A Guide to: Chiang Mai
my fav places to eat, sleep & shop in chiang mai, thailand
to stay
Leafy Greens
mushroom clay houses
~$48 CAD/night
a group of little houses in the shape of mushrooms, made out of clay by the sweet couple who owns the property! they are focused on being as eco-friendly as possible and offer natural toiletries, as well as fresh produce from their large garden seasonally! there are always a couple cute kitties wandering the property, and you can enjoy the greenery in various cute sitting areas throughout the property! such a cool experience and a very comfortable stay! also a great option if you're looking for more beds! each house has 2-3 :)
15 min drive to downtown/the ancient walled city
a couple cafes within walking distance, free bicycles on the property to use.
here's the one we stayed in! there are around 7 different listings for you to choose from :)
Serene Backyard
shipping containers by the river
~$43 CAD/night
repurposed shipping containers, turned into minimal suites along the ping river. serene backyard is a collection of about 6 different shipping containers, and a full bar/restaurant. there is yummy complimentary breakfast and cute kitties!!
located on the ping river, about 10 min drive from downtown/the ancient walled city.
full restaurant and bar on site, lots of shops and restaurants on the same street.
here's the one we stayed in! there are around 6 different listings to choose from :)
Korpon House
rice-field oasis
~$90 CAD/night
my favourite place to stay when we're in chiang mai! a large house with additional studio and outdoor eating/sitting area, built by a cool young couple. the whole house is simple and sleek, but full of warmth. white walls, concrete floors, and repurposed wood accents. lots of spaces to explore and enjoy. i just want to spend forever here!!!
located in a small town called 'san kamphaeng' just outside of chiang mai. 30 min drive to downtown/the ancient walled city.
beautiful house with a separate studio/dining room and an outdoor eating area. rice field with cows next door. the owners are the sweetest and will help you arrange rides, etc.
best for a quiet getaway, with easy day trips to downtown/surrounding cities. best transportation option is GRAB. there's also a very cheap and yummy family-owned restaurant down the street, with food for only $1 a dish!!!
to eat & drink
Asian Roots
classic thai dishes with a twist
veggie friendly! staff is really understanding and friendly, so asking for vegetarian accommodation is easy! they carry some cool local beers and vegan gelato.
located right across the street from the 'tha phae' gate of the ancient walled city and SUNDAY NIGHT MARKET. very close to THE LOCALIST and COOL MUANG.
our favourite restaurant in chiang mai! amazing innovative thai food at a decent price point! great for a nice dinner and some drinks with friends and fam. plus, there's live music most nights! you could also check out the cute hostel next door, it seemed very popular!
my recommendation: i highly recommend ordering 'thai-style', aka a bunch of dishes to share! my favourite dishes are the Tom Yum with mushroom and the mango mai thai. my fam loves the curry!
caleb's rec: he loved garlic roti and the Khao Soi, which is Chiang Mai's can't-miss special dish.
Freebird Cafe
vegan paradise, zero-waste shop, and secondhand store!
a cool 3-in-1 spot! a vegan restaurant, zero-waste shop, and small thrift store; which all support the Thai Freedom House, an organization which supports refugees, often female, and provides them with resources related to education, cultural preservation, arts therapy, family planning, and more. Thai Freedom House was started by the owner of Freebird Cafe.
located about a 40 min drive from the ancient walled city. within walking distance to BARISTRO ("barisotel" location) and RISTR8TO
lots of yummy breakfast & brunch options! as well as sandwiches and noodle dishes, and some classic thai dishes! all made with fresh local ingredients and 100% vegan!
there's also a small thrift store in the back with very low prices, and a super cool zero-waste/bulk shop!! definitely worth checking out :)
my recommendation: the smoothies/smoothie bowls, the french toast and the tofu scramble! caleb loved the smoothies!!!
Baristro
sleek specialty coffee for coffee-lovers and instagrammers alike
6 locations all over chiang mai. my favourites are: the barisotel, the ping river location, and the new train station location!
amazing pour-overs, rare/unique specialty coffee, innovative mixed drinks (alcohol-free!), delicious pastries. the baristas are also super knowledgeable and friendly!
my recommendation: try the coconut matcha to cool off on a hot day at the ping river location, or opt for a decadent latte while you work at the barisotel location!
caleb's recommendation: try a pour-over of their unique thai & globally-sourced coffee!
Maled
a simple, intimate spot to enjoy, with coffee roasted in-house
within walking distance to YELLOW CRAFTS. about a 13 min drive from the ancient walled city.
winner of the thailand roasters competition!
my recommendation: i had the best flat white of my trip at Maled, while reading through a Kinfolk mag... what more could i ask for?
caleb's recommendation: try their roasted in-house coffee in espresso drinks or pour-over! we had an amazing kenyan coffee (pourover).
