#1
Larb Sanam Keela
4.3 (1,805)·Chiang Rai
Price level$$$$Mid-range
The northern Thai larb shop by the provincial stadium, for larb, herb-steamed beef with galangal chili dip and garlic-fried tilapia. Open daily from 10:30 to 20:00.
The 10 Best Restaurants in Chiang Rai, Ranked
Ten places to eat in Chiang Rai, from Larb Sanam Keela and Barrab's northern Thai cooking to the riverside gardens at Chivit Thamma Da and Locus's fine dining.
10 places$ to $$$$ price levelAvg 4.6 on GoogleUpdated Oct 2026
If you only read one line
Chiang Rai's best food is northern Thai, and the places on this list cook it without softening it, from Larb Sanam Keela's larb and herb-steamed beef to Barrab's hung lay curry and dry khao soi. Chivit Thamma Da and Lulum are on the Kok River, Give Green is on its own farm behind the Baan Dam Museum, and Locus is the fine-dining dinner to book ahead.
For street food, go to the evening market by the clock tower and the night bazaar food court, and Khao Soi Restaurant sits right beside the bazaar.
- #2
Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar
4.6 (7,203)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$Mid-rangeA colonial-style house and garden on the Kok River, run by a Swedish and Thai couple, for brunch, coffee, Western dishes and some Thai. Prices run higher than average. Open daily from 09:00.
- #3
Barrab restaurant Chiang Rai
4.7 (1,939)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$BudgetNorthern Thai classics like hung lay curry and dry khao soi on Phaholyothin Road, cheap and unfussy, with vegetarian and vegan options. Arrive before the dinner rush. Closed Wednesdays.
Where to stay
Best Hotels in Chiang Rai
My pick at each price level in Chiang Rai, going by Google's hotel class. Hotels from my ranked list of the 10 best come first, then the best-reviewed. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com with your dates filled in.
#1Luxury · 5-star
Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort, Thailand4.7 (2,844 reviews)
A riverside luxury resort in Chiang Rai with spacious grounds, an infinity pool, and consistently praised service.
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#3Mid-range · 4-star
Nak Nakara Hotel4.6 (1,402 reviews)
Centrally located Chiang Rai hotel offering spacious rooms, a pool, and generous complimentary extras.
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#4Budget · 2-star
B2 Chiang Rai Night Bazaar Boutique & Budget Hotel4.3 (1,989 reviews)
Budget-friendly boutique hotel steps from Chiang Rai's Night Bazaar, offering comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi.
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- #4
Give Green Farm House
4.8 (774)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$BudgetA farm-to-table restaurant on its own organic farm behind the Baan Dam Museum, where the owner picks the vegetables for your meal. Open daily from 09:00 to 19:00.
- #5
Homchan
4.8 (1,187)·Chiang RaiRefined northern Thai and fusion cooking in a preserved old house, with Chiang Rai-style noodle salad, sai ua and khao soi. Open daily from 09:30.
- #6
Moom Mai Restaurant
4.4 (748)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$Mid-rangeA local garden restaurant on Sankhongluang Road that Chiang Rai residents recommend for khao soi and nam ngiao, with steamed fish in a pot. Little English spoken.
- #7
Khao Soi Restaurant
4.7 (863)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$BudgetA khao soi and curry shop beside the night bazaar, slow service but rich, aromatic soups at budget prices. Open from noon, until 16:00 on Saturdays.
- #8
Lulum Restaurant Chiang Rai
4.1 (3,014)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$Mid-rangeProper northern Thai cooking by the Kok River, including loo, wasp larvae chili dip and larb, and the late-afternoon table is the one to aim for.
- #9
Locus Native Food Lab
4.9 (259)·Chiang RaiPrice level$$$$LuxuryLanna-inspired fine dining in a small forest compound outside town, reservation only and usually full, so book well ahead. Dinner from 17:30, closed Sundays.
- #10
Favola at Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort
4.6 (506)·Chiang RaiLe Méridien's riverside Italian restaurant, for a polished dinner with local touches. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Chiang Rai famous for?
Northern Thai cooking, the same family of dishes as Chiang Mai. Khao soi curry noodles, nam ngiao noodle soup, sai ua herb sausage, gaeng hung lay pork curry and larb. Barrab, Homchan, Moom Mai and Larb Sanam Keela are the places on this list to try them.
Where should I go for a special dinner in Chiang Rai?
Locus Native Food Lab, which serves inventive northern Thai cooking in a small forest compound outside town and needs booking well ahead. Favola at Le Méridien and Chivit Thamma Da are the easier riverside choices.
Where is the best khao soi in Chiang Rai?
Barrab on Phaholyothin Road for its dry khao soi, Khao Soi Restaurant beside the night bazaar, and Homchan, which serves it alongside Chiang Rai-style noodle salad.
How much does it cost to eat in Chiang Rai?
About ฿40 for a street-food dish and ฿120 a person for a restaurant meal, on the site's Chiang Rai costs figures. Larb Sanam Keela, Barrab and Moom Mai are inexpensive, and Chivit Thamma Da, Favola and Locus are the splurges.
More rankings in Chiang Rai