Chiang Mai Food: 39 hand-picked places

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 restaurant focused on Southern-style fried chicken. The Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich features chicken marinated for 24 hours and coated in spicy cayenne sauce, with pickles and coleslaw for a zesty, refreshing finish. Warm lighting and mellow music set a relaxed mood.

A small eatery serving both café fare and Thai food. Try the shrimp pad thai, a classic Thai noodle dish, and finish with mango sticky rice.

A modern Thai restaurant in a teak mansion more than 150 years old. The wagyu gaeng ranjuan is infused with the savory depth of shrimp-paste broth, and cocktails feature Thai herbs and local ingredients.

A restaurant pairing Thai cuisine with fine wines. The chicken satay features spice-marinated grilled chicken with savory peanut sauce and crispy roti. Inside, wine shelves set the tone in a modern vintage-style space; outside, leafy greenery surrounds the seating.

Enjoy Chiang Mai–style khao soi at this open-air eatery tucked between temples. Its rich, savory curry broth isn’t greasy or overly sweet. Choose chicken or beef khao soi, served with crispy noodles and lime.

A vegan restaurant serving both Thai and Western dishes. Try khao soi, noodles in a rich Thai broth, alongside mushroom burgers and pizza. With indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a good spot for brunch or dinner.

A Thai restaurant with garden seating. The khao soi comes in a creamy, spicy broth with crispy noodles and pickled vegetables on the side. Air-conditioned indoor seating is also available.

A Thai restaurant at One Nimman, best known for its boat noodles. Choose pork or beef in a rich broth, topped with crispy pork rind and fragrant toasted chili. Mango sticky rice is another popular pick.

A Northern Thai restaurant best known for khao soi. The chicken khao soi comes with tender noodles and crispy noodles in a fragrant coconut curry broth.

A seafood restaurant with an oyster bar, serving Italian-inspired dishes as well. The lobster roll is a generous seafood favorite, and the truffle fettuccine topped with scallops is another signature. Watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen.

A restaurant serving Northern Thai home-style food. Its signature dish is smoked pork jowl, fried until crisp outside and tender inside, with sweet, sour and spicy nam jim jaew for dipping. The vintage interior of an old wooden house and outdoor seating make it a good spot for a late-night meal.

A restaurant serving Thai dishes alongside fusion fare. The Mama tom yum hot pot comes packed with seafood and has a creamy broth, while the mala carbonara spaghetti is rich without feeling too heavy. There’s air conditioning indoors, plus outdoor seating.

A modest eatery serving both Burmese and Thai food. The tea leaf salad is fresh and fragrant, and you can also try potato chicken curry and mohinga.

An American-style restaurant serving pizza, burgers, and ribs, with sauces and bread made in-house. The shrimp pizza is savory, and the carbonara has a rich, creamy flavor. Close to the Ping River, it’s a convenient stop after a riverside walk.

A barbecue and steakhouse showcasing the chef’s experience in Australia. Slow-cooked pork ribs and house-made sourdough pizza are popular; steaks and pasta are also great choices.

Enjoy Northern Thai cuisine in a Lanna-style wooden house and garden. The gaeng khae with snakehead fish is rich with herbal aromas, while steamed oyster mushrooms with nam phrik kha offer a pleasing mix of mild mushroom flavor and spicy dip. Choose an air-conditioned indoor seat or dine outdoors in the garden.

A small local restaurant known for its beef khao soi. The rich, fragrant broth has a spicy kick, pairing beautifully with tender meat and crispy fried noodles. It’s a relaxed spot for a satisfying bowl amid the bustle.

A Vietnamese restaurant best known for nam nueng: pork sausage wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs and vegetables for a light, refreshing meal.

A Thai restaurant right beside the Ping River. The garlic-topped fried fish is savory and crisp, while the tom yum’s tangy, spicy broth whets the appetite. It’s a lovely spot for dinner by the water with river views.

A halal restaurant serving beef and chicken khao soi. The broth is relatively light and mild, with chili paste and lime on the side. Try khao mok nuea, too: tender braised beef served with spiced rice.

A restaurant and art gallery serving Thai dishes, pizza, and cocktails. The pineapple fried rice with seafood, chicken, vegetables, and cashews balances sweet fruitiness with a savory, nutty flavor. Dine in the garden among a pond, a small waterfall, and shady trees.

A small Thai home-style restaurant run from the family’s own home. The stir-fried glass noodles, Pad Sam Men, and braised pork, Moo Baan Kong, are mild and comforting, like a familiar home-cooked meal. Enjoy your freshly prepared order in the warm, wood-house setting.

A local restaurant specializing in duck noodles. Its rich, fragrant broth is infused with five-spice and herbs and served with tender duck. Simple tables are set both indoors and outdoors.

An Isan restaurant best known for kai yang, charcoal-grilled chicken with crisp skin and juicy meat, served with tamarind or jaew dipping sauce. Dine in the outdoor garden seating, with fans.

A restaurant serving Northern Thai cuisine, centered on Chiang Mai–style larb. The buffalo larb has a lively, spicy kick from its fragrant spices, and the cooked minced pork larb is another signature dish.

A café and restaurant beside the Ping River, serving Northern Thai dishes alongside Western fare. The khao soi has a rich coconut aroma, and coconut milk is served with a sticky rice dessert. Choose outdoor seating overlooking the river or a table indoors.

A restaurant serving traditional dishes from across Thailand, set in a teakwood house near the Ping River. Its slow-cooked beef turmeric curry, kaeng ra wang nuea, is rich with herbs and spices, while the shrimp fried rice pairs shrimp paste with mango.

A restaurant serving Lanna-style northern Thai cuisine, with outdoor seating at dark wooden tables. Sai ua is a grilled sausage fragrant with herbs and spices. Try hang lay curry, too, with its mix of ginger, garlic, and tamarind.

A restaurant serving khao soi and other Northern Thai dishes, where you can choose toppings to build your own bowl of noodles. The coconut-rich broth is smooth, and reviewers say the beef is tender. Seating is available both indoors with air conditioning and outdoors.

A Thai-Chinese restaurant known for Thai-style rice porridge. The porridge is smooth and mild, and you can also try dim sum and khao soi.

A casual restaurant serving Thai grilled chicken and Isan dishes. The kai yang is fragrant with marinade, crisp on the outside and juicy inside. There’s simple outdoor seating.

A night-market stall famous for its owner’s cowboy hat. The pork leg served over rice is tender, with a rich, well-balanced braising sauce. A good stop while exploring the Chang Phueak Gate Night Market in the evening.

A Northern Thai restaurant specializing in khao soi. Its rich, creamy curry broth is gently spicy with a hint of sweetness; pickled mustard greens, shallots, and lime add a refreshing lift.

A Northern Thai khao soi spot serving house-made noodles. Its coconut-rich curry broth isn’t overly sweet, letting the spices shine. A hearty meal with satisfyingly chewy noodles.

A riverside restaurant serving Northern Thai food, with outdoor seating along the Ping River. The tom saep chicken tendon soup is spicy and sour, fragrant with herbs. It’s a lovely spot for dinner in the evening breeze.

A breakfast spot serving patongo, with eye-catching fried dough shaped like dinosaurs and dragons. Freshly fried patongo is crisp on the outside and soft inside, and is served with condensed milk or custard for dipping. Pair it with warm soy milk or coffee.