Good Restaurants in Chiang Rai

[wileycoyote]

I agree with tayto & goski.

Wiang Inn wins my vote,good food ,Thai food well prepared on the spot and always a variety.

Wiley Coyote

Edited September 29, 2007 by wileycoyote

[tayto]

Wiang Inn also have a loyalty card, I think it's 10% off.

A friend of mine was very unhappy with the Wiang Inn buffet last week, after arranging to meet a friend there, the hotel told him the buffet was full and though he has a loyalty card, he had to go elsewhere.

He was one unhappy guy and gave them back their loyalty card.

[lannaman]

We went to the family Bakehouse for our daughter's birthday and was not impressed, no atmosphere, only ones there, and food mediocre, they certainly didn't have the best staek that night! The Woody Corner (tranlated from the Thai name) restaurant in BenHa, excellent for Thai food and good atmosphere.

Having lived in Chiang Rai for over 3 years, it is surprising sometimes to hear of a restaurant you did'nt know about.

One I know , The Family Bakehouse serves the finest steak ever.

Do you know of any good restaurants?

[lannaman]

That Indian restaurant now no longer. As far as I know Indian Curry is not on offer in Chiang Rai. Several Muslim restaurants offer Muslem food which is fairly similar.

Having lived in Chiang Rai for over 3 years, it is surprising sometimes to hear of a restaurant you did'nt know about.

One I know , The Family Bakehouse serves the finest steak ever.

Do you know of any good restaurants?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Last April a friend was visiting us and he

found a little Indian place on one of the side streets

between Jetyod and Phanonyothin Rds

It was just opposite the Wang Come and

beside quite a big massage place

It was pretty a pretty basic plastic table and chair job

but I am partial to Indian style curry

and a bit of nice bread instead of rice

It made a nice change

Don't know if its still there !

tungtsz

[svenivan]

For someone that is a little bit more adventurous I recommend the Ostrich Farm. To get there you go the superhighway south, passing Big C, turn left at next trafficlight towards Toeng and go maybe 6-7 km. Just after the 4 lanes goes to 2 lanes you find it on your left hand.

It is a very nice place with very friendly staff. Perfect for families with children. There is a playground there plus you have 30-40 big ostrich to look at.

The food is great and prices are really low. If you want to try ostrich I recommend "panaeng nok".

Another place if you don´t need to stay in central Chiang Rai is Santiburi Gofclub. They have, in my opinion, best thaifood in town and also at reasonable prices. Beautiful views over the golfcourse. Take your time and go up to balcony on top of the clubhouse, fantastic view!

And if you play golf, this is one of the best golfcourses in Thailand.

[goski]

How could your friend be unhappy with the buffet when he didn't even try it? As far as the information you're giving away he might just have a bad temper, getting embarrassed that he didn't get a seat at that exact moment (which must have been at 12 o'clock or after) and then ran of acting angry.

He could have given the loyalty card to me...

[tayto]

How could your friend be unhappy with the buffet when he didn't even try it? As far as the information you're giving away he might just have a bad temper, getting embarrassed that he didn't get a seat at that exact moment (which must have been at 12 o'clock or after) and then ran of acting angry.

He could have given the loyalty card to me...

Why else would he have a loyalty card, other than the fact he was a regular customer.

The reason for him being upset was not with the food but because he was a regular customer and they told him at 12.30 that they were booked out with a tour.

ok

[wileycoyote]

For someone that is a little bit more adventurous I recommend the Ostrich Farm. To get there you go the superhighway south, passing Big C, turn left at next trafficlight towards Toeng and go maybe 6-7 km. Just after the 4 lanes goes to 2 lanes you find it on your left hand.

It is a very nice place with very friendly staff. Perfect for families with children. There is a playground there plus you have 30-40 big ostrich to look at.

The food is great and prices are really low. If you want to try ostrich I recommend "panaeng nok".

This is a great idea,Many Thanks svenivan !

Wiley coyote

[goski]

Haha! Face the facts tayto, that's why they have the lunch at wiang inn. So what, plenty of other good stuff around in town. Take it easy.

[svenivan]

Wiang Inn also have a loyalty card, I think it's 10% off.

A friend of mine was very unhappy with the Wiang Inn buffet last week, after arranging to meet a friend there, the hotel told him the buffet was full and though he has a loyalty card, he had to go elsewhere.

