Best Bread in Chiang Mai (3 Winners; 1 Loser; 1 Wild Card)

[Old Curmudgeon]

 

When it comes to bread in Chiang Mai, there are two aspects to consider:

1. bread served in restaurants

2. bread you can buy to take home

Years ago, there was a little restaurant near Kad-Suan-Kaew with a name like, "Amazing Sandwich: An Island In a Sea of Rice."

I don't know if still in business, and frankly I'm not going to check, because the sandwiches weren't great and the bread itself wasn't impressive -- just, I suspect, ordinary white bread from a plastic wrapper.
But back then, bread -- any bread -- was a welcome change from rice everywhere, and from the lack of good-quality bread here.

Now, in 2024, the situation is completely different.

Excellent bread is easily available here.
_________________________

The Best Bread in Chiang Mai Restaurants

Two restaurants share my Grand Prize for bread:

* That's It Schnitzel

Their homemade egg bread sandwich rolls are a delight:

• Soft, light crumb with subtle yeast + egg aroma
• Just slightly sweet
• Very thin crust
• Topped with sesame seeds

 

* Billy's Italian Restaurant

Billy's Italian bread is exceptional.

I'd bet it's homemade because bread this good doesn't come from a factory.

• Soft, delicate, slightly chewy crumb (as Italian bread should be)
• Warm yeast aroma
• Likely make with imported hard-wheat flour. 

 

 

Both deserve the top spot for their bread.

* Sausage King Garden

While I’m not sure if Sausage King bakes their bread in-house or sources it from an outside baker, the result is outstanding.

• Smooth, even crumb
• Light, soft crust
• Rich flavor and aroma of high-quality yeast

 

And this bread makes incredible breakfast toast.

As someone who has baked bread at home, using top-quality, high-protein flour and kneading by hand, I can honestly say Sausage King’s bread is my ideal.

I’ve never achieved this level myself, but they’ve nailed it.

 

__________________________

Bread for Take-Home or Delivery

 

Can you buy these excellent breads to take home or order for delivery?

 

I haven’t asked at That’s It Schnitzel or Billy’s Italian Restaurant, but I did inquire at Sausage King Garden.

Unfortunately, they didn’t seem very interested in selling their bread outside the restaurant.

Personally, I think their bread would be popular if they offered it for delivery through Grab, LineMan, or FoodPanda.

 

Do you know of other restaurants in Chiang Mai with outstanding bread—or bakeries where you can buy or order high-quality bread?

__________________________

 

Before I name the worst bread I've encountered, a quick detour:

Farmhouse Bread

I very much like Farmhouse Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread (not the "royal bread," which is too airy).

For a factory-made bread, it’s a fine product, and I buy it often.

And Farmhouse offers delivery with a minimum order of only 100 baht.

That said, I’m always looking to upgrade my sandwich bread, so I welcome suggestions from others.

___________________________

 

The Loser: TOPS In-Store Bakery

TOPS in-store bakery consistently delivers subpar bread.

Every variety I've tried is disappointing.

Why Is It So Bad?

 

1. The Business Reason

TOPS is increasingly moving to its own branded products, like "Smarter" and "Love the Value."

While prices are slightly lower than name brands, the quality is usually a lot lower.

Their bread seems to be made from very cheap commercial mixes.

The result?

Bread that is inconsistent and low in quality.

 

2. The Cultural Factor

In Thai culture, if something looks good, it must be good.

TOPS takes full advantage of that fallacy.

Their bread looks so good—big, shiny, and enticing.

But slice into it, and you’ll find a crumb full of air.

Bite into it, and you’ll discover there’s almost no flavor.

Do they skimp on the rye flour or skimp on the grains or something like that?

But with a hi-so name like, "German Rustical Dark Rye" the locals will snap it up.

 

 

I stopped buying any bread from the in-story bakery at TOPS years ago.

So my severe opinion here could be out-dated.

Their quality may have changed, may have improved.

If so, please post here to tell me and I'll give it another try.

But I will be very surprised if it is any good.

__________________________

The Wild Card: TikTok Bread

Now for the joker in the deck: bread ordered online from TikTok.

Yes, TikTok—for bread !

