13 Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Every meal tells a story at this northern Thai restaurant, where recipes passed down by silk-trading Thai-Chinese families of the Baan Tuek compound are actively used. If you visit in April, start the Thai New Year with good luck by eating laap kua, a zesty minced pork dish topped with chili flakes and many herbs.

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.

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. 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 simpler Thai restaurants. 

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.

This simple open-sided restaurant just outside the city walls has been preparing traditional northern dishes, such as frog legs fried with ginger, for more than 30 years. Try the gaeng hang lay (Northern Thai pork curry) and sai ua (pork sausage with herbs). There is take-out service, too.

This 50-year-old Lanna restaurant—opened by the late Kanong Yawikham, who cooked in his Thai boxing school before starting Daokanong—has tasty Northern Thai dishes for very reasonable prices. Try nam prik pla jee (spicy grilled fish dip served with steamed local vegetables) to explore new flavors.

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.

Ask a Thai chef where to find Chiang Mai's finest and most authentic Lanna food, and you'll likely be directed to this rustic restaurant a 30-minute drive south of the Old City. The place occupies an old timber house and several air-conditioned rooms in a contemporary building that wraps around the back garden. Start with the nam prik num (roasted green-chili relish) and kap moo (pork crackling), and don't miss the rich aromatic gaeng hang lay. Few staff members speak English, and you’re unlikely to see groups of foreigners, but there is an English menu (you might have to ask for it). Prices are exceedingly reasonable for the quality. The only issue is transportation: if you're carless, the best strategy is to take a taxi or tuk-tuk and pay the driver to wait.

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 and minced pork dip) served with crispy vegetables, the laap 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. There is a minimum charge of B500 for credit cards.

The colorful plastic stools and small wooden tables at this open-air khao soi spot are packed with a mix of locals and tourists slurping egg noodles in curry soup. Get yours with beef, chicken, or pork, each bowl topped with an addictive handful of crunchy noodles. To drink, there's refreshing longan juice.

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 and an impressive array of fish dishes, including charcoal-grilled trevally and brown-sugar-cured sardine jerky, all accompanied by local organic rice and stir-fried vegetables.

This family business is famous for their juicy charcoal-grilled rotisserie chicken, stuffed with generous amounts of fragrant local garlic. Papaya salad, sticky rice, and other Northeastern/Isan favorites such as pork laap and grilled beef with sweet, spicy, tart jaew dipping sauce are all recommended, too.

You don't have to be a journalist to dine at Chiang Mai's unofficial press club—the regulars include not only media types but also artists and eccentric local characters. Expect the typical pan-Thai dishes, including salads, stir-fries, and curries, as well as decent and sensibly priced house wines. Reservations are essential on Friday and Sunday, as this is the spot for taking a break from wandering the Sunday market.