What Is Your Favourite Restaurant In Chiang Mai?

[IanForbes]

Concur with the previous poster as well that Aroon Rai is pretty rubbish I was fooled into eating here by the Lonely Planet guidebook back in the day but soon learn't there was a lot better out there.

The Lonely Planet guidebooks are valuble for getting someone started who has never been somewhere before, but after that you have to search out what you want yourself. The guide books are just a general reference where to start. I once landed at the Sakon Nakon airport that only receives one flight a day. Nobody spoke English and the lady who was to have met me didn't arrive. She got my arrival time mixed up. I had to flag down a taxi driver when everyone had left the airport and asked him... "Dusit hotel?". He looked at me with a frown, but recognized the name of the hotel and took me there. The hotel staff couldn't speak English either, but took the 400 baht that the guide book told me rooms cost, and gave me a room. Over the next week in the city I never did find anyone that spoke English. Luckily, my lady friend found me after I sent her a letter that was delivered the same day I mailed it.

[mild7even]

Aroon Rai which seems to feature highly in every guide book really is my choice for the 'booby prize'. It' so overated and outdated. If it wasn't for it's out of date reviews and location, it could well be empty of tourists.

Hear hear. Worst curry I've ever had in my life, actually inedible--couldn't finish more than a few bites.

[IanForbes]

Aroon Rai which seems to feature highly in every guide book really is my choice for the 'booby prize'. It' so overated and outdated. If it wasn't for it's out of date reviews and location, it could well be empty of tourists.

I like boobies. In fact I have some personally taken photos of some nice ones. Where do I go to find the booby prize?

[elektrified]

Where is the Lemon Tree? What is it like?

Would the "hole in the wall" across from Thapae Gate be Silom Joy? It is wonderful considering its prices.

The Lemon Tree is almost opposite Kad Suan Kaew - an unpretentious Thai restaurant that serves excellent Thai food.

Yes, it's probably Silom Joy - I've never noticed the name.

It's interesting to see what people think. Personally, I think The Lemon Tree is not very good Thai food and I think Silom Joy is decent cheap Thai food. It's always packed with Thais and farangs alike.

[calibanjr.]

Two places my Thai wife will be happy to eat with me at any time:

1. Jia Tong Heng. Sri Don Chai Rd, maybe 100 meters east of Pantip. Tied for the best Chinese food I've ever had, which includes NYC and San Fran, but not China. All the Thais in my office know of it, though most of them live outside the city or on the west side of town. One of my top 50 favorite restaurants I've ever been to.

2. Unknown Name, Vietnamese restaurant. Pracha Sampan Rd, maybe 50 meters south (opposite side) of Giorgio's (which I like as well). Wife loves it. Visiting Vietnamese friend gave it a B, but that's provincialism (to me). Brought my exchange brother (German, high school exchange 25 years! ago) there with his wife. He freaked out at the quality of the food and the ludicrous bill.

[Ulysses G.]

Caliban, how about lunch sometime at the Chinese restaurant? I have been there, but did not know what to order. I want to pick your brain.

About the Vietnamese place, is that the original Giorgio's (across from Bake and Bite) that it is South of?

[MonsieurHulot]

10 minutes walk away on Ratchamanka is Huen Phen, 5 times the atmosphere, 5 times more choice, full on service and keen prices.

Bon appetit

Agreed, Huen Phen is a very good local restaurant.

Merci.

[Ulysses G.]

I can't figure out where it is and I walk down that street all the time. Is it near the La Fantana Italian Restaurant or the Rose Guest House?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I think Huan Phen is somewhat overrated. Not as blatantly overrated as Aroon Rai of course, that'd be near impossible, but still I think there's better Northern food out there. Though for lunch and when you're in town it's okay.

There's a Huan Phen Branch on the Rachapruek (Royal Flora) road, just East of the Canal Road intersection. It's also 'reaonable', but not great.

[Priceless]

Sunday lunch at the Holiday Inn is by far my favourite, with Palad Tawanron a close second on special occasions- serenading buskers, just marvellous!

Aroon Rai which seems to feature highly in every guide book really is my choice for the 'booby prize'. It' so overated and outdated. If it wasn't for it's out of date reviews and location, it could well be empty of tourists.

10 minutes walk away on Ratchamanka is Huen Phen, 5 times the atmosphere, 5 times more choice, full on service and keen prices.

Bon appetit

Bojo

I fully agree, but it was actually quite good 20-25 years ago

/ Priceless

[BlackArtemis]

OOOH I forgot, There was an awesome little place that sold pork leg on the corner of the post office in the city, near Wat phrasing. I would walk there at night and get great food.

