The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop
Tucked down a quiet soi in the Sriphum neighbourhood inside Chiang Mai's old city moat, this café and rooftop restaurant brings an unexpected taste of South Africa to northern Thailand. The combination of a relaxed ground-floor dining space and an open rooftop terrace sets it apart from the surrounding Thai eateries, making it a genuine discovery for travellers exploring the area on foot.
The menu draws consistent praise for its quality and value, with standout dishes including fish and chips served with homemade chips and house-made tartar sauce. Visitors note the food is freshly prepared and arrives at the table warm, with knowledgeable staff on hand to walk guests through the menu. The rooftop is a particular draw, offering a comfortable, unhurried setting to eat, drink, and take in the surrounding views.
Open seven days a week from noon until 10pm, the venue suits both lunch and evening visits equally well. As a smaller, independently run spot without a listed website, reservations may not be available in advance — arriving early during peak evening hours is advisable to secure a rooftop table. Its location on Soi Sanam Kela Lane 1 means it is within easy walking distance of the old city's main landmarks, making it a convenient stop for travellers already exploring the area.
Taste more of Chiang Mai
Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop — a guided way to eat like a local.
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Experience hints
Pair your visit. After The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
In love with this place. The food exceeded my expectations and is SO GOOD for the price!! I highly recommend. Just GO!! The rooftop is amazing to sit and chill, eat, have a drink while enjoying the view in the city.
This is hands down one of the best spots in the whole of Chiang Mai. It’s a hidden gem because the prices are insanely cheap, the quality of food is rival none other than Michelin restaurants, the atmosphere and ambience on the rooftop is sublime and the owners are fantastic. I have eaten and drank here so often, I have literally lost count of how many times I’ve been here. I’ve almost tried everything on the menu and it always blows me away and I’ve eaten a lot of different places in Chiang Mai. A must if you’re in town, even for one night!
The food here is both delicious and remarkably affordable—especially the fish & chips, served with homemade chips, and a flavorful tartar sauce. It’s an incredible value! Most notably, this place offers the cheapest beer I’ve come across in any restaurant in Chiang Mai!
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 138 reviews on Google.
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The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop: Frequently Asked Questions
Is The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop worth visiting?
The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop holds a 4.9★ rating from 138 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Chiang Mai.
What are the opening hours of The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop?
The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop is typically open 12:00-22:00 — 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.
When is the best time to visit The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop?
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 The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop located?
The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop is at Sriphum, 13/1 Soi Sanam Kela Lane 1, Tambon Si Phum, 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
Sriphum, 13/1 Soi Sanam Kela Lane 1, Tambon Si Phum, Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand+66 91 710 0396Visitor 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 The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop
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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.
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Grazie Thai Local Food - Wan Ton Noodle
Wan ton noodles done properly, at local prices, inside the old city walls.
Lanna Square
An open-air food court where the vegan stalls are genuinely good and the live music runs late.
Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand
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Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit
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Where to stay near The South African Cafe, Restaurant & Rooftop
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)