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Tamarind
Nightlife & Bars
Chiang Rai

Tamarind

4.4(425 reviews)

Tamarind is a relaxed bistro and bar set in a large garden around a shady tree, with wooden furnishings and a house that give it a distinctly laid-back, rustic character. It operates across the day and into the evening, functioning as a breakfast spot in the mornings and transitioning into a cocktail and drinks venue at night — making it a genuinely versatile stop during a stay in Chiang Rai. Mornings bring Thai-style breakfasts and American breakfasts, with mixed rice porridge, toast, and muffins drawing consistent praise from visitors. The cafe side also serves espresso and caramel milk drinks. Come evening, the garden atmosphere shifts toward cocktails and cold beers, with live music adding to the appeal on select nights. The outdoor setting is particularly popular for relaxed after-dinner drinks, though visitors have noted that evening service can be unhurried, so it suits those with time to spare rather than those in a rush. Good to know: Opening hours are not listed online, so it is worth confirming current times with your accommodation before visiting. The venue sits on Satharn Payabarn Road within the city center and is easily reached by tuk-tuk or short taxi ride from most guesthouses in Chiang Rai.

Experience hints

Pair your visit. After Tamarind, round out your day in Chiang Rai with contrasting stops nearby.

Visitor Reviews

Bring some time and you can expect amazing cocktails. After dinner we decided to look for a cocktail bar to end our evening. Close by our hotel we found this one and decided to try it out. We were five people and ordered eight different drinks throughout the night. All of them were amazing and you could see that the barkeeper had a passion for cocktails. He took his time and made sure that all of them were perfect. We even ordered two with a special effect (see pictures). But apparently they don’t have a big stock of cocktail ingredients (maybe not a lot of people go there for the cocktails). Our Barkeeper had to leave three times with his scooter to pick up different bottles. We were a bit irritated by that but the good cocktails definitely made up for it. They also played some live music at the beginning which was nice, too.

Tamarind Bistro is a very cute place in Chiang Rai. We loved the fact that they had live music, the atmosphere was great! It is very well taken care of, the staff is friendly and the food and drinks are reasonably priced. The food was not that special as other restaurants but it was still okay ! We will go back definitely 💯

Nice place with a large garden. Good to chill outside with a beer. However the service is slow and lazy. Nobody cares if you’re still there or gone. Only the cafe waitresses in the morning are doing there job properly. The food is alright (except for the spaghetti bolognese that I don’t recommend at all) and the prices too.

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)

Rainy season

June – September

Avg. temperature

14°C – 35°C(57°F – 95°F)

Crowds

Moderate

Peak: December – February

Getting there

Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). Bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. Scenic Golden Triangle road trip from Chiang Mai.

Getting around

  • Grab (available in city centre)
  • Songthaews
  • Motorbike rental (฿200/day)
  • Car hire (for Golden Triangle & hill tribes)

Where to stay near Tamarind

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Tips for Visiting Nightlife & Bars

Carry Your Passport or a Copy

Clubs and some bars check IDs strictly, especially in Bangkok's Thonglor, RCA, and Sukhumvit areas. A photo of your passport info page on your phone usually works, but carrying a laminated photocopy is safer.

Know the Closing Times

Legal closing time is 2 AM for most venues, though enforcement varies. In Bangkok's designated entertainment zones (RCA, Silom Soi 2/4, Khao San), some clubs stay open until 4 AM. Islands tend to be more relaxed about hours.

Buy Bucket Drinks Cautiously

Island bucket drinks (mixed spirits in a small bucket) are cheap and fun but notoriously strong and inconsistent. Stick to one, stay hydrated, and never leave your drink unattended at beach parties.

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