The Best Lunch Spots In Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Is my favorite city in Thailand and has some of the most delicious lunch spots in Asia. My guide will go over where to find these restaurants and give an overall rating of the cuisine. I’m Ian, and I’ve visited Thailand over eight times and love everything about Chiang Mai and its magical charm.

Chiang Mai has tourists visiting in their millions each year and with good reason with five national parks, road biking, jungle treks, digital nomad hubs & amazing food, of course! Finding the best lunch spots is tough because Chiang Mai is packed with competition with dishes packed with flavor.

As I’ve stated before, Thailand ranks as one of the world’s best countries for food, and Chiang Mai has the best food in Thailand.

If you want to know where to get these dishes- Keep reading!

Khao Soi Khun Yai

Khao Soi Khun Yai is one of the most popular dishes in Chiang Mai and has a creamy coconut taste accompanied with fresh egg noodles. The meat is typically chicken or beef, but some dishes contain shrimp, pork, and fish. The dish is served with salad, a wedge of lime, and pork rinds to give it some extra snap!

You find a lot of expats choose Khao Soi Khun Yai and their favourite dish and is available all over Chiang Mai, especially in the old town. This dish is  great with chill which cools you down in the hot month like April.

Where to find this unique dish

Khao Soi Khun Yai Restaurant

Address: Sri Poom 8 Alley, Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sat 10am-2pm

How Much? ฿30- ฿40

Khao Soi (Egg Noodle Curry)

Yellow egg curry noodle soup with beautiful flat noodles with extra-fried noodles for added crunch. The dish is usually served with spring onions, pickled cabbage and is great with a cold beer. Be warned the dish’s size may make you order an extra bowel if you’re a big guy like me!

Where can you get this dish

Address: At the intersection of Wua Lai and Huay Kaew Soi 2 Road, Chiang Mai

Hours: Open Mon-Sat, 10am to 1pm

How Much? ฿30

Gaeng Hang Lay Moo

If you like slow-cooked curries, then defiantly try Gaeng Hang Lay Moo made from pork shoulder, ginger, tamarind, and spices. The curry has roots back to Burma, giving it a distinct taste.

You can find this dish all over Chiang Mai, mainly at street vendors and markets. The consistency can change though due to the quality of pork.

The is dish found at  most Chiang Mai restaurants, vendors and local markets. One of the biggest differences we’ve noticed is the quality of pork. At times, it can be fatty, while other times, lean and tender. For the better quality, go for the lean!

Where can you find this dish

Address: Chang Puak Gate Market has a few places!

How Much? ฿20- ฿40

Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak 

If your after signature, a dish of Chiang Mai Khao Kha Moo should be high on your list. Theirs, a woman called the Cowboy Hat Lady, she has a high status and amazing cooking abilities. This woman can cook and is highly respected!

The dish is cuts of pork (Leg mainly) with Chinese spice and a boiled egg. The dish is tender & sweet, and you enjoy the taste till the last bite. The flavors are amazing!

Now the store does open at 5pm, but you can find this dish at markets or here-

Rambutan Restaurant & Cafe

Address: 103/1 8 Tambon Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Phone: +66 82 211 4472

You can find the Khao Kha Moo Chang Phueak  (Cow Boy Hat Lady)

Address: Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Hours: Open Mon-Sun 5pm-12pm,

How much? ฿30

Khan Toke

Khan Toke, another great northern dish served with sticky rice and vegetables, will leave you licking your lips. The sauce and goes with side dishes and is an excellent starter with friends. You normally find this dish at festivals, formal events, and weddings.

Look for this dish at markets like Chiang Mai Gate Market

Address: Bumrung Buri Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 4pm-11pm (Sometimes open earlier for lunch)

How much? ฿30

Thai Sukiyaki

The dish is mung bean noodles, vegetables, seafood, or meats and served in a bowel and found at most Thai eateries in Chiang Mai

You can find a dish served in a stall near the Cowboy Hat Lady, a great sign of amazing Thai Cuisine in this area.

You can also serve a dry pork version (suki haeng moo) and tastes fantastic and better with sticky rice. You also have a side suki sauce, and its one of the best bits of the dish.

Where to find this dish

Address: Thanon Manee Nop Parat, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai, Thailand

What to Order: Suki haeng (dry suki), Suki nam (suki soup)

How Much? ฿40

Cherng Doi Roast Chicken

If you like a good roast, this dish is delicious and a must-try if your visiting Chiang Mai. The chicken is fully cooked and separated into two parts, and cooked over a charcoal grill.

You can find this dish in the best restaurants in Chiang Mai, as Cherng Doi – I think you will be shocked at how succulent it tastes.

Some of the side dishes you have with Cherng Doi are salad (papaya) and soft, sticky rice. The dishes complement the juicy chicken. It tastes incredible, and you need to try it!

Where to find it?

Cherng Doi Roast Chicken

Address: 2, 8 Suk Kasame Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Phone: +66 81 881 1407

Opening Hours:

Tue-Sun 11am-8pm

Sai Oua (Grilled Herb Sausage) 

This dish’s smell can be smelt meters away, with pork sausages sizzling with spices making the most wonderful aromas.

The Sausages (Sai Oua) comes from the northern regions of Thailand, and you can find them at most local markets. The sausage has ingredients such as lemongrass, herbs & spices.

One of the best places to eat Sai Qua is at Ton Payom market

Address: Ton Payom Market is located behind Chiang Mai University, at the intersection of Suthep Road and Chiang Mai Outer Ring Road, Chiang Mai.

Opening Hours

Daily 8am-5pm

Young Jackfruit Salad  

If your after an afternoon treat, this dish goes perfect for a delicious light lunch. The jackfruit is sliced into thin slices and then added with garlic, chili shrimp paste, and spices. When you taste the dish, you get a sweet, tangy taste with a nutty texture.

You can find Jackfruit Salad at most markets! Payom market is the best.place

Address: Ton Payom Market is located behind Chiang Mai University, at the intersection of Suthep Road and Chiang Mai Outer Ring Road, Chiang Mai.

Opening Hours

Daily 8am-5pm

Nam Prik Ong/Nam Prik Nume (Red & Green Chilli)

Green chili dip originates from northern Thailand and enjoyed right across the nation! The dip tastes hot and sour and is made with green chilies, shallots, and garlic.

You find with the dish fried pork crackling, Northern sausages, boiled egg, and vegetables. If you want a bigger portion, order rice.

Look for authentic Thai restaurants for this dish.