My Ultimate Chiang Mai Food Map

A Roaming Cook Guide to Lanna Flavours and Local Favourites

Chiang Mai is one of those places that just gets under your skin. A historic northern city with a laid back pace, misty mountains on the horizon and a food culture rooted in centuries of Lanna tradition. 

The food here is bold, herbal, smoky and often surprisingly subtle. Think fermented pork, grilled sausage, slow cooked curries and chilli dips that will blow your head off in the best way. And while Khao Soi gets a lot of the attention, and rightly so, dig a little deeper and you will uncover dishes like Nam Ngiao, Laab Kua and Nam Prik Ong that each tell a different story of the north.

And then there is the coffee. Chiang Mai has exploded in recent years with passionate roasters, stylish cafes and tiny shophouse joints where the beans are local and the vibes are mellow. Whether you are after a flat white or a hand poured single origin from the hills of Chiang Rai, this city delivers.

This guide brings together some of my favourite spots

• 5 Khao Soi joints worth travelling. 

• 5 Northern Thai restaurants serving the real deal

• One legendary Issan spot known for clay pot roasted meats

• A proper seafood feast and a hearty Yunnanese gem

• A date night pick that is perfect for treating yourself or someone else

• And 5 coffee shops I keep going back to

If you are new to Northern Thai food, do not worry. I have included a breakdown of must try dishes too. From rich noodle soups to fiery chilli relishes, this is food with depth, character and a serious sense of place.

IMPORTANT: not fully working with IOS (iPhone) but works fully with iPad and MAC. You can still view all the pins but there are no links to videos and some descriptions are missing.