25 upscale places in Chiang Mai, editor-picked. occasion restaurants in Chiang Mai: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Chiang Mai food.

Kiti Panit ★ 4.4

chang-khlan · 9 Tha Phae Road, Chang Moi, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300

A century-old Tha Phae shophouse restored into an elegant dining room, cooking heritage central and northern Thai recipes from the family archive.

Magnolia Cafe ★ 4.4

chang-phueak · 31/82 Rattanakosin Road, Pa Tan, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300

Chef Noy's intimate Pa Tan dining room won a Michelin Bib Gourmand for personal, modern takes on northern Thai home cooking served by candlelight.

Before Dawn ★ 4.4

nimman · 5/5 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A serious Nimman cocktail bar run by Thai World Class champion Earth, mixing precise seasonal drinks that draw the city's competition-bartender crowd.

Redbox ★ 4.3

chang-phueak · 6 Jannsaap Alley, Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300

A tiny reservations-only room where chef Dan and Pimmada Kankulsuntorn cook a seasonal Thai menu with Bruneian and Malaysian notes from their own orchard.

Saruda Finest Pastry ★ 4.3

nimman · One Nimman A109, Nimmanhaemin Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A jewel-box patisserie now at One Nimman, its dried-flower counter stacked with tarts, an Earl Grey cake and naturally leavened preservative-free loaves.

Forbidden Bar ★ 4.3

nimman · 14/2 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A hidden dessert-cocktail speakeasy above a Nimman ice-cream shop, a dim little room mixing pudding-inspired drinks for those who find the unmarked door.

Winellar ★ 4.3

santitham · 132/1 Moo 1, Chang Khian, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300

A cellar-and-kitchen off Jed Yod pairing organic, seasonal Thai-leaning plates with a natural-wine list, the city's most serious low-intervention room.

Rustic & Blue ★ 4.3

nimman · 2/7 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 7, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A farm-shop cafe off Nimman doing all-day brunch from house produce, one of few Chiang Mai spots pouring brunch cocktails alongside acai bowls and waffles.

The House by Ginger ★ 4.2

old-city · 199 Moon Mueang Road, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A colonial villa full of eclectic antiques and boutique shopping, where modern-plated Thai and northern dishes draw a design-minded Old City crowd.

Baan Landai Fine Thai Cuisine ★ 4.2

old-city · 252/13 Phra Pok Klao Road, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A relaxed Old City house near Wat Chedi Luang, Bib Gourmand listed for refined northern Thai plates and a strong vegetarian section on the menu.

Woo Cafe & Art Gallery ★ 4.2

wat-ket · 80 Charoenrat Road, Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai 50000

A florist, gallery and lifestyle cafe on Charoenrat, all blooms and cake stands, serving Thai and Western plates in one of the city's most photographed rooms.

The Continental ★ 4.2

nimman · Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A John Wick-themed speakeasy reached through a bookshelf up two quiet Nimman flights, a plush hidden room of classic cocktails and cinematic mystique.

Rise Rooftop Bar ★ 4.2

nimman · 22/2 Nimmanhaemin Road Lane 9, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

The rooftop of the Akyra Manor hotel and the best sunset perch over Nimman, a sleek deck pouring classic cocktails and wines as Doi Suthep turns pink.

Woo Cafe & Art Gallery ★ 4.2

wat-ket · 80 Charoenrat Road, Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai 50000

Woo's flower-filled Charoenrat gallery cafe does a pretty riverside brunch of Thai and Western plates, as much a photo backdrop as a genuinely good kitchen.

Surr Bar ★ 4.1

nimman · 8th Floor Art Mai Gallery Hotel, Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 3, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A stylish low-lit lounge atop the Art Mai Gallery hotel, a Bangkok-speakeasy feel over Nimman drawing a mix of locals, expats and travellers most nights.

Ivy's Wonder Wine Bar ★ 4.1

nimman · Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 7, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A cosy Nimman wine bar with a broad by-the-glass list and small plates, a work-friendly daytime cafe that turns into a relaxed pour bar after dark.

Ruen Tamarind ★ 4.0

old-city · 50 Ratchadamnoen Road Soi 1, Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

The garden restaurant of the Tamarind Village hotel, a calm Old City courtyard under an old tamarind tree serving polished Thai and northern classics.

Cru 2nd Floor Wine Bar ★ 4.0

old-city · 8-10 Samlan Road, Phra Singh, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

An intimate upstairs wine room near Wat Phra Singh, a quiet Old City perch for boutique old-world bottles and charcuterie above the Samlan Road bustle.

Why Not? Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar ★ 4.0

nimman · 14 Nimmanhaemin Road Lane 11, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A long-running Italian restaurant and wine bar off Nimman with a deep old-world cellar, pairing wood-fired pizza and pasta with Italian bottles by the glass.

Myst Maya Rooftop ★ 3.9

nimman · Maya Lifestyle Mall, 55 Huay Kaew Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50300

The rooftop bar crowning Maya mall, a chic mezzanine deck with DJs and live sets that pulls Nimman's after-shopping crowd up for cocktails and city views.

MAI The Sky Bar ★ 3.9

chang-khlan · Charoen Prathet Road, Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100

A riverside rooftop above the Night Bazaar quarter, an easy spot for a spritz and skyline view over the Mae Ping before diving into the market crowds below.

The 1892 Bar ★ 3.9

nimman · 189 Suthep Road, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai 50200

A dim wine-and-whisky room off Suthep for slower drinking, pouring old-world reds and single malts to a quieter crowd away from the Nimman clubs.

Grape Wine Bar ★ 3.9

chang-khlan · 61 Tha Phae Road, Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100

A relaxed Tha Phae wine bar with a broad by-the-glass list and cheese and charcuterie boards, an easy Old City drinking room before the walking streets.

MAI The Sky Bar ★ 3.9

chang-khlan · Charoen Prathet Road, Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai 50100

A riverside rooftop above the Night Bazaar pouring cocktails and snacks until midnight, an easy late perch over the Mae Ping once the market winds down.

Wine Connection ★ 3.8

wat-ket · Central Festival, Fah Harm, Mueang Chiang Mai 50000

The Chiang Mai deli-and-bistro of Thailand's big wine-retail chain, a dependable place for well-priced glasses, cheese boards and bottles to take away.