 

A few days ago, I placed an order for several loaves and some hamburger buns from two bakers I found on TikTok.

I haven’t received it yet, so can’t comment on the taste.

 

     

 

Will they be any good?

Only one way to find out—order and try.

If it turns out to be good, I’ll be pleased.

__________________________

Your Thoughts?

So, that’s my take on bread in Chiang Mai—the best, the worst, and a potential wild card.

What do you think?

Have you found any exceptional bread here?

What’s your favorite for sandwiches or toast?

 

[Keeps]

The UNIrish bakery next to and owned by UNIrish sports bar on Ratvithi Road (near Thapae Gate) does a very decent English crusty loaf. Both white and wholemeal. 50 baht for small and 80 baht (I think) for large. They will slice it for you if required. They have a fairly wide selection of other bread and rolls. Best to get there early though (opens at 9am) as they sell out quickly some days. 

[Old Curmudgeon]

49 minutes ago, Keeps said:

The UNIrish bakery next to and owned by UNIrish sports bar on Ratvithi Road (near Thapae Gate) does a very decent English crusty loaf. Both white and wholemeal.

 

Thank you @Keeps for mentioning UNIrish's bake shop.

Web site shows the name on the door now is "Crusty Loaf".

 

I'm wondering about delivery service.

Searched LINEMAN and FoodPanda, but no mention either UNIrish or Crusty Loaf.

Do you know about deliveries from Crusty Loaf bake shop?

[Keeps]

5 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

Do you know about deliveries from Crusty Loaf?

I don't know about deliveries. I always go in person as I like to see what I'm buying (and to see if there is anything else I fancy) and it's also on my morning route march. 

[JingerBen]

For sliced whole wheat I like what comes from JJ Bakery and is available at Rim Ping, Iron Bridge.

Nana Bakery for French bread and many other baked goods.

l'Opera for everything except sliced bread.

[Bill97]

1 hour ago, JingerBen said:

l'Opera for everything except sliced bread.

+Kasem Store for sliced

[Thailand]

Best bread in Chiang Mai is the bread my missus makes by a country mile!

[gamb00ler]

In my mooban there is a small cheese factory and shop that also sells baked goods.   I only tried it one time but was very impressed with their multi-grain loaf.

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eanyQMfxx7a3vpYy5

 

[Rotweiler]

It MAY have been referred-to above, but a solid yes for Rimping's Artisan French Country Sourdough bread (and reasonably [.. for Thailand...] priced).

[chiang mai]

I'm certain that ******* beats any and all of those hands down, their olive bread is magnificent.

 

Censored in light of the following post.

[novacova]

Won’t be making any mentions as to what is/who makes the best bread in cm, given that it doesn’t stay in stock long because it’s the best and mentioning it here will only make it more depleted. Sorry, but not really.

[Old Curmudgeon]

Any one have any thoughts about Nana Bakery's bread -- compared to the three winners in the opening post.

 

Nana bakery has six locations around the city.

Friends who appreciate good bread say they make a decent loaf.

I've never bought any, but maybe tasted it at some restaurant and didn't know.

Would appreciate opinions from anyone who can compare Nana's bread to any of the three in the opening post.

 

Here's the link:

lhttps://www.nana-bakery-chiang-mai.com/

 

[Dante99]

10 hours ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

Any one have any thoughts about Nana Bakery's bread -- compared to the three winners in the opening post.

 

Nana bakery has six locations around the city.

Friends who appreciate good bread say they make a decent loaf.

I've never bought any, but maybe tasted it at some restaurant and didn't know.

Would appreciate opinions from anyone who can compare Nana's bread to any of the three in the opening post.

 

Here's the link:

lhttps://www.nana-bakery-chiang-mai.com/

 

Three winners? Nobody else has suggested that any of the three are tops.

 

Compare to Nana which makes 9 different loaves will require 27 different comparisons.  We will get our staff to work on that Monday just for you.

[chiang mai]

Nana Bakery is not just a good loaf, its excellent bread and pastries, for my money it beats anything else in the North, by a wide margin.

[trevoromgh]

Thanks OC for a very interesting and mouth watering article.  I certainly like well baked bread and concur with your comment about the toast bread used at the Sausage King Garden being so good and wish they'd offer it for delivery through Grab, LineMan, or FoodPanda too.  

