Fern Forest Cafe
Tucked along Singharat Road in central Chiang Mai, this cafe delivers an unexpectedly immersive escape from the surrounding city streets. Tall trees, dense ferns, shaded garden seating, ambient music, and the sound of water combine to create an atmosphere that feels genuinely removed from the urban environment outside — a quality that draws both visitors and locals back repeatedly during their time in the city. The menu goes well beyond drinks, functioning as a full cafe and dining destination. Fresh fruit smoothies, specialty shakes, cakes, and baked goods sit alongside savoury options including sandwiches and pasta dishes. Visitor favourites include the black forest chocolate shake, caramel milkshake, and salmon pesto pasta. Food is generally described as fresh and well-prepared, and staff are noted for being attentive and professional. Mid-range pricing makes it an accessible option for most budgets. Good to know: Fern Forest Cafe is a popular spot and queues for tables are common, particularly during midday and peak tourist hours. Arriving early or timing a visit outside the main rush is advisable to avoid a wait. It is worth confirming locally before making the trip. The central location on Singharat Road is easily reachable on foot from many old city guesthouses, as well as by tuk-tuk or songthaew.
Taste more of Chiang Mai
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near Fern Forest Cafe — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Fern Forest Cafe, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Delicious food, great ambience and very professional and polite staff. The food came in a timely manner, seemingly fresh and perfectly cooked. We had the club sandwhich and pasta salmon with pesto. They got our orders right and it was prepared perfectly. The salmon was juicy and flavorful and cooked to perfection. I'm from Norway so I know salmon, and I was very happy with it. The club sandwhich was also really good and presented beautifully. There could have been more fries, but it was good as is too. We also ordered the mango/passion fruit smoothie and the berry smoothie. Tasted as expected, very good 🤗 The ambience is very calm, chill with smooth jazz playing at the perfect level. Of course they fern theme in itself makes it feel like you're close to nature and it's the perfect place to eat. Staff was very polite and served all our needs. All in all a good place to eat for a chill meal. Their desserts seemed amazing but we didn't order any.
It's a popular place with people waiting in line for a table. We ordered a fruit smoothie and the black forest chocolate shake. Both were amazing. The smoothie was bursting with flavor while the shake, topped with tiny squares of cake and a cherry, was sweetly thick. The rich green curry goes well with the roti. The tumeric rice is well balanced, with fried battered fish fillets. Service is fast despite the place fully packed. Ambience is an oasis of forest in the middle of the city.
For me, the best place in Chiang Mai. They have amazing desserts, drinks, and food. I loved this place so much that I come here every day. What you also get here is an amazing atmosphere and comfort. This place has Genius Loci. ❤️
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 3,558 reviews on Google.
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Fern Forest Cafe: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fern Forest Cafe worth visiting?
Fern Forest Cafe holds a 4.4★ rating from 3,558 Google reviews — a strong rating for restaurants & food in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of Fern Forest Cafe?
Fern Forest Cafe is typically open 08:00-20:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
How expensive is Fern Forest Cafe?
Fern Forest Cafe is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit Fern Forest Cafe?
The best months to visit Chiang Mai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January & Songkran (April) — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Fern Forest Cafe located?
Fern Forest Cafe is at 54, 1 Singharat Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city centre).
Location Info
54, 1 Singharat Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand084 616 1144web.facebook.com/FernForestCafe/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)
Where to stay near Fern Forest Cafe
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Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
Learn the Spice Scale
Say 'mai pet' for no spice, 'pet nit noi' for a little spice, or 'pet mak' if you want it Thai-hot. Most cooks will default to a toned-down version for foreigners unless you specify otherwise.
Follow the Crowds
The busiest street stalls are almost always the best — high turnover means fresh ingredients and a recipe that locals vouch for. An empty restaurant at dinner time is a red flag.
Ice Is Safe
Factory-made tube or cylinder ice (used in virtually all restaurants and stalls) is made from purified water and is safe to consume. You don't need to skip the iced Thai tea.
Nearby Places
Goodsouls Kitchen
A well-loved vegan and vegetarian restaurant near Chiang Mai's old city, open daily from 8am to 10pm.
Khao Soi Khun Yai
Khao Soi Khun Yai serves what many consider Chiang Mai's definitive bowl of khao soi from a garden shack beside the old-city moat near Wat Kuan Kama.
Reform Kafé - Vegan Garden Restaurant
A beloved vegan garden restaurant in Chiang Mai serving curries, salads, and more in a lush outdoor setting.
Thai Food Resto
A popular Old City Thai restaurant known for generous portions and rich, flavourful classics.
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Where to stay near Fern Forest Cafe
Find hotels in Chiang Mai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – October
Avg. temperature
15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)
Getting there
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.
Getting around
- •Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
- •Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)