Restaurants in Chiang Mai

This riverside restaurant is owned by a famous northern Thai folk singer and hosts live shows every evening except Sundays. Appropriately, the menu includes plenty of northern Thai specialities including gang hung lay (a meaty curry made with pork belly), sai oua (spicy sausage) and various chilli dips served with steamed vegetables and pork crackling. It's a romantic spot (good for special occasions) that entices an even mix of locals and Westerners. Vegetarian dishes are also available.

With two locations situated across the street from each other along the Mae Ping River, The Riverside is a long time favourite that's popular with locals, expats and tourists alike, thanks to its good food, decent drinks and jovial atmosphere. It's best to order several plates to share before sticking around to listen to the live cover bands that play every night. Reservations recommended.

Part of the Anantara Resort Hotel, this elegant restaurant is set in a teak villa which was once the British Consulate. Themed around a fictitious reimagining of the consulate as the HQ of British secret intelligence in the 1920s, the restaurant's menu serves pan-Asian fare either in communal dining areas or a private dining room accessed through a secret entrance. Afternoon tea is served on the wrap-around terrace.

It may take you a couple tries to find this charming restaurant, tucked away in a mess of little sois (alleys) in Chiang Mai’s old city, but it will be well worth it. Located in a traditional Thai two-story wooden house, Dash! offers traditional Thai dishes, including green curry and spring rolls, in a beautiful and intimate atmosphere. Guests can dine in the house or sit outside in the garden. Live music performances often take place.

At Free Bird Café, on the north side of the moat, you can eat for a cause. Run by Thai Freedom House, all proceeds go toward a non-profit, non-government organisation which operates a community language and arts learning centre for Burmese refugees. The café serves a range of organic vegan and vegetarian food with a sweet spot for Burmese dishes, such as green tea leaf salad and yellow Shan noodles. It's also a great place for breakfast, with many Western options.

Good food and great prices mean this sushi bar is always buzzing. While the restaurant serves other Japanese dishes such as chicken katsu (breaded chicken) and bowls of udon (Japanese noodles), it’s better to stick with the fresh sashimi and delicious handmade rolls. Traditional salmon and tuna sashimi are always favourites here. Snag a seat out front so you can watch the master chefs at work.

Every evening, starting around 1700, Chiang Mai Gate is taken over with street stalls, food carts and tantalising tastes. Here you'll find made-to-order stir fries and noodle soups, fresh fruit shakes, hot curries bagged up to go and whole grilled fish just waiting to be devoured. Most carts have tables set up for seating and don't mind if you buy and bring food from different stalls, just don't linger too long if there are other people waiting to sit down.

There aren’t many places in town that do a decent Western-style breakfast, but luckily Good Morning Chiang Mai does. A favourite among expats, the funky restaurant set in a small guesthouse serves basic Thai dishes like phad thai, along with excellent breakfasts (including omelettes, pancakes, fruit salad and French toast), sandwiches and burgers. A great place for groups, diners can enjoy a range of coffee, tea and fruit shakes, while sitting in the comfortable garden or inside the quirky wooden house.

Chiang Mai is home to many vegetarian and vegan restaurants, but this inviting garden spot, located at the Wat Suan Dok temple complex, is one of the best. Dishes range from Thai curries and stir-fried dishes to inventive fresh salads and desserts. Ingredients for the meals are sourced from a local organic farm and sustainable living centre. Be sure to try one of their refreshing herbal teas or fortifying fruit shakes. Pun Pun also has two other restaurants and markets around town.