There are many reasons to visit the stunning northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, such as its amazing temples, gorgeous nature and awesome culture. But, even if there were nothing to do in Chiang Mai, I would still recommend visiting for the food alone. The food is simply THAT good.
During my visit to Chiang Mai, I ate the best food of my entire trip, if not, the best food of my whole life. The city’s close proximity to Myanmar and China strongly influences its’ flavour, with food being milder than in the South and including ingredients such as turmeric and ginger.
However, the choices in Chiang Mai can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of cafes and restaurants to choose from; ranging from cheap eats to fine dining and from Western staples to local delicacies. If you only have a few days in Thailand’s northern capital, then you want to choose the right places to eat to get the most out of your experience.
Luckily for you, I have compiled a list of some of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai (and other places to eat), including recommendations on which dishes to try:
Dash Restaurant and Bar
After arriving in Chiang Mai, there is one place you should dash to first… and that is Dash Restaurant and Bar. Silly pun aside, this restaurant is truly amazing. Fair warning though, it will leave you feeling nostalgic even months later, and you might find yourself booking a trip back to Thailand, just to get your hands on their Massaman Curry. Located in the Old Town, this restaurant is always buzzing with people… and for good reason.
Dash Restaurant opened in 2010 and is a family-owned business with both mum and son working there (both of whom were absolutely lovely). The restaurant owner/mum playfully told us we were not allowed to order any dessert until we finished our dinner, which we thought was very funny.
The menu features Thai and Northern Thai classics such as Tom Yam Gung, Pad Thai and Phad Kraphao and a variety of fun cocktails and delicious house-made desserts. We ordered the Beef Massaman Curry, Gai Rue Gung Tod Sauce Makam (Crispy Chicken with Tamarind Sauce) and Raad Na (Fried Crispy Rice Noodles in a Savoury Sauce), as pictured in the above-left photo. Everything was divine.
Price Range: 150 – 400 THB per meal.
Location: 38, 2 MoonMuang Rd Lane 2, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 am-2:00 pm, 5:30 pm-9:30 pm
Khao Soi Maesai
Khao Soi is the most famous northern Thai dish and is absolutely a must-try on your trip to Chiang Mai. Tender chicken or braised beef is topped with cilantro, lime, and both fried and boiled egg noodles, all coated in a spicy, rich, creamy coconut curry broth. There is no better place to find this iconic dish than the Michelin Guide recommended ‘Khao Soi Maesai’.
This restaurant is incredibly busy, so you may find yourself waiting in line for a while, but it is so SO worth it. It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai and THE best to eat Khao Soi. Alongside the Khao Soi, this place sells iced teas and other soups such as Goy Teaw Nua (Thai Beef Noodle Soup) for those who can’t handle the spice.
Price Range: 60 Baht for the meal and 15 Baht for drinks.
Location: 29, 1 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Lemongrass Thai Cuisine
If you are making your way to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to explore or buy some souvenirs, then you must visit Lemongrass Thai Cuisine first. This is the best restaurant in Chiang Mai to try Pad See Ew. This dish was so flavourful and the noodles had an amazing texture. The Pad Thai here was also delicious, and they served Chang Beer Slushies (Chang Beer is a Thai beer brand) which were really fun.
The restaurant is right near the night markets, tucked around a corner on a rather uninteresting street. The restaurant even admits this, as they have a tongue-in-cheek sign “No view, but tasty”. There are also a variety of vegetarian options here, so there is something for everyone!
Price Range: 80 – 140 Baht
Location: Q2M2+HFJ, Loi Kroh Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Hours: Mon-Sun 9:00 am-10:00 pm
It’s Good Kitchen
This restaurant has a very local feel (like many places on this list) and delicious Thai cuisine. The menu is very extensive. Here, you can find all your favourites such as Pad Thai, spring rolls, crispy pork with rice, chicken curry and more. This is definitely a touristy restaurant, but it hit the spot and the prices were very reasonable.
Price Range: 70 – 180 baht
Location: 175/6 Ratchadamnoen Road PhraSingh Subdistrict, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand
Hours:
Chiang Mai Sunday Night Market
You cannot come to Thailand without trying some of its street food, and Chiang Mai is very well-known for the famous Sunday Night Market. If you are in Chiang Mai on a Sunday and only have time for one market, then choose the Sunday Market. This market is the place to go for handicrafts, clothes, antiques and lots and lots of yummy food.
If you are feeling like eating it, the Sunday Night Market probably has it. Here, you can find smoothies, pad Thai, coconut pancakes, gyoza, samosas, ice cream, cheese balls, kebabs, Thai pastries, papaya salad, mango sticky rice and more!
Price Range: Most things will cost between 20 – 40 baht, but if you want something more substantial, you could be looking at paying 100 baht.
Location: Along Rachadamnoen Road, spanning approximately 1 kilometre!
Hours: Sunday 5:00 pm – late.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
If, like me, you, unfortunately, are only in this beautiful northern Thai city on a weekday, then the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is the next best night market to visit! You can find much of the same stuff as at the Sunday Night Market, though it is a lot smaller. If you are feeling particularly brave, you could also try some insects (I was definitely not brave enough)!
When visiting a night market, it is important to remember that not everything will taste amazing. Go to the market with an open mind, and expect to pay for some food, try it, and decide you don’t want to eat it anymore. It’s all part of the fun!
Price Range: 20-120 baht.
Location: Changklan Rd, Chang Moi Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Hours: Mon-Fri from 5:00 pm-midnight
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai for the Best Food
The amazing restaurants listed above are all located in the Chiang Mai Old Town. There are many hotels you can stay at in the Old Town which will be a short walk away from these restaurants and a lot of activities! Some great options include:
- Budget:
- Mid-Range:
- Luxury:
Food-Related Activities in Chiang Mai
Food Tours:
Cooking Classes:
Other Things to Do in Chiang Mai
I hope you enjoyed my list of recommendations on the best restaurants in Chiang Mai! If you try any of these restaurants, OR if you have any recommendations for me of where I should eat next, be sure to leave a comment below.
For a complete guide to Chiang Mai, see my Perfect 4-day Chiang Mai Itinerary
For a list of the best coffee in Chiang Mai, see my The Best Cafes in Chiang Mai: A Barista’s Guide