He was one unhappy guy and gave them back their loyalty card.

I think this show that Wiang Inn is a quality place. If the buffet is full then it is full. Normally at a buffetploace they squeese in everyone that wants to pay and noone will be satisfied because too many people and too little food.

Me and wife have always been very satisfied with the lunchbuffet at Wiang Inn. The breakfastbuffet is also great but expensive, cost more than the lunchbuffet.

[goski]

Speaking of buffets, the Dusit dinner buffet is a treat but a bit heavy on the pocket for me. Have you tried that Sven?

[svenivan]

Speaking of buffets, the Dusit dinner buffet is a treat but a bit heavy on the pocket for me. Have you tried that Sven?

Yes, I have been there many times and it is normally very, very good. Absolute highest quality but as you said, expensive.

But most times I have been invited by people staying in the hotel and it is very convenient to put the bill on their room!!

[SeeJo]

Hello All ;

This is my first post - hope it goes up.

I have been around the CR area for awhile, off and on, just have not joined a forum (and am not familiar with all the forum protocol).

I have a question regarding the location of one of the eateries mentioned here. I have tried to find the "Chaing Rai Resort" but been unsuccessful. I have gone 5 Km West from Ban Du towards the nahm tok (and that far North towards Mae Sai on the 4-lane - and South as well), but cannot find such. Would the postor or someone please clarify a little for me.

Also I might mention that I have tried Don's lanaharn at Doi Hang several times, and find the setting (between two ponds) to be delightfully Sabai Sabai, the food fresh and well prepared -especially the meats, and Don himself just a great and helpful guy. The Western food appears to be limited at present (a great American Breakfast anytime, etc.) but apparently is to be expanded. This is also a good place to bring your Thai (and other) friends, and have a few leisurely "suds". The Thai head cook Nang apparently has many years of experience cooking European, American, Thai, and other type meals, and if one must associate with other Farangs (I don't necessarily have this need, but occasionally it is nice to be around ones' own kind), one can usually see one or two or more there, and although a fairly new place in its present lovely form, it is getting to be known as a meeting place for Western and other Expats.

NungGao!!!

SeeJo

P.S. - Also there must be more than one eatery known for steaks, and I would appreciate some clarification; Something like the "Family Bakehouse" has been mentioned, "Family Steakhouse", etc., all with glowing reviews. But the only one with a similar name I have found is on the left and back into a little soi several "blocks" down the 2nd street to the left at the Hayek/Mengrai intersection when coming from the Mae Sai direction. I tried it once on recommendation by a Thai, my friend and I were the only customers about 8:00PM. The T Bone steak that was served was horrible, and wine could not be had by the glass. The taste of the steak was wierd and we had to cut it up into tiny bits to eat it (actually it was not a "T Bone" but a "Seven Bone" cut, and off a truly ancient, mossy-horned old water buffalo without question ).

[tayto]

Congrats on your post and wecome to Thaivisa and especially Thaivisa Chiang Rai.

I have to agree with you, this restaurant has seriously deteriorated.

It was once an excellent place but unfortunitly no longer merits any praise.

[goski]

Are you steak lovers doomed to eat at Bkk Grill?

[SeeJo]

To Goski: Last evening I "partook" of BKK restaurant due to the (mostly) favorable forum comments, and I was elated to find it very good! Forget atmosphere and ambiance, I will return for sure, since my current state awareness regarding good places in CR to eat is quite limited due to living "out in the sticks" (but when I do get to town, "25 baht don't mean a dam thang to me!" ).

But I did not first try a steak due to other unpleasant experiences in search of a good one. I decided to slip up on one here, by first trying their Cheeseburger plate, along with a bowl of mushroom soop, and an extra order of "French" fries. All was very tasty.

To All: I see I have committed the cardinal sin of discussing more than one topic in the same post. I will put a copy of it here because here it more properly belongs maybe, and if you will forgive me this additional transgression I will try to straighten up hereafter:

There appears to me that there is something or some agenda that is underlying and hidden to such as me (Newbie that I am), regarding the harsh and unreasonable posts regarding Don's Restaurant, Don himself, his pepper growing enterprise, and (apparently) his suggestion of an "Eating Club". I do not mean to offend anyone, do not wish to, and will not jump into the flames of anything or any subject on an ongoing basis (I have better things to do with my time), but I feel the need to make some observations regarding certain strange post as regards the subjects above.

