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Chiang Mai, a city where people step over cracked sidewalks to get the food served under tin or rich roofs and atop folding tables or otherwise. Relatively reasonable by western standards, the splurges are easier to justify. North Thailand does not witness a lot of tourists landing or having a prolonged stay. It’s a pity though as the best of the palate savoury hides here.
To get the best of picture portfolio and taste bud satisfaction, consider Chiang Mai, 700 kilometres north of Bangkok, this destination has little food secrets yet to be explored through naked eyes and lens. Do I have your interest yet? Asks the North Thai.
FOOD VACAY! YAY
1. Upgrade Your Woo Style At ‘Woo Cafe’
Food and sight coma will strike as you enter this aesthetic locale. The air here is brew scented and the walls are florally adorned. Eat the best whilst watching the fine art gallery, a blend of Thai and western world. If wondering what you can have in this little eating house the options are vivid varying from bland to burning chilly.
Some must-try eats to eat are the salads, sausages, puffed rice and dried shrimps. These are just a few out of many delicacies, to top it all, you get to click the fancy crockery here as well. If good food is served well too then it is the icing on the cake.
Location: 80 Charoenraj Rd, T. Wat Ket, A. Muang, Chiang Mai
2. Escape Into ‘My Secret Cafe’
‘Eat, sleep, repeat’, a hideout made just for this. Imagine sleeping amidst the food, this cafe makes your fantasies come true. The best part is you don’t really need to make an effort to get your food. If up for cosy binging just hop on a daybed and eat or sip while you read.
Quite popular for its desserts primarily, this locale also has some short binging snacks. Grab a glass of fresh fruit juice or fill your plate with some healthy sandwiches. I suggest to make noodle curry as your evening snack and watch the dusk all subtly crisp.
Location: 175/12 Rachadamnoen Road Phra Sing subdistrict, Chiang Mai
3. Go Down Memory Lane At ‘Into The Woods’
This cafe reminds me of all the magical fiction Hollywood ever produced. Right from the closet of Narnia to latte art portraying Harry Potter thematic characters and Hogwarts of course, this cafe is straight out of the dreams. It would be fair to say that this cafe can send you to the memory lane and you will start missing your childhood.
The coffees here of all creeds and kinds shall leave you in a mind-boggling state, while the small cupcakes and sweet eats will melt you. The lattes are carved like nowhere else because the chef design and craft your milk and coffee so skillfully. Oh! The wifi password is a magical construction, for you to unravel.
Location: 191-193 Prapokklao Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai
4. Tame The Wild At ‘Jungle De Cafe’
Sip your latte whilst you bounce on the netty swinging seats. Good food at a rare sight is a catalyst accelerating your Bon Appetit! This is a manmade paradise with the view of a waterfall amidst two bridges that make the landscape a true beauty.
This view offers no mercy! Sounds more like a jungle camp? Well, this locale is indeed a blend of magnificent interior-exterior man-made delight, curated to give you the best. Apart from some exotic coffee creeds for caffeine hogs, the thrill seekers can opt for the jungle coaster or an adventure filled zipline tour. Sounds perky yet?
Location: Pong Yaeng Jungle Coaster Zipline Camp & Resort. Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
5. Gaze At The Global Antiques at ‘Daddy’s Antique Cafe’
When the father of cafe owner handpicks antiques from across the globe, one better be excited to witness the ambience. The menu here also shall make you excited and hunger will take a new form. Get set to devour everything written on a bright laminated piece of paper.
Here, the Thai will give you the best of Italian and americano delights. Apple cider chicken, truffle fries, french toast and triple trigger chocolate cheesecake are just a handful of savouries you can indulge into while looking for extravagant food in Chiang Mai.
Location: 45/8 Moo 1 Amphoe, Muang Chiang Mai
6. Enter into a Secret World of ‘Clay Studio Coffee’
The cobbled woods with fancy decor and wooden carvings dropped straight from heaven here, would be a justified perfect introduction. Often referred to as the traditional Thai cafe it has an old charm and modern lavish in a perfect mix.
What to hog on here? The crisp golden spring rolls, red, green curry and without fail, the desserts. Order and carry your food outside in the secret terracotta arts garden to make your experience worthwhile. If the sun is shining bright grab an iced coffee and soothes your core.
Location: 36 Pra Pok Klao Rd Soi 2, Tambon Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
7. Feel at home at ‘Rustic and Blue’
If regular breakfast in Chiang Mai is not good enough for your morning vibe, drop by at this locale and feel the hunger monster being happy! The fish and chips here are one of a kind. One dish you’d be a bit astonished to acknowledge is the mighty chicken waffle, eyebrows raised?
