Joanna James
Chiang Rai cuisine is varied and diverse it's a fine amalgamation of both local and international cuisine. Knowing where to go for what is immensely helpful and rewarding; read on for the best tips.
This sunny bakery café was founded by Swedish missionaries as an endeavour to provide employment and social enhancement to the ethnic hill tribe children of Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai as you know is home to around four nomadic hill tribe reserves. Located close to Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort these villages are ideal for exploring culture and traditions. Baan Chivit Mai is actually the ideal place to get more information on visiting these tribes. The café with its cosy interiors will lure you in while the display counter inside is laid out with tempting cakes, baguettes, pastries and cookies. Plus the checked tablecloths add a touch of homely atmosphere to the place, ideal to drop in for a relaxing coffee and rest.
No, it's not a freak show; this very laid back restaurant was founded as part of Chiang Rai's family planning associations endeavours for social development. At the entrance are two mannequins adorned with colourful condoms while the menu has items such as C&C steak and spicy condom salad. The food is excellent garnering a following of celebrities and politicians. Enjoy the strains of 80's Thai and English music played live with your meals. Profits from the eatery go to support PDA's family planning endeavours.
A lovely open air restaurant in Chiang Rai this place has a few but excellent items on its menu. Do try the signature rice noodles in spicy northern style pork broth – kanom jeen nam Ngeow as well as steamed rice skinned dumplings. The desserts are pretty good too. Portions here maybe small but the prices are quite economical.
As the name suggests this is an Italian pizzeria that sits opposite the night bazaar. So go ahead and make plans for the restaurant serves more than pizza. On offer are creamy lasagne dishes, beef ravioli with lovely gorgonzola cheese sauce and shitake mushrooms as well as a range of thin crust pizza and popular pasta dishes. Da Vinci is open from noon to midnight and offers a collection of old and new age wines.
Opened by a chef who worked in Bangkok this lovely Chinese restaurant is decorated with bright red lanterns in the front. Indulge and enjoy authentic Chinese cuisines such as rice porridges, crispy whole chicken, Chinese style seafood hotpot and steamed freshwater goby in soy sauce. The restaurant is open from 6 am onwards; ideal for a breakfast date.
This lovely casual type restaurant serves a variety of international cuisine as well as dishes from the northern, western and central regions of Thailand. There is deep fried German pork knuckles and aromatic herb infused mussels from New Zealand.
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