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.
Kalnas
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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
Kalnas
Stunning modern cafe with peaceful atmosphere and mountain views perfect for relaxation
The good:
Calm music
Not busy
Great food options
Friendly english-speaking staff
Eclectic design
Interesting garden with whimsical hill
The bad:
Expensive
Design is 'too much'
Interior feels strangely corporate
Tons of competition in the area
I am just not sure who this cafe is for. The design is so strange and eclectic that I don't think it appeals to anyone in particular. You can come here to work - there are tons of plugs and you don't get that unwelcome vibe from the staff - but the chairs are designed for lounging rather than working. You could come here for lunch, but there are SO MANY better options in the area like Amataros, Adirak, and L'amour.
The garden is the most interesting aspect of this cafe by far, and it is very interesting. They built a whimsical little hill with some picnic tables on top. It reminds me of the English countryside or even LOTR. But they should have doubled down on the whimsy motif.
It's also not for the nomad/Bangkok Instagram crowd as there is nothing particularly Instagrammable here. Yeah the fountain is kind of neat, ok there are some swings hanging from a tree branch, but in Chiang Mai it's just not enough.
I include Kalnas in my list because at the end of the day the food, seating, and design is high-quality. They really invested and anybody who visits will find something valuable here. If your tired of the other nearby options why not come check it out? But I hope they pivot soon and commit to attracting one crowd or another.
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