As to the restaurant and the man, my experience there with my "wife" (at the time), was most pleasant and enjoyable, the food excellent and professioally prepared, and the man himself was personable, friendly, down to earth and very helpful regarding certain discussions I had with him about life/business in the Land Of Smiles (smiles which mask their real feelings about us and our kind). Although one can find equally as good Thai food in a few other places, their American Breakfast was the best in all of Thailand IMHO.

As to his pepper growing offering, I see no twisting of arms to buy the plants or cultivate them (and no indication of proof of inability to make a profit by doing so if earnestly pursued).

As to his promoting his business, why not and by any lawful, proper and acceptable means! If he has broken or infringed on some rule of the forum by his statements/proposals (I cannot see any), then the Moderators should bring it to his attention. I have read the discussions about the Moderators and must say that they seem to be quality people - very fair, thick-skinned, and competent - and whether living elsewhere or not, are acceptable to me (a little "PaQuan?). Having said that, if someone living in the rai wants a Mod job, he/she should be considered.

As regarding the "Eating Club", it seems to me that an unfair accusation has been made. It is not believable for me that this man would ever make such a laughable proposal that such a club be limited to his establishment only. I do not believe he ever said or intimated such a thing, but I will Kao Toat and ask him next time I go there to eat. In fact with the kind indulgence of all, I will throw in two of my great experiences "in another life" and in favor of a CR "Eating Club": Both were in a large city. One was motivated and organized by many of those (and their friends) involved in Hi-Rise building construction at that place and time, and there were 30 restaurants where meetings among these of a loose fellowship of mutual interests were held in a different restaurant, once a week. The other was not an eating club per se, but rather an association of restauranteurs desiring to increase their exposure/business by selling for a modest sum, a book of 50 coupons, each of which could be used once at each of the 50 places, and which coupons offered "Buy one complete meal of your choice and get another complete meal of your choice free". No doubt such a concept would be lost on most Thai restauranteurs.

Respectful Regards,

SeeJo

[goski]

Yes, with all respect, don't take anything too seriously of what I post. Different taste could be discussed til the end of the world and I also buy burgers from BKK and find them good. I don't eat western food regularly so I can't really compare that well but still there's the difference of taste so it doesn't matter.

What I like about BKK grill though is that they have tried to rip off the concept that Sizzlers has and made it work in Chiang Rai on a private basis. Very well done and I just hope more people could do the same when it comes to other franchising businesses in order to keep the atmosphere a bit. Not necessary perhaps but still likeable.

[SeeJo]

This may be a small example of how emails/postings can be taken wrongly sometimes. I thought your were complimenting BKK Grill and wanted to support you on that. It seems that there are better steak places and I will stay tuned tuned, but next I want to try that Italian place DaVinci's, which comes well recommended. I have tried that Mexican food place at Overbrook and agree with everything said about it here - we all apparently await a really good place to eat Mexican. I am partial to Tex-Mex style over California style, and El Paso style above all, but few know about the tasty difference.

Thanks for a nice response.

SeeJo

[svenivan]

I want to try that Italian place DaVinci's, which comes well recommended.

SeeJo

Hi SeeJo, if you go for a pizza I recommend "the Swedish Restaurant"! No, the name is Thre Houses or something like that. But very easy to find. On the Main Road from DaVinci go north and pass 2 trafficlights, at the third in the corner on your right hand is this place. The pizza are great, lots of topping. They also have steaks etc etc.

But only open from 6 pm so no lunchplace.

Enjoy!

[goski]

Yes, I liked that place as well, the name is "Baan glang wiang" in thai (since it's just by wat glang wiang, glang wiang meaning in the middle of the town), but I also think it's Tree House in English. Anyways, I really enjoyed their pizza but I'm afraid I have to criticize both Da Vinci and Tree House for not being able to keep up the quality when it comes to their food. The later one because they don't seem to get enough customers. Again, this might have changed from last time I tried them which is some time ago.

The thais seem to prefer the American styled Pizza Co though. Fair enough, restaurants shouldn't be judged only on what one person says about one single dish, so, like someone wrote before, the best way is to go and try it for yourself.

