12 Michelin recommended restaurants to try in Chiang Mai

The Michelin food guides aren’t just about fine-dining. With a nod to Thailand’s famous street food, the Michelin Guide Thailand includes a number of no-nonsense, great value places to eat. The venues we list might not have a Michelin star, but they do have the ‘Bib Gourmand’, a prestigious rating that recognises friendly venues that serve good food at moderate prices. To help you on your way for your next trip to Chiang Mai, we’ve selected a dozen restaurants and street stalls (shown here in alphabetical order) from the Michelin Guide Chiang Mai. 

Wherever you travel in Thailand, it’s worth following your nose when it comes to food. And that’s true in Chiang Mai too. You might trek halfway across the city to try khao soi in a well-known restaurant only to find that the local no-name khao soi place near your hotel is just as good.

1) Aunt Aoy Kitchen

Before dedicating her time at her own restaurant, Khun Aoy enjoyed a long career cooking in hotel kitchens. At Aunt Aoy Kitchen you’ll find an unpretentious venue serving up Thai favourites like tom yam alongside dishes like soft shell crab, and omelettes with stir-fried minced pork toast. If you’re in the Nimmanhaemin area of Chiang Mai, this venue is one to look out for.
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2) Baan Landai Fine Thai Cuisine

With a central location in Chiang Mai’s old city area, Baan Landai serves up good quality and creative cooking in a relaxed atmosphere. Named after Chef Landai, the restaurant is known for its twist on northern Thai dishes, but you will also find a comprehensive menu with excellent options for vegetarians. This homely and intimate venue can get busy so it’s advisable to book a table in advance.
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3) Huan Soontaree

This large venue (seating for over 300 diners) on the banks of the Ping River has long been popular with Thai diners. That popularity is not just because of the food, but also thanks to the music. The owner, Soontaree Vechanont and her daughter, Lanna Commins, are both famous singers. The Thai folk music adds to the ambiance with diners enjoying authentic northern food prepared with local ingredients. 
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Home from home
In Thai, the word ‘baan‘ translates as house or home. However, the northern Thai language, Kam Mueang, uses the word ‘huan’ (also written as ‘huen’) for house/home. In Chiang Mai and other areas of North Thailand, you will often see ‘huan‘ used in restaurant and hotel names. 

4) Huen Muan Jai

For anyone unfamiliar with northern Thai food, Huen Muan Jai is a good introduction. Try the hors d’oeuvres tray which includes the chance to try sai oua, kep moo, nam prik ong and nam prik noom.

The name of the restaurant translates as ‘Happy Home’ and it is in this traditional Lanna house where former TV chef, Charan Thipeung has helped establish one of the best-known restaurants in the city. You can find Huen Muan Jai in the north-west corner of the city just outside the city walls and moat. 
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5) Go Neng (Wichayanon)

If you think that Michelin-rated food is just for adults, think again. Young children will love the quirky offerings at Go Neng. Tucked away in a small lane near Waworot Market, this small eatery serves up tasty pa tong go (Thai-style doughnuts) in the shape of dinosaurs, crocodiles and other creatures. Go Neng is a good spot for a cheap grab and go breakfast or a snack before exploring more of Waworot Market and the Riverside area of Chiang Mai.
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6) Khao Soi Mae Manee

There is no shortage of restaurants serving North Thailand’s signature dish, khao soi. Debate rages on various travel websites and social media about where to find the best khao soi in Chiang Mai, but in reality it’s an impossible question to answer because there are so many variables. But if you are trying this noodle dish for the first time, Khao Soi Mae Manee and Khao Soi Mae Sai (listed below) are decent benchmarks to compare the others against.
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7) Khao Soi Mae Sai

Located diagonally opposite Huan Muan Jai (#4 on our list), Khao Soi Mae Sai is one of the most famous venues in Chiang Mai serving up khao soi. In addition to the usual khao soi with chicken, Khao Soi Mae Sai sells a tasty beef version. Fans of khanom jeen nam ngiao will also be happy here if you fancy something other than khao soi. The restaurant is especially popular with Asian tourists and you can expect to queue if you visit at lunchtime.
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8) Kiti Panit

This former teak mansion house in Thapae Road has been sympathetically renovated by the great-great-grandchildren of the original owners and converted into a classy restaurant. Diners at Kitty Panit can enjoy the elegant surroundings while sampling classic northern Thai dishes like gaeng hinlay, khao soi and tam khanun (jackfruit dip served with vegetables).
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9) Lung Khajohn Wat Ket

It’s lovely to see no-frills joints like Lung Khajohn Wat Ket getting recognition. Local people in the Wat Ket neighbourhood have long been enjoying the khao kriab pak moh (steamed rice skin dumplings) served up by Uncle Khajohn at his small shop opposite Wat Ket temple. 
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10) Roti Pa Day

In a city with so many amazing food stalls, Roti Pa Day still manages to stand out. The rotis (pancakes) served up by the Thai-Pakistani owner, Pa Day (Auntie Day), are as loved by locals as they are tourists. Watching the whole process of making the rotis is all part of the experience and with an array of flavours to choose from, anyone with a sweet tooth should look out for Auntie Day’s stall on Thapae Road.
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11) SP Chicken

Located adjacent to Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai’s old city, the family-run SP Chicken restaurant serves up a selection of Isaan favourites. But it is the mouth-watering rotisserie chicken here that is the signature dish. Watching the chickens slowly spin on the vertical spits at the front of the shop is all part of the dining experience and the taste does not disappoint. Order the grilled chicken with som tam and sticky rice for the perfect Isaan combo. 
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12) The House by Ginger

Ideal for a date night or a meal with friends, The House by Ginger is a lovely venue that uses local, organic produce. You’ll find many of the most popular Thai dishes here, but often with a twist like massaman curry with sea bass instead of chicken or beef. Cocktails are classy here too with the House Lounge providing the chance to enjoy more drinks after your meal.
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Being listed in the Michelin Guide can be a double-edged sword. A Michelin recommendation results in an influx of tourists (domestic and international) so you may have to queue at some of these restaurants, especially at lunchtimes during high season.

Any listings like this are subjective and with the sheer number of restaurants and food stalls in Thailand, the Michelin inspectors can’t visit them all. While the ones we mention here are all worthy inclusions, this isn’t a definitive list of the best restaurants and street stalls in Chiang Mai so please don’t shout at us if we’ve missed off your favourite! 

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