10 Best Restaurants in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is a foodies paradise, with a wide range of restaurants to satisfy anyone. 

I’ll be honest before going Chiang Mai, the only Thai food i’ve had was Pad Thai and Thai Green Curry. Northern Thailand is jam packed full of culinary delights, from street food markets to fine dining restaurants. 

You’ll be able to enjoy traditional recipes as well as modern interpretations. 

During my last two trips to Chiang Mai, I’ve managed to enjoy a wide range of meals. 

We’ve put together a list of the 10 best restaurants in Chiang Mai. Many of these are ones that we’ve personally been to or ones that have been recommended to us by friends. 

You’ll find everything from authentic Khao Soi specialists, traditional Thai kitchens, international fusion spots and even rooftop bars with stunning views.

1) Nara Thai Cuisine

The last time we went to Chiang Mai, we went to Nara Thai Cuisine twice. Our first visit was on our first night, with a long day of travelling we didn’t have the energy to look around for a restaurant. Luckily this one was right next to our Chiang Mai hotel (U Nimman)

We loved it so much we decided to go on our last night to celebrate an amazing trip.

There is so much choice, I loved the sirloin steak and I could eat the crispy fried chicken in lime sauce all day long. 

Our son really likes pad Thai, they were more than happy to do him one with reduced spice. 

We had it with wine but the wine is imported in, so it is pretty expensive compared to a local drink. 

The restaurant does feel a little more upscale but its not stuffy and still very relaxed. 

When we went I thought it was just a standalone restaurant, but it turns out there are 26 of them in different locations. They must be doing something right! 

The location of Nara Thai in Chiang Mai is perfect. Right in the heart of Nimman, making it a popular choice for locals and tourists. 

If your looking for authentic Thai flavours but want more of a fine dining experience, this is certainly one that I would recommend.

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2) The House By Ginger

We were having a walk through old town looking for a nice place to eat and we found The House By Ginger. It stood out straight away with how busy it was. Obviously a good sign that the food was nice. 

It is certainly a must try when you eat in Chiang Mai, they take their food very seriously.

Everything’s made fresh, and the difference is obvious.

There are several seating areas for you to be able to enjoy your meal. The indoor dining area feels cozy and a little more intimate. Whilst the outdoor terrace is a great way to enjoy your meal and people watch as they go about their evening. I love a bit of people watching!  

If you want something a little more relaxed but still enjoy upscale dining, you can also eat in the lounge area. 

It can be tough to know what to go for, even more so if your new to Thailand. The Chiang Mai Platter would be a great choice. It introduces you to Northern Thai food, with small portions of different dishes.

The vegetables were clearly fresh, apparently from their own Ginger Farm.

A few dishes stood out to me. First of all the Khao Soi. It had a rich broth that had so much flavour to it, you can tell they put a lot of time into making it. 

I’d recommend the slow-cooked pork in tamarind sauce, talk about great flavours. You got a tangy but sweet balance which worked well with the pork. Talking about the meat it was so tender, it just fell apart.

The House by Ginger has a great atmosphere, candlelight, colonial architecture and comfortable seating. It feels upscale but is no pretentious. 

It is a bit pricier than local street food stalls, but the quality of the food is well worth paying the extra. 

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3) Lumi Restaurant & Arise Rooftop Bar

I went to Arise Rooftop bar back in 2018 when I went to Chiang Mai for work. In 2024 I wanted to take Rach and our son, as the rooftop gives amazing views of the city. Its the perfect place to cocktails.

We spotted the Lumi restaurant and had to come back the next night to give it a try. 

The atmosphere feels intimate but thanks to the lighting and the layout, its cozy but not overwhelming. 

Staff were friendly, attentive but not pushy at all. 

Food rise, this place really shines. A unique combination of Thai and Italian. 

I started with the bruschetta and this tasted perfect, fresh and full of flavour. 

Next I went for the beef fillet. It had been awhile since I had a good steak and I am so glad I did. The meat was cooked perfectly, you could tell it was mad from high-end ingredients. 

Rach went for the ribeye steak, this came with rosemary parmesan fries. I had to steal a couple and they were outstanding. 

I’d recommend giving the Kao Tom a try. It seems faily simple to make but it had so much flavour.

The Lava cake was also incredible!

As well as an extensive food menu, the drinks menu is just as good. A nice selection of classic cocktails but also some Thai-inspired creations. 

Whether your staying in the hotel or not, Lumi restaurant is a must visit. 

Don’t forget to also head up to the Arise rooftop bar for a couple of drinks. Perfect way to unwind after a day exploring the city.

