Chiang Mai Cafes
I personally visit and review every cafe here. I'm no barista, I just know what I like. 51 cafes across 16 neighborhoods.
CRATE Cafe
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Top 10 Cafes in Chiang Mai
Discover the crème de la crème of Chiang Mai's coffee scene. Our carefully curated list of the top 10 cafes showcases the best brews, ambiance, and overall experience the city has to offer. From artisanal roasts to exceptional service, these spots represent the pinnacle of cafe culture in Chiang Mai.
- The Baristro Asian Style
- Fleur Cafe & Eatery
- PLUTO
- CRATE Cafe
- Sukhum Caffe’ Sanpatong
- The Barn Eatery And Design
- Transit #8 by Baristro
- The Baristro Coffee Roaster
- Basecamp Trail Cafe
- Sun to the Moon Cafe
Instagrammable Cafes in Chiang Mai
For those who love to capture their coffee moments, Chiang Mai offers a plethora of picture-perfect cafes. This section highlights the most photogenic spots, where aesthetics meet great coffee. Expect stunning interiors, artistic latte art, and backdrops that will make your social media followers swoon.
Best Cafes in Chiang Mai Old Town
Step back in time while sipping on modern brews in Chiang Mai's historic Old Town. This guide features cafes that blend seamlessly with the area's ancient temples and traditional architecture, offering a unique coffee experience steeped in local culture and charm.
Chiang Mai Cafes with a View
Elevate your coffee experience—literally. We've rounded up the best cafes in Chiang Mai that offer breathtaking views along with your brew. From rooftop spots overlooking the city to hillside retreats with mountain vistas, these cafes promise a feast for both your taste buds and your eyes.
Chiang Mai Cafes with Waterfalls
Experience the serene sound of cascading water as you enjoy your coffee. This unique selection of cafes brings you closer to nature, featuring on-site waterfalls or spectacular views of nearby falls. It's the perfect blend of caffeine and tranquility.
Best Coffee Beans in Chiang Mai
Explore Chiang Mai’s vibrant coffee scene with our guide to its best coffee beans. Sourced from nearby northern Thai farms, these cafes and roasteries offer fresh, flavorful single-origin and blended beans, perfect for home brewing or savoring in-house.
- Sensation coffee roaster (fanciest)
- Bella Goose online shop (best value, has online shop)
- FIEOW coffee roaster (great value)
- Hillkoff (decent value, huge selection)
Jungle Cafes in Chiang Mai
Immerse yourself in lush greenery while savoring your favorite coffee at Chiang Mai's jungle cafes. These hidden gems offer a tropical escape, surrounded by verdant foliage and often teeming with local wildlife. It's a coffee adventure that brings you closer to nature.
Cafes in Chiang Mai Old City
Explore the heart of Chiang Mai through its charming cafes nestled within the Old City walls. This guide showcases spots that capture the essence of the ancient city, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and excellent coffee in atmospheric settings.
Chiang Mai Cafe Gardens
Enjoy your coffee amidst blooming flowers and manicured lawns at Chiang Mai's beautiful cafe gardens. These green oases provide a refreshing escape from the city bustle, allowing you to relax and recharge in picturesque natural settings.
Cafe
CRATE Cafe
Minimalist cafe with stunning design but mixed food quality and highway noise
This place is a gem in our old neighborhood near Wat Umong. The food, desserts, and coffee are all solid, but the real star here is the design. Think natural materials and minimalism that actually works, not the try-hard kind.
The garden is the showstopper - in the backyard is a Japanese-style rock garden complemented by great landscaping. Fair warning: if you bring kids, they'll want to play in the pond. My daughter Fiona always tries to, but the staff are cool about it.
They've got a decent breakfast and lunch menu, plus a small but tasty dessert selection. Recently, they've expanded the interior and started slinging wood-fired pizzas in the evenings. One thing I respect about good Thai businesses is how they are always upping their game.
I've coworked here a few times. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor seating zones to choose from, but the chairs are more about looks than comfort.
Come for the Instagram-worthy shots, stay for the espresso and brownie combo.
Pros:
- Great design with natural materials
- Japanese-style rock garden in the backyard
- Solid food, desserts, and coffee
- Multiple seating areas, indoor and out
Cons:
- Chairs aren't great for long work sessions
- Can get busy
- The parking is so bad that it's scary. There are 2 actual spots but otherwise you have to park on the highway shoulder!
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