 

Will try the UN Irish Crusty Bread Bakery next time I'm in the area though there again a delivery service would be preferable. 

[Presnock]

35 minutes ago, Dante99 said:

Three winners? Nobody else has suggested that any of the three are tops.

 

Compare to Nana which makes 9 different loaves will require 27 different comparisons.  We will get our staff to work on that Monday just for you.

Personally like Nana's breads and many of their other products!

[stupidfarang]

On 12/20/2024 at 12:10 AM, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

When it comes to bread in Chiang Mai, there are two aspects to consider:

1. bread served in restaurants

2. bread you can buy to take home

Years ago, there was a little restaurant near Kad-Suan-Kaew with a name like, "Amazing Sandwich: An Island In a Sea of Rice."

I don't know if still in business, and frankly I'm not going to check, because the sandwiches weren't great and the bread itself wasn't impressive -- just, I suspect, ordinary white bread from a plastic wrapper.
But back then, bread -- any bread -- was a welcome change from rice everywhere, and from the lack of good-quality bread here.

Now, in 2024, the situation is completely different.

Excellent bread is easily available here.
_________________________

The Best Bread in Chiang Mai Restaurants

Two restaurants share my Grand Prize for bread:

* That's It Schnitzel

Their homemade egg bread sandwich rolls are a delight:

• Soft, light crumb with subtle yeast + egg aroma
• Just slightly sweet
• Very thin crust
• Topped with sesame seeds

 

* Billy's Italian Restaurant

Billy's Italian bread is exceptional.

I'd bet it's homemade because bread this good doesn't come from a factory.

• Soft, delicate, slightly chewy crumb (as Italian bread should be)
• Warm yeast aroma
• Likely make with imported hard-wheat flour. 

 

 

 

Both deserve the top spot for their bread.

* Sausage King Garden

While I’m not sure if Sausage King bakes their bread in-house or sources it from an outside baker, the result is outstanding.

• Smooth, even crumb
• Light, soft crust
• Rich flavor and aroma of high-quality yeast

 

And this bread makes incredible breakfast toast.

As someone who has baked bread at home, using top-quality, high-protein flour and kneading by hand, I can honestly say Sausage King’s bread is my ideal.

I’ve never achieved this level myself, but they’ve nailed it.

 

__________________________

Bread for Take-Home or Delivery

 

Can you buy these excellent breads to take home or order for delivery?

 

I haven’t asked at That’s It Schnitzel or Billy’s Italian Restaurant, but I did inquire at Sausage King Garden.

Unfortunately, they didn’t seem very interested in selling their bread outside the restaurant.

Personally, I think their bread would be popular if they offered it for delivery through Grab, LineMan, or FoodPanda.

 

Do you know of other restaurants in Chiang Mai with outstanding bread—or bakeries where you can buy or order high-quality bread?

__________________________

 

Before I name the worst bread I've encountered, a quick detour:

Farmhouse Bread

I very much like Farmhouse Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread (not the "royal bread," which is too airy).

For a factory-made bread, it’s a fine product, and I buy it often.

And Farmhouse offers delivery with a minimum order of only 100 baht.

That said, I’m always looking to upgrade my sandwich bread, so I welcome suggestions from others.

___________________________

 

The Loser: TOPS In-Store Bakery

TOPS in-store bakery consistently delivers subpar bread.

Every variety I've tried is disappointing.

Why Is It So Bad?

 

1. The Business Reason

TOPS is increasingly moving to its own branded products, like "Smarter" and "Love the Value."

While prices are slightly lower than name brands, the quality is usually a lot lower.

Their bread seems to be made from very cheap commercial mixes.

The result?

Bread that is inconsistent and low in quality.

 

2. The Cultural Factor

In Thai culture, if something looks good, it must be good.

TOPS takes full advantage of that fallacy.

Their bread looks so good—big, shiny, and enticing.

But slice into it, and you’ll find a crumb full of air.

Bite into it, and you’ll discover there’s almost no flavor.

Do they skimp on the rye flour or skimp on the grains or something like that?