[SeeJo]

All the above info much appreciated. I will surely try the Tree House.

In my view, The Pizza Company serves something similar to pizza only in shape and name. Having said that, some of what they serve is tasty and I will eat there on occasion, but I would not write home about it. Maybe I can give some insight on the franchise and why it hardly resembles real pizza. It was established by an American who is now a naturalized Thai citizen. Bill Heinecke's only business experience has been in Southeast Asia. He started first in Thailand and expanded, and now covers all of this area. He started his first business at the age of 16 in Bangkok, was a millionaire before age 21 and now runs a business empire that includes 32 major businesses straddling this half of the world, and indeed, he is now one of the richest men in the world. An amazing and true entrepreneur whose home is now in the rai I am told.

Bill was the first to introduce the spice-loving Thais to real pizza, and after opening several successful Pizza places he secured a franchise from Domino's Pizza in America for a pittance. Some time later they had a falling out, some court battles took place, and Bill won - mostly. He changed the name to The Pizza Company but if I understand correctly, he may have had to make some concessions, just what I don't know, but it was about this time that the "Pizzas" served began to cater overwhelmingly to the tastes of Thais, and his pizza business blossomed - hence why we Expat folk turn our purist noses up at it.

SeeJo

[sceadugenga]

I think pizza is very much a food that is up to the customer as to how it comes. If you don't want pineapple, olives, spareribs, frogs legs, bananas and anchovies on it say so.

If you just want a cheese and tomato base with a couple of slices of salami on it say so.

If you can't speak Thai well enough to do this that's not the fault of the pizza providers either. (Says he who once ordered two cokes with glasses of ice in a BKK restaurant and was brought two bowls of noodle soup and a plate of chicken rice).

[SeeJo]

I surely agree with this. To me a "real" pizza must basically have a genuine Italian recipe dough for the crust (there are many, but none are sweet like the Thais seem to prefer), a genuine high-acidity tomatoe paste (tomatoes in Thailand are very sweet and have low acidity) and with Italian seasonings and Italian portions of it such as Italian Oregano (as opposed to say, Mexican Oregano), Basil, etc., along with true Mozzarella cheese - as a basic starting point - toppings as preferred - pepperoni still hard to beat. At Makro, all the cheese seems to claim "Cheddar" whereas it is really a variation of Kraft Pasteurized American Cheese apparently produced, marketed and packaged under some agreement with Kraft, and exported from Hong Kong or Singapore. I could be wrong on this.

Also let me correct an earlier post. It was Pizza Hut that Bill Heinecke started in Thailand and had the franchise fight with. not Domino's. His first restaurants had real Italian pizza similar to Pizza Hut, but it has definately evolved away from genuine it seems to me. As a matter of possible interest and if this slow connection will allow it, I will include a .jpeg showing his major businesses under The Minor Group, and you will recognize many familiar names represented here in Chiang Rai.

SeeJo

[Joel Barlow]

Took my hill-tribe family to The Pizza the other day. The kids wouldn't eat it and I later barfed! The chicken was worse than 5 Star! I don't like BKK Grill either - hospital food, by me. I notice the 5Star frozen foods place by the main market usually empty - at first I thought it great, being half price and clean, but was later convinced that well heated fresh local chicken, despite the flies is way better. We occasionally eat at KFC, but it's a pretty stupid indulgence we partake in simply for a little modern fun (and I like the mashed potatoes - despite them being usually more gravy than potatoes!).

Last eve we ate at the Fish and Chips place just north of the MaeSalong turnoff past Maejaan. I like owner Clayton, and enjoy his fish and chips quite a bit. The small salad was large! Clayton said he tried to register here, but somehow it didn't happen...

Best places in town - the "Chinese" place on the main road (Pahonyothin) in front of Edison (get there early - they run out of stuff quickly, quite often by 1 p.m. and close early too); the Khao man gai (and khao mok gai, crispy chicken etc) place on the HaYeak sidewalk near the 7-11, Siam Corner, and, yes, Tree House. EkoCha on Rimkok/BanMai Road is also quite good - best sauces in town.

[Keithangel]

For those among us who like muslim food I can recommend the beef curry and yellow rice 50baht good portion.

