The 10 Best Restaurants In Chiang Rai Thailand

Chiang Rai is the largest city in Northern Thailand. It has a rich history and has developed its own unique culture. Chiang Rai offers authentic Lanna food (Northern Thai food), which is slightly influenced by Yunnan cuisine. Here’s our favorite restaurants to experience the local culture in this spectacular Thai city.

Ran Lab Sanam Keela

Ran Lab Sanam Keela takes you on a journey through authentic Lanna food. This is one of the most well known restaurants in Chiang Rai. Although the menu offers only a few dishes, all of them are irresistible delicacies that reflect the traditional dining culture of the area. The Yang Ruam is particularly recommended. It is made up of grilled pork, including meat, intestine, and liver and tastes delicious dipped in the house soy sauce. Pla tabtim tod kratiem, Tom sab moo and Jeen Neung are also worth a try.

Ja Jaroenchai

Restaurant, Thai

This restaurant is found at the corner of the Sanambin Road in Mueang District and serves the best Thai stir fried food. Gai ban tom sab (boiled chicken) is among the most popular dishes. The chicken is boiled with soybean sauce and tastes tender and smooth. Pad yod on tandawan moo is pork belly with a perfect complement of sunflower sprouts and is delicious with a bowl of rice.

Moommai Restaurant

Restaurant, Asian, Thai

Moommai Restaurant is the best restaurant to experience traditional Thai food. The venue is characterized by a traditional, garden-like presentation of tropical interior design, with ceramic dolls, wooden figures and toys. The staff are dressed in traditional Thai clothes and the restaurant has live folk music at night. The food is beautifully prepared and showcases Lanna cuisine and Chinese influenced dishes, like crispy Catfish with mango salad is one of signature dishes.

Jatujak Gallery and Restaurant

Jatujak Gallery and Restaurant exudes elegance in every detail, particularly the decorations, which are in a vintage art gallery style. The chef here updates the traditional local cuisine by giving it a modern twist and the seafood rice and coconut drinks are the most popular options. The ambiance is welcoming, with mood lighting that makes it cozy and comfortable.

541/8 Phaholyothin Road ,Rop Wiang Subdistrict, Chiang Rai57000, Thailand, +66 53601380

Im Pochana

Im Pochana is situated in Mae Salong, a village which houses many Yunnanese Chinese migrants. The local culture is reflected in the menu and you can find authentic Yunnan cuisine, which is on par with what you would find in Yunnan. Moo Khua Yunnan is a great option for the pork lover; roasted pork with green onions and garlic. Pad mee Yunnan, stir fried noodle with eggs, vegetables and chicken, is another great choice.

Provincial Highway 1089, Mae Fa Luang, Chiang Rai, Thailand, +66 896375290

Roti Pa Yai

In Chiang Rai, there is a small muslim community area on the east side of the city, called Muaeng. Roti Pa Yai serves the most authentic Muslim halal food. The restaurant is decorated in typical country style of Chiang Rai. Roti mataba gai, a chicken stuffed roti, is a must try dish. A Muslim wrap with minced chicken and mataba, it is perfect dipped in the chunky sauce. In addition, you can order Gaeng gari gai, a chicken yellow curry dressing beautifully prepared with coconut milk and yellow curry powder.

Thanon Nasanamkila, Rimkok, Muaeng Chiang Rai, Thailand, +66 89636 1240

Lu Lam Restaurant

Restaurant, Thai, Chinese

Located near the Amarin Resort, Lu Lam provides a Northern Thai dining experience with a riverside view. A lot of the dishes are not on the English menu, so make sure you ask the English speaking staff for their recommendations. Gaeng hanglay is the most popular dish in Northern Thailand, a beef stew with curry of the day. Gaeng hanglay in Lu Lam is soupier and more balanced than other restaurants and makes a great lunch while enjoying the view from the beautiful riverside setting.

Nam Ngiaw Mawdin Pa

If you want to taste the best nam ngiaw, Nam Ngiaw Mawdin Pa is the best place to be. Nam ngiaw is the most beloved dish of locals. It is made with a tomato base, mixed with dry roasted chilies, pork bones, and a cube of congealed blood, usually served with noodles. There are many variations of nam ngiaw, but the version made from Nam Ngiaw Mawdin Pa is the most popular among patrons.

Thanon Pa Khun, Robwiang, Muang Chiang Rai, Chiang Rai 57000, +66 895667672

Chiang Rai Night Market

Market

The Chiang Rai Night Market serves the most authentic Thai Hot Pot. It attracts many locals and tourists every night. Thai hot pot is quite similar to a Chinese hot pot but in a smaller pot. You simply have to grab a basket of a mix of raw chicken, egg, noodles and vegetables. Then you can put everything inside the hot pot. There are also some shows for your entertainment and locals might even sing along, creative a fascinating and unforgettable experience.

Melt In Your Mouth Chiangrai

Cafe, Restaurant, Dessert Shop, European, Thai, Dessert

Situated near Ko Lo Public Park, Melt in your mouth chiangrai is a coffee shop which serves handmade cakes, desserts, coffee and tea. French windows with white walls and a small green garden produces an elegant ambience. The dishes are made from recipes from the owner’s grandmother. Melt grilled pork is probably the most popular dish, followed by a Cream Cheese Mango.

About the author

Billy Poon

Born and raised in multicultural Hong Kong, Billy has learnt to appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity from a very young age. He is enthusiastic about travelling and deems every travel experience as a new way of looking at the world. Inspired by the simplicity of life, he is very interested in Scandinavian cultures and lifestyles. Billy is currently an undergraduate in The University of Hong Kong, majoring in English Studies and Geography. His training background has provided him the repertoire for travelogue writing, and the Culture Trip is a platform for him share his adventures with other world travellers .