Lookbua thai food Restaurant

As far as tourist-oriented restaurants in Chiang Mai’s Old Town go, this is one of the better options for reasonably authentic and affordable Thai food. I tend to avoid places that mainly cater to tourists, but I stopped here because I was in the mood for a red duck curry, which is surprisingly hard to find at a reasonable price. They had it on the menu, and it was good enough that I ended up coming back a few times. I also tried several other dishes, and everything fell into the same category: solid, well-prepared Thai standards. The service is good, the presentation is pleasant, and while nothing here is especially outstanding, it’s a reliable choice if you’re looking for decent Thai food in the Old Town. A 4.5 but I'll round up.

The food scene in Chiang Mai is genuinely miraculous, and this restaurant is part of the miracle. We ordered the deep fried fish salad with lemongrass and shredded papaya, stir-fried squid with salted eggs, and stir-fried sunflower sprouts- every one of them a mind blower. The fish salad was particularly refreshing with crunchy texture and layered depth of flavor. The sour, sweet, and umami tastes all showed up at once. For me, that balance defined the magic of Thai food. We went there for dinner. Service was quick and efficient. The queue and chattering of diners set the tone for nightly Chiang Mai- breezy, relaxing, and worldly.

Lookbua is a popular spot with the locals and tourists alike. It was recommended to me by my Thai host. In the heart of the Old City, the restaurant has a phenomenally large menu. Some of their signature dishes include pineapple rice (served in a pineapple) and Thai steamed curry seafood (served in a coconut). I had the Thai curry with crab and the pineapple rice, and I took the green Thai curry soup to go. I just couldn't decide! The restaurant was a little crowded, and little noisy, and there was a lineup to get in, even on a Wednesday! But don't let this stop you. The food and service are top notch.