Its about 500mt ish north on the big road at mengrai 5ways just past the gas station on the left going towards the river oposite "the our lady of somthing or another" school?

not very ambient by the road but they score on taste/clean/quality/service I felt they were happy to see me

takeaway normal here aswell ,dont know about times but I was there at lunch today

They have a muslim cresent sign with the quality sign included in it, enjoy

Edited October 22, 2007 by Keithangel

[Crow Boy]

For those among us who like muslim food I can recommend the beef curry and yellow rice 50baht good portion.

Its about 500mt ish north on the big road at mengrai 5ways just past the gas station on the left going towards the river oposite "the our lady of somthing or another" school?

not very ambient by the road but they score on taste/clean/quality/service I felt they were happy to see me

takeaway normal here aswell ,dont know about times but I was there at lunch today

They have a muslim cresent sign with the quality sign included in it, enjoy

What sort of things do they have on the menu?

CB

[Joel Barlow]

I don't know about the one KeithAngel mentioned, but intend to find out... I understand it specializes in chicken.

Across the bridge to MaeSai, just past the road to Rimkok (and Ban Mai market, Ekocha etc) is another Islamic place -

a little more expensive than the one on Soi Itsaraphap ("Freedom") by the 100 year old Mosque in town center, but

very good - Khao Mok Gai esp.

There's another Islamic place in the road off Banprapakan just before the 90 degree turn west past Sammakkhi School, a New Zealand language one and Ya G.H. - specializes in Khao Soi. The owner is fluent in English, and has just hung out a

hand-written sign offering translation work. Nice guy. unfortunately, his Khao Soi just can't compete with the best

in the world, at PawJai, on JetYod...

Has anyone tried the steaks at Siam Corner? I usually have the Gai Pad pak met mamuang (chicken and cashew) , which they do an exceptional job on, and nicely put in extra vegetables for me. Meat from New Zealand I think...

but when I want a steak i buy at Northern Farms and make it myself at home, just the way I like it!!!

[Keithangel]

For those among us who like muslim food I can recommend the beef curry and yellow rice 50baht good portion.

Its about 500mt ish north on the big road at mengrai 5ways just past the gas station on the left going towards the river oposite "the our lady of somthing or another" school?

not very ambient by the road but they score on taste/clean/quality/service I felt they were happy to see me

takeaway normal here aswell ,dont know about times but I was there at lunch today

They have a muslim cresent sign with the quality sign included in it, enjoy

What sort of things do they have on the menu?

CB

Def chicken my night security guy at my hotel says that they also have time by time goat(from hill tribes) but beyond my current Thai ability perhaps a linguist will check it out more completly and let us all know.

[brahmburgers]

I haven't read every post herein, but read about half. I'm also a fan of Muslim food places. The place on the one-way side road alongside the Muslim temple with the green-topped spires. There's a newer place on Rim Kok which parallels the river on the north side, in Ban Mai. nice open air ambiance.

Ever notice how the only restaurants in town with bars of soap bigger than a slivered almond are either farang or Muslim owned? Oh, and the vege place on the east side of the Night Bazaar has soap, and the food is good and low-cost. Plus it's a quiet clean place to read a newspaper and chill - a rarity anywhere in Thailand.

Nice to see there are several very decent coffee shops popping up in C.Rai - some even have live unamplified string music. If you ever see an unamplified guitarist performing in Thailand - go up and give him a big thumbs up - as it's such a rarity. So nice to hear the subtle sound of strings coming from the body of a guitar - rather than the vibrations of a coil in a cardboard speaker powered by electric current.

At least a dozen times I've found a very cool restaurant in C.Rai, and within a few weeks it closes. Perhaps that's an indication that if something good comes along - to keep me from frequenting it. Same sort of pattern with women, but that's another story.

[Crow Boy]

If you ever see an unamplified guitarist performing in Thailand - go up and give him a big thumbs up - as it's such a rarity. So nice to hear the subtle sound of strings coming from the body of a guitar - rather than the vibrations of a coil in a cardboard speaker powered by electric current.

People might also like to donate some change to the musician as well. Agree with your comment re the subtleties of an acoustic guitar, I am also happy to let fly on a strat and amp when the mood fits to the detriment of the local dogs but I love acoustic as well.

CB