But with a hi-so name like, "German Rustical Dark Rye" the locals will snap it up.

 

 

I stopped buying any bread from the in-story bakery at TOPS years ago.

So my severe opinion here could be out-dated.

Their quality may have changed, may have improved.

If so, please post here to tell me and I'll give it another try.

But I will be very surprised if it is any good.

__________________________

The Wild Card: TikTok Bread

Now for the joker in the deck: bread ordered online from TikTok.

Yes, TikTok—for bread !

 

A few days ago, I placed an order for several loaves and some hamburger buns from two bakers I found on TikTok.

I haven’t received it yet, so can’t comment on the taste.

 

     

 

Will they be any good?

Only one way to find out—order and try.

If it turns out to be good, I’ll be pleased.

__________________________

Your Thoughts?

So, that’s my take on bread in Chiang Mai—the best, the worst, and a potential wild card.

What do you think?

Have you found any exceptional bread here?

What’s your favorite for sandwiches or toast?

 

Interesting you rate Farmhouse bread highly and then say Tops uses cheap commercial ingredients, am sure farmhouse use cheap commercial as well

ngredients

• 

  16 ingredients

  ---

  Wheat Flour 41.0%, Whole Wheat Flour 23.0%, Sugar 4.5 %, Vegetable Fat 2.5%, Yeast 1.0%, lodized Salt 1.0%, Milk Powder 0.6%Vitamin 0.2 %, Preservative (INS 282), Food Additive (INS 300, INS 471, INS 481()) Allergen Information: Contains wheat flour, milk and soy products.

  Allergens: Gluten, Milk

  Traces: Gluten, Milk, None

  zoom_in Zoom

Food processing

• 

  Ultra-processed foods

  2 ultra-processing markers

  ---

Additives

• E282 - Calcium propionate

  ---

• E300 - Ascorbic acid

  ---

• E471 - Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

  ---

• E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

[pacovl46]

On 12/19/2024 at 6:10 PM, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

When it comes to bread in Chiang Mai, there are two aspects to consider:

1. bread served in restaurants

2. bread you can buy to take home

Years ago, there was a little restaurant near Kad-Suan-Kaew with a name like, "Amazing Sandwich: An Island In a Sea of Rice."

I don't know if still in business, and frankly I'm not going to check, because the sandwiches weren't great and the bread itself wasn't impressive -- just, I suspect, ordinary white bread from a plastic wrapper.
But back then, bread -- any bread -- was a welcome change from rice everywhere, and from the lack of good-quality bread here.

Now, in 2024, the situation is completely different.

Excellent bread is easily available here.
_________________________

The Best Bread in Chiang Mai Restaurants

Two restaurants share my Grand Prize for bread:

* That's It Schnitzel

Their homemade egg bread sandwich rolls are a delight:

• Soft, light crumb with subtle yeast + egg aroma
• Just slightly sweet
• Very thin crust
• Topped with sesame seeds

 

* Billy's Italian Restaurant

Billy's Italian bread is exceptional.

I'd bet it's homemade because bread this good doesn't come from a factory.

• Soft, delicate, slightly chewy crumb (as Italian bread should be)
• Warm yeast aroma
• Likely make with imported hard-wheat flour. 

 

 

 

Both deserve the top spot for their bread.

* Sausage King Garden

While I’m not sure if Sausage King bakes their bread in-house or sources it from an outside baker, the result is outstanding.

• Smooth, even crumb
• Light, soft crust
• Rich flavor and aroma of high-quality yeast

 

And this bread makes incredible breakfast toast.

As someone who has baked bread at home, using top-quality, high-protein flour and kneading by hand, I can honestly say Sausage King’s bread is my ideal.

I’ve never achieved this level myself, but they’ve nailed it.

 

__________________________

Bread for Take-Home or Delivery

 

Can you buy these excellent breads to take home or order for delivery?

 

I haven’t asked at That’s It Schnitzel or Billy’s Italian Restaurant, but I did inquire at Sausage King Garden.

Unfortunately, they didn’t seem very interested in selling their bread outside the restaurant.

Personally, I think their bread would be popular if they offered it for delivery through Grab, LineMan, or FoodPanda.

