Places to eat in Chiang Mai

One of Chiang Mai’s highlights includes its fantastically cheap and varied food offerings. Walk along any of the streets in Chiang Mai and there seems an endless supply of eating opportunities. Of course you will find the usual Thai fare of delicious rice and noodle dishes but you will not have to look far for regional specialties. This doesn’t not include the myriad of international food available, be it Italian, Mexican, Greek, Japanese or good old English fish and chips. Chiang Mai has something to suit everybody’s palette and budget!

Street food

Cheap fast and tasty. Trying some of Chiang Mai''s street vendors is an excellent way to sample some Thai food and ideal for those on a budget.

Sompet Market

By day Sompet market sells mostly fresh foodstuffs but by night this area really comes alive with street vendors selling a large selection of Thai favourites. As this area is close to many of the backpackers guesthouses most vendors will also have a menu in English to help with the ordering.Where: The food vendors set up along Moonmuang Rd around Soi number 6, you can’t miss it!
Food centers At Both the 2 large air-con shopping Malls in Chiang Mai (Airport plaza and Kad Suan Kaew) you will find food courts selling a large range of popular Thai dishes. The food courts are divided in to individual sections with each section specializing in a type or group of Thai dishes there will be a central seating area. Again these places are cheap and the food hygiene standards are better here than you will find out on the streets. You will need to buy coupons first to buy the food which will be sold from a small kiosk.Where: The Kad Suan Kaew shopping centre, Huay Kaew Rd, Look out for the Food Factory situated on the basement level, there are also further food courts in the branch of Tops supermarket and on the 4th floor. Central Airport Plaza, top floor and also at branches of Tesco Lotus and Carrefore supermarkets.

Thai food

Aroon Rai

There are plenty of shop houses around town knocking out mediocre Thai food to the masses but Aroon Rai is definitely a cut above the rest. There is a large selection of pre-cooked Thai dishes and Thai curries as well as an English language menu with dishes to order. The food is tasty, the portions bigger than the norm and although a tad more expensive this is still a very much a budget place to eat and a great place to sample some Thai food.

Where: Situated on Kotchasan Rd not far from Tha Phae Gate.

The wok

For a tasty selection of Thai food in a pleasant candle lit setting try the Wok. The Wok is run by the owners of the first cookery school in Chiang Mai; Chiang Mai Thai Cookery school. They knock out many of the safe Thai favourites very well but if you want to be more adventurous maybe head elsewhere.

Where: Walk up Ratchamanka Rd. from Monnmuang Rd about 20 meters on your left

Heun Phen

This is the place to come to sample real Northern Thai food and very popular it is too (mostly with Thais which is always a good sign). There are both fan and air-con seating areas and a courtyard seating area is usually opened up in the evenings

Where: Turn of Moonmuang Rd into Ratchamanka Rd Heun Phen is abot 10 minutes walk up on the right.

Riverside, Goodview, Brasserie Riverside restaurants featuring live bands. Good Thai food as well as some other international choices thrown in. These places are always busy.

Where: Head out of town over the Narawat bridge then hang a left on to Charoenrat Road you will find all three places lining the river. ใกล้สะพานนวรัฐ

Italian food

Pom Pui Fantastic Italian food combined with its outdoor courtyard eating area puts Pom Pui at the top the pile for Italian restaurant in Chiang Mai. Thin crusty pizzas, fresh pasta dishes

Where: Take a turn into Soi 2 from the Moonmuang moat road. Head down the soi for 10 meters you will see it on your right, opposite the top north guest house. มูลเมืองซอย 2

Tex Mex/ Mexican

Chiang Mai saloon

If you are missing a fix of some really good Western Food then get over to the Chiang Mai Saloon. There is a large and varied menu of burgers, sandwiches, baked potatoes and Mexican favourites all at reasonable prices. Also not a bad spot for a few beers and to catch the latest big sporting events and premiership football on their large screen.

Where: Ratchawiti Road opposite The Wall Pub ถนนราชวิถี

Michael

If you want to have some Maxican Food originally from Carlifornia. Michael is probably one of the best place in Chiangmai for the Maxican Food.

Where: opposite Somphet market nearby the Moat on Chaiyaphoom Road. ตรงข้ามตลาดสมเพชร

Mediterranean

Jerusalem Falafel Home made food including, cheeses, yogurts,pita breads, humas and falafel. Very tasty and reasonably priced.

Where: On Moon Muang Road close to Tha Pae Gate. ใกล้ประตูท่าแพ

Fast food

Western fast food Need a fast food fix? Try either of the large shopping malls Airport plaza or Kad Suan Kaew) both have branches of KFC and other western fast food joints. There is a McDonald’s restaurant on Chiang Klan road in the heart of the night bazaar. Other good hunting grounds are branches of Tesco Lotus and Carrefore supermarkets.

Where: Various locations around town

Mikes Original

Not the most pleasant location for an eating establishment being smack on the junction of the busy Chiang Moi and Chaiyaphum Rds nevertheless Mikes Original has a loyal following of expats and longstayers who come here for their western fast food fix. Many have said these are the best burgers in Chiang Mai.

Where: Just by the old city moat on the junction with Chaiyaphum and Chiang Moi Roads
English. ตรงข้ามตลาดสมเพชร

Queen Victoria Inn

For those Brits missing a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings, this is definitely the place to come. Traditional English Food is served from 9 a.m. until late, including English Breakfasts made with real English bacon and sausages, Beef Stew , Imported Cod and Chips, Pork Pies, Sausage Rolls and also stunning Roast Dinners with all the trimmings! All major sporting events are shown on their large screen including of course The English Premiership. There are also eight guest rooms on offer for those who want to stay overnight.

Where: 252/13-14 Prapokklao Rd', ถนนพระปกเกล้า