Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
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.
Founder Lee Ayu Chuepa studied the art of roasting and brewing coffee in Italy, then brought his know-how back to his home village on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, where he grows organic coffee. The vibe is casual, with a few seats to hang out and enjoy your beverage. There is a B500 minimum charge for credit cards.
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 here, on a sleepy little river evoking the feeling of times gone by. Achareeya has since gone on to open Wildthyme in Bangkok, but her sister Fon keeps the shop running, offering a selection of Thai and Western dishes, all prepared to perfection. Leave room for dessert.
This airy shophouse-turned-café, art gallery, and boutique is the kind of warm homey space that makes you want to linger. The selection of pastries and cake are enticing, and the barista makes excellent coffee. The boutique carries coffee, honey, chocolate, local textiles, and ceramics with an emphasis on local community enterprises. Exhibitions in the upstairs gallery, featuring the works of contemporary Thai artists, change every few months.
The dining menu at this tranquil teahouse is fairly short, with light breakfast bites, curries, and sandwiches, 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.
This light-filled haven with indoor and outdoor seating offers a long sprawling menu of breakfast dishes, salads, and sandwiches. For a mouthwatering treat, try the Noam's Special, which consists of grilled veggies, roast chicken, fried spinach, avocado, and rice. Just as tasty as the food are the fresh fruit smoothies and coffee. An abundance of plants and colorful Chinese lanterns add to the peaceful atmosphere, perfect for people-watching on the terrace.
