Best food, cafés & bars in Chiang Mai

A Thai restaurant that roasts pork and chicken in earthen jars. Its moo krob has crisp skin and tender meat. Pair it with gai yang, som tam, or stir-fried morning glory.

A humble restaurant behind Chiang Mai University serving Northern Thai and Lanna dishes. Sai ua is gently spicy and savory with a hint of sweetness, while the tender pork and deep spice of gaeng hang lay pair beautifully with sticky rice.

A restaurant serving Lanna-style Northern Thai home cooking. The pork laap khua is fragrant with a gentle kick of spice and pairs well with fresh vegetables. Try sai ua sausage, too, and nam prik ong served with vegetables.

A family-run café reached by walking up the hillside in a Hmong village. Sip coffee brewed from Arabica beans grown in the mountains or try coffee blossom tea while taking in the mountain village scenery. The menu also includes matcha lattes, Thai food, and freshly baked cascara cookies.

A brunch and dessert café with garden and indoor seating. The black rice sticky rice croissant is crisp on the outside, soft and chewy inside. It’s a lovely place to unwind beside the leafy garden and small waterfall.

A café making bean-to-bar chocolate with cacao from Thai farms. Its single-origin hot chocolate is rich and full-bodied, while Cocoa Orange—orange juice topped with chocolate sauce—is bright and sweet. You can also try chocolate bonbons and cakes.

A casual live music bar with a pool table. Have a beer, play a game of pool, and enjoy live music in a lively atmosphere where locals and visitors mingle.

A live music bar upstairs at Kalare Night Bazaar, featuring blues, classic rock, funk and disco. A good spot for a beer or cocktail while you listen.

A great spot for a drink with live blues and soul. Pair a cold beer or craft cocktail with the music and some easy-to-share finger food.

A small live jazz bar near the North Gate. Jazz and improvisation from local musicians bring the night to life. The open-front space often spills out onto the sidewalk.

A jazz club where you can enjoy live music alongside a meal. Modern jazz and standards set the mood, and the tom yum goong pizza brings a tangy, spicy kick. Settle in with a cocktail for an evening show.

A jazz bar for dinner and cocktails accompanied by live music. The lineup changes by day, with styles ranging from fusion and swing to bebop. Try the seasonal Naima cocktail for ฿350. Soft lighting and separate table areas make it easy to focus on the music.