 

Do you know of other restaurants in Chiang Mai with outstanding bread—or bakeries where you can buy or order high-quality bread?

__________________________

 

Before I name the worst bread I've encountered, a quick detour:

Farmhouse Bread

I very much like Farmhouse Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread (not the "royal bread," which is too airy).

For a factory-made bread, it’s a fine product, and I buy it often.

And Farmhouse offers delivery with a minimum order of only 100 baht.

That said, I’m always looking to upgrade my sandwich bread, so I welcome suggestions from others.

___________________________

 

The Loser: TOPS In-Store Bakery

TOPS in-store bakery consistently delivers subpar bread.

Every variety I've tried is disappointing.

Why Is It So Bad?

 

1. The Business Reason

TOPS is increasingly moving to its own branded products, like "Smarter" and "Love the Value."

While prices are slightly lower than name brands, the quality is usually a lot lower.

Their bread seems to be made from very cheap commercial mixes.

The result?

Bread that is inconsistent and low in quality.

 

2. The Cultural Factor

In Thai culture, if something looks good, it must be good.

TOPS takes full advantage of that fallacy.

Their bread looks so good—big, shiny, and enticing.

But slice into it, and you’ll find a crumb full of air.

Bite into it, and you’ll discover there’s almost no flavor.

Do they skimp on the rye flour or skimp on the grains or something like that?

But with a hi-so name like, "German Rustical Dark Rye" the locals will snap it up.

 

 

I stopped buying any bread from the in-story bakery at TOPS years ago.

So my severe opinion here could be out-dated.

Their quality may have changed, may have improved.

If so, please post here to tell me and I'll give it another try.

But I will be very surprised if it is any good.

__________________________

The Wild Card: TikTok Bread

Now for the joker in the deck: bread ordered online from TikTok.

Yes, TikTok—for bread !

 

A few days ago, I placed an order for several loaves and some hamburger buns from two bakers I found on TikTok.

I haven’t received it yet, so can’t comment on the taste.

 

     

 

Will they be any good?

Only one way to find out—order and try.

If it turns out to be good, I’ll be pleased.

__________________________

Your Thoughts?

So, that’s my take on bread in Chiang Mai—the best, the worst, and a potential wild card.

What do you think?

Have you found any exceptional bread here?

What’s your favorite for sandwiches or toast?

 

Do you have a Foodland supermarket in Chiang Mai? I’m German and I couldn’t believe my eyes when they had pretty much everything you can buy in a German bakery in there. They also had regular German as well as pizza meatloaf. It was literally like walking into a supermarket in Germany. If German bread qualifies as good bread to you then it’s definitely worth checking out a Foodland supermarket, if you ever come across one. 

[novacova]

1 hour ago, pacovl46 said:

Do you have a Foodland supermarket in Chiang Mai?

No. And highly doubt the op knows given that everything that the op posts is copy and paste and not from personal experience, probably never stepped foot in cm.

[CallumWK]

3 minutes ago, novacova said:

No. And highly doubt the op knows given that everything that the op posts is copy and paste and not from personal experience, probably never stepped foot in cm.

 

Glad someone else noticed that the OP is our latest AI member.

 

I did notice this for  while already from his other threads

[Tazmo]

I go for mainly sourdough or tofu bread, from my own research, for healthy reasons.

 

 I get sourdough, freshly made dairy in my local Mai Rim area, at Green Hand Vegan Restaurant. They also make vegan burger buns; wholewheat bread, cakes etc. My wife orders it, as they sell fast! They will slice and also deliver.

 

My second choice is Tofu bread, and black sesame wholewheat buns from Rim Ping. Recently they have had none in stock, saying “ machine broken “??

 

A new Kad Farang is in Mae Rim  now, not all completed. But Nana Bakery is opening next week. So I shall try them, but looking at their menu, there’s no sourdough nor vegan choices!

 

 have had good wholewheat at ‘butter  is better’, have their own bakery, they do a range of sandwiches, rolls etc. But not researched their ingredients!

 

Also like Volks Bagel in Mae Rim, they also have a branch in Nimin. A huge range of bagels. Again not researched their ingredients.

[Tazmo]

Should read, “ daily” instead of “ diary”