Discover 13 restaurants in Chiang Mai that take northern Thai ingredients on a European-American adventure

Chiang Mai is the place that instantly comes to mind for authentic northern Thai cuisine, but what if you’re craving flavours from beyond Thailand, yet still want to stay firmly within the borders? Somewhere that hints at Thai influences while taking your taste buds on a little international detour?

Back by popular demand, Koktail Kuisine is staying put in Chiang Mai, but this time the West (think European-American) is calling the shots. Sometimes it flirts with Asia, other times Thai ingredients get a Western spin. From smoky barbecue to intimate fine dining, these restaurants are masters at mixing continents on a plate.

Adirak Pizza

A local favourite pizzeria offering the theatre of an open kitchen as each pizza comes to life

At Adirak Pizza, a beloved Italian classic gets a northern Thai twist. Helmed by Chef Trirat “Boom” Roongsavadeja and partner Yuwatee Jehko, this neighbourhood favourite pizzeria is framed by broad glass windows with an open kitchen, so you can watch every pie come to life. Don’t miss the pesto ricotta with sun-dried tomatoes, rich and creamy but balanced. There’s no booking policy but for the right moment (and the right appetite) it’s absolutely worth the wait.

Suthep, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 81 916 9614. Open daily from 11am-10pm.

Aquaria

Italian at its core yet flavoured with Mediterranean and Asian accents, all within a koi pond–lined setting

The ambience at Aquaria Restaurant & Bar is both relaxed and refined, with tranquil koi ponds that lend a serene, almost Zen-like feel. Upon entering, diners’ eyes go straight to the long bar, where an impressive array of liquors is enhanced by soft wall lighting. The cuisine is Italian at heart, though it is mixed skillfully with Mediterranean and Asian influences. Order their signature truffle cream orzo with grilled wagyu beef; the meat is tender and the earthy truffle notes add depth to its character.

Spice Garden, Moonmuang Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 53 215 011. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm-11pm.

Aquila

A nod to its eagle namesake, serving Italian classics with eagle-eyed precision and Asian touches

Meaning ‘eagle’ in Italian, Aquila has an eye for flavour as instinctively sharp as the bird itself. With eagle-like precision, Italian cuisine is given Asian accents and under Chef Pubase Chuprakong seasonal local ingredients are showcased for their natural freshness. Even the salads are full of surprises, bursting with colour from Japanese melon and pickled peach. Signature wagyu truffle gnocchi is a must, though you can also opt for lobster pappardelle if you’re more seafood-inclined.

Soi Suraphon 1, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 90 236 3845. Open daily for lunch from 12am-2.30pm, and for dinner from 5pm-10pm.

Belén by Paulo Airaudo

A curated experience where a book-filled lounge opens into European cuisine crafted at a minimalist chef’s counter

If you love books and fine dining equally, this is the place for you. Here at Belén, diners are seated first for a brief moment of introspection among book-lined walls before diving headfirst into the world of European flavours. Warm tea gives way to a champagne flute, before a hidden door reveals a sleek wooden chef’s counter. Chicken consommé with hints of ginger leaf and lemongrass foreshadows what’s to come. Momentum builds as scallop, uni tomato risotto, red duck and clam taglioni with vin jaune arrive. It’s a course-driven experience unlike any other.

Sridonchai Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 96 254 7899. Open Thursday to Tuesday from 5.30pm-11pm.

Dinky’s BBQ

A taste of Texas barbecue tradition in Chiang Mai with fall-off-the-bone tenderness and sweet wood smoke

Dinky’s BBQ delivers the smoky flavours of Texas straight to Chiang Mai. Few places greet you with the irresistible scent of lamyai wood smoke, pulling you in and almost convincing you you’re deep in Texas. If hunger strikes, the platter is likely your first thought. Cheesy fries and tender pork ribs are melt-in-your-mouth good, but don’t skip on the sausages; they’re crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside. The highlight is wagyu brisket, impossibly tender and requiring almost no jaw power to chew. With draft beer in hand, eating till you burst suddenly seems achievable.

Suthep, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 82 898 5085. Open daily from 11am-9pm.

Greensmoked

A smoky feast with a masonry oven ablaze and European-American cuisine laced with Thai spices

With its large masonry oven belching flames, Greensmoked lives up to its name: smoky through and through. The dimly lit dining area enhances both its intimate atmosphere and diners’ connection with the food. The menu draws mainly on European and American influences, with Thai touches added. Steaks arrive with sauces inspired by the southern US, while pizzas boast crisp, well-defined crusts infused with distinct wood-fired notes. And the spicy pastas? They stand proudly, heat-wise, alongside any Thai dish.

Wua Lai Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 6 319 5566. Open daily from 5pm-midnight.

