The Best Places We Ate in Chiang Mai With a Local
Discover the best places to eat in Chiang Mai, guided by a local’s expertise!
If you’re looking to explore the vibrant food scene of Chiang Mai, this list of 15 best places to eat in Chiang Mai will lead you to some unforgettable experiences.
From bustling markets to serene garden restaurants, these spots offer everything from authentic Northern Thai dishes to fresh fruit and even meals served with a view of elephants. Each place reflects the rich flavors and culinary traditions of the city, showcasing both popular favorites and hidden gems.
These recommendations come courtesy of a local guide—my Thai aunt! She helped us uncover the true spirit of Chiang Mai’s food culture and never failed to steer us in the direction of an incredible meal.
Thanks to her knowledge, we enjoyed everything from a long lunch by the water at Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir to the must-try khao soi at Khao Soi Samerjai.
Whether you’re shopping at Anusarn Market or sipping coffee at Elefin Farm & Cafe, these are the best places to eat in Chiang Mai for an authentic and memorable experience!
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Quick List: Where to Eat in Chiang Mai
- Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir – Best Unique Experience
- Royal Rose Garden – Best Peaceful Lunch
- Baan Suan Restaurant – Best Menu With Variety
- Khao Soi Samerjai – Best Khao Soi
- Ginger Farm – Best Farm-to-Table
- Huen Muan Jai – Best Northern Thai Cuisine
- Home Burmese and Vegetarian Restaurant – Best Vegetarian
- Khaomao-Khaofang Imaginary Jungle – Best Atmosphere
- Kadmanee Market – Best Non-Touristy Night Market
- Anusarn Market – Best Popular Night Market
- Faculty of Agriculture (CMU) – Best Fruit
- Central Chiangmai Airport – Best Food Court
- Homm Wan – Best Durian Desserts
- Liberate Coffee Roastery – Best Coffee
- Elefin Farm & Cafe – Best Drinks With Elephants
Quick Links: Plan Your (Eating) Trip to Chiang Mai
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Use Booking.com to find your perfect stay! From luxurious resorts to charming boutique hotels, discover the ideal place to rest after a day of eating.
Find Your Food Guide
Browse GetYourGuide to find an expert guide who will lead you through the best culinary experiences.
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15 Places to Eat In Chiang Mai Recommended by a Local
1. Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir
Location: The reservoir’s shoreline is lined with numerous restaurants, making it tough to pick the one. Since management often changes, it’s hard to recommend a specific spot. The good news? Most restaurants serve nearly identical menus. Stroll along the row, and choose based on the dishes you see and the crowd size—busier spots usually mean better food!
Best For: Long lunch. A lunch so long that you give yourself time to nap after your meal by your table (as the locals do).
Why It’s Special: Eating here is a one-of-a-kind experience, with tables set inside bamboo huts built right over the water. You’ll sit on the floor and on your bum in traditional Thai style, with the reservoir fish splashing beneath you. Menus are often nonexistent, so order a whole fish with nam chim kai (sweet chili sauce, the original version), vegetables, and individual servings of sticky rice for everyone.
2. Royal Rose Garden
Location: Nestled in lush greenery along the road through Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, the restaurant is located within the Royal Rose Garden.
Best For: An outdoor lunch in a serene garden setting.
Why We Love It: This restaurant creatively incorporates ingredients from its own garden into the menu. Guests are treated to thoughtful touches like a mini mint palate cleanser, rose tea made from their homegrown plants, and unique ice cream flavors such as avocado, all sourced directly from the garden.
The atmosphere combines the elegance of an English garden tea experience with the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine. The dishes are refreshingly light, aromatic, and playful, offering a delightful contrast to the more robust fare typically found in Chiang Mai.
As a bonus, you can explore the surrounding park, filled with blooming flowers and tranquil water features, for a truly relaxing experience.
3. Baan Suan Restaurant
Location: Just outside the city center.
Best For: A casual lunch, perhaps with people who want a range of menu options.
Why We Love It: Baan Suan’s menu is impressively large, offering a wide variety of dishes. While such variety usually means no single dish stands out, that’s not the case here—every item is executed remarkably well.
From traditional northern Thai cuisine to even American-style eggs on toast, the quality is consistently excellent. We’re especially partial to their Isan-style Thai dishes, which we consider the best style of Thai cuisine in the country.
Their menu features highlights like sai krok Isan (northeastern sausage) and authentic som tum (papaya salad), which kept us coming back for more.
4. Khao Soi Samerjai
Location: Along the Ping River.
Best For: An unfussy, quick lunch.
Why We Love It: If you’re in Chiang Mai, trying khao soi is non-negotiable—it’s the signature dish of northern Thailand and has even made its way onto menus in Thai restaurants worldwide.
Khao Soi Samerjai serves it to perfection, along with a handful of other soups and quick Thai meals like omelettes (khai jiao). The star of the show, however, is the khao soi itself: a rich, creamy noodle soup with historical roots dating back to when northern Thailand was under Burmese influence, giving the dish its unique Muslim origins.
