Chiang Mai Restaurants

This is a basic list of Chiang Mai restaurants at this stage. We hope to add a Chaing Rai section soon, in addition we need your comments and reports on new restaurants. Please email us

English

Red Lion
123 Loi Kroa Road,
located in the Night Bazaar, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-818 847.
The English pub in the middle of town, close to the night bazaar, that's the a real home from home local. Boss, Mathew, is an-all round good sport who knows his way around pub food and better. The usual suspects of breakfasts, roasts and pies are always available and the specials offer some interesting variations on a Brit theme.

French

La Veranda
2nd floor, Chiang Mai Pavilion,
Changklan Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-818 495.
Classic French cuisine in an elegant establishment with good food and service. Vastly better than the McDonald's it sits above. Large wine selection starting at 450 baht for the house bottle.

Chez Daniel
255/18 Superhighway (in Chiangmai Land), Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-204 600.
Heavily advertised French restaurant located a bit far from the action. Boasts a menu of homemade pates, sausages and bread.

Italian

Giorgio Italian Reataurant
2/6 Prachasamphan Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-818 236.
When visiting Thailand clean food is a must. Here, chef Giorgio is almost as proud of the spotless interior of his restaurant as he is the quality food he prepares. The open kitchen gives diners that added sense of security.

La Gritta
1 Nimmanhaemind Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-221 130.
Located in the Amari Rincome Hotel, La Gritta offers authentic Italian food at authentic Italian prices. The daily lunch buffet is a steal at 260 baht.

Il Forno
142 Prapokklao Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-208 778.
A wide variety of Italian dishes, but the specialty is pizza. Next time you have the urge for a real pizza, give Il Forno a buzz and they'll be happy to deliver their famous woodfire pie.

da Stefano
2/1-2 Changmoi Kao Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-874 189.
In Chiang Mai's bloated Italian genre, da Stefano is the choice for quality and convenience. Located just around the corner from Thapae Gate, diners are treated to heaped portions of Italian favourites. Casual atmosphere that welcomes all.

La Gondola
201/6 Charoenrat Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-306 483.
Chef Stefano's newest baby. Located on the river in a lush garden setting, Stefano has branched out to include Thai and Chinese dishes along with Italian fare. The same European quality staff can be found at this gorgeous eatery and rumours are swirling of live jazz and river gondola rides to come.

Chinese

Gia Tong Heng
193/2 Sri Don Chai Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-275 242.
The Chinese restaurant in Chiang Mai. If you haven't had your shark fin soup, head to this sprawling favourite. What it lacks in ambience it makes up for with Chinatown quality.

German

Haus Munchen
115/3 Loi Kroh, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-274 027.
Located among the row of European eateries near the Night Bazaar, Haus Munchen specialises in all those artery-clogging favourites. The beer is good and as an added bonus the Thai staff dress up in lederhosen.

Western/Thai mix

J.J. Bakery and Restaurant
Corner of Moon Muang and Ratchadamnoen Roads,
Two outlets on Thapae Road and one in the Night Bazaar.
Probably the most famous of Chiang Mai's tourist restaurants. Lonely Planet consistently rates this place tops and the tourists flock. Though it's hard to see why when basically all it serves is mediocre, overpriced sandwiches. The Thai food is above average, but can be found anywhere in town for half the price. J.J.'s is rumoured to be losing the lease at its flagship location and the fast food-style ordering of its new Thapae Road locations is the death knell of good cuisine.

The Corner
Corner of Ratchamankha and Moon Muang Roads, Chiang Mai.
Small establishment offering the standard Thai/Western tourist mix. Tasty food at amazing prices. Two people can gorge themselves for under 200 baht. A good alternative to J.J.'s.

Rest Site
Moon Muang Road at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai.
Newly opened outdoor eatery with an expansive menu. Perfect place to take the Thai girl who doesn't know what she wants. A casual atmosphere serving draught beer well into the night.

Art Cafe
291 Thapae Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-206 365.
Claims to specialise in Italian and Mexican fare and does both reasonably well, but it's nothing special. Try the large salads and fresh bread and you'll go home with a smile. Good deserts.

Amazing Sandwich
252/3 Pra Pokklao Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-218 846.
Located near the Thai Airways office, this is the best sandwich shop in Chiang Mai. Choose between sandwiches, subs, bagels, baguettes and buns filled with your choice of 40 toppings. Also offers salads, quiche and breakfast fare.

Middle Eastern

Jerusalem Falafel
35/3 Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-270 208.
Excellent pittas, falafel, kebab and schwarma. Perfect for the western palate, but probably won't be your Thai girlfriend's idea of fine food.

Thai

Consulate Park
127 Charoenprathet Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-278 538.
Sitting in the grounds of the former British Consulate, this riverside restaurant serves Thai cuisine in one of Chiang Mai's romantic settings. Faux streams and waterfalls dot the treehouse-like setting and the authentic Thai dishes, including plenty of local specialities, are cooked to perfection. Reasonable prices and live music nightly.

Antique House
71 Charoenprathet Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-276 810.
Another of Chiang Mai's many riverside dining experiences, Antique House is more isolated than the rest. The setting is an old teak house past the Nawarat Bridge and before the Westin. The food is traditional northern Thai. Mellow music nightly.

Kafe Restaurant
127-129 Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-212 717.
Restaurant and bar in the heart of town. Good Thai dishes and some western food, principally burgers. A good place to watch a game while you eat.

Galae Restaurant
65 Suthep Road, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-278 655.
Tucked away on the hillside behind Chiang Mai University, Galae serves up a good menu of Thai food, including lots of local favourites. And if the food isn't reason enough to visit, the flower gardens and view of the city surely are.

Drunken Flower
Nimmanhemin Soi 1, Chiang Mai.
Tel: 053-212 081.
A great place to eat but, as the name implies, an even better place to drink. A huge cocktail menu provides relief for those hot Thai evenings. Yet this isn't a bar. The main focus is still the food. They do Thai well and make a valiant attempt at Mexican. Seating indoors is cottage-like, though cramped. Sit outside and enjoy the space.