Yellow Crafts
fun coffee-based mixed drinks & fresh soy milk made daily
within walking distance to MALED. about a 12 min drive to the ancient walled city.
an bright & intimate little cafe with cool mixed drinks and fresh soy milk made daily! a great place to chat over drinks and get some serious style inspo from other customers 👀
our recommendation: the pineapple & passionfruit coffee drink was divine!! so refreshing and a fun way to start your evening. also we didn't get to try the soy milk but wish we did and highly recommend you do!
other cute places to eat & drink:
cool muang - a warm & inviting space in the midst of 'downtown'. located right beside the 'tha phae' gate of the ancient walled city, where the SUNDAY NIGHT MARKET is held. walking distance to ASIAN ROOTS and THE LOCALIST. a great place to recharge (your energy & devices) while you're exploring the downtown/ancient wall area. i enjoyed the matcha latte!
graph - a cool coffee spot with multiple locations in chiang mai. lots of thai drip-coffee options, pastries, and cool coffee-based specialty drinks!
transit number 8 - recommended by a barista at BARISTRO, and on our to-visit list!
to thrift
Love 70’s
eclectic & affordable vintage
$8 CAD - $50 CAD
2 locations within walking distance of each other! when you google 'Love 70's' the first location pops up (on singharat road). from there, walk down the street for a 5 min walk to the second location!
'main' location is great for overalls, unique button ups, dresses and textiles. the second 3-level location has a great mix of dresses, rare denim, button ups & more. definitely worth taking the time to visit both! dresses are around $8 CAD, and more rare pieces like denim, jackets, and jumpsuits are $20-$40 CAD.
My ‘hidden gem’ vintage store
a small shop bursting with 50's workwear and crazy-rare denim.
$12 - $40 CAD
our fav vintage spot! so fun to dig for gems and chat with the owner! lots of vintage military-wear, rare levi's, and some fun 80's/90's pieces mixed in!
just up the street from the 'main' Love 70's location.
best for rare vintage Levi's and french workwear.
thrift stores we didn’t get to:
clothes dumpster - a 'goodwill bins' experience. dig through big piles in a warehouse and pay by the pound.
to shop
The Localist
locally made ceramics, bags, books & more
located right behind ASIAN ROOTS, within walking distance to the ancient walled city and SUNDAY NIGHT MARKET.
my favourite place to buy unique ceramics and peruse cool books, stationary, bags & more. all locally made by amazing artists :) a great store to buy more mindful & unique 'souvenirs'.
Sunday Night Market
a buzzing night market full of good food, artisan/handmade goods, and typical souvenirs
located in the centre of the ancient walled city. starts from the thae phae gate and extend about 1km down ratchadamnoen road. open from 4-12ish every sunday night.
a more artisan-focused approach to the classic night market. the bustling streets are full of handmade ceramics, beautiful wooden bowls and cutlery, cotton clothing (my favs!!) & more. lots of yummy food, live music, and of course some classic souvenirs.
VERY BUSY on a nice night, so be prepared :) worth checking out even if it's a bit rainy, as it's a lot calmer and easier to navigate!
my recommendation: going earlier in the night (before 8) if you want to dodge the main crowds! look for the local artists/artisans, especially the students who are making some super cool things!
Think Park
a small marketplace full of handmade & unique clothing and home goods
located right across the street from the MAYA mall. sort of hidden right between the big cafe's and restaurants. also across the street from ONE NIMMAN.
a cute place to walk around and explore some small shops! you can find some independent designers and stores here, and i like looking for simple cotton clothes and unique homewares.
more shopping:
namor market - chiang mai university's student night market, with lots of cute clothes and good food
located in front of Chiang Mai University! open daily from 5pm-11pm.
less busy than the main Sunday night market, and lots of cool university students! probably the best place to find trendy clothes, if you're looking for a deal, though i recommend shopping local and ethically made instead :) you can catch some great food and live music too!
one nimman - a small indoor/outdoor shopping mall
walking distance to MAYA mall and THINK PARK.
a nice indoor/outdoor mall with independent designers as well as big brands like Levi's, etc. lots of skincare options and a really affordable food court with lots of yummy options!
my recommendation: grab a 25 baht ($1) krapow from the food court! so tasty and cheap! also check out the small designers on the main floor, and maybe grab a coffee at the GRAPH location inside the mall.
to explore
Doi Pui
the tip of a mountain that offers a peek into traditional northern thai living and beautiful flower gardens
free to enter! a small 10 baht (50 cent) fee to enter the garden and museum areas, which TRUST ME you'll want to do!
located on top of a mountain ("Doi" means mountain in Thai). a beautiful place to explore and experience northern thai living. the path up towards the gardens is lined with local vendors selling northern-style clothing, coffee & tea, singing bowls, etc. my favourite thing to buy/admire at Doi Pui is the jewelry! it's my version of a souvenir :)
the best way to get to Doi Pui is via taxi or Songthaew (i have a little guide at the bottom of this post regarding useful transportation methods!)
you won't want to miss the gardens overlooking Chiang Mai. so lush and beautiful! there are so many flowers, natural bamboo forests, and a small waterfall.
there's also a small 'museum' that houses some really cool info on local tribes and the history of mountain/northern living, as well as some examples of primitive tools used by the northern tribes.
lastly, i HIGHLY recommend trekking to the top of the mountain to grab a coffee at the small roastery. perched among a lush coffee-plant forest, this cafe looks out over the entire Doi Pui and surrounding areas. you can watch them roast the coffee as you sip a latte and snack on their yummy 'toast' desserts. it's super cool to be served a latte by the farmers/roasters themselves :)
Doi Suthep
a breathtaking mountain-top temple
~$5 to enter (includes a ticket for the elevator). you can also take the stairs if you're feeling energetic!
located on the same mountain as DOI PUI. i would recommend stopping on your way down from DOI PUI.
a beautiful Buddhist temple with a breathtaking view of the mountain and Chiang Mai.