This no-frills eatery offers a quintessential Thai dining experience—sit on plastic stools, order your meal, savor the flavors, and get on with your day.
5. Ginger Farm
Location: The main farm is located in the residential countryside of Chiang Mai, while their city-based restaurants are known as Ginger Farm Kitchen.
Best For: A wholesome lunch with kids after visiting the farm.
Why We Love It: We visited the actual farm, which offers a wholesome outdoor experience perfect for families. While Ginger Farm does indeed grow ginger, they cultivate many other fresh produce items, all of which you can explore during your visit.
The experience concludes beautifully with a meal at their on-site restaurant or at one of their city locations, Ginger Farm Kitchen. The dishes are beautifully presented, putting a creative twist on modern Thai cuisine with a farm-to-table influence.
Adults will also appreciate the inventive cocktails, making this an outing that delights both kids and grown-ups alike.
6. Huen Muan Jai
Location: Located in a restored historic villa.
Best For: Traditional Northern Thai cuisine dinner.
Why We Love It: Huen Muan Jai is a favorite among both tourists and locals, which is always a positive sign. It’s widely regarded as one of the best places in Chiang Mai to enjoy authentic northern Thai cuisine, and it’s even Michelin-recognized. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, set inside a traditional wooden villa.
Here, you can indulge in must-try northern Thai classics like Nam Prik Noom Kab Moo (green chili dip with pork cracklings), Gaeng Ho (stir-fried curry glass noodles), and Kanom Jeen Nam Ngiew (spicy and sour pork stew) —each dish offering an authentic taste of the region’s rich culinary traditions.
7. Home Burmese and Vegetarian Restaurant
Location: Close to the Old City.
Best For: A vegetarian-focused dinner.
Why We Love It: This restaurant offers an authentic and flavorful journey through Burmese cuisine, which holds a special place in Chiang Mai’s cultural landscape due to the historical ties between Myanmar and northern Thailand.
Whether you’re enjoying the fresh tea leaf salad, the rich fish curry, or the creamy coconut milk rice, each dish bursts with unique flavors that stand apart from typical northern Thai fare.
The owner is often on-site, personally guiding diners through the menu to ensure a tailored and memorable meal for every guest. I mean, it’s even earned a nearly perfect 4.9 rating!
8. Khaomao-Khaofang Imaginary Jungle
Location: Outside of the city center, close to the airport.
Best For: A themed dinner.
Why We Love It: If you’re looking for something truly unique (and slightly kitschy) in Chiang Mai, Khaomao-Khaofang offers an immersive dining experience like no other. A whimsical jungle setting with cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, and a peaceful lakeside atmosphere.
It’s a bit touristy, no doubt, with plenty of people flocking to snap photos of the picturesque surroundings, but honestly, it’s still very much worth the visit. The food—think signature curries and fresh seafood—is flavorful and beautifully presented, though the real highlight here is the magical ambiance.
With its enchanting vibe and budget-friendly prices, Khaomao-Khaofang makes for a memorable stop that both locals and tourists enjoy.
9. Kadmanee Market
Location: Outside the Old City.
Best For: A more authentic night market experience.
Why We Love It: Night markets have become quite a trend, especially after gaining popularity among tourists. As a result, many markets in Thai destinations are packed with visitors overpaying for westernized versions of Pad Thai.
However, we loved Kadmanee Market because it felt much more authentic. The crowd here was mostly locals—students, workers heading home, and friends gathering to share meals. We barely saw any other tourists, which made it feel like a genuine local hangout.
Food stalls serve everything from freshly grilled skewers to delicious noodle dishes, with plenty of people sitting on the ground, enjoying their meals together in a laid-back, community-esque atmosphere.
10. Anusarn Market
Location: Near the popular Loi Kroh Road.
Best For: Dinner after a shopping spree.
Why We Love It: Anusarn Market is one of the largest and most popular night markets in Chiang Mai, known for selling a variety of goods, mostly clothing, crafts, jewelry, trinkets and more.
Although it tends to attract more tourists than locals, you’ll still find a mix of both. It’s the perfect spot to get your shopping done before heading to the food hall section, where a wide range of delicious dishes await.
The market offers a diverse selection of food stalls, each offering something unique, so you’re unlikely to find much repetition.
It’s a great place to explore with a group: each person can choose what they want to eat, then you can all gather at a central table to enjoy your selections together. For example, my toddler daughter wanted a Korean-style corn dog—certainly not a traditional Thai dish, but hey, we all got what we craved in the moment.
11. Faculty of Agriculture (CMU)
Location: Within the Chiang Mai University campus.
Best For: Fresh fruit and vegetables.
Why We Love It: When you think about places to buy fresh fruit, a university probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. But that’s exactly where we ended up when I mentioned to my aunt that I was craving mangosteen.
The Faculty of Agriculture at Chiang Mai University (as the name suggests) specializes in agriculture, making it the perfect spot to find some of the best fruit in the area.
