to teh fodors review http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/tha...ew-433578.html

Similar to many here at Fodor's, we ask locally for places to eat.

One way is to question, where is the last place the person had eaten out? Not, where is a good restaurant, which might suggest, where you think I'd like to eat. But, where was the last place you went out and ate?

The success rate varies with this system. Only recently, in Sinjuku, we were repeatedly told Italian restaurants or McDonalds, but we had better success in Chiang Mail.

Noodle Soup Stall

A husband and wife team sell a lot of soup starting after 17.00 (5PM) at this extremely popular noodle stall at the Chiang Mai night market.

The tables are full every night with people waiting line for the fish or pork noodle soup.

Note: Vegetarian on request, but the broth is derived from animals.

The local beer is 42 THB compared to 180 just over the "fence" at the German place. And attesting to the quality of the soup, there are two large broth pots simmering in the area, waiting to be used.

Soup, two sizes: 25/30 THB

Located on the NE corner of Loi Khor Rd. (night market) and Chang Klan Rd. in front of Burger King, behind the night market stalls and next to the German restaurant.


Khao soi

As far as Khao soi goes, more than once the "old lady" restaurant was suggested.

But get there early, because she closes up shop at 15.00 (3PM) or when the food runs out.

Located next to the huge yellow Kodak sign just north and across the street from Burger King on the west side of Chang Klan Rd. (night market road) near Charoen Prathet Soi 6 crossing.

Ask in that area, the woman is well known.

Here's a map (sorry no pictures)

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...35cb6ac77ee2e3

Disclaimer:
Not surprisingly, especially in Thailand, people will recommend food in the area they live and we ate at the noodle stall 9 of the 10 nights we were in Chiang Mai along with many of the vendors 'cause they make a damn good soup.

I've been to Whole Earth on 2 different visits to CM (most recent 2 yrs ago), and it was terrific each time. It's a vegetarian place, a block or two south of the Night Market. Indian and Thai dishes in a welcoming ambience -- don't let the vegetarian part scare you off.

The Whole Earth was good in 2005 and again in 2008 both in terms of variety, preparation and resonable prices. Not low but resonable. My vague recollection of 2 yrs. ago was $40USD/couple for 3 courses.

I found The Goodview and Riverside (next to each other) to be ho hum Thai food. Now, for some good nightlife, The Riverside is a great place, but that’s another story.

I’ll echo the others’ comments about the soup stalls. Was one of my favorite meals and I looked forward to them each night after a night out… sometimes in the wee hours.

Another place I always frequented was LemonGrass (fancy that). One block off the night bazaar on Loi Kroh Rd. Secondly was a place on ChiangMai/MaeJo Rd. heading north out of the city. Sorry, can’t remember the name of it  but would be on the left as you head out of the city (about ½ mile outside the superhighway. For Italian, I liked Arcobaleno. Good people. Further, I always enjoyed a cup of the Civet Cat coffee… mmmmmm.