During my time in Chiang Mai in early 2020, I tried several Italian restaurants run by Italians (not necessarily always in the kitchen though… but you would hope that they at least provided some good training). Here’s a selection in no particular order.
Why Not
Located in the fancy Nimman area, but surprisingly not overpriced, Why Not is admittedly one of my favorite Italians in Chiang Mai and has a full review. Great pastas, great specials, amazing cold cuts and cheese; I would prefer these over their pizza. The tiramisu is superb. The environment casual, but modern and there is also a large garden for al fresco dining.
Address in Chiang Mai: 14 Nimmanhemin Road. – Soi 13.
Secret Learning Italian Restaurant
Located inside the Old City in an area that I would describe as as backpacker district in the making, this is a little cosy restaurant. It is only open after 6pm and serves a concise menu comprising mostly pastas, some salads, some appetizers (the Caprese salad looked good). The vibe is very informal: it is like dining in the cook’s living room. He is Italian and he will cook your pasta. I had a majestic bruschetta and their special pasta with homemade pesto and other secret ingredients and it was good.
Address in Chiang Mai: 25/1 Ratvithi Rd. Soi 2T. Sri Phum.
Casa Restaurant and Pizzeria
Casa is an Italian restaurant in the Old City run by an Italian from Rome. When I visited I had to order something from his region and I went for Amatriciana pasta. It was very good and a big portion. It was also the only restaurant in Chiang Mai were I found a cutlet (with chicken, not the traditional veal though). It is a simple shop. Food seems authentic and solid. Read the menu for a long list of rules about Italian food. And if you try to charge your phone on an electric outlet in the shop, you will get fined 200 THB.
Address in Chiang Mai: 224 Ratchapakinai.
Giorgio Ristorante Italiano
Giorgio Italian Restaurant, is owned by Giorgio, an Italian chef from Vicenza, and open since 2001. The menu features a number of items from his region that are not often seen in Italian restaurants abroad. Very extensive menu. I went for pumpking raviolis (I wish the flavor had emerged more distinctly) and a seabass in a herb sauce (quite good). I was welcomed with a bruschetta (amuse bouche) and the bread basket was complimentary (the only Italian restaurant, along with the sister property Antonio, offering it free of charge among the ones visited in Chiang Mai). The environment really looked like an old-school Italian restaurant.
Address in Chiang Mai: 2/6 Prachasamphan Rd.
Antonio Ristorante Italiano
Antonio is also owned by Giorgio (but different name…) and is located in the ground floor of a villa with a spacious lawn (from November to February al fresco dining is possible). It is more intimate than Giorgio, but honestly very similar. I did not notice major differences in the menu. I had an heavy but delicious pasta with sausage and gorgonzola cheese and a seabass with herbal sauce (same as the one I had from Giorgio). Also here bread basket and an amuse bouche were complimentary.
Address in Chiang Mai: 11/1 Charoenprathet 12 Rd.