Outside, you’ll find vendors and stalls selling fresh fruit, but the real gem is the Royal Project Shop—a well-organized, official produce shop where you can find a variety of high-quality, locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
It’s the ideal place to pick up fresh, seasonal produce and enjoy the naturally sweet flavors of northern Thailand.
12. Central Chiangmai Airport
Location: A shopping mall near the airport.
Best For: Quick, delicious food.
Why We Love It: Okay, the name could use a makeover, but Central Chiangmai Airport is a large shopping mall conveniently located next to the airport. Inside, you’ll find a food court that’s an unsung gem—not just in Chiang Mai, but in Thailand overall.
Thai mall food courts are notorious for offering fantastic, quick bites, perfect for when you’re short on time but still want something delicious.
The food here isn’t the typical, lackluster mall fare you might expect elsewhere. Instead, you’ll find a mix of traditional and modern dishes, often served by family-run stalls instead of big chains.
The quality is impressive, and there’s no compromise just because it’s located in a commercial space. It’s an excellent spot to enjoy authentic Thai food before or after your flight, without wasting time on a sit-down meal.
13. Homm Wan
Location: Within the One Nimman Center.
Best For: Dessert or anything durian.
Why We Love It: Homm Wan is a must-visit spot for durian lovers and the curious alike. Known for its delicious durian-flavored drinks and desserts, including the creamy and smooth durian soft serve, this place offers a great baby-step introduction to the fruit.
Durian is a beloved yet polarizing fruit in Thailand—its strong smell alone often deters people, but if you’re not a fussy eater, you should try it and see for yourself.
The dessert-style twists on durian at Homm Wan make it an ideal place for a first taste, and you might just find yourself falling in love with its unique sweetness.
14. Liberate Coffee Roastery
Location: In a residential neighbourhood.
Best For: Coffee, cakes and friendly cats.
Why We Love It: Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, this coffee shops stands out as one of the best spots for coffee in Chiang Mai. Liberate Coffee Roastery is surrounded by ancient trees and overlooking a peaceful rice field, offering a cozy, serene atmosphere that’s so idyllic it’ll make you want to stay there and write a novel.
The shop also pairs their exceptional coffee with mouthwatering cakes, while friendly cats and a playful parakeet add to the delightful ambiance. Plus, how many other coffee shops have a perfect 5.0 rating?!
15. Elefin Farm & Cafe
Location: Within Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
Best For: Coffee with a view and the chance to feed elephants.
Why We Love It: Obviously, the real draw of Elefin Coffee is the elephants, but the coffee and snacks are fantastic too. Elefin Farm & Cafe is one of the few places in Chiang Mai where you can pay for a basket of food to feed the elephants without needing to book a full sanctuary tour.
While elephants roam freely through the hills, you can relax at the cafe, which offers tables in a beautiful garden with views of the jungle and valleys. The peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by the sounds of elephants splashing water, surrounded by flowers and nature.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that combines wildlife, a yummy snack and coffee beverages, making it one of the most memorable places to grab a bite in Chiang Mai.
Map: Where to Eat in Chiang Mai
FAQs: Best Places to Eat in Chiang Mai
1. What are the must-try local dishes in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is the epicenter of flavorful Northern Thai cuisine. You must try Khao Soi, a creamy coconut curry noodle soup; Sai Ua (Northern Thai sausage); and Nam Prik Ong, a spicy tomato and pork chili dip often served with fresh vegetables.
Sticky rice with mango is also a popular dessert you might recognize from your local strip mall Thai restaurant, but I assure you, it’s a thousand times better in Chiang Mai.
2. Where can I find authentic Northern Thai cuisine in Chiang Mai?
You can find authentic Northern Thai food at local markets like Warorot Market or family-run restaurants such as Huen Phen and Khao Soi Mae Sai. Exploring street food stalls, especially at the Sunday Walking Street Market, will also introduce you to delicious traditional flavors.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the BEST tip is to venture outside the city. Wander through a residential neighborhood where there’s not a tourist in sight. This is where you’ll find the real food—often a world apart from what you’ll eat in the Old City.
3. Is it safe to eat street food in Chiang Mai?
Yes, eating street food in Chiang Mai is generally safe and an excellent way to experience authentic local flavors. However, there is always some risk, especially if you’re not accustomed to trying different foods or, frankly, if you happen to have a stroke of bad luck. To minimize risks, follow these tips:
- Choose stalls with a high turnover of customers, as this indicates fresh ingredients.
- Look for food that’s cooked to order or served hot.
- Avoid raw or undercooked items, especially meats or seafood.
- Stick to bottled water and avoid ice if you’re unsure of its source.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before eating.
4. How can I find a local guide for a food tour in Chiang Mai?
Booking platforms like Airbnb Experiences or GetYourGuide offer food tours led by locals. You can also ask for recommendations at your hotel or check community groups on social media, where locals often advertise guided food tours.
A local guide can help you uncover the best spots, share cultural insights about the cuisine, or, better yet, invite you into their space for a personalized cooking class.
Related Travel Posts:
- The Best 15 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chiang Mai
- The Best Kid-Friendly Activities in Chiang Mai
- Top Tips for Visiting Thailand With Young Kids
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