Our 12 Favorite Dining Experiences in Chiang Rai

Have you got your trip to Chiang Rai booked and are wondering where the best places to eat are located?

Whether it is sightseeing or visiting amazing restaurants and cafes, the city has so much to offer, however, if you are visiting for the first time it is difficult to know what is available and where to start.

We had this exact same problem!

But fortunately during our 5 month stay we had the luxury and time to explore and discover the provinces best dining locations.

So, today I am going to share our 12 favorite dining experiences in Chiang Rai, revealing the best coffee, cake, and restaurant, including locations, numbers, websites and what to expect when you are visting this incredible city.

Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

1. Chivit Thamma Da Cafe

Website: www.chivitthammada.com

Location: หมู่ที่ 2 179 Bannrongseartean Soi 3, Mueang Chiang Rai District, 57100

Phone Number: +66819842925

Opening Hours:

Best time to visit: Early Morning, Mid Afternoon

Pricing: $$$

Things to do: Meals, Coffee, Cake, Bar, Relax

Tucked away behind the nearby Blue Temple, Chivit Thamma Da Coffee is one of Chiang Rai’s premium dining experiences.

When you arrive you will notice an old house, which seems like it has no business being in the back streets of Thailand.

Situated beneath beautiful old trees alongside the Kok River, Chivit Thamma’s collection of books, antiques, and furnishing bring out a southern U.S. style.

The food here is amazing, with a large selection of cakes, great coffee, and an incredible menu.

From burgers to salmon, and traditional Thai Chivit Thamma’s menu is nothing short of spectacular.

It truly was the best dining experience we had in Chiang Rai on multiple occasions.

That is why it’s at the top of our list of places to visit.

2. Melt In Your Mouth

Website: Melt In Your Mouth

Location: 268 หมู่ที่ 21 ตำบล รอบเวียง อำเภอ เมืองเชียงราย Chiang Rai 57000

Phone Number: +6652020549

Opening Hours: 9 am – 7 pm

Best time to visit: Midmorning, late afternoon

Pricing: $$$

Things to do: Food, Cafe, Restaurant

Perfectly placed on the Kok River, Melt In Your Mouth is tucked away just minutes away from downtown in yet another building that just doesn’t quite belong in Thailand.

Similar to its cross-river sibling, Chivit Thamma, Melt In Your Mouth provides you will a dining experience that you have to experience.

Like many restaurants in Thailand, the menu covers western, and Thai cuisine.

From delicious Thai curries, and grilled fish, to tasty burgers and decadent pancakes and burgers, Melt In Your Mouth has it all.

And while the price is a little more on the expensive side if you’re living locally.

For travelers and those holidaying, this experience will cost you a fraction of what you would pay back home.

3. Fika

Website: N/A

Location: 428/9 Thanon Baanpa Pragarn Rd, Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000

Phone Number: +66966937666

Opening Hours: 8:30 am – 6 pm

Best time to visit:

Pricing: $$

Things to do: Coffee, Cake, Food

Located on the corner of the ever-resourceful Jetyod road, Fika sits beside the famous Chiang Rai clock tower.

Fika is a vibrant cafe, where cakes are as sweet as the pink flower-covered walls.

The cakes are delicious and extremely well presented.

And if you are a coffee snob this Fika’s coffee rivals any I have had, ever.

Fika is a great place to visit at all hours of the day.

However, if you love to take a photo, be sure to come during the day when its a little bit quieter because the decor will surely have people getting their cameras out.

4. Dear Fried, Cafe and Restaurant

Website: www.valley-collective.com

Location: 1015 Jetyod Rd, Tambon Wiang, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000

Phone Number: +66897005484

Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm (Mon-Fri), 10 am – 8:30 pm (Sat-Sun)

Best time to visit: Anytime

Pricing: $$$

Things to do: Eat, Drink, Coffee

Yet another Jetyod road restaurant, Dear Friend has some of Chiang Rai best dining.

We were late to find this amazing restaurant, and only squeeze a single visit in before departing, but I sit as a high priority for anyone visiting Chiang Rai.

While Dear Friend does not compete with the locations of Melt In Your Mouth and Chivit Thamma, the food absolutely does.

This may be one of the best dining experiences we have had, period.

The restaurant is incredibly clean, the staff is extremely professional and the food presentation is second to none.

We had the gnocchi beef ragu and chocolate souffle, which were both incredible.

The menu has some amazing dishes, which we sadly did not have the chance to try.

If you are in Chiang Rai, be sure to visit this amazing restaurant.

5. Singha Park: Bar-B-Q

Website: www.singhapark.com

Location: Mae Kon, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Phone Number:

Opening Hours:

Best time to visit:

Pricing: $$

Things to do: Food Trucks, Music, Pizza, Ice Cream, Gift Shop

Singha Park may just be the coolest and most entertaining location in all of Chiang Rai.

A park that has a zoo, ziplines, koi pond, gardens, giant golden status, tea plantation, and food truck eatery, this is one of if not the star attraction of Chiang Rai.

Singha Park hosts food trucks, restaurants, and cafes that all have excellent food.

All of which perfectly compliment the endless activities and the beautifully curated Chiang Rai parkland.

Be sure to visit Singha Park both during the day and in the evening.

The sunset over the picturesque Chiang Rai mountains makes for the perfect backdrop while you relax with your evening meal.

6. Hungry Wolf’s Steak & Ale-House

Website: www.hungrywolfschiangrai.com

Location: 1131 Kraisorasit, Tambon Wiang, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000

Phone Number: +6653711091

Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9pm

Best time to visit: Before 6 pm

Pricing: $$

Things to do: Barbeque, Drinks, Milkshakes, Cakes

Hungry Wolf’s Steak House is one of Chiang Rai’s most famous restaurants.