L’éléphant

An ode to classic French dining, adorned with neo-classical artwork that flirts with kitsch, quirky and delightfully subversive

L’éléphant is far from a typical French restaurant. When you imagine elegant French dining, decorative artworks that exude highbrow sophistication usually come to mind – but not here. Chef Oan’s artistic background blends high and low culture, filling the space with paintings that flirt with the edge of kitsch. It’s quirky but also quite subversive in its décor. Diners can choose roasted bone marrow or beef tartare with mustard as their choice of spread to pair with table bread. Snow fish, foie gras, A5 wagyu – each brings a unique experience, yet all are equally delicious.

Sirimangkalajarn Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 97 970 8947. Open Tuesday to Friday from 4.30pm-10pm

Le Coq d’Or

A time-honoured restaurant drawing on 50 years of experience in Chiang Mai’s first British Consul’s former residence

The quaint dining space of Le Coq d’Or holds echoes of the past. Set in the former private residence of Chiang Mai’s first British Consul a century ago, and carrying more than 50 years of history, the space hums with old-world grace and style. Signature dishes include pan-fried foie gras with peach sauce, truffle-sauced Australian wagyu ribeye and lobster thermidor. Caesar salad dressing is made to order while live music sets the mood on select evenings, perfect for anyone craving a step back from modern life.

Soi 2, Kohklang Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 89 888 9339. Open Wednesday to Monday from 6pm-10pm.

Le Crystal Restaurant

Overlooking the Ping River, a culinary jewel serves French cuisine that celebrates tradition while embracing innovation

For more than two decades, Le Crystal has been a staple in Chiang Mai’s dining scene. Overlooking the Ping River, diners can savour both contemporary and traditional French cuisine, honed with skill and experience. Highlighting seasonal produce, the set menus offer a taste of the freshest available. For mains, go for grilled lamb chops with potato crouton balls, roasted cherry tomatoes and baked onion with warm salsa inside, drizzled with rosemary sauce. Dessert highlights include Grand Marnier soufflé and tableside crêpes suzette, both fine choices.

Paton Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel:+66 53 218 059. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 5pm-11pm.

NORTH by Four Seasons

An open-fire grill set amid rice fields, where Thai motifs and slow-burning flames turn barbecue into a studied performance

Who would have thought that a serene rural spot, surrounded by greenery and sweeping paddy field views, could be the perfect backdrop for barbecue? But barbecue at NORTH is anything but ordinary. The open grill station adorned with Thai patterns above the flames offers a surprisingly calming spectacle as diners watch the fat slowly render away. Standouts include MB 5-grade wagyu, Australian lamb rack and smoked pork ribs. For a lighter option amid the mountain setting, fresh Thai sea bass, jumbo prawns or Norwegian salmon hit the spot.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, Mae Rim, Old Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 53 298 181. Open daily from 11.30am-10pm.

OWL Brasserie

An established restaurant within the old city moat, where Chef Roman Sturn turns Thai produce into European-style creations

Tucked inside a green enclave inside the old city moat, OWL Brasserie feels like Chiang Mai’s best-guarded secret, and quite non-metaphorically so. Chef Roman Sturn is mindful of the ingredients used, specifically picking fresh Thai produce and transforming it into European-style dishes. Duck liver butter arrives as a citrus-jellied orange with brioche, paired with jellied tomato beneath a stracciatella dome. Highlights include seared venison loin with a trio of vegetable purées and red snapper with sauce Jacqueline. Each dish is a showcase of culinary creativity.

Arak Rd, Phra Singh, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 96 651 1800. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am-10pm.

Something Journey

Surrounded by greenery, hygge-inspired dining transforms simple meals into an immersive journey of flavour in neighbouring Chiang Rai

Usually a journey has a destination but at Something Journey, the journey is the experience. Although technically in Chiang Rai, the restaurant is not far from Chiang Mai. Rooted in the Danish idea of hygge comfort, the restaurant turns brunch, lunch and dinner into a cosy creative adventure, with lush foliage on all sides and locally sourced ingredients at its heart. Chiang Rai pineapple katsu wonderfully pairs breadcrumbed local pineapple with a hot chilli dip. For a one-of-a-kind European-Asian fusion, Northern Lanna sausage pizza is unmatched. 

Huai Sak, Chiang Rai. Tel: +66 99 465 5362. Open daily from 10.30am-9pm.

The Service at 1921 House

Housed inside a century-old teak mansion with spycraft as a guiding theme and premium beef cuts as the star attraction

By the banks of the River Ping stands a century-old teak mansion, once home to the British Consulate and now the stage for Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s signature dining experience: The Service 1921. Espionage is the central theme, with the interiors filled with redacted documents, old tomes and spy portraits. Although Miyazaki wagyu takes centre stage, other wagyu choices – Australian, American and others – do not go unnoticed, which is ironic for a spy-themed restaurant. The 1kg Chiang Mai Nguadoi wagyu tomahawk is the highlight, making no attempt to hide from the law that is your appetite. A license to dine? You don’t need one.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, Charoen Prathet Rd, Chiang Mai. Tel: +66 53 253 333. Open daily from 12pm-10.30pm.