Where to Eat in Chiang Mai in 2025: 5 Must-Try Restaurants, Street Food & Cafes
Written by Eloise Jones on June 30, 2025
Where to Eat in Chiang Mai in 2025: 5 Must-Try Restaurants, Street Food & Cafes
If Chiang Mai was a nothing town, utterly empty with nothing to do except walk and eat, I would still go back in a heartbeat.
Yes, the food really is that good.
We stayed in the ancient city for a fortnight, eating out most nights, and we didn’t have a single bad meal. In fact, we didn’t have a meal that was anything less than fantastic.
While finding great food in Chiang Mai isn’t exactly a challenge, choosing between all of the incredible restaurants, cafes, and street food stalls certainly is. Here are our top five must-try places to eat in Chiang Mai, perfect for your next foodie trip.
Pakorn’s - the best massaman curry in Chiang Mai (and perhaps all of Thailand)
If you only have time for one Chiang Mai dinner, you must, must, must make it Pakorn’s beef massaman curry.
No words can do justice to this flavour bomb of a dish. The whole spices are left swimming away in the coconutty broth alongside tender beef and potatoes that fall apart like they’ve been stewing away for days.
We ate Pakorn’s massaman three times during our two weeks in Chiang Mai, and my only regret is that we didn’t eat it more. The portions are huge, making this one of the best value meals in Chiang Mai. Have a look at the medium portion we shared, which was served in a bathtub and could've fed a small village:
This was 350 baht, roughly £7.82, working out at less than £4 per serve.
Location: 20 7 Sridonchai Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Menu highlight: The beef massaman (obviously)
Top tip: Consider sharing to save money, and don't forget to order rice on the side of your curries!
Order noodles, chicken fat - the best khao soi in Chiang Mai
If ‘hidden gem’ was in the dictionary, there’d be a picture of this place next to it, and you can read the full story of how we were lucky enough to stumble across it (and my love letter to their food) here.
We had our first taste of the Chiang Mai specialty khao soi here, and it did not disappoint. Whilst the vibe from the outside is unassuming and almost street-foody, the inside is warm and welcoming, full of friendly, local faces and just generally somewhere you know will serve up a great meal. A ‘grandma’s house’ kind of feel.
A generous portion of chicken khao soi costs just 80 baht or £1.80.
Location: เตี๋ยว สั่ง มันไก่, Chang Khlan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Menu highlight: Chicken khao soi (again, obviously).
Top tip: When the staff ask 'spicy?' make sure you know what you're letting yourself in for. Thai spicy and 'European spicy' (as the locals call it) are two very, very different things.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar - best street food variety
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is a must-visit for any street food lover. We were like kids in a candy shop.
We visited for a quick, casual meal on our first night and returned at least five times during our stay because the food was just that good and the atmosphere was that brilliant.
We’re huge advocates for any food-hall-type of situation, for two big reasons:
- We’re not restricted to eating the same cuisine as each other.
- They’re perfect places to grab mini bites of everything without overspending or overeating.
The variety at the night bazaar is unmatched, and be sure to grab a portion of the mango sticky rice. It's just 60 baht / £1.34 for a whole mango and a generous portion of sweet, coconutty rice. You can’t say fairer than that.
Location: 2 Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Menu highlight: Beef khao soi bao bun. Which genius combined those culinary delights?
Top tip: Go hungry. I mean ravenous. Go with the emptiest stomach you can muster because you really will want to try everything. Even the grilled water bugs.
Coconut shell - best spring rolls and picky bits
Yet another Chiang Mai favourite that we were lucky to experience on multiple occasions. The food is phenomenal. Perfectly seasoned and fragrant Thai fare, with curries served in cute, half-coconut shells.
We ordered some veritable feasts at Coconut Shell, including spring rolls, Thai red curry and basil-fried chicken.
They also offer a popular seven-course Thai cooking class, which we weren’t lucky enough to attend. But if the food is anything to go by, you’ll walk out with skills to rival that of Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij herself.
Location: 42/4 Ratchamanka Rd, Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Menu highlight: Stir-fried potatoes.
Top tip: They often sell discounted Muay Thai tickets in this place, so try popping in on a Monday or Wednesday night to try your luck.
Bella Goose - best Western food and best coffee in Chiang Mai
If you’re after delicious western food in Chiang Mai, look no further than the unrivalled Bella Goose.
We went craving a big, juicy sandwich, left with our bags full of delicious, fresh sweet treats, and would’ve returned for the coffee alone. Their coffee menu is extensive, featuring cold brews with various flavoured foams, but my personal highlight was their ‘dirty latte,’ which had all the spiced goodness of a chai and was made with double cream in place of milk. Indulgent, decadent and delicious.
It’s a fusion-style situation, with the flavours of Southeast Asia packed into a western-style sandwich. It’s a little pricier than other Chiang Mai eateries, as to be expected with western meals in much of Southeast Asia, but it’s worth considering for a treat meal if you’re after some good home comforts.
Location: Multiple, but we went to Bella Goose at the Hill, 169/4 Sridonchai Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
Menu highlight: Strawberry and white chocolate scone.
Top tip: Leave room for dessert. Their baked goods cabinet is unmatched.
Are there any standout food establishments we may have missed whilst we were in Chiang Mai? Let us know your favourites!
Catch you next time!
All our love
Eloise & Ramiro Xxx