Chiang Mai Fine Dining
With Chiang Mai’s constant parade of hi-end tourists, flourishing expat population, and hi-society locals, the city has grown quite an eclectic mix of outstanding fine dining restaurants. The restaurant experience can be as fancy as any other international city, though overall it tends to be a bit more relaxed in laidback Chiang Mai. Whether you are in the mood for elegant Thai food, European food, or a blending of both cultures, you’ve got choices all around town.
Fine Dining in Hotels
The formal dining room of Le Coq D’Or complements the luxurious food. Photo: AE
One great place to find fine dining is in the city’s four and five star hotel properties. If you want to stay local and enjoy stunning and romantic riverside views, you can’t beat dining on Pacific Rim cuisine at The Chedi hotel just east of the Night Bazaar. While eating at their simply named “The Restaurant”, you’ll feel relaxed as you enjoy the 180 degree view of the Ping River from their deck. For a similar al fresco dining experience over land rather than water, travelers and locals have been known to drive out to visit The Four Seasons in Mae Rim. Their “Terraces” restaurant serves up a mix of Thai and western favorites to guests who enjoy the vistas of terraced rice fields right below, and Doi Suthep off in the distance. Lastly, The Dhara Dhevi Mandarin Oriental Hotel also has a good following from local residents for several of their restaurants. Their French “Farang Ses” is known for its elegance, and the exquisite dim sum at Fujian restaurant brings locals out for weekend pilgrimages. Dining in Chiang Mai’s top hotels is a pretty sure bet for fine dining done right.
Restaurants of Quality
Fine dining stand-alone restaurants also abound in Chiang Mai. One of the oldest restaurants to hold the standard of dining elegance is Le Coq D’or, with its menu specializing in classics like foie gras and Kobe beef. To dine there is to dine in traditional style from an era gone by, including all of the pomp and circumstance that goes along with it. In contrast, for a modern and relaxed take on classic French and Mediterranean food, there is a local favorite, Chez Marco on Loi Kroh Road. You can dine indoors or out, and enjoy a festive atmosphere while drinking a glass of French wine with any number of Marco’s signature dishes like the large plate of tuna carpaccio. For a more formal, but still relaxed atmosphere, The House Ginger offers elegant dining in a superbly furnished mansion-like restaurant in the heart of the city. They have a traditional Thai menu as well as European dishes like duck confit over sautéed red cabbage. The House is also a great date restaurant for lunch or dinner, with a charming gift and export shop to wander through afterward.
Fine Dining Outside the City
Those willing to travel just a bit outside of town in search of great restaurants will be rewarded for their efforts. Located across from the entrance to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Tengoku is being hailed as the finest Japanese cuisine in Chiang Mai. Their attention to detail and emphasis on quality sets this restaurant apart from the others. Meanwhile, those who are looking to escape the city can head towards the northern mountains of Chiang Dao, and relax in the cozy, and aptly named Chiang Dao Nest. With delicious European food like filet of pork with bleu cheese, it has made a name for itself among local expats. Of course, the fresh air and mountain scenery of the area add to the dining ambience as well.
Chez Marco
Address: 15/7 Loi Kroh Road
Tel: 053-207-032
Chiang Dao Nest
Address: 144 / 4 Moo 5, Ban Tham, Chiang Dao
Web: http://www.chiangdao.com/nest/food.htm
Le Coq D’Or
Address: 11 Soi 2, Koh Klang Road, Nong Hoi
Tel: 053-141-555, 053-801-501
Web: http://www.lecoqdorchiangmai.com/
Tengoku
Address: 55/8 Soi Wat Buakrokluang, Chiang Mai-Sankhampang Road, (Opposite entrance to The Mandarin Oriental Hotel)
Tel: 053-851-133
The Chedi
Address: 123 Charoen Prathet Road, Chiang Mai
Tel: 053-253-333
The Four Seasons Hotel
Address: Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Road, Mae Rim
Tel: 053 298-181
Web: http://www.fourseasons.com/chiangmai/dining/terraces/
The House Ginger
Address: 199 Moon Muang Road
Tel: 053-419-011
Web: http://www.thehousethailand.com/
The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Address: 51/4 Sankampaeng Road, Moo 1 T. Tasala
Tel: 053-888-888
Web: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai/dining/