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4) Jarid Thai Food & Fine Wines

We discovered Jarid completely by accident while exploring Chiang Mai’s quieter streets. It’s tucked away on a small road in the Nimman area, easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

I have to say, the meal was exceptional. 

Rach and I ordered the coconut chicken curry and cashew chicken stir-fy. 

The coconut curry was creamy and aromatic and the cashew stir-fry really hit the mark. We had some jasmine rice and pineapple fried rice on the side. It was the first time I’ve had pineapple fried rice and it wont be the last, oh my god it was soo tasty!

Little dude had the grilled pork and chicken skewers, these looked really nice. He also had a smoothie, I tried some and it tasted incredible. Not too sweet but felt super fresh. 

They specialise in wine, so we had to try a few different glasses. 

I’ll be honest it’s a bit more expensive then many of the typical Chiang Mai restaurants, but it is high quality. 

The flavours are authentic and it was very well balanced. 

I can see why Jarid is so popular, it respects traditional Thai cuisine. 

The northern Thai influences feel genuine, and the wine pairings show real thought.

It’s become our top recommendation for anyone wanting quality Thai food without the pretentiousness that sometimes comes with upscale dining.

After dinner, we wandered into a little side street just past the restaurant where street vendors were set up.

There was live music playing and cartoons projected on a wall, which our son absolutely loved.

It was the perfect end to the evening and made the whole experience memorable.

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5) Bodhi Terrace

I’ve never had Khao Soi chicken before, before coming to Thailand I’d always stick with a Pad Thai.

This was until I tried this at Bodhi Terrace, in fact I was talking to the table next to us and they said its the best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai. Bold claim but it did taste pretty incredible. 

The rich curry base, tender chicken with crispy toppings and the picked cabbage. It just tastes fantastic.

Our son had the Pad Thai, this seems to be his go to in Chiang Mai…

He finished his meal with Mango sticky rice, which he loved. I think I might have to learn how to make this for when we’re at home. 

Rach went for the fried Crab starter with the Moo Hong (Slow-braised pork belly), she said it just melted in her mouth. 

All ingredients where fresh, in fact we were told that the pork belly comes straight from Phuket. 

Its unusually to see at home but the restaurant opens up early morning until late in the evening. If you were looking for somewhere for breakfast, this might be a good shout. 

We didnt have breakfast but they had a buffet with tropical fruits and eggs however you want them. Even though we didnt have breakfast, its one I’ll certainly try next time we come. 

One of the highlights of this restaurant is the setting. Its on the riverside, which is just beautiful and is great just watching the world go by. 

This place showcases genuine Thai regional cuisine you won’t find everywhere, with a riverside location that makes every meal feel special.

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6) The Service at 1921 House

If you like unique restaurants right on the river then this one is perfect for you. The Service at 1921 is tucked away upstairs an old mansion. 

Which was actually the old British Consulate, so a lot of colonial designs from dark wood to large balconies looking across at the Ping River. 

This is one of the most memorable dining spots and well worth checking our when you visit Chiang Mai.

The feel of this place is great, its not stuffy but at the same time its a great place to go with you want a “fancy” meal.

What I mean by that is somewhere you can go “out-out” and get dressed up. You’d go smart-casual, so jeans and a shirt are fine, just no shorts or sandals.

It feels like stepping back in time, but with a Wagyu steak on your plate and a few nice cocktails.

I’ve eaten at some decent places but I have to say the food was a real standout. I went for the steak and it was cooked perfectly, it had a great crust to it and tons of flavour. 

Rach went for the Porcini ravioli, which she was very tasty, I got some triple cooked chips on the side. I dont want to be the typical british tourist and have chips but it had been awhile and I was after some proper comfort food. They went down a treat! 

For dessert imagine a chocolate fondant and yuzu sorbet, so good! Now im not a chocolate person but the refreshing sorbet really helped balance the flavours. 

If you’re looking for a dining experience that combines atmosphere, history, and seriously good food, 1921 is absolutely worth booking. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

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7) Dash! Restaurant and Bar

Now I’ll be open and honest, we didnt go to Dash but a few people I knew in Chiang Mai that where visiting for work with me went. They loved it so much, they told me I had to add it to this list. 

The restaurant is on MoonMuang Road which is located in the Old City.

I do remember seeing this place on our explorations around Old City. Straight away you spot the traditional architecture and the garden patio looked perfect for a few evening drinks. 

The friends of mine that went commented on how the restaurant put a spin on classic northern Thai dishes, but still kept them authentic. A couple of dishes they had was the curry fish, Khao Soi, beef massaman and Pineapple rice.

They raved about how everything was packed with flavour but not overpowering with spice.  

