Hot Coffee Guest House and Resort

Eung Kham Sai has been run by the same family for over a century and is still serving up classic Northern Thai recipes handed down the generations. The modest space has traditional decor; large windows frame the view outside. Try the freshly made khao bai, rice wrapped around a pork, fish or beef filling, or the spicy Northern-style curry, made from scratch with local beef brisket and exuding fruity acidity. Some ingredients come from local farms.

Tucked away in a quiet alley, this wooden Lanna-style restaurant has been around for over a decade. It stands in a garden and has open-air and indoor tables, plus private pavilions. The menu showcases the gamut of Northern Thai cuisine, from fiery dips to herby soups. Two recommendations are the spicy galangal dip with steamed mushrooms for its sweetness and aroma, and the spicy vegetable soup with serpent-head fish: fragrant, earthy and perfectly balanced.

This shop serves the famous Khao Soi, featuring rich and slightly spicy curry notes. You can choose your preferred meat toppings, and the portions are so delicate that you might find yourself wanting another round!

Chawee, named after the chef-owner's grandmother, offers an intimate, personalised dining experience, as Thai music plays softly in the inviting space with sage-green walls and vintage touches. Dishes draw on childhood memories or old recipes, in a menu that changes monthly, depending on the season and availability of local ingredients. With fragrant lychee and coconut in a harmonious mix, the spicy lychee salad refreshes the palate with its natural sweet-and-sour balance.

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.

This thoughtful take on Thai cuisine unfolds in a casual, wood-accented space. The chef adds a personal touch to seasonal Thai ingredients in three menus: "Special", "Seasonal" and "Classic". We recommend asking about the catch of the day. Start with crispy rice crackers and Thai tomato salsa and pair your meal with Thai draft beer or aromatic alcohol-free drinks. Booking is required, as there are just 14-16 seats per service for each of the three daily rounds.

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.