10 More Amazing Restaurants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pink House Garden is perfect for vegan and vegetarian diners
Pink House Garden is perfect for vegan and vegetarian diners | © Andrea Nguyen / Flickr
Sarah Williams

There are so many terrific places to eat in Chiang Mai, with restaurants catering to varied tastes. Whether you want to feast on Northern Thai favourites, try specialities from other regions of Thailand, or indulge in a diverse spread of international fare, Chiang Mai’s eateries won’t disappoint. Eat your way around the northern gem and visit 10 more of Chiang Mai’s best restaurants.

1. Huen Phen Restaurant

Restaurant, Thai

Khao soi soup
© suwa320 / Flickr

Huen Phen is known for its delicious khao soi noodles, a speciality of Northern Thailand that can be difficult to find in other parts of the country. It’s a bustling lunch spot, with a combination of tourists and locals heading here to slurp on the tasty noodle soup. Other Northern Thai dishes are available too. In the evenings, there is a wider choice of dishes, with more dishes from Central Thailand in addition to regional fare. The charming restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of the Old City.

2. Suwee Restaurant

Restaurant, Thai

Chicken and cashews
© Simon Law / Flickr

Suwee may look fairly basic, with plastic chairs and fold-down tables, but it’s one of the top restaurants in Chiang Mai for authentic and tasty Thai food. The owner previously worked as a chef before going solo to open his own family-run restaurant. Prices are reasonable and the vibe is laid-back. Dishes include pork with sweet basil, curry over rice, fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, and chicken with cashew nut.

3. Passionate Chiang Mai

Restaurant, Asian, Seafood

Chilli crab
© Dekcuf / Flickr

Passionate Chiang Mai is an Asian Fusion restaurant that specialises in Singaporean cuisine. There are many seafood dishes on the menu, such as chilli crab, pepper crab, claypot tofu with seafood, and steamed prawns with ginger. BBQ pork, chicken curry, stir-fried beef with basil, stir-fried vegetables, bak kut teh, and fried noodles are just a few other options that may tempt you.

5. Pink House Garden

Restaurant, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Thai

Tofu and brocoli salad
© Andrea Nguyen / Flickr

A fabulous Chiang Mai restaurant for vegans, vegetarians, and people with a gluten intolerance, Pink House Garden is a healthy eatery with an enticing menu. The restaurant serves mainly Thai fare, though you will also find a small selection of Western dishes too. Even meat eaters are sure to enjoy the fresh and flavourful tastes here, with dishes like tofu salad, pumpkin red curry, veggie massaman curry, mushroom coconut soup, and homemade tempeh. The vegan-friendly cakes are divine. Another big plus point is the relaxing and leafy garden.

6. Route 1 Bar & Grill

Restaurant, American

Steak and chips
© Katrin Gilger / Flickr

Route 1 Bar & Grill is a haven for meat lovers, with succulent steaks, juicy burgers, and mouth-watering lasagne. Fish and chips, chicken Parmesan, cheesy mussels, shrimp, and salads are also on the menu. Owned by a man from the USA, it’s a top place for some American fare in Chiang Mai. The restaurant has a good selection of beers, both Thai and imported, or you can chat over a colourful cocktail.

7. Toey Dimsum

Restaurant, Dim Sum

Dim sum
© Hisakazu Watanabe / Flickr

If you love dim sum you’ll be in seventh heaven at Toey Dimsum, a relatively new Chinese-Thai restaurant in Chiang Mai. A popular spot, it uses traditional recipes to produce tasty fried and steamed dumplings stuffed with a variety of fillings. Choices include spring rolls, pork bun, salmon roll, fish tofu, and prawn with bacon. There are several veggie-friendly options too. If you want a sweet treat after your meal, lotus seed in syrup, ginkgo, and caoguo are among the dessert choices.

8. Pulcinella da Stefano

Restaurant, Italian

Pasta
© Luca Nebuloni / Flickr

Pulcinella da Stefano is an Italian restaurant that uses a combination of fresh local produce and imported ingredients to bring Italy to the heart of the northern city. Of course, various types of pasta and pizza feature prominently on the extensive menu, and there are also salads, soups, risotto, seafood, and meat dishes like pepper steak, pork chop with red wine, and chicken in a creamy mushroom and wine sauce. Sip on a glass of wine as you soak up the ambience.

9. Ruen Tamarind

Restaurant, Thai

Ruen Tamarind is a fancy restaurant with a relaxed, cafe-like vibe. Located within the high-class Tamarind Village, the restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating; the outside tables sit alongside the pool. It serves an assortment of Thai dishes, including those from Northern Thailand, and encourages typical Thai communal dining. All dishes are served at the same time. There’s also a smaller selection of dishes from other Asian countries, and Western favourites like pasta. Chiang Mai spicy sausage, pork larb, chicken khao soi, som tam, duck red curry, and garlic teriyaki tuna are a few menu items to pick from.

10. Smiley Kitchen

Restaurant, Japanese

Japanese food
© Bong Grit / Flickr

Located in the Nimman area, Smiley Kitchen is a great mealtime option for fans of Japanese cuisine. A simple and homey family-run restaurant with authentic dishes, it attracts a large number of Japanese expats and tourists. The set meal options offer great value for money and there are several a la carte choices too. Portions are filling. From udon noodles, pork sukiyaki, and aubergine with miso sauce, to rice with fried prawns and bento, there’s plenty to tempt you.

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