Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today
Restaurants & Food
Chiang Rai

The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant

4.7(873 reviews)

Tucked along Phaholyothin Road in central Chiang Rai, The Winds is a small, welcoming Thai restaurant that has earned a devoted following among both travellers and locals for its authentic northern Thai cooking. Visitor favourites include Khao Soi, massaman curry, cashew chicken, and coconut ice cream for dessert, with flexible options such as tofu substitutions available on request. The relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere makes it a comfortable spot for solo diners and groups alike, and its central location puts it within easy reach of downtown accommodation and attractions.

The menu spans classic Thai dishes alongside northern regional specialities, and reviewers consistently highlight the quality and value for money. The kitchen handles everything from curries and fried rice to shrimp spring rolls and crispy pork with kale, making it a reliable choice across multiple meals. Several visitors have noted returning the following day, which speaks to the consistency of the food and the helpfulness of the staff.

Taste more of Chiang Rai

Street-food tours, market visits, and Thai cooking classes near The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant — a guided way to eat like a local.

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Experience hints

Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant, round out your day in Chiang Rai with contrasting stops nearby.

Reviews from Google

Absolutely an amazing small place inside the town, we found out thru Google reviews and it did not disappoint. Food is amazing and the staff is great and very helpful. We had the Khao Soi, ginger chicken, egg fried rice and veg spring rolls. All dishes were great and freshly prepared. We stopped for lunch around 3 pm after seeing the white and blue temples. Must go for great Thai food.

A bit expensive but it was right near where our accomodation is and we passed by it a couple of times and thought the food looks really nice. The Cashew chicken was sooo good and the Khao Soi too! We sat outside while it was raining and it was so beautiful.

Very good, authentic Northern Thai dishes. We came here for lunch, and we were not disappointed. Really good prices. I highly recommend their Khao Soi, and the coconut ice cream for dessert.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 873 reviews on Google.

Also Popular in Chiang Rai

Rong Suea Ten Temple

Rong Suea Ten Temple

4.6(27,037)
306 หมู่ที่ 2 Maekok Rd, Tambon Rim Kok, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

Free to enter, electric blue from floor to ceiling, and quieter first thing in the morning.

Wat Rong Khun

Wat Rong Khun

4.6(25,149)
Pa O Don Chai, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

All white plaster and mirror glass, dazzling in the sun, and packed with people from the moment it opens.

Golden Triangle

Golden Triangle

4.3(16,923)
932M+W6X, 370 ถนน ท่าแพ, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Chiang Saen, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand

Stand where three countries meet on the Mekong, then decide if the 1.5-hour drive was worth it.

Wat Huay Pla Kang

Wat Huay Pla Kang

4.7(16,657)
553, Tambon Ban Du, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

A 79-metre Guan Yin you can climb inside, plus a nine-storey pagoda and hilltop views, all free to enter.

The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant: Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant worth visiting?

The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant holds a 4.7★ rating from 873 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated restaurants & food in Chiang Rai.

What are the opening hours of The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant?

The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant is typically open 13:00-22:00 — 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 Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant?

The best months to visit Chiang Rai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).

Where is The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant located?

The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant is at 891 เวียง 2 Phaholyothin Rd, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand, in Chiang Rai. Getting around Chiang Rai: Grab (available in city centre); Songthaews.

Location Info

891 เวียง 2 Phaholyothin Rd, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand+66 97 949 9164thewindschiangraithairestaurant.shop/
Opening Hours
Monday13:00–22:00
Tuesday13:00–22:00
Wednesday13:00–22:00
Thursday13:00–22:00
Friday11:00–23:00
Saturday11:00–23:00
Sunday11:00–23:00

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)

Rainy season

June – September

Avg. temperature

14°C – 35°C(57°F – 95°F)

Crowds

Moderate

Peak: December – February

Getting there

Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). The bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. There's also a scenic Golden Triangle road trip from Chiang Mai.

Getting around

  • Grab (available in city centre)
  • Songthaews
  • Motorbike rental (฿200/day)
  • Car hire (for Golden Triangle & hill tribes)

Where to stay near The Winds Chiang Rai Thai Restaurant

Find hotels in Chiang Rai on the booking sites travellers trust most.

  • Compare prices across sites
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

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

Gold Jane
Hidden Gem

Gold Jane

4.8(90)
เวียง 889/1-2 Phaholyothin Rd, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

A popular evening noodle shop in Chiang Rai serving hearty beef and pork soups with bold, flavourful broths.

Barrab restaurant Chiang Rai

Barrab restaurant Chiang Rai

4.7(1,939)$$$$
897 เวียง 60 Phaholyothin Rd, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Cheap, unfussy Thai cooking on Phaholyothin Road, busy enough that you'll want to turn up before the rush.

Chef Sasa

Chef Sasa

4.5(697)
882 884 Phaholyothin Rd, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

A well-regarded restaurant on Chiang Rai's main road, popular with locals and visitors alike.

Pad Thai Jet Yod

Pad Thai Jet Yod

4.7(234)
WR3J+CPV, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Grandma-run pad thai spot opposite a wat in central Chiang Rai, beloved for honest flavours and a warm welcome.

Similar Restaurants & Food Across Thailand

Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet

Kodtalay The Riverfront Seafood Buffet

4.9(57,533)$$$$
11, 3 Soi Charoen Krung 58, Khwaeng Yan Nawa, Khet Sathon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120, Thailand

Open-air seafood buffet on the Chao Phraya from 599 baht, and the river seats are worth asking for.

Central Pattaya

Central Pattaya

4.5(37,725)
333/102 Thanon Pattayasaisong, ตำบล หนองปรือ, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20260, Thailand

A big air-conditioned mall on Beach Road where the food court does the heavy lifting.

The Village Farm To Café

The Village Farm To Café

4.9(31,605)$$$$
ทล 323 Thanon Sangchuto, Tambon Nong Bua, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71190, Thailand

Looks like nothing from the highway, then opens up into green fields, high ceilings and properly fresh food.

Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit

Kodtalay Seafood Buffet Sukhumvit

4.9(26,667)$$$$
3070 Sukhumvit 70 Alley, Bang Na Nuea, Khet Bang Na, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10260, Thailand

Live river prawns from the tank, grilled at your table, and no clock ticking on how long you stay.