Best Restaurants & Food in Chiang Mai
123 places found in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai's food culture is distinct from Bangkok and the south — Northern Thai (Lanna) cuisine features dishes you won't find elsewhere in the country. Khao soi, the iconic coconut curry noodle soup, is the city's signature dish, with every local having their favourite stall. Sai oua (herbal sausage), nam prik ong (tomato-pork dip), and gaeng hang lay (Burmese-influenced pork curry) round out the northern specialities.
Beyond Lanna food, Chiang Mai has become a hub for health-conscious and international dining. The Nimman area is packed with excellent cafes, organic restaurants, and fusion spots. The Warorot Market and surrounding food stalls offer the most authentic local experience. For a true cultural dining experience, try a khantoke dinner — a traditional Lanna meal served on a raised pedestal tray with multiple dishes and classical dance performances.
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Oxygen Dining Room
Upscale riverside dining on Charoenraj Road, open daily for lunch and dinner in Chiang Mai's Wat Ket neighbourhood.
Maadae Slow Fish Kitchen
Book ahead for the grilled fish and salads, and bring friends so you can order half the menu.
Kad Kafé Restaurant at Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Hotel restaurant on Level 2 of the Shangri-La Chiang Mai, known for themed buffet nights and attentive service.
Food court
A cluster of independent stalls in Pa Daet where you eat cheap, fast and alongside neighbourhood regulars.
Tops Food Hall Central Chiangmai
Premium supermarket and food hall inside Central Chiangmai, stocking quality groceries, fresh produce, and ready-to-eat meals.
Lanna Square
An open-air food court where the vegan stalls are genuinely good and the live music runs late.
Fern Forest Cafe
A shaded garden of ferns and tall trees in the old city, with milkshakes worth the queue.
Moh-o-cha
Evening dinner spot near Chiang Mai's old airport road, open nightly from 5pm with mid-range pricing.
Chef Den Seafood
A well-regarded seafood restaurant near Jingjai Market, known for curry crab, grilled prawns, and a welcoming owner.
Khao Soi Islam
The halal original in Chiang Mai's Muslim quarter — beef khao soi and biryani from the community that brought the dish to the city.
Chiang Mai Breakfast Restaurant
A popular local breakfast spot in Chiang Mai's Old City area, open daily until 1pm.
Chiang Mai Breakfast World
Breakfast that runs till half two, a short walk inside the old city walls, and a menu that suits mixed groups.
The Good View Bar & Restaurant
Come for the live band and the river at night, not for a quiet dinner or life-changing food.
Kiti Panit
Evening Northern Thai dining on Tha Phae Road, known for atmosphere, cocktails, and regional flavours.
THE HOUSE by Ginger
Book a table, start with the appetiser platter, and order the slow-braised beef over anything Western on the menu.
Thajene Chomchan
A local Thai restaurant in Chang Phueak serving straightforward Thai cuisine at mid-range prices.
Lerd Rote Tai Rom Ma-Feuang
Evening dinner spot on Wang Sing Kam Rd serving traditional Thai food at mid-range prices nightly 5–9 PM.
Street Food @ One Nimman
A tidy, design-led food court inside One Nimman where dishes start around 50 baht and stalls suit most diets.
Maya Kitchen
A clean, air-conditioned food court on level 4 of Maya Lifestyle Mall, offering affordable Thai food from multiple stalls.
The Riverside Bar & Restaurant
A Ping River institution on Charoen Rat that runs from lunch right through to 1am.
Chan Talay Seafood
Coastal-style seafood restaurant on Thanon Mahidol, bringing fresh Thai seafood flavours to northern Chiang Mai.
Hard Rock Cafe Chiang Mai
Global rock brand meets Chiang Mai nights — live bands, American classics, and cold drinks on Loi Kroh Road.
Khao Soi Lamduan Fa Ham
Chiang Mai's most storied khao soi house — generations of curry noodles on the Fa Ham riverside strip where the dish's modern reputation was built.
Kao Soy Nimman
Nimman's sit-down khao soi specialist — a full menu of northern noodle variations in a comfortable wooden house, the easiest first bowl in Chiang Mai.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find the best khao soi in Chiang Mai?
The most famous spots include Khao Soi Khun Yai (widely considered the best), Khao Soi Mae Sai near the Old City, and Khao Soi Lam Duan Fah Ham near the river. Each has a slightly different style — some creamier, some spicier. Expect to pay 50-80 THB per bowl.
What food markets should I visit in Chiang Mai?
Warorot Market (Kad Luang) is the main day market with excellent prepared food. The Saturday Walking Street (Wualai) and Sunday Walking Street (Ratchadamnoen) have the best night market food. Thanin Market is a lesser-known local favourite for morning noodles.
Is Chiang Mai good for vegetarian and vegan food?
Exceptionally so. Chiang Mai has Thailand's largest vegetarian and vegan dining scene. Many restaurants cater specifically to plant-based diets. Try Pun Pun (organic Thai vegetarian), Reform Kafe (vegan), or the Jay (vegetarian) food stalls at any temple festival.