Chiang Mai is a city of misty mountains, golden temples and slow, steady rhythms… but its food scene is anything but quiet. Northern Thailand’s former Lanna capital is a melting pot of Thai, Burmese, Shan and Yunnanese influences, producing some of the country’s most distinctive dishes. From fragrant street stalls to contemporary cafés and rustic countryside kitchens, Chiang Mai is a culinary journey waiting to unfold. Here’s how to discover its many flavours.
Start with the classics: Chiang Mai’s signature dishes
The quickest introduction to the region’s cuisine begins with its most iconic plates, including:
- Khao Soi: No dish is more synonymous with Chiang Mai than khao soi, a coconut-curried noodle soup topped with crunchy fried noodles. Try it at Khao Soi Mae Sai, Khao Soi Khun Yai, or the long-running Khao Soi Islam.
- Sai Ua: This herb-packed grilled pork sausage, bright with lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime, can be found at morning markets and roadside stalls throughout the city.
- Nam Prik Ong & Nam Prik Noom: Two essential Northern Thai chilli dips: one tomato-based and mellow, the other verdant and fiery. They’re usually served with pork crackling and fresh vegetables.
- Gaeng Hang Lay: A Burmese-influenced curry rich with ginger, garlic, tamarind and melt-in-the-mouth pork belly.
Explore Chiang Mai’s markets
Markets are the heartbeat of the city, and some of the best eating takes place while wandering through them, bowl in hand.
- Warorot Market (Kad Luang): A bustling local hub offering everything from curry pastes and spices to freshly grilled sai ua. Great for trying snacks like kanom jeen nam ngiao and stocking up on edible souvenirs.
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- Chang Phuak Night Market: Popular with locals and backpackers alike, this night market is famous for the Cowboy Hat Lady, who’s known for her tender, smoky khao kha moo (braised pork leg on rice).
- Sunday Walking Street (Tha Pae): More than just handicrafts: look for stalls serving grilled skewers, banana roti, mango sticky rice, and artisanal teas.
Eat like a local in the backstreets
Chiang Mai’s best surprises often hide in its quiet neighbourhoods, including:
- Nimmanhaemin: The city’s trendiest district, brimming with noodle shops, dessert cafés and fusion bistros blending Northern Thai ingredients with global influences.
- Santitham: A calmer area with family-run eateries specialising in rice curries, chicken rice and home-style soups.
- Wat Ket: Known for leafy cafés and riverside restaurants serving contemporary Northern Thai dishes in beautifully restored homes.
The coffee capital of Thailand
Chiang Mai sits at the heart of Thailand’s coffee-growing region, and its café culture is exceptional. From hip third-wave roasters to minimalist Japanese-style brewers, you’ll find some of the country’s best beans.
Top spots include Ristr8to, Graph Coffee, Akha Ama, and Gateway Coffee Roasters—perfect for pairing cold brew with a slice of pandan cake or coconut cheesecake.
Head into the hills for farm-to-table experiences
The countryside around Chiang Mai is dotted with organic farms, hill-tribe villages and serene resorts where food is crafted with homegrown ingredients.
Destinations like Mae Rim, Doi Saket, and Mon Cham offer restaurants serving seasonal produce, grilled river fish, sticky rice cooked in bamboo, and herbal dishes rooted in local traditions.
Taste Chiang Mai’s sweet side
Chiang Mai isn’t all savoury intensity – the city’s dessert cafés also shine, offering modern twists like matcha soufflés, Thai-tea tiramisu and pandan-infused pastries. Look out for:
- Khanom krok – coconut rice pancakes cooked in a cast-iron pan
- Young coconut ice cream – often served in a halved coconut with peanuts and sweet rice
- Thai tea cakes, bua loy (warm coconut dumplings), and mango sticky rice during peak season
Chiang Mai’s culinary scene is layered, soulful and endlessly varied. The flavours on display here tell stories of migration, mountains, markets and centuries-old Lanna heritage, and each bite brings you closer to the essence of Northern Thailand. For curious travellers and passionate eaters, Chiang Mai is a delicious adventure, waiting to be savoured.