[cmsally]

I can't figure out where it is and I walk down that street all the time. Is it near the La Fantana Italian Restaurant or the Rose Guest House?

For Huen Phen keep walking; it is across from Anubahn Chiang Mai. So keep walking west up Rachamakha past the Anodard (across the next intersection). It's on a corner lot across from the school. There's a wall around it so easy to miss.

[StevieH]

Best - Lemon Tree (or the little hole in the wall opposite what used to be JJs)

never had a single bad dish from lemon tree, it really is excellent. brilliant value for money too.

[thecatman]

I can't figure out where it is and I walk down that street all the time. Is it near the La Fantana Italian Restaurant or the Rose Guest House?

This photo and the map in this link should help.

It's past Rose Guesthouse if you're coming from Moonmuang, and on the right hand side.

Edited May 28, 2009 by thecatman

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I fully agree, but it was actually quite good 20-25 years ago

So was my libido. Feel free to explain to Mrs Winnie why this this matters now.

Edited May 28, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Priceless]

I fully agree, but it was actually quite good 20-25 years ago

So was my libido. Feel free to explain to Mrs Winnie why this this matters now.

The comment on the place's quality was intended as a possible explanation as to why guidebooks still tend to recommend the place.

Next time I'll try to keep you in mind and make a long and complete explanation to any of my posts.

/ Priceless

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Grumpy!!

Anyway, Huan Phen is here:

[Ulysses G.]

Thank you Sally, Catman and Winnie. I will have no problem finding it now.

P.S. I like cats (and dogs) too!

[IanForbes]

You guys are a big help, despite all the good natured teasing.

At least I HOPE it's good natured.

Maps are good. I understand maps and pictures. It's directions I'm not so good on.

A friend tried to explain where a certain Italian restaurant was. I knew the street, but he said it was about a kilometer down that street from the Tai Pei gate. It turned out to be about 200 meters. He drives a car and has no idea of distances.

[sassienie]

Yesterday I visited The Dukes, the Ping riverside branch near the Rin Ping.

Haven’t been there for sometime and was pleasantly surprised.

I ordered the Steak wrapped in bacon, can’t remember the actual name of the dish on the menu.

They give free water, in nice posh wine sort of glasses with ice. For starters I was served a plate full of salad, plus another large plate of bread & butter. The main meal was large, I was well full already from the salad and bread and couldn’t find enough room in my stomach to finish the main meal.

Plusses and criticisms:

Plus:

Good value for money. I was served as much free water as I could drink.

1 large glass of pepsi, big plate of salad, large portion of bread & butter, main man sized meal, including meat, mash potato and veggies. Total cost: the whole lot 270 baht.

Criticisms:

The steak was actually only mincemeat compressed into a ball, too much gravy and sauce on all dishes, the potato and meat was almost floating on the plate.

Very American and is really an acquired taste. There were 2 loud-mouthed Americans in there at the time, voices that seem to grate on the nerves and raise the blood pressure.

Overall opinion:

Good value for money, nice atmosphere, rich surroundings and I would certainly recommend The Dukes to friends and visit again myself in the future.

[Ulysses G.]

There were 2 loud-mouthed Americans in there at the time, voices that seem to grate on the nerves and raise the blood pressure.

Probably Canadians trying to make us look bad. It is a big problem.

[IanForbes]

There were 2 loud-mouthed Americans in there at the time, voices that seem to grate on the nerves and raise the blood pressure.

Probably Canadians trying to make us look bad. It is a big problem.

Yah, probably one of us. Most of us are old and deaf. Even the waitress at the coffee shop I attend on a regular basis chided me for not acknowledging her hello this morning when I was talking to her boss. I had to apologize later and told her I frankly didn't hear her. Too many ear infections as a child when there was no such thing as antibiotics. And, maybe too much time without ear protection while working around loud machinery.

[thecatman]

My favourite little spot to eat at when I lived in Chiang Mai was a place down near Lanna Hospital/Chiang Mai Polytechnic.

It's on Suk Kasem 1 on the map in this link

It's just another one of the run of the mill looking places that we all know and love, 30/40Bt dishes, plastic chairs, help yourself to water etc etc but the food is great and the portions are good too. My favourites were always the Tom Yum Seafood, Kapow Gai, and the fantastic Kow Soi.

If you go down Suk Kasem (the turning to which is immediately after Lanna Hospital on the super highway), straight past the polytechnic on your right, and you'll come to a small crossroads, turn left into Suk Kasem 1 and this little place is the 2nd from last of the Town houses that will be on you right, just before the orange painted apartment block.

