Best restaurants in Chiang Mai

What's the first thing you think about when someone mentions 'Thailand'? Probably exotic beaches and tropical islands, right? Although you're not wrong, Thailand actually has many other things to offer. If you'd like to explore a 'different' side of Thailand, our best tip is to visit the beautiful Northern part, known as Chiang Mai. While Bangkok is a bustling and chaotic concrete jungle, the North is the heart of culture & creativity and it's home to beautiful green landscapes, mountains, national parks, temples and...some of the best food in Thailand.
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Chiang Mai Countryside Bicycle & Thai Cooking Class Experience
If you’re looking for a day crammed with culture, our Chiang Mai Countryside Bicycle & Thai Cooking Class Experience is going to be right up your street. This full-day, all-inclusive tour in Chiang Mai includes an 18 km bike ride through the beautiful countryside of San Kam Phaeng. After you’ve stopped for a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant you can relax in the Hot Springs. The afternoon will see you cooking four delicious Thai Meals and preparing your own home cooked Thai Dinner. Chiang Mai tours don’t get better than this! From stunning scenery to tantalizing Thai food, it’s no wonder this is a popular tour.
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If you have no idea where to start or what to do first when traveling to Chiang Mai, please allow us to help you! We offer a very nice selection of private tours in Chiang Mai, where we will take you to see the most beautiful attractions and landmarks this area has to offer, including a local English speaking guide and private transportation! All you have to do is sit back, relax and take in the beauty of North Thailand!
Food is important and indispensable on every trip, and when visiting Chiang Mai you should definitely not miss out on all the delicacies this region had to offer! Just like Bangkok, Chiang Mai has a big street food culture and there are many delicious restaurants to choose from. In fact, there are even a lot of Michelin-approved restaurants (that won't break the bank!).
So If you are big foodie and you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, Chiang Mai should definitely be on your Thailand bucket list!
Roll up your sleeves and grab your spoon, because we are about to share the ‘musts’ on where to eat in Chiang Mai!
The most famous dishes in Chiang Mai
Before we share the best restaurants, we first like to share some of the most famous dishes you can find in Chiang Mai.The food in Northern Thailand has its own distinct identity and it is influenced by northern neighboring countries like Burma, Laos, and China. Due to the cooler, mountainous climate, the food is fattier as people need to stay warm. Unlike in Bangkok, where coconut milk is a staple ingredient in many of the curry dishes, seasonings used in the food in Chiang Mai are not as sweet or spicy and soups and curries have a clear broth.
Khao Neow: Chiang Mai food is always accompanied by sticky rice, known as khao neow.
Gaeng Hang Lay Moo: a slow cooked curry of pork (usually belly and shoulder) with ginger, tamarind and Indian spices.
Khao Kha Moo: better known as stewed pork leg on rice, is not only a favorite of Thailand's Prime Minister, it's also one of the best selling dishes served by street vendors!
Khao Soi: is probably the most famous famous dish in Chiang Mai. It's a noodle soup made with a rich and spicy coconut curry, served with chicken or beef and two types of noodles.
Sai Oua: also known as Chiang Mai Sausage, this herby sausage is so popular you can easily find it in every street food stall. The sausage is packed with herbs like galangal, lemongrass, turmeric root, garlic and chillies.
Hang Lay: One of the absolute must-try dishes in Chiang Mai is Hang Lay, which is a Burmese style pork curry
Som Tam: is a humble yet very flavorful green papaya salad that can be found both in street stalls and high end restaurants
The best street food: Chang Phuak night market
The most high end restaurant: Khao at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
The one that looks like a fairytale: Khaomao-Khaofang Restaurant
The restaurant is best-known for its exquisite scenery of a rainforest creating an unparalleled atmosphere of an “imaginary jungle”. The place is beautifully decorated with various kinds of flowers and shrubs along with a roaring waterfall. You can enjoy a wide selection of Thai, regional, and seasonal dishes, all prepared with fresh vegetables, served by the most incredible staff!
The best western food
Amongst many, there are 2 restaurants that stand out because of their cool vibes and delicious Western comfort food: The Larder Cafe & Bar (rated 4.5 of 5 on TripAdvisor) and Rustic & Blue.
The most family oriented restaurant: Ginger farm kitchen
Deck one: the best riverside restaurant
Deck1 is a by far the trendiest Riverside restaurants in Chiang Mai. The place servesThai dishes with an eclectic mix of Asian fusion food and an extensive cocktail list featuring many classics as well as in house creations. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, but if you want spectacular river views,make sure to book a table outside!
You can come here for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
The Restaurant at Anantara Hotel
SP Chicken: the best rotisserie chicken in Chiang Mai
To give you and idea, this is one of the many many reviews: "I have genuinely never tasted anything so addictively delicious in my life. It’s so good in fact, that I’d have no problem paying five times the price of the chicken, just to eat the accompanying dipping sauce. I couldn’t stop dipping the chicken and the sticky rice into it."
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