In Chiang Mai, there’s no shortage of good cafes. One of the reasons for that is the presence of a diverse community. You’ll find many expats, tourists and university students in almost every corner of the city.
Also at these cafes, everyone is super friendly, including the staff and the customers too! It’s easy to start conversations even if you’re a solo traveler.
In this list, I’m going to share 11 cafes that you should check out if you’re in Chiang Mai!
1. Food4Thought Cafe
This place has good food and also serves as a nice co-working station. You’ll find many people having food as they work on their laptops. I went here for a community meetup and really enjoyed my experience.
The ambiance is good and the staff is polite.
The location is off the main road, so you might have to walk for a little if you’re on foot. But you can easily access the cafe via car or bike.
Budget for 1: 200-500 bath.
They serve Western breakfast like omelets, some Thai dishes as well Thai craft beer and others.
You’ll most meet digital nomads, engaged in one or another in an online business.
Location: Food 4 Thought, Sudjai Alley near Chonprathan Road, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
2. The Salad Concept
This cafe specializes in salads and Breakfast food. Almost every dish they serve comes with a salad, and they have a lot of salad types!
Try the omelets and chicken dishes here. The food quality is good and the staff is polite! Your order is served within 15-20 minutes.
This cafe is located off the Nimmanhaemin main road, opposite the famous Hillside Condo street. And because it’s near the Hillside where many farangs stay, it’s very convenient to reach.
This is also why you’ll find many farangs in this cafe.
The inner side of the cafe is spaced out well, with enough walking space between the tables. And it had a wooden interior, which gives it a very modern look.
Budget for 1: 150-300 Bath. This should be enough for a filling meal.
Location: Nimmana Haeminda Road, Opposite Hillside Condo 2, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300.
3. Bella Goose Cafe at the Hill
This is a great place to have breakfast or brunch with some Thai or Western cuisine. And the ambiance is even better with spotless and clean decor.
They understand English here and you can expect to see both farangs and locals.
Also, this place is not on a hill. Rather, it’s in the southeast of the Old city near the infamous Loi Kroh road.
Budget for 1: 200-500 Bath
Location: 169/4 Sridonchai Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100
4. Warm-up Cafe
Many come to Nimmanhaeim because of this bar. And over the years, this bar has developed the reputation for being ‘the best place for nightlife in Chiang Mai’.
But I’d say that’s only half true and depends on what you’re after.
If you’re with a Thai friend or a group of 3-5 people, then this place is great! There’s live music to enjoy with some good and surprisingly cheap food (not drinks!).
You’ll mostly see younger locals and university students at this bar. Rarely do you see farangs. And because of this, the staff also isn’t so well-versed with the English language.
If you’re alone or are looking to meet with other farangs, you have much better options. They didn’t have a dance floor too, which sadly was surprising given the name they had made for themselves.
Keep in mind that to enter the bar, you need:
- Your ID (A digital passport copy is also accepted)
- Covid Test before you enter for 60 Bath
Once you take the take, you must wait a few minutes before you’re stamped to go in.
Budget for 1: 300 Bath and above
If you only have food here, your budget will be on the lower end, maybe even below 300 Bath. And for drinks, the sky is the limit (literally!).
5. Cafe Amazon
This is a chain of coffee houses you can find in Thailand, similar to what Starbucks is in the world and what Cafe Coffee Day is in India.
Since this is a coffee house, you get some nice lattes and cappuccinos here along with other snacks and desserts like pastries. This also means the crowd you’ll see here is most likely going to be the local university students.
I went to the Cafe Amazon near Nimmanhaemin main road. It’s located a little inside one of the buildings on this road. But because it’s a chain, you can find on such cafe near your place.
The cafe itself is clean and well-maintained, though the space is small.
Budget for 1: 35-150 Bath.
Bottom line: If your Thai date likes coffee, this is the ‘safest-bet’ you can take them to.
6. Fern Forest Cafe
Located on the northwestern side of the Old city, this place serves some delicious meals and creative drinks!
Along with that, they offer indoor and outdoor garden seating and you can speak English with the staff here.
Budget for 1: 300 – 600 Bath
Location: Fern Forest Cafe, 54, 1 Singharat Rd, Si Phum Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
7. Guu Fusion Roti and Tea
“Roti and Tea? In Thailand” – That’s what the Indian roots inside me screamed. So I had to check this place out and I was in for a mouth-watering experience!
As you enter this cafe, first they serve you free tea. Then, you can order their delicious Rotis. Try the ones with Chicken in it.
And the best part is their dessert. Try their Toast Bread with Whipped Cream and Chocolate! The foodgasm hits you on a different level here.
The staff is friendly and understands English well. And because this place is on the Nimmanhaemin main road, expect to see farangs here.
Budget for 1: 120-200 Bath
Location: 15/4 Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 3, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
8. Sukjai Cafe
This is another cafe located on the famous Nimmanhaemin main road, a newer one compared to others on the list. You can expect to find good and cheap Thai food along with nice live music.
Since it’s in Nimman, the staff understands English and is very polite. There’s ample space in this cafe and it’s clean and well-maintained. They also have a mini-bar serving drinks.
You’ll see locals and farangs chilling here while enjoying some fried rice.
Budget for 1: 120 – 400 Bath
Location: 333, 12 Suk Kasame Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
9. My Secret Cafe in Town
Not so secret anymore! Another place to have breakfast, desserts and snacks. You can try out their waffles and the carrot cake!
It’s quite a big cafe and they sometimes even host art exhibitions here. Their staff is friendly and also understands English.
You’ll most see from locals and farangs working here. It’s located in the Old city, walking distance away from Wat Phra Singh Monument.
Budget for 1: 150 – 500 Bath
Location: 175, 12 Rachadamnoen Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
10. Nine One Coffee
If you want to enjoy some amazing mochas and Thai Coffee in Nimmanhaemin, this place is the place to be at.
It’s a small space with a beautiful wooden interior located in Lane (soi) 11. The staff is nice and they understand English.
Try out their Mochas. You can expect to see nomads working from this cafe along with the local students from the University.
Budget for 1: 300 Bath
Location: Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 11, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
11. Cafe de Oasis and Toby’s Pizza:
Okay, these are two places owned by the same entity. They serve good coffee and great pizzas (as their name should suggest)! It has beautiful outdoor seating with a garden, fountain and enough room for kids to roam around.
It’s located at the North-Western edge of Chiang Mai. Parking could be an issue but definitely make up for it with their delicious food and coffee.
You’ll mostly find a mix of farangs and locals here.
Budget for 1: 150 Bath and above
Location: 131 25 Moo 1, Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300
12. The Barn: Eastery and Design
They serve good coffee, and it’s a good place to have breakfast and get your work done in the morning!
This place can get crowded with university students coming here to study. So if you’re planning to work, try to come early.
Budget for 1: 120 – 300 Bath
Location: 14 Srivichai Soi 5, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Are there any cafes that you’ve been to and would recommend? Drop them in the comments below.
