Chiang Rai With its peaceful atmosphere and its mix of culture and nature, it also stands out for its delicious cuisine, which is a little different from that of southern Thailand. From street stalls to cozy cafes, this city offers options for all tastes and budgets. In this article, we share with you our experience tasting some of the best places to eat in Chiang Rai. Because exploring Thailand is not complete without tasting its food, it was one of the things we fell in love with on this trip.
If you want more information about Chiang Rai here are some of our others posts and at the end of this article, we make a compilation of some of them typical dishes northern Thailand, whose cuisine is slightly different from that of other areas:
Yellow Truck Coffee
Yellow Truck Coffee is impossible to overlook. Literally, it's a super flashy yellow van right next to Clock Tower. It's got that Thai vibe with mini plastic tables and chairs so typical of Thailand. A perfect place to start the day early and enjoy an authentic breakfast.
We went to the 6 a.m. while our hotel was opening and we tasted several dishes: the thai churros The dipping sauce, which comes with a kind of condensed milk for dipping, was incredible. We also ordered a rice porridge with duck meat and egg. We had never tasted a salty porridge before and we really loved it. To go with it, we had a few coffees that gave us the energy we needed to continue with the day. Although they also offer sandwiches and more Western dishes, we encourage you to try the Thai dishes because are worthwhile.
The atmosphere is super relaxed, as in almost all Thai food places. It is ideal for those who are looking for something authentic and unpretentious.
- Average price per person: 3-5 €
- Our favorite dish: Rice porridge with duck egg.
- Yellow Truck Coffee Location.
The BC2
The BC2 is like in a secret corner in the middle of the mountain. It is in the area of Doi Chang surrounded by nature and with breathtaking views. It is perfect to disconnect while enjoying a good meal. In addition, we were lucky enough to eat practically alone, at a table by the window. Absolute tranquility.
From the food, we tried a sautéed rice with vegetables and some noodles with chicken and basil. The flavors were simple but authentic, the kind of dish you crave in such a relaxing setting. The girls who run the restaurant were a love Although they spoke almost no English, they went out of their way to help us and even let me charge my cell phone behind the bar, a detail that is always appreciated!
The site has an open-air bathroom with breathtaking views, it has a rustic and special touch. If you go to Doi Chang, this restaurant is a good choice for a quiet break with spectacular views. And if you want to stay in the area, you should know that it is also a hotel.
- Average price per person: 4-6 €
- Our favorite dish: The noodles with chicken and basil.
- Location The BC2.
Chiang Rai Night Market
The night market in Chiang Rai is pure Thai essence Street food stalls, lights and a lively but not crowded atmosphere. It is smaller and quieter than Chiang Mai, but it has its charm and is perfect for tasting authentic food at a good price.
We wandered around for a while because, to be honest, some of the stalls didn't look very clean. But in the end we decided on one and were pleasantly surprised. We tried rice with kimchi y rice with chicken Both dishes were simple but tasty. In the end nothing was bad for us, so you can try it without fear if you make sure you choose a good looking stall.
In addition to the food, there are quite a few souvenir stands at very good prices. It is a good option to buy gifts or typical things without spending a fortune. We recommend you to take a walk around the market before sitting down to eat to soak up the atmosphere and choose calmly.
- Average price per person: 2-4 €
- Our favorite dish: Rice with kimchi.
- Location Night market.
Thai Beers 🍺
If you like beer, don't miss the Chang, Singha or Leo! Of course, they cost the same (or more) than a plate of food.
Barrab
Barrab Restaurant is a cozy and cool place in the center of Chiang Rai. It is perfect if you want to escape a bit from the street markets and enjoy a quieter meal in a pleasant atmosphere. The restaurant specializes in traditional Thai food and has a modern decor but with a Thai touch that makes it very special, plus a super attentive service.
During our visit, we opted for several recommended dishes from their menu. We tried a prawn pad thai which was spectacular, full of flavor. We also ordered a tom kha gai soup which is that wonder of coconut, chicken and spices, perfect if you like exotic but mild flavors. To finish, we shared a dessert of mango sticky rice.
The price is a little higher than the street stalls, but it's still a good value very affordable for the quality and ambience of the place. The restaurant is air-conditioned (which is much appreciated) and has comfortable tables, ideal for a break from the heat and bustle.
- Average price per person: 6-9 €
- Our favorite dish: The prawn pad thai.
- Barrab restaurant location.
Awe's Café
Awe's Cafe is a site specialized in specialty coffees and homemade desserts with options such as coconut or mango tarts that look great. They also offer some light dishes, such as sandwiches and salads, and more substantial options such as Thai curry.
This cozy little cafe was recommended to us at the hotel but we didn't get to try it due to time constraints. We've made a note of it for the next time and if you go, we'd love to know if it really lives up to the recommendations we were given, it looks like a worthwhile place!
- Average price per person: 4-6 €
- Most recommended dish: Their coconut or mango pies (we were told).
- Location Awe's Café.
7-Eleven
Eating in a 7-Eleven in Thailand is an experience in itself, and super practical! This type of tent is a real lifesaver if you are in a hurry or don't feel like looking for a restaurant. The day we took the bus to Chiang Mai, we pulled this resource because we did not have time to sit down for lunch, and the truth is that it is not bad at all.
We purchased a chicken green curry which was surprisingly tasty for a ready-made meal, and a plate of rice with "stuff (those mysterious ingredients that always taste good in Thailand). For dessert, a pandan muffin It was a sweet, fluffy and sweet, which made us happy at the moment. We bought everything right there, they heated it up in the microwaves they have in the store, and it was ready to go!
We ate it at the bus station while waiting for ours to leave. Although it is not the most glamorous dining experience, it is a fast, economical and very local option. If you are in a hurry or just want to try something different, it is worth it. In addition, the options are very varied, so you are sure to find something you like.
- Average price per person: 2-3 €
- Our favorite dish: The chicken green curry, very good for a supermarket curry!
- Location 7-Eleven next to the bus station.
Typical dishes from northern Thailand
The north of Thailand, and especially the area around Chiang Rai has a gastronomy different from the rest of the country: less spicy than that of the northeast (Isaan), with Burmese, Laotian and mountain ethnic influences. Here is a list of typical dishes you will find there and we mark some of the ones that you will we liked the most to us:
- ⭐ Khao Soi Curry soup with coconut milk and egg noodles, served with chicken or beef, accompanied by pickles, red onion and lime.
- Sai Oua Northern spicy sausage is sold a lot in night markets, and it is very easy to try in small portions. We tried one that had rice noodles inside and were not thrilled with it, but we encourage you to try it.
- Nam Prik Noom Roasted green chili paste, very popular in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, served with crispy pork (cap moo) or vegetables.
- Gaeng Hang Lay Northern curry with pork or beef, Burmese spices, ginger and garlic, without coconut milk. In many northern restaurants it is sold as "house specialty curry" and you will hardly ever taste two alike.
- ⭐ Kaeb Moo Fried pork rinds, very crunchy. They are similar to the Spanish bark but with a different spicy touch. They are a very popular snack in the market.
- Nam Ngiao Rice noodle soup with reddish broth based on tomatoes and spices, typical of the Tai Yai ethnic group of Burma. Although not as well known as the khao soi, it is a very typical dish of Chiang Rai and quite different from the rest of Thailand. Attention because it has blood "tofu", only for the bravest!
- ⭐ Kanom Krok Mini coconut pancakes made in iron plates with holes; they are eaten hot, crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. If you like coconut, you will love them because they are spectacular. They are eaten like seeds.
If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement Where to eat in Chiang Rai you can visit our posts about Thailand.
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