Khao Soi Khun Yai ★ 4.4
A garage khao soi counter behind Wat Kuan Kama that many locals rank the city's best, ladling a deep spicy curry broth until it sells out by early afternoon.
Signature: Khao soi gai, Khao soi neua
Bistros, trattorias, taverns and neighbourhood rooms: the mid-tier places where Chiang Mai actually eats.
Where to eat well, no fuss
Khao Soi Mae Sai ★ 4.3
A Bib Gourmand shophouse near the Ratchaphuek lane, pouring a classic coconut khao soi over egg noodles for 50 to 75 baht since long before Michelin arrived.
Signature: Khao soi gai, Khao soi moo
Khao Soi Islam ★ 4.1
A halal Yunnanese-Muslim kitchen in the Ban Haw quarter serving the beef khao soi and roti that trace the dish to the traders who first brought it.
Signature: Beef khao soi, Roti, Beef biryani
Khao Soi Lamduan Fa Ham ★ 4.3
A 70-year Fa Ham legend on Charoenrat, its creamy khao soi with tender beef drawing queues onto the pavement each morning before it sells out.
Signature: Khao soi neua, Khao soi gai, Naem
SP Chicken ★ 4.2
A rotisserie-chicken shop near Wat Phra Singh whose charcoal-blistered gai yang and papaya salad make it the Old City's go-to for a cheap Isan-style lunch.
Signature: Gai yang, Som tam, Sticky rice
Cherng Doi Roast Chicken ★ 4.2
A student-packed Nimman corner famous for herb-marinated roast chicken and northern-Isan grilled plates, cheap, smoky and busy from the moment it opens.
Signature: Roast chicken, Larb, Nam tok
Doi Chaang Coffee ★ 4.0
The Chiang Mai cafe of the pioneering Doi Chang hill-tribe estate, pouring the northern arabica that put Thai highland coffee on the specialty map after 2000.
Signature: Arabica filter, Espresso, Cakes
Pun Pun Organic Restaurant ★ 4.1
A seed-saving organic vegetarian kitchen tucked behind Wat Suan Dok, plating heirloom-rice Thai plates and ferments from its own farm at rock-bottom prices.
Signature: Organic Thai set, Fresh spring rolls, Kombucha
Kao Soy Nimman ★ 4.1
A more polished, tourist-friendly take on khao soi off Nimman, all hanging lanterns and dark wood, serving generous coconut-curry noodle bowls all day.
Signature: Khao soi gai, Khao soi neua
Kiat Ocha ★ 4.2
A packed Old City morning canteen famous for Hainanese chicken rice and charcoal pork satay, a classic khao man gai counter near the market.
Signature: Khao man gai, Pork satay
Dan Chicken Rice ★ 4.1
A no-frills khao man gai shop off Nimman serving poached and fried chicken over fat-slicked rice with sharp ginger sauce, a cheap, reliable local lunch.
Signature: Boiled chicken rice, Fried chicken rice
Suki Koka ★ 4.0
A long-running Thai suki stall by the Chang Phueak gate market, cooking noodles, egg and greens in a bubbling broth pot, a cheap late-night northern staple.
Signature: Thai suki, Grilled skewers
Khao Soi Mueang Klaeng ★ 4.0
A neighbourhood khao soi shop north of the moat pouring a classic coconut curry broth over egg noodles, a quiet local lunch away from the tourist counters.
Signature: Khao soi gai, Khao soi neua
Mr Kai Khao Soi ★ 4.0
A tucked-away Old City khao soi counter down Phra Pok Klao Soi 13, a low-key local favourite ladling coconut curry noodles until the pot runs out.
Signature: Khao soi gai, Khanom jeen
Khao Song Khao Soi ★ 3.9
A north-side khao soi shop in San Phi Suea drawing purely local crowds for its rich curry broth and crisp noodle crown, well off the usual visitor trail.
Signature: Khao soi, Naem
Chez Khao Soi ★ 4.0
A creative modern khao soi cafe in the northern suburbs playing with the classic, from crab to slow-braised beef versions, a fun twist on the Chiang Mai icon.
Signature: Signature khao soi, Fusion khao soi
Lert Ros ★ 4.1
A smoky Old City grill down a Ratchadamnoen lane, charring whole salt-crusted tilapia over drum barrels alongside fiery Isan larb and papaya salad.
Signature: Grilled tilapia, Larb, Som tam
Laab Lung Noi ★ 4.2
A famed northern larb specialist behind the university, mincing pork and offal into rich, herby, blood-seasoned larb khua that draws devoted local queues.
Signature: Larb khua, Northern sausage, Aep
C Zaab ★ 3.9
A cheerful Isan spot near Wat Phra Singh piling up fiery som tam, grilled chicken and sticky rice, the kind of loud, cheap northeastern dinner locals love.
Signature: Som tam, Grilled chicken, Nam tok
Khao Soi Mae Manee ★ 4.0
A local khao soi kitchen on the ring road prized for a thick, creamy coconut broth and homemade curry paste, worth the short drive north for the real thing.
Signature: Khao soi gai, Khao soi kraduk