IM Residence Chiangmai

This spacious restaurant balances scale with efficiency, accommodating 200 diners in the air-conditioned room, VIP room and out on the terrace. Locals and visitors flock here for home-style Northern Thai food, cooked to order and piping hot. Highlights include stir-fried termite mushrooms with aromatic herbs, and the fresh and flavoursome saep pork rib. The wooden Lanna-inspired structure has character, making this a welcoming spot for families and groups.

For decades, this spot has been drawing in loyal fans with its tue ka ko – crispy deep-fried taro with sweet chilli sauce and peanuts. Light, fresh and never greasy, each batch is made to order. The fried tofu is also worth trying. Open only until they sell out, so come early.

Established in 1977 and a local favourite at Thongkam Market, this spot offers tasty and affordable khanom chin (fresh rice vermicelli) with various curries. Try the nam lo, a mix of spicy pork and chicken curry sauces. If noodles aren’t your thing, swap them for rice. Not only are the street food dishes here delicious, but they’re great value too – especially when you consider that side vegetables are unlimited.

Located opposite Wat Ket Karam, this humble gem of a shop specialises in khao kriap pak mo – steamed rice dumplings with a truly generous drizzle of fresh coconut milk – and neatly wrapped tapioca dumplings brimming with sweet and savoury pork and peanut.

With just four large communal tables, Magnolia Café is a simple, cosy spot enlivened by bold colours, vintage décor, and chandeliers. The owner-chef’s exquisite personal collection is on display, and she pays meticulous attention to sourcing high-quality ingredients, some from overseas. Their à la carte menu offers tasty, well presented fare from across Thailand. Dishes are distinguished by vivid, gutsy flavours; fried sun-dried squid with peanut sauce and fresh watermelon with desiccated salmon are exemplars. A complimentary pandan pudding is offered, making for a sweet and satisfying finish.

This place specialises in Guay Jub with Sai Ua sausage, served in a unique peppery broth, featuring with crispy pork and pork liver. They also offer another delightful dish: fresh spring rolls, topped with sliced omelette and aromatic sauce.

We-La-Dee brings central Thai cuisine north in an airy industrial-style dining room marked by playful accents. The restaurant’s large collection of action figures and a floor-to-ceiling installation of artificial flowers inspire photographs. Its extensive menu, which includes some original recipes from the chef, inspire both relaxed meals with family and friends and afternoons spent sipping coffee or tea and enjoying dessert.