The establishment offers world-class barbeque tucked in the downtown street of Chiang Rai.

Good beef can be hard to find in Thailand, which makes Hungry Wolf a popular place for traveling carnivores.

Hungry Wolf’s offers decadent meals, in the form of ribs, steak, burgers, and even salads.

With the addition of a great beer list and amazing desserts.

If you are missing world-class barbeque, or are just visiting Chaing Rai, Hungry Wolf’s Steak & Ale House is a must-see.

7. Ahka Cottage

Website: N/A

Location: Mae Fah Luang Alley, Mae Yao, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100

Phone Number: +66984585485

Opening Hours: 8 am – 6 pm

Best time to visit: Anytime (Quieter during the day)

Pricing: $$

Things to do: Coffee, Cake, Food, Relax, Hammocks

Situated 10-15 minutes northeast of downtown Chiang Rai, is Ahka Cottage Cafe.

Perched on top of a hill, Ahka cottage offers a unique open-air cafe experience, with spectacular views and it friendly staff.

This is an incredibly popular place, that is rarely noisy during its peak times.

Ahka’s cargo-style hammocks span the length of the cafe, where you can sit and experience local Ahka (hill tribe) food, or relax with some coffee and cake.

This amazing space provides us with many hours of relaxed family time and afternoon naps.

Its strong and free wi-fi is also a plus, making it an excellent place to set up for remote work or even just browse online.

8. The Wanderer

Website: The Wanderer Facebook Page

Location: Mae Fah Luang Alley, Mae Yao, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100

Phone Number: +66984585485

Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm

Best time to visit: Anytime

Pricing: $$

Things to do: Coffee, Cake, Food, Relax, Quiet

Located just minutes from downtown Chiang Rai, The Wanderer is a secret jungle cafe that you need to visit.

This beautiful hidden cafe’s polished concrete and glass structure perfectly blend into the Chiang Rai forest.

The Wanderer has great coffee, delicious cakes, and an excellent menu.

This combined with both peaceful indoor and outdoor seating makes for an awesome retreat from the business of downtown, without the long trip.

9. An Ngon – Vietnamese Food

Website: N/A

Location: 30 Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 82 909 9107

Opening Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

Best time to visit: Anytime (Quieter during the day)

Pricing: $

Things to do: Eat, Drink, Vietnamese

Fondly known to us as ‘the Vietnamese place’, eating at An Ngon was one of our favorite places to each.

Despite being in South East Asia, Vietnamese can be difficult to find.

An Ngon provided us with countless delicious meals on a weekly basis.

All meals are excellently presented, in decent portion size and local prices, making it a great place to eat at when you want to get out of the house, without the hefty price tag.

10. Cat ‘N’ A Cup Cafe

Website: Cat ‘N’ A Cup Cafe Facebook

Location: 596/7 Phaholyothin Rd, Tambon Wiang, เมือง Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand

Phone Number: +66 82 909 9107

Opening Hours: 11:30 am – 8 pm

Best time to visit: Anytime (Quieter during the day)

Pricing: $

Things to do: Cats, Coffee

Cat ‘N’ A Cup Cafe is one of Chiang Rai’s most unique places to visit.

Situated in the middle of downtown, draws the attention of coffee and cat lovers alike as it allows patrons to enjoy their drinks with a dozen different cats.

Baskets, walkways, and countless platforms placed around the cafe provide the cats with a comfortable environment.

The cats are gentle and well looked after, making an excellent place for children.

The cafe sporting ground-level seating to encourage cat interaction.

Every cat is named, with their names and images displayed on the cafe for current and future reference.

When you leave, you will also be provided with basin for washing your hands, and a fur brush having you looking and feeling fresh after your getting your feline fix.

Cat ‘N’ A Cup Cafe has limited space, so be sure to visit around peak times

11. T(H)REE.TIMES

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Source: T(H)REE.TIMES Facebook

Website: T(H)REE.TIMES Facebook

Location: Mae Yao, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

Phone Number: +66952399349

Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm (closed Tuesday)

Best time to visit: Anytime (Quieter during the day)

Pricing: $

Things to do: Coffee, Cake

Placed across from Kok River, T(H)ree.Times is a beautiful multi-storey cafe, that does excellent coffee and cake.

This newly established cafe has a sharp concrete design, and immersive greenhouse cafe seating area that provides a yet another fantastic place to escape busy Chiang Rai streets.

12. Cafe Lolitta

Website: Lalitta Cafe Facebook

Location: 392 Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

Phone Number: +66807921005

Opening Hours: 8am – 9pm

Best time to visit: Early morning, during the week

Pricing: $

Things to do: Cafe, Restaurant, Relax, Explore

Situated in Chiang Rai’s north-east, 10 minutes from downtown Chiang Rai, Lolitta Cafe, brings elements of a fairytale and cafe together.

Oh, and did I mention there is a giant man-made waterfall that you can see from the highway?

With colorful umbrellas, beautifully landscaped gardens, and imaginative boardwalks, Lalitta is an adventure as much as a dining experience.

Lolitta Cafe has two separate cafes, that offer a range of cakes, meals, and coffee, and multiple seating areas.

If you are looking to visit, aim for the early morning, or during the week as can be quite busy during peak time (Lunchtime, weekends).

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Final Thoughts

Chiang Rai is a beautiful city that has so much to offer travelers.

With so many amazing places tucked away in the back streets and on the side of mountains, it is difficult to locate even the most well-known places as many don’t have websites or direct contact numbers.

While our list is only 12 establishments long, there are surely many more that could easily be on this list, with dozens popping up every day.

So, are you planning a visit to Chiang Rai?

Which place that we have mentioned are you most excited about visiting?

Let me know in the comments below.

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