Relaxzone Buakjan

Around 30 minutes from downtown Chiang Mai, this Lanna-style wooden house with a warm, relaxed vibe offers a peaceful escape that feels like dining at a local friend's home. Outdoor seating without air conditioning is ideal for enjoying the cool air. The menu sticks to local classics, from Kaeng Khae and Nam Prik Noom with deep-fried pork liver to Cho Phak Kat. Cooked to order, the dishes are simply presented, allowing the Northern Thai flavours to shine.

Food and atmosphere are well-matched at this chill Northern Thai restaurant in Mae Rim. It’s in a two-storey wooden pavilion with regular tables downstairs and cushioned floor seating upstairs; both options offer relaxing rice field views and refreshing breezes. The food here is equally fresh, as well as flavourful and easy on the wallet; the Northern Thai spicy pork salad and the Northern Thai hot and spicy soup with fish and morning glory are recommended.

Khao serves Northern Thai cuisine, along with some dishes from other regions. The chef, a prestigious culinary school graduate with 10 years of luxury hotel experience, brings an international perspective and a modern identity to traditional Thai dishes. The dining room is contemporary and inviting – crystal chandeliers coexist with carved teak panelling – and the terrace offers serene views of rice fields and hills.

Aeeen goes the sound of Ken’s unique laughter, according to wife Yuki. Under the concept of Neo Shojin Ryori, the Japanese couple craft their plant-based menu using seasonal ingredients. The dining areas span two floors of a cute wooden house that feels like rural Japan. Lines of jars contain the fermented ingredients they use in the food. We recommend the perfectly judged soymilk udon noodles and refreshing mango with ginger and honey drink.

With its simple, rustic look, this quaint eatery specialises in northern lap dishes, paired with a local chaeo dipping sauce with the aroma of toasted sticky rice. The spicy, sour and fragrant beef soup is a must.

The décor is simple, with a display of photos and messages on post-it notes from customers gone by. Aunt Aoy spent much of her career cooking in hotel kitchens. Her expertise is realised in the fluffy yet crispy Chef Omelette with stir-fried minced pork, salted egg and pork crackling.

This popular spot has been serving Northern Thai dishes in Mae Rim district since 2004. The menu is simple, typical Thai fare that leans towards meat and freshwater fish – the owner-chef will gladly recommend the freshest dishes of the day. Start with the deep-fried chilli minced pork – bold, salty and spicy – followed by tom yam fish. Arrive before sunset for a terrace table or opt for the comfort of the air-conditioned room overlooking the tranquil pond.