Boutique hotels
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Puripunn
- Style
- Old-fashioned charmer
- Setting
- Laid-back historic lane
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Rachamankha
- Style
- Heritage homage, contemporary courtyards
- Setting
- Inside the Old City
Chiang Mai Eating, drinking and dancing
Restaurants
(+66 (0) 5385 4169)
Baan Suan
Built by renowned Thai architect Ajarn Chulathat Kitibutr, this is another magical dining destination. Nestled above the quiet, torch-lit banks of the Mae Ping River, 15 minutes from the city, Baan Suan is a stark contrast to the throbbing riverside strip on Charoenrat Road. Outdoor tables are arranged around a traditional sala. Cool breezes and starry skies lull diners into a state nearing tranquility as they savour sweet northern-style pork curry with balls of sticky rice.
25 Moo 3 San-Phi-Sua, Thailand 50300
(+66 (0) 5327 7103)
Huen Phen
This quaint, antique-filled house is a contender for the city’s most historic restaurant. Foodies from around the world have it at the top of their Chiang Mai must-visits, and for good reason. For more than 35 years, its mouth-watering deep-fried spare rib special has been winning over Thai and international gourmands who’ve come through Huen Phen’s rickety wooden door in search of authentic Northern Thai cuisine.
112 Rachamanka Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50000
(+66 (0) 5390 4111)
Rachamankha
This characterful restaurant, with white-washed walls, dark furniture and Chinese antiques, serves well-executed international and Thai dishes. Their khao soy with osso buco is particularly delicious. Choose to sit inside or out in the chic (but warm) courtyard.
Rachamankha Hotel, 6 Rachamankha 9, Phra Singh, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
(+66 (0) 5329 8181)
Sala Mae Rim
Fine dining with sweeping views of terraced paddy fields and clusters of Lanna-style residences, a local architectural design characterised by low-rise wooden structures on stilts, heavily decorated with wooden carvings? It must be the Four Seasons’ famous Thai restaurant. Twenty minutes from the city by car, this fabulous spot is very fashionable with high-society Thais – including, we hear, the royal family. Try the signature kaow soy kai (a noodle dish served in soupy chicken curry) and kratong tong (minced chicken and shrimp in a crispy casing).
Four Seasons Resort, Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50180
(+66 (0) 5324 8601)
The Gallery
This riverside restaurant is big with the diplomatic and celebrity set. For a sunset cocktail, head to the tree-shaded riverside terrace with its closely packed tables and benches. Try the laab pla (minced fish with spices and herbs), a regional favourite served warm and eaten with raw vegetables including cabbage and tomatoes.
25-29 Charoen Raj Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50000
Bars
(+66 (0) 5322 6997)
Monkey Club
This fun bar and restaurant is always filled with a hip young Thai clientele. There’s live music most nights, which can range from acoustic to jazz to rock.
7 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 9, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
(+66 (0) 5389 4210)
The Drunken Flower
Managed by two party-loving, ex-JWT execs, the Flower attracts a diverse, artsy crowd that comes for the jovial atmosphere and regular live performances. It’s also the place to party on festive public holidays.
28/3 Soi 17 Nimmanhaemin Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
(+66 (0) 5381 4187)
The Writers’ Club & Wine Bar
This laid-back bar initially opened as a meeting place for journalists and writers, and the scribes in town still congregate on Friday nights. An ultra-casual venue for a drink, with writers perpetually in-house, there’s usually someone up for spinning a yarn to strangers.
141/3 Rachadamnoen Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
Cafés
(+66 (0) 5320 6365)
Art Café
More of a diner than an actual café, this centrally located eatery near Thapae Gate is hugely popular with both expatriates and tourists, and features fantastic breakfasts.
285-291 Thapae Road, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100
(+66 (0) 5321 7120)
Blue Diamond
Serving fresh locally sourced coffee and organic-where-possible food, the unpretentious Blue Diamond is a popular spot for brunch; its eggs Benedict are divine. Ask your hotel for directions, as it’s a bit tricky to find.
35/1 Moonmuang Road, Soi 9 (near Sriphum Moat corner), Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200
(+66 (0) 5324 2731)
Love at First Bite
Set in the tropical garden of the owner’s house, this everything-homemade bakery is popular with the hi-so set, who flock to taste the impeccably made cheesecakes, layer cakes and pies, served with tea.
28 Chiangmai-Lamphun Road, Soi 1, Chiangmai, Thailand 50000
(+66 (0) 5320 8292)
Mango Tree Café
Supermodels and Hollywood stars are often spotted in this casual eatery hidden in the heart of the city's expat enclave (just outside of the gates of the old town). The pad thai and coffee are favourites, but the authentic, fresh fare is only part of the draw. Owner Alan Solomon, a former personal security advisor (his clients included Bill Gates), knows how to respect patrons’ privacy and protects them from inquisitive star-gazers. His novel, named after the café, was released in 2007.
8/2 Loi-Kroh Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50000
(+66 (0) 5388 8888)
Oriental Shop
For a quick one-stop food and shopping fix, Mandarin Oriental’s faux-Thai village mall, Kad Dhara, is surprisingly cool. And when you get a little peckish from polishing your credit cards, take a break in the bright, comfortable and always well-stocked Oriental Shop. This colonial café is the perfect place for a quick coffee, a leisurely cup of tea or a light meal.
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, 51/4 Sankampaeng Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand 50000
