Cafe culture is booming across the globe and Chiangmai is no exception to this trend. As more and more cafes start popping up, choosing one or a few might be challenging. Fret not, in this guide, we’ve narrowed down some of Chiangmai’s best cafes where you can enjoy a good cuppa and also snap some of those Instagram shots!
The Giant Treehouse
As its name implies, this cafe is in essence a huge treehouse! Dining here will satisfy all your inner childhood desires of building and climbing up to your own treehouse. If anything, this is a fantastic way for you to be with nature as you’re sipping on your drink. The coffee zone, as pictured above, is a huge octagonal structure, and there’s a small wooden fence around each dining table to give you more privacy. Since you’re around, you should visit some of the other attractions in the area like Flight of the Gibbon and Ya Chan Waterfall, to make your trip worth its while.
Address: หมู่บ้าน บ้านป๊อก ห้วยแก้ว แม่ออน Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
Opening hours: 08:30 - 17:00 daily. Cafe is closed on Mondays.
เก๊ามะขาม kaomakam coffee
Kaomakam coffee is another cafe that makes use of elevated space and a towering tree to provide you with a cooling and picturesque dining experience. The atmosphere is laid-back and chill, and on most weekdays your time here should be relatively quiet and peaceful. It’s pretty popular with locals, who are fond of taking their instaworthy shots here and uploading them onto Instagram. This place is more well-known for its ambience, so don’t expect to be too amazed by the coffee and food, though it’s certainly decent!
Address: Khuang Pao, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand
Opening hours: 08:00 - 17:00 daily
Phuffin in the Lake
It’s name says it all - much of your time here will be spent on a hammock hanging over the lake. Most customers use the hammocks to take pictures before moving to the shadier interior to escape from the sun. To beat the heat, you can order some of their iced desserts like the Snow Ice Watermelon, or just an iced latte or tea to cool yourself down. Many come here for a quick afternoon beer too, as it’s really a perfect place for you to let loose and maybe enjoy an afternoon siesta by the waters.
Address: หมู่ 3, เลขที่ 86, Soi Mooban Wang Tan, San Phak Wan, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Opening hours: 10:00 - 21:00 daily
Harinezumi Cafe
According to its website, this is the first hedgehog cafe in Thailand, modelling itself on the popular hedgehog cafes that have sprung up in Japan. With a purchase of some food and beverages - a set menu starts at THB 160 - you can enjoy a refreshing drink while playing with some cute hedgehogs or guinea pigs. It can be very helpful and relaxing to play with these cute critters if you’re feeling even the slightest bit down. If you can’t get enough of them, the store also sells hedgehog-themed merchandise!
Address: 48/1 Sridonchai Rd, Chang Khlan Sub-district, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Opening hours: 09:00 - 21:00 daily
Ristr8to
Ristr8to serves what is considered Chiangmai’s best coffee with quality beans from all over the world to ensure that brews are fresh and fragrant. It’s a place that prioritises taste over all else, though the cafe has a chic interior as well. Its founder has had experience and training in Australia, and has brought back much of the skills and equipment to make Ristr8to one of the best cafes in town. Try their Satan Latte, which is an award-winning brew and one of their best signatures. No matter what coffee you order, it’ll sure leave an amazing taste in your mouth.
Address: 15/3 Nimmanahaeminda Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: 07:00 - 18:00 daily
Chic39
Chic39 Bed, Bar and Bakery is the perfect escape from the city, as it’s located in Mae Rim, slightly further away from the heart of Chiangmai. While you get your cuppa here, sink your teeth into some of these cafe and restaurant’s signature dishes like Thai green curry, Tabiko (fish roe) pizza and their deep fried wontons. When you’re done, you can also consider visiting the flower fields and villages in the vicinity and stroll amidst their beauty and tranquility.
Address: 240 Mueang Kaeo, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand
Opening hours: 10:00 - 20:00 daily
The Ironwood
Another cafe tucked in Mae Rim is The Ironwood, with an aesthetic that makes the cafe appear like it's hidden away in the gorgeous English countryside. The interior of the dining area is very rustic with its pristine white walls and elegant wooden furniture. The food here is just as amazing, with a variety of fusion food choices available for you to choose from. Opt for the shrimp paste fried rice, or spicy thai herbs spaghetti that will leave you wanting more. You can also cool down from the tropical heat with some of their refreshing drinks like lavender lemonade and lychee rose cooler!
Address: 592/2 Soi Nam Tok Mae Sa 8 Mae Raem, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand
Opening hours: 09:00 - 18:00 daily
Mango Tango
Fans of mango? Head on down to Mango Tango, a dessert cafe that explores mango desserts and treats beyond Thai mango sticky rice. Here you satisfy your sweet tooth, with treats such as mango smoothies, mango bossa, mango parfait, mango sundae and so much more! The mangos here are pretty fresh, and though the place itself can get cramped during peak hours, the sweet treats are worth that extra bit of effort you’ll need to find a seat. They’re also worth the cavities!
Address: 14/3 ซอย นิมมานเหมินทร์ 13 Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00 daily
Graph Cafe
Like Ristr8to, Graph Cafe is another joint that’s for serious coffee lovers. A quiet cafe hidden in one of the old town’s streets, the owners are die-hard coffee lovers who specifically chose this site for its proximity to both city and nature landscapes. Thee, its founder, gave up an engineering job in Bangkok to fulfil his dreams and open this cafe. The coffee is sourced mainly from local farms in Chiangmai and Chiangrai, and the cafe has some pretty interesting drinks, such as the Over Land, which is espresso with ginger ale and orange. As it’s in a peaceful neighbourhood, you can just relax there and get some alone time with a satisfying cup of coffee.
25/1 ถนน ราชวิถี แยก 1 ตำบล ศรีภูมิ Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Opening hours: 09:00 - 17:00 daily
Daddy's Antique Cafe and Restaurant
While the exterior of this cafe resembles an European townhouse, you’re very much still in Chiangmai. Owner Nath’s father is an antique enthusiast, and the walls of the restaurant are lined with old clocks and artifacts that carry with them a nostalgic feel. The restaurant is known mainly for its comfort European food, that played a big role in Nath’s childhood, so don’t be surprised to find items like steak and pizzas on the menu. There are also dishes with Asian influences such as Kimchi fried rice and chicken rice. While it may be slightly pricier, this whimsical cafe and restaurant is worth every penny - or baht.
Address: 45/8 Moo 1 Ampoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100
Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00 daily
