Chiang Mai is Thailand. The city is being tested with hip coffee shops, heartfelt locals, beautiful scenery and affordable food.
The population is 130,000, and although it has a small town with a charming Southeast Asian town, it did not feel touristy or crowded. The old town is a small part of the town, but there are all of these walls that once existed in Chiang Mai. Staying in this area means that the city’s culture is at your gateway, where you can walk between the attractions and get lost in the magic of the town.
Guide to Chiang Mai
Where to eat and drink
Cool Muang Coffee
Located on the edge of the old town, this hipster coffee shop has great songs and is a quaint place to chill with a wealth of bevvy in your hands.
81 First Road
Graph Cafe
With quirky coffee blends like Rosewater & Cold Brew, the drinks here are genuine works of art. The space is small, so start a conversation with your barista and the people sitting next to you and enjoy the joy of this little gem.
25/1 Rajvithi Lane
Coffee is overstopping in old town
Set in a remodeled shophouse and head for breakfast, lunch and great Joe Cups. We close at 3pm, so get in early!
19/3, Ratchamanka Road Soi 2
kwink
Located under a small, small alleyway away from the bustle of the main road, Kanjana is a local place serving fresh Thai cuisine. Try brown rice, green curry and pineapple curry with padded rice. The EW and Green Papaya Salad are all fresh and flavorful. Be sure to bring cash!
7/1 RACHADAMNOEN RD SOI 5
Farm house
Next to Kanjana is the Farm Story House, a cafe and restaurant, which had the best mango sticky rice I have tried in Chiang Mai. They have great coffee and their cozy environment is a quiet place to spend the afternoon in the shade.
7 AUGOMNONE ROAD SOI 5
Pink House Garden
A freeho-free vegan and gluten-free restaurant with a relaxed outdoor environment just outside the walls of the old town.
19 I’m in Lai 2 Alley
Khao Soi Arak
This local dish that serves this one item is born in Chiang Mai and is a noodle soup that combines two different noodles, flat wheat noodles and crispy fried noodles. The sauce is spicy coconut curry, traditionally served with lime, chili paste, shallots and cabbage.
Ark 7 Alley, Tambong Science
Amrita Garden
Hidden in the southeast corner of the old town, Amrita Garden is a gluten-free, vegan cafe where you can get cheap, healthy lunches and innocent raw desserts and coffee. Their menu is unique and filled with fresh ingredients.
2/1 Samran Road Ringing 5
Free bird cafe
One of the kind cafes for health Vegan eatingthe free bird is a 100% Social Enterprise Restaurants and their benefits all help support learning centres for refugees from Burma. Not only will they provide better food for you and the planet, they will also provide work hospitality training for adult students, giving back to their community through the food they make.
116 Mannaparat Rd
Bodhi Tree Cafe
Rustic wooden environment with outdoor seating and fresh dishes such as papaya salad, tofu, vegetable curry, raw dishes, and superfood smoothies.
11 RACHADAMNOEN RD SOI 5
Cat Shack Cafe
One of my favourite places in the old city is that you can cool off at home made with affordable healthy plates.
6/2 Ratvithi Rd Lane 1
A place to relax
Green bamboo massage
A quaint place for cheap and casual massage treatments!
Moon Muang Road, 1 lane 1
Chinola massage
The Chinola is a modern small location near the walking market and is perfect for small locations for quick massages or reflexology.
179 Ratchamanka Rd
Far Randy
Stepping into the Far Runna is like stepping into a tropical Narnia hidden behind a wooden door. You’ll find this lush spa.
Wiley
What should I look at?
Wat Chedi Ruang
Built between 1385 and 1402, this stunning temple is located in the heart of the old town and is a Buddhist temple believed to protect the city. The impressive construction is definitely worth a visit, especially at sunset!
103 Road King Prajadhipok Phra Singh
Temple
There are beautiful temples at bent corners in the old city, and the best way to see them is to spend a quiet morning just walking down the streets and alleys and finding them. You can pick up fresh mango or papaya juice and pick it up at one of the many juice stands and cafes around town.
Sunday Walking Market
Also known as Walking Street, Chiang Mai’s weekend night markets close the streets, allowing you to freely wander through the food carts of shops and food stalls. The atmosphere is relaxed, but quite crowded, so I recommend going just before sunset before all the crowds leave. Here you will find everything from food, clothing and accessories to vintage food stalls and souvenirs, so bring cash towards here on an empty stomach!
Starting with Tha Phae Gate along the full length of Ratchadamnoen Road
Muang Mai Markets
A huge outdoor wholesale market with fresh fruits, vegetables and meat, this is where you can see the fresh produce available from the area and a glimpse of local life here in Chiang Mai. The aromas of curry paste, herbs and spices fill the air, and colorful produce is piled up on the stole table. The market is open at noon and is open until 11pm every day.