If you happen to be in that area, and fancy a quick bite to eat one day, (open between 7am-7pm) check it out, you won't be disappointed.

[thecatman]

An evening time favourite of mine in Chiang Mai is Blah Blah Bar on Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi 5.

Everytime I've eaten here the food has been excellent. It's a pretty cool venue as it happens, with live music every night.

The hostess girls are pretty dam_n fine too.

The beer's also reasonable, last time I was there (Jan) they had a Leo promotion, 3 large for 100Bt!!

My only gripe with the place is the menu, not what's on it, but the difficulty I have actually reading the bloody thing due to the poor font choice and size.

Edited May 28, 2009 by thecatman

[BlackArtemis]

isn't the Blah Blah Bar spelled Blar Blar Bar?

[thecatman]

isn't the Blah Blah Bar spelled Blar Blar Bar?

Possibly.

In fact, yes, I think you're right, but if you google it, you'll find websites using both spellings, I just copied the spelling from here

One thing I do know for sure though is how to spell 'pedantic'.

[heybruce]

An evening time favourite of mine in Chiang Mai is Blah Blah Bar on Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi 5.

Everytime I've eaten here the food has been excellent. It's a pretty cool venue as it happens, with live music every night.

The hostess girls are pretty dam_n fine too.

The beer's also reasonable, last time I was there (Jan) they had a Leo promotion, 3 large for 100Bt!!

My only gripe with the place is the menu, not what's on it, but the difficulty I have actually reading the bloody thing due to the poor font choice and size.

I've rode by many times and didn't even know it was a restaurant. Is it open during the day? I'm a few decades too old to hang out at these student bars at night.

[thecatman]

An evening time favourite of mine in Chiang Mai is Blah Blah Bar on Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi 5.

Everytime I've eaten here the food has been excellent. It's a pretty cool venue as it happens, with live music every night.

The hostess girls are pretty dam_n fine too.

The beer's also reasonable, last time I was there (Jan) they had a Leo promotion, 3 large for 100Bt!!

My only gripe with the place is the menu, not what's on it, but the difficulty I have actually reading the bloody thing due to the poor font choice and size.

I've rode by many times and didn't even know it was a restaurant. Is it open during the day? I'm a few decades too old to hang out at these student bars at night.

I'm not 100% sure of it's opening hours, but I don't think it's open during the day.

I'm sure you'd feel OK if you went there, it's not really full of students, certainly not like 'warm up' is anyway. The live music is played at a reasonable level and it's normally fairly laid back kinda tunes. The place is quite quiet early on in the evenings, and I'd imagine it probably stays that way most nights early on in the week while getting busier towards the weekend.

It's more of a place that people go to eat and drink rather than dance and party.

Go along sometime.....you might like it.

[heybruce]

An evening time favourite of mine in Chiang Mai is Blah Blah Bar on Nimmanhaemin Rd., Soi 5.

Everytime I've eaten here the food has been excellent. It's a pretty cool venue as it happens, with live music every night.

The hostess girls are pretty dam_n fine too.

The beer's also reasonable, last time I was there (Jan) they had a Leo promotion, 3 large for 100Bt!!

My only gripe with the place is the menu, not what's on it, but the difficulty I have actually reading the bloody thing due to the poor font choice and size.

I've rode by many times and didn't even know it was a restaurant. Is it open during the day? I'm a few decades too old to hang out at these student bars at night.

I'm not 100% sure of it's opening hours, but I don't think it's open during the day.

I'm sure you'd feel OK if you went there, it's not really full of students, certainly not like 'warm up' is anyway. The live music is played at a reasonable level and it's normally fairly laid back kinda tunes. The place is quite quiet early on in the evenings, and I'd imagine it probably stays that way most nights early on in the week while getting busier towards the weekend.

It's more of a place that people go to eat and drink rather than dance and party.

Go along sometime.....you might like it.

Ok, thanks, I'll give it a try some evening soon.

[calibanjr.]

Caliban, how about lunch sometime at the Chinese restaurant? I have been there, but did not know what to order. I want to pick your brain.

About the Vietnamese place, is that the original Giorgio's (across from Bake and Bite) that it is South of?

Hi G-man, yeah that's the Giorgio's, across from B'nB, just south of Pantip. I'll take you there and go with ya to Jia Tong Heng, too, when I get back. I'm not making the TV party, had to change my flight. Underestimated my workload, or rather overestimated my capabilities, I guess.