One of my friends said it was so good and the service was so friendly that they went the next day as well. 

It’s the kind of restaurant that works whether you’re looking for a casual meal or something more special, and the focus on fresh, local ingredients really comes through in every bite. 

This place has definitely earned a spot on my list of the best Chiang Mai restaurants – the combination of exceptional food, thoughtful service, and that incredible setting makes it truly memorable.

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8) Pakorn’s Kitchen

Pakorn’s Kitchen is tucked away on Sridonchai Road, which is in the Chang Khlan area.

Perfect for if your staying in a hotel in this neighborhood.

From the moment you walk in, it feels cozy. As though your stepping into someone’s home, instead of a typical tourist restaurant. 

It has such as welcoming atmosphere and the staff are super friendly. 

We did have to wait 20 minutes for a table (the place was packed with locals, which we took as a promising sign), but watching the kitchen work while we waited was great!

The staff were incredibly patient with our son’s questions about the food and took time to walk us through the menu.

Their English was good enough that we never felt lost, and they seemed genuinely excited to share their dishes with us.

When the food arrived, we understood why locals keep coming back. I ordered the Massaman curry, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best I’ve had.

The complexity of flavors – sweet, savory, with unexpected bursts from whole star anise and black cardamom pods – paired beautifully with the perfectly steamed rice.

My wife went for the Tom Yum Kung with prawns, and after one spoonful, she said she’s found a new go to dish here in Thailand.

The balance of sour, spicy, and aromatic was absolutely spot-on.

But the real showstopper was the pork shank my son surprisingly chose (and devoured). Tender, flavorful, and clearly prepared with the kind of care you don’t often find in tourist areas.

Even our usually picky eater couldn’t stop talking about it.

What struck us most was how this felt like genuine Thai home cooking rather than the watered-down versions you often get in more touristy spots.

The generous portions, the authentic flavors, and the fact that we were surrounded by Thai families enjoying their evening meal made this dinner feel like a real cultural experience rather than just another restaurant visit.

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9) Adirak Pizza

Okay I feel really guilty about this one, my son wanted a break from authentic Thai cuisine. He had done very well trying the different spices but I think he wanted something a bit more familiar, which is why we tried Adirak Pizza.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting much but was I wrong.

The pizza quality was great, in fact some of the best pizza I’ve had. I’m not easily impressed, my wife would tell me i’m a bit of a pizza snob. 

The dough had this perfect texture that wasn’t too thin or thick, and you could tell they weren’t cutting corners with their ingredients.

I went for the Italian sausage, Rach went for the Ham & Mushroom. We went half and half and both pizza’s tasted great! They’re cooked in a wood fired pizza oven and they were cooked to perfection.

Our son went for the pepperoni and he demolished every single slice, I didn’t even manage to steal any. 

This was a surprise as he doesn’t usually like the cheese on pizza but no complaints from him on this one. 

If your looking for a relaxed and unpretentious place then this one is perfect. Ideal for when you’ve been walking around all day and you just want to relax a little. 

What struck me most was watching the kitchen work. These guys clearly know their craft inside and out. You can see the care they put into each pizza, from stretching the dough to how they layer the toppings.

It’s that attention to detail that probably explains why locals seem to love this place just as much as tourists do.

Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not even looking for them.

Adirak Pizza turned out to be exactly the comfort food break our family needed during our Chiang Mai adventure.

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10) Alice’s Restaurant

The last restaurant in our list of best food in Chiang mai is Alice’s Restaurant. 

Alices Restaurant is located in Chang Khlan, which is one of the best places to stay in Chiang mai. We were told this place is great for families since they have a diverse menu. Perfect for our 8 year old son, as he can be a little picky at times. 

Now I’m not a big listener to Jazz music but the moment we walked in some was playing and it was so relaxing. 

The whole place just had an amazing atmosphere that felted relax and welcoming. 

Staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and quick to help with anything we needed.

My wife and I shared the curry seafood platter, which was incredibly fresh, while our son dove into what might have been the most enormous pad Thai I’ve ever seen – the portion sizes here are definitely generous enough for sharing! 

Alice’s Restaurant blended Thai food with Japanese sushi rolls and it works so well. 

Their signature crab seafood dish is definitely worth ordering if you’re a seafood lover.

We ended our meal with the mango sticky rice, which was the perfect sweet finish. Our son had this earlier in the week, as soon as he saw it on the menu again he had to have it.

Alice’s Restaurant has clearly built up quite the local following over the years, and after our visit, we completely understand why. Whether you’re traveling with family or looking for a spot that can satisfy different tastes, this place delivers on both food quality and atmosphere.