I did it again. After Shanghai, I dined in all Michelin-recommeded restaurants in a city: Chiang Mai.
The Thailand 2020 Michelin Guide included Chiang Mai for the first time listing 50 restaurant. Surprisingly, there were no stars awarded. They were either tables (33) or Bib Gourmands (17). The difference between the two categories frankly was not clear. Traditionally a table indicates a restaurant serving “Fresh ingredients, carefully prepared: a good meal”, while a Bib Gourmand is “Inspectors’ favourites for good value” (in Thailand should be less than 1000 THB per person). If you take into account price, some of the Chiang Mai’s tables were actually very affordable eateries while some of the Bib Gourmands were quite pricey. Sometimes very similar eateries are found in both lists. For example why Khao Soe Mae Manee is a Bib Gourmand and Khao Soi Lamduan is a table? So, exactly how the line was drawn is unclear. Also in Shanghai I stressed out a lot of internal inconsistencies.
The absence of any star rating is a bit odd. Having been in over 70 starred restaurants across Asia, I can totally see star material in Chiang Mai. I guess the inspectors played it safe as this is the first year and will upgrade some restaurants down the road.
Is this a definitive list of the best dining in Chiang Mai? Quite certainly, not. They missed so many great eateries (Samcook) and included some that left me underwhelmed. While not perfect, it offers a good spectrum of dining experiences in Chiang Mai.
Below is a list of the restaurants with a link to the full review.
I have marked my favorite places with a ♥ heart emoji.
Tables
Anchan Noodle ♥
Baan Landai ♥
Baan Mon Muan
Baan Suan Mae Rim
Blackitch Artisan Kitchen ♥
Charoen Suan Aek
China Kitchen
Chom
Cuisine de Garden ♥
David’s Kitchen
Guay Jub Chang Moi Tat Mai
Guay Tiew Pet Tun Saraphi ♥
Fujian
Jia Tong Heng (Sidonchai)
Jok Si Phing
Khao
Khao Soi Lamduan Faham (Charoenrat)
Khao Soi Samoe Chai
Khao Soy Nimman
Khaomao-Khaofang
Koyi
Le Grand Lanna
Magnolia Café
Oxygen Dining Room
Paak Dang
Palette ♥
Redbox ♥
Samsen Villa
Somtum Udon (Soi Thantawan)
Thana Ocha
The Ironwood
The Service 1921
Uan Ocha (Chang Khlan)
Bib Gourmands
Gai Yang Cherng Doi
Ginger Farm Kitchen ♥
Han Theung Chiang Mai
Huan Soontaree
Huen Muan Jai
Khao Soi Mae Manee ♥
Khao Tom Yong (Suthep Road)
Krua Ya ♥
Kuakai Nimman
Meena Rice Based Cuisine
Na Chantra
Racharos
Rote Yiam Beef Noodles
Saiyut and Doctor Sai Kitchen ♥
Sanpakoi Kanomjeen
SP Chicken
The House by Ginger