Chiang Mai restaurants are numerous with a good selection of restaurants serving Thai food and Northern specialties. Due to the many visitors there is also a good selection of different cuisines at some very good restaurants.

Coffee shops have also sprung up all over Chiang Mai and offer reasonable lunch and snack dishes. Most guesthouses and hotels serve western breakfasts along with Thai fruit. Another option for fast inexpensive eating are the Food Courts where a number of small stalls service one common area. Tickets are bought first and exchanged with the stall holder. Unused tickets can be cashed back on the same day only. They are found in the two main shopping malls at the Central Airport Plaza and at Kad Suan Kaew shopping complex.

Thai curries are well known and are green (geng pet kiau), red (geng pet deng) or mussaman which is a Malay curry. The hot spicy soup is Tom Yam and comes with either prawns or chicken. Try the steaming pla jian (whole fish poached in ginger, onions and soy sauce), or the mild kai phat met ma muang (chicken fried with vegetables and cashew nuts), or the Thai lunch favourite, somtam - a spicy papaya salad. Northern favourites include sai ua (spicy sausage), khao soy (Shan-Yunnanese influenced curry noodles), Kaeng hang lae (pork curry casserole with ginger and peanuts) and kaen yuak (banana palm curry). Rice comes either as plain (kau sooay) or fried (kau pat). Thai salads are spicy and referred to as Yam. There is normally a full range of noodle dishes, including noodle soup (kuai tio nam), dry noodles (kuai tio haeng) and crispy noodles (mi krop). Some of those chosen are inexpensive and others at the top end.

Restautant : Asian and Thai Food

BAAN TAI Chiangmai, 41/10 Sripingmuang Rd, Tel. (053)275938, (053)272301. Serving the favorite flavors that Thai foods food lovers like.

CHINA PALACE, The Westin Chiangmai. Authentic Cantonese cuisine skillfully prepared by our Master Cantonese Chef. Innovative dishes not served elsewhere. Dim sum lunch served daily. Reservations Tel.(053) 275300 ext. 1141, 1845

COME-IN HOUSE RESTAURANT, 79-3 Sirithorn Rd., Tel (053) 212516, 212683 Fax. (053) 225305. Serving Thai food using traditional recipes from Phrae Province. Tommy Tang, famous TV chef in USA, brings his cooking tours here regularly to enjoy the food and sample the ambience of the impressive teak residence.

DOWNTOWN INN, Loy Kroh Road. Especially noteworthy for Thai food at inexpensive to moderate prices am to pm Cowboy-style outdoor patio Tel. (053)270662-7

GALAE RESTAURANT, 65 Suthep Rd., Tel. (053)278655. Doi Suthep foothill location at dege of a sparkling reservoir. Thai & Northern Thai food and grilled specialties in delightful outdoors.

THE GARDEN RESTAURANT, Oriental Guest House, 69 Loi Kroh Rd., (nest to Loi Kroh Temple), Tel. (053)276742. Western Breakfasts with freshly brewed coffee, Thai food.

GINGPAI CHINESE RESTAURANT, Pornping Tower, Charernprathet Rd. Speciality Cantonese Cuisine. Luncheon dim sum dumplings. Open Lunch and 17.50-23.00

GOLD LEAF Chinese Restaurant, Imperial Mae Ping Hotel Hong Kong Chef 30 years

HONG TAUW INN, 95/16-17 Nimanhemin Rd. Tel. (053)400039, (053)218333. Opposite Rincome Hotel, 11.00-24.00 hrs. Antique wall clock collection, good food and beverages at reasonable prices.

KRUA HONG TEH, 14th floor Lanna Palace Hotel, 184 Changklan Rd., Tel. (053)270722-40. Open lunch and dinner.

KALAE BAZAAR, Food Center offers world wide favorite snacks and foods from 11 am until 11 pm on Changklan Road

KAOMAI LANNA RESORT, Km. 29 Chiangmai-Hord Rd., Baan Toong Siew, Sanpathong. Tel. (053)834470-5, Thai food in garden.

IMPERIAL SHABU SHABU, Imperial Mae Ping hotel. Evenings offer unlimited Oriental soup with all the ingredients you like. Fresh seafood, kobe beef, over 20 types of vegetables, Asian style meatballs and more than can be described here. Only Baht 240 per person. Tel. (053)270160-80.

JASMINE CHINESE, Royal Princess Hotel, Changklan Rd., Daily Luncheon dim sum, excellent Chinese Dishes. Open Lunch & Dinner.

KAMPAENGDIN COFFEE HOUSE, ground floor, Imperial Mae Ping hotel, 6.00 A.M - 2.00 A.M. Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisine. Live music 5.00 P.M. - 2.00 A.M.

LANKAM TERRACE, 100/1 Chiang Inn Night Bazzar, Changklan Rd., Tel. (053)281342. Open daily 10.00 am. - 12.00 Pm. Quick dish Bt 20.-

MIYUKI (Japanese) Restaurant, Royal Princess Hotel, Changklan Rd. Open Lunch & Dinner. Tel. (053)281033

PANDA PALACE (Chinese) Restaurant , Empress Hotel, Changklan Rd. Open Lunch & Dinner. Tel.(053)270240.

PLUB PLA Thai Restaurant, Khum Khantoke, Chiang Mai Business Park, Superhighway. Tel. 0 5330 4121-3.

PONG YANG Restaurant & Resort, Set in the hills, Great view, great food and affordable prices. 49/8 Moo 2, Pongyang, Tel. (053)879151.

SALA MAE RIM at the Regent Chiang Mai Resort & Spa specializes in vegetarian, northern Thai and western cuisine. Tel. (053)298181.

