The Riverside Bar & Restaurant
A Ping River institution on Charoen Rat that runs from lunch right through to 1am.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 11:00–01:00
- Price
- $$$$
- Mid-range
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.
Details
- Phone
- 053 243 239
- Website
- riverside1984.com
Full opening hours
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Taste more of Chiang Mai
Street-food tours, market visits and Thai cooking classes near The Riverside Bar & Restaurant.
Why go, and how to do it well
Come here for the river, not for culinary fireworks. It's been going on Charoen Rat Road since the eighties, and the formula hasn't changed much, with decks over the Ping, a long menu of Thai and Western food at mid-range prices, and a bar that keeps going until 1am. That longevity tells you something. Places that don't work by the water in Chiang Mai don't last four decades.
My advice is to time it. Arrive around late afternoon, when the heat drops off and the light on the river turns good, then hold your table into the evening. If you turn up at 9pm on a Friday expecting a quiet dinner, you'll be disappointed, because this is a drinking and music crowd by then and the volume climbs. Neither version is wrong. Just pick the one you actually want.
It's a short walk from the old city side, which makes it an easy first-night option when you don't want to think too hard about where to eat.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Stay within reach of The Riverside Bar & Restaurant
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Taste more of Chiang Mai
Street-food tours, market visits and Thai cooking classes near The Riverside Bar & Restaurant.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of The Riverside Bar & Restaurant, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 1 minCREAM ClubNightlife & Bars · 70 m · 4.0★
- 1 minThe Good View Bar & RestaurantRestaurants & Food · 80 m · 4.3★
- 2 minSan Chao Pung Thao KongTemples & Culture · 190 m · 4.5★
- 3 min137 Pillars House Chiang MaiHotels & Resorts · 230 m · 4.7★
- 3 minNawarat BridgeActivities & Tours · 250 m · 4.4★
- 4 minTon Lam Yai MarketMarkets & Shopping · 290 m · 4.3★
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After The Riverside Bar & Restaurant, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
9 11 ถนน เจริญราษฎร์ Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore restaurants & food nearby
All within a 5-minute walk of The Riverside Bar & Restaurant.
The Good View Bar & Restaurant
Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen
Khao Soi Islam
Kiti Panit
Tips for Visiting Restaurants & Food
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.
Use Grab for Delivery
The Grab app works for food delivery across Thailand, letting you order from street stalls and restaurants alike. It's invaluable on rainy days or when you want to eat in your hotel.
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant: Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Riverside Bar & Restaurant worth visiting?
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant holds a 4.3★ rating from 2,481 Google reviews — a strong rating for restaurants & food in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of The Riverside Bar & Restaurant?
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is typically open 11:00–01:00 — 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 The Riverside Bar & Restaurant?
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is moderately priced (฿฿) relative to other restaurants & food in Chiang Mai.
When is the best time to visit The Riverside Bar & Restaurant?
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: Mid-February – April (smoke & heat).
Where is The Riverside Bar & Restaurant located?
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant is at 9 11 ถนน เจริญราษฎร์ Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand, in Chiang Mai. Getting around Chiang Mai: Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks); Grab (available in city center).
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