Dining in Chiang Mai

Local Cuisine

The cuisine in Chang Mai is distinctly different from most of Thailand due to the strong Burmese and Chinese influences in this region.  The traditional culinary style of Northern Thailand is called lanna cooking and includes surprisingly sweet fish and meat curries meant to be savored with the staple bowl of rice.  Curries are milder here than is typical of Thai food, and you will find eating habits here that are specific to this part of the country.  Exclusive to Chiang Mai, for instance is the khan toke dinner – an evening of enchanting dance performances and traditional cultural entertainment enjoyed while sharing a variety of dishes served on low teak tables at floor level.  Many of these khan toke venues are located in sumptuously decorated pavilions in the suburbs and are a must on every tourist’s itinerary.  The traditional Khao Sai, a yellow chicken and noodle broth is easily the most popular dish among Chiang Mai folks, and there are a number of street carts in the Fa Ham area that whip up the delicacy for barely 50 cents a bowl.  The bustling shopping areas of Anusarn Market and Somphet Market are chockfull of pavement eateries; perfect for a little fried banana snack, or a fiery pick-me-up of roasted sausages with fresh chilies.  Exhausted shoppers doing the customary rounds of the Night Bazaar will find plenty of cheap snacking and dining options in the neighborhood.  

For the International Palate

For the homesick visitor, Chiang Mai has an excellent selection of restaurants that feature French, Italian, Vietnamese, Mexican, and Indian culinary favorites on the menu.  From English style fish-and-chip shops to steak houses to five star coffee bars to ambience-laden riverside dining experiences, there is a staggering range of choices for the discerning foreign visitor.  Some cafes and bakeries serve as meeting points where tourists can enjoy hearty Thai or Western meals, swap stories, and throw back a couple of cold beers.  A relatively new Chiang Mai culinary phenomenon is the emergence of trendy coffee shops that offer continental and American-style breakfasts, complete with cereal and a choice of delicious fresh fruit.