Last Updated August 2007

Most restaurants seem to come and go, no matter how good they are, while some go on to become institutions. This explains why we've dated this page. The older it is, the more likely that some of these restaurants have changed hands, names or formats.

The list below is not intended as a 'best' restaurants listing. It merely represents places we've visited personally, or in some cases have been recommended by trusted sources. All of these were still open as of our last check. The restaurants at the top of the list are the most recently visited.

Vieng Joom On Tea House

On Charoen Rat Road, near the foot-bridge. It's hard to miss this place, a big pink house set right on the river. This is primarily a tea shop selling a large selection of teas and tisanes (herbal teas), but there is a large and comfortable seating area. Aside from tea, the menu is a light selection of a few sandwiches, salads and snacks. There is of course a 'tea set menu' with a selection of items for two or more people.

Queen Victoria Inn (English Pub)

On Phra Pokhlao Road near Thai Airways office. Very good attempt at a traditional English pub, with Strongbow and Guinness on tap. The menu runs from Bangers & Mash to Indian curries and Thai food. Cosy booths make this a good place to spend a quiet evening with friends.

Kafe@Ginger (café)

199 Moon Muang Road. at Lane 7. This pleasant little shop, set in the grounds of an historical home (housing another restaurant) is a nice place for a coffee or tea and light meal, or snack. Although I didn't have room for cake, the selection looked quite delicious. The food menu is Thai and international.

Sojos (Thai and International)

On Sri Donchai Road just behind Panthip Plaza. The menu at Sojos is an eclectic mix of Thai, European and Mexican selections. I opted for some Mexican food on my last visit, and it was quite good. Price per dish varies from 80 to 150 Baht.

Golden Trumpet (Health Food)

On Tapae Road. Very small cafe serving 'healthy' drinks, including coffees, teas, etc. with special additives. Also has food, but service was incredibly slow on the day we tried the place, even though we were the only customers.

Mike's (Burger Stand)

As good as Thai food is, eating it all the time can get a little boring. So we have the occasional craving for "American" food and our guilty secret places to get it. Mike's, with their slogan of "Converting vegetarians since 1979," is one of our favorite places to get a real hamburger, rather than than one of those overly-processed fast food concoctions. It doesn't stop at hamburgers. If you've got a hankering for a chili cheese onion dog, this is the place to satisfy you. The original stand facing the moat not far from the Amora hotel was joined in August 2006 by a slightly larger branch on Nimanhemin Road. Now, in 2007, there's another branch at the Anusarn Night Bazaar.

Cafe de Siam (Thai and International)

On Loi Kroh Road near the Central Duangtawan Hotel. Nice all day cafe serving coffees, fruit juices, Thai food and some pretty good sandwiches. Free wi-fi if you bring your own notebook. Tel. 053 207 258.

Siam Celedon Tea Shop (Tea and Sandwiches)

On Tapae Road at the canal. This is definitely the place to soak up a little colonial era atmosphere. Walk through the celedon ceramics showroom to the back of the 100 year old building. You pass through a glass covered two story courtyard and then arrive at the tea shop. They have a wide variety of teas from local brand Raming, plus juices and sandwiches as well. There's also a large formal garden out back. Chose to sit inside under the old fashioned ceiling fans, or outside to take in the garden.

Art Cafe (International & Thai)

Tapae Road, across from the Tapae Gate. The location alone makes this a notable place. It sits on the shallow corner where traffic from Tapae Road must turn to go around Tapae Gate. The menu is an eclectic mix of Italian, Mexican and Thai. The cafe is usually quite busy in the evenings.

The Good View (Thai and International)

Charoenrad Road, on the river. Highly recommended by locals as the best Thai food on the river. Most tables seat six, so this is the place to bring some friends. The Thai menu has dishes around 60 Baht () with steaks costing 200 Baht () and up.

Benelux (European)

Loi Kroh Road. One of a string of European restaurants lining Loi Kroh road near the night bazaar. Benelux offers pork, beef, chicken and seafood prepared in a variety of styles, with sauces and potatoes of your choice. Expect to pay around 350 Baht () per person.

Just Kao Soy (Chiang Mai)

On Charoen Prathet Road near Annusarn Night Market. This small restaurant specializes in bringing the 'authentic' Chiang Mai dish of Kao Soy to a wider market. Its a bit pricey for 'street food' but the presentation, shown above, as well as the information imparted, makes it worth a try.

Piccola Roma Palace (Italian)

On the corner of Charoenprathet and Si Donchai Roads. It doesn't get more authentic than this. Piccola Roma has been a Chiang Mai institution for years - if memory serves, we first ate there more than 10 years ago. Prices are a bit expensive for Chiang Mai, but probably quite cheap compared to what you might pay at home. Plus, you're almost guaranteed a free 'floor show' when the temperamental Italian owner/chef blows up at one of his staff. Tel. 053 820 297

Mango Tree (Thai)

Loi-kroh Road near the old city moat. Quite a pleasant place for a quick lunch. In the evening, there's a bigger crowd and a live jazz band.

Galae (Thai)

Suthep Road. It's a bit of a drive from the main hotel areas, but this lakeside garden restaurant up in the foothills is worth it. It's a favorite with locals, but doesn't get many tourists. Most tuk-tuk drivers will know it, and you can look for the restaurant's ads in the tourist magazines, which usually have instructions for getting there in Thai.

Tha Nam (Thai)

Chang Klan Road. Old teak house on the river serving Northern Thai specialties.

Black Canyon (Thai Coffee)

Chang Klan Plaza on Chang Klan Road. This branch of the nation-wide coffee shop chain is the most accessible of the chain's seven Chiang Mai locations. The shop is small but very nicely decorated in a sort of contemporary style. Black Canyon serves not just coffee but also a variety of Thai foods, which includes its 'fusion' specialties that combine Thai curries and stir fries with Italian pastas. Chiang Klan Plaza is a collection of small shops around a pleasant courtyard. It hasn't quite caught on yet, so it's a more relaxing place to shop than the night bazaar. Another handy branch is just inside the Tapae Gate.

Amazing Sandwich (Sandwiches - duh!)

Two branches: The original on Propoklao Road next to the Thai Airways office, and a second branch across Huay Kaew Road from the Kad Suan Kaeo shopping center. As the name implies, this small cafe serves western style sandwiches along with a few desserts and soft drinks. The original branch is a good place for lunch when touring the old city.

Regina (Thai)

On the east bank of the Ping River (Charoen Rat Road) near the footbridge to the market. This guest house cum antique shop cum restaurant would need a bit of an upgrade to be rustic, but the food is good, as well as the view. Tel. 053 262 882

Bake & Bite (Western Bakery)

Chang Klan Road beyond Si Don Chai Road. This little sandwich shop also has its own bakery. It seems to attract a mostly expat crowd. Good fruit shakes and hot sandwiches. Great place for lunch, but closed for dinner.

Hong Tauw Inn (Thai)

Nimanhemin Road, opposite Soi 1. Serves very good Thai food in a casual homey atmosphere. Also makes their own ice cream!

Gallery Restaurant (Thai)

Charoen Rat Road. Another of the many art shops cum restaurants along the east bank of the Ping River, facing the city and the mountains. The building is very Chinese in style, with a front hall housing the boutique, followed by a courtyard and the a back hall housing the restaurant. Expect to see much ado about the fact that 'Hillary Clinton ate here.'

Miguel's California Cafe (Mexican)

On Chaiyaphum Road, near the Amora hotel. Serves California style Mexican food and stuffed subs.