SPICES RESTAURANT, opp British Council, 109 Bumroongrasd Rd., Quality ingredients, inexpensive, Free dessert with each food order. Open 11 am to 9 pm except Mondays. Tel. (053)242267, (053)244371.

SUAN DOI Vietnamese Cafe, Huay Kaew Rd., Tel. (053)221869. Open Daily. Artistic setting in enchanting tropical garden.

Restautant : International Restaurants

BELLE VILLA Restaurant, Hangdong-Samerng Rd. Thai and western food served on open air terrace. Tel (053)365318

BRITANNIA ARMS, Anusarn Market, 149.14/15 Changklan Rd., Satisfying British Breakfast, Western, Thai food. Satellite TV, Tel. (053)271921

CANTINA, 80/2 Loi Kroh Rd., Mexican specialties. & cold drinks. Open 11.00 - 02.00 hrs. Tel. (053)284288.

CHEZ DANIEL, 255/18 Mahidol Rd. (Ormuang Superhiway), Tel./Fax. (053) 204600. ON HOLIDAY UNTIL JULY 2001

CHEZ JOHN, 18/1 Airport Rd. Fine continental cuisine & wine cellar. Tel. (053)201551. Open lunch and dinner.

CHILLIS RESTAURANT, Rydges Tapae Hotel, 22 Chaiyapoom Rd., Tel. (053)251531. Enjoy all day dining in this restaraunt.

CITRUS for SCENTS AND SPICES at Novotel Changpuak Hotel 183 Changpuak Rd. Open daily. All food freshly prepared before your eyes. Western, Thai, Mexican, and Caribbean food available. Tel. (053)225500.

EASY DINER. 27/29 Rajdamnern Rd opp Shell gas station. Tel.(053) 208989. American style hamburgers, (chicken/beef or veggie), chilli, fries, Big British breakfasts, spareribs, malts & milkshakes, etc.

El TORO RESTAURANT & CANTINA, Serving the finest homemade Mexican food indoors or on the patio in the heart of Chiangmai, Thailand. Try our famous Frozen Margarita. Tortillas and Salsa made fresh daily.

THE FISH'N CHIPS SHOP, Ratchawitee Rd., opposite Mr. Beer Motor bike. Tel. (053)418210. Western, Thai, and Mexican.

FILLMORE EAST BAR AND GRILL, 15/7 Loi Kroa Rd. Tel. (053)207027 Open: Noon - 2.00 am. The best steaks in Chiang Mai, great music, free pool table.

GARDEN CAFE, Royal Princess Hotel. Start your day with hearty breakfast buffet, lunch & leisurely meals of Western & Thai Food served.

THE GREEN LEAF, 169/4-5 Sri Dornchai Rd, Tel. 820336. Relaxing tea house setting with fountains. Oolong & Green Tea & Herbal Products. Spaghetti, sandwiches. Open 11 am to 10 pm.

LANNA CAFE, 81 Huay Kaew Rd., Tel. (053)225862. Open 8.00 am - 6.00 pm., Mon-Sat. Hilltribe organic coffee & Light food.

LANNA COFFEE SHOP, Amari Rincome Hotel, Huay Kaew Rd. Tel. (053)221044. Thai and European dishes available plus frequent food festivals.

LIBERNARD CAFE, 295 -299 Changmoi Rd. Tel.(053) 234877. Joe Cummings says. "Best coffee along with best banana pancakes in all of Chiangmai." Open 7 am to 10 pm.

LE COQ D'OR European Restaurant, 68/1 Koh Klang Rd., next to Suan Yo-Lay. Tel. (053)282024. Open Lunch & Dinner. One of Southeast Asia's finest restaurants.

MAE PING HOTEL COFFEE SHOP, Open 6 am. - 2am. Over 300 selections from menu. After 8 pm. Live music & singers.

ORIENTAL STYLE Restaurant & Shop, 36 Jarernrasd Rd., Italian & Thai food in romantic candlelight setting. Tel. (053)262746.

THE PUB, 189 Huay Kaew Rd. Near Amari Rincome. Chiangmai Hills. Holiday Inn Green Hills, Tarin and Chiangmai Orchid Hotels. Tel. (053)211550. International and Thai cuisine. Open daily for dinner 5.00 pm-midnight except Monday.

SALATHONG Restaurant, Amity Green Hills. Opp. Wat Jed Yord, Tel. (053)220100-3. International Buffet Lunch and Thai cuisine.

STUDIO FOOD COURT, Kad Suan Kaew. On 4th floor near cinema ticket counter. Before of after a cinema date, meet here for International, Asian and Thai popular dishes in hollywood movie set surroundings. Live music in evening. Large screen for viewing sport matches, music video channel or fashion channel. Tel. (053)224333.

Restautant : Waterfront Restaurant

MAE LA PLA PAO, Fahaam Rd., Open lunch & dinner, special menu: Smoked Pla Chon served shole, Pla chon "namtoke" or try crab "lohn" with fresh vegeables. Over 250 selections. Tel. (053)306660

THE GALLERY RESTAURANT & BAR, 25-27 Jarernrasd Rd. Tel. 248601-2. Open noon to midnight. Turn-of-the-century ambience on the river. Drinks, wine cellar and international food.

THE GOOD VIEW, 23 Jarernrasd Rd., Tel. (053)240866. Specialties: Thai food and German style pig knuckle. Open 5 pm - 1am

THE RIVER DELI Restaurant, 233 Jarernrasd Rd. Swedish, Thai and Mexican dishes. Authentic Tasting. Home of the viking Platter. Beautiful view on Mae Pign River. Tel.(053)260404.

THE RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT, 9-11 Charoenrasd Rd., Tel. 243239. Daily from 10.00 am until 01.00 am. Home style Western and Thai Food. Friendly atmosphere and view of the Ping River.