If not looking forward to stomach bloating with heaviness, opt for a gluten-free, vegan, organic bowl of granola and berries. What makes this cafe a hotspot is, its comfy aura which feels like home. However, the food you will be served is sure to be better! The aim is to make people feel that they are at a backyard bbq or in someone’s home kitchen.
Location: Nimmana Haeminda Road, Lane 7, Tambon Suthep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
8. Variety of roti at ‘Guu Fusion Roti & Tea’
Your native bread gets served here with vivid toppings and it is a sight you wouldn’t like to miss, would you? What you can choose from is whether to opt for the sweet top or a burning sour top. So, here the roti is taken to an all new level and I bet you’d forget the original. That’s what Chiang Mai locals do to the regular food, everything you think you have a taste for will turn the tables, usually in your favour.
Location: 15/4 Nimmana Haeminda Road, Lane 3, Tambon SuThep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
9. Fly high on food at ‘Bird’s Nest Cafe’
Name of this cafe probably gives you a hint about what this place might offer! However, your imagination will not be able to touch upon what this place really is. Nested in a tree, this cafe is a tree house. With the surroundings of dense jungle and forests, this place can soothe your soul. The herbal teas, soothing smoothies, and some traditional Thailand food are what you can be served here.
Play various board games whilst munching and crunching some grilled vegetables or sip pumpkin soup, dipping pita bread. The menu is vast other than what is mentioned for you to explore. While you wander off in the Foodland and choose your dish chariot, sip some aromatic brewed coffee to make a wise foodie decision.
Location: Sinharat Lane Soi 3, Chiang Mai
10. A Setup Right Out from the Disney Tales at ‘Chom Cafe and Restaurant’
PeterPan and Tinker Bell never failed to mesmerize us, same does this cafe. Looks much like a fairytale land, precisely a rich one! As the food served here is as gorgeous as its exterior and interior sight. What should you lay your hands on? The marine.
Do not miss out on any seafood which happens to be a sheer delight, to suggest a few, fried crisp fish and grilled fish are meant to be tasted. Other than this, you can opt for vivid salads, pasta and chicken wings. If not very hungry try the tarts and shakes. Don’t miss out the opportunity to take some amazing Insta worthy images at this picturesque cafe.
Location: 2/13, Somphot Chiang Mai
11. Good food over anything else at ‘The hideout’
Prioritising taste and service over fancy decor is an ethic on which this cafe is built on. Being ranked as one of the best places to grab some sandwiches and vivid salad delicacies this is more of a food rigid locale. What marks its presence among the best is its in house produced yoghurt which is worth trying. For the sweet tooth cravings, bagels and baguettes are two must eat.
Location: 95/10 Sithiwongse Rd, Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai
12. Amidst Greens, Find a White House at ‘Fern Forest Cafe’
A white house stands in the middle of green surroundings. Please ask for pancakes and crispy bacon, if asked what would you like to have. I bet you won’t only like it but shall be overwhelmed. If visiting the same in summers include beer as a part of your meal for gorgeous food time.
What else? The coconut savouries. Just in case you seek to be an offbeat foodie try the Thai coco dishes and do not forget the alfredo pasta. If health guilt strikes you, choose the welcoming salads.
Location: 54/1 Singharat Rd., Sriphum, Mueang, Chiang Mai
13. Magical fairy ambience at ‘Angel’s Secret Cafe’
A crafty locale, carved with appropriate fancy and comfy aura. Popular for its shakes, drinks and ice creams, it is a sweet delight. Hidden in a garden oasis its a perfect delicious locale with best fruity dishes. That’s not it as they host a vast menu on which the musts are the smoky salmon, Thai omelette and pastries to die for. The carrot cake and croissant sandwiches are considered as a hearty breakfast by the locals.
Location: 27 Mun Mueang Road Soi 5, Chiang Mai
14. ‘Nice Kitchen’, Well, it is Really Nice
Panang curry and coconut soup, a bomb combo! Just suggesting in case you haven’t tasted it yet, do so! Toasts are so boring, aren’t they? Well, the egg toast served here is not as it is topped with a lot, keep wondering and munch as you find yourself licking your fingers and smacking your lips.
The vivid cuisines which are a part of the A-la-carte are Thai, Western and Mexican all with a twist. Modern-style hole in the wall eatery serves up a plethora of ‘health’ options and the junky junk as well.
Location: 15/1 Moon Muang Soi 6, Chiang Mai
15. Take Coffee Seriously at ‘Graph Cafe’
Do not judge yet, for it has a coffee tap. A vintage blend of colours and artwork this is a distinctive coffee cafe designed for a good coffee day. This one hasn’t got much but the best of little. The in house cookies and nitro coffee tap make the visitors drool for caffeine. Just in case you are an Instagram junkie along with a good food lover, this locale is your right destination.
Location: Ratvithi Lane 1 Alley, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai
