A month of cafes in Chiang Mai – Thailand
When in need of downtime to get projects done in Asia, Chiang Mai has been my home base of choice. I realised when I first started coming here that this city is a cafe wonderland. With so many cafes with wifi, it is an easy place to live as a digital nomad. Having travelled to every country in SE Asia (except East Timor), I can say that I can’t recall a city that has such a good selection of cafes.
On my last visit to Chiang Mai I was there for a whole month, and it occurred to me that I could go to a different cafe every day and still not see them all. So that is what I did. Here is a list of 30 cafes in Chiang Mai that I visited over the space of a month. All of them, apart from the two dishonourable mentions, have free wifi. It’s not a best of list, or ranked in any order.
Goat Coffee
I have Goat Coffee as the first cafe if only because this cafe was next door to my apartment. I never would have found this place if I didn’t live there, so it was a pleasant discovery. I give the cafe extra points for its goat nibbling on coffee logo (in homage to Kaldis goat.)
Location: Rachaphruk Rd, off Huey Kaew Rd.
Website: goatcoffeethai.com
Akha Ama
Another place I never would have found if it wasn’t for my friends who already knew about it. Akha Ama might just be the best coffee in Chiang Mai. The cafe is run by Lee, who also grows the coffee at his home Akha village in Northern Thailand. It’s tucked away in a residential area, but if you are living here and on a motorbike this wont be a problem.
If you are interested in learning how coffee is grown and processed, then I highly recommend the coffee tour that Lee conducts a few times a year.
Location: Mata Apartment 9/1 Hussadhisewee Rd, Soi 3.
Website: akhaama.com
Ristr8to
As soon as I saw this place I could tell that it had been influenced by an Australian. Sure enough this cafe was set up by an Aussie, and it is staffed by baristas who know how to pour a latte. If I lived closer to it I would have been here all the time.
Location: 15/3 Nimmanhemin Rd
Website: ristr8to-coffee-chiangmai.com
Pacamara
Pacamara turned out to be one of my favourite cafes. So favourite that I forgot to take pictures of the inside. If I was pressed to answer what is my favourite coffee in Chiang Mai, Pacamara would be in my top few. A good place to go in the morning, as in the afternoon it was often filled with students.
Location: Ratchadamnoen Road
Website: facebook.com pages
Ratchadumnern Coffee
I would end up here whenever Pacamara was closed. Lovely outdoor area, though being in Thailand not practical for the afternoons.
Location: Ratchadamnoen Road, opposite police station.
Yellow Bear Coffee
Between the old city and Nimmanhemin Rd, Yellow Bear Coffee is easy enough to find. Just look for the yellow bear standing outside. If you can’t find that it’s opposite a big pink building called the Pink Pussy (yes, really). Good place to work but I should have faced away from the distracting vampire bear mural.
Location: 1 Sirimangkalajarn Road
Website: facebook.com page
Tree Sis Coffee
An independent cafe in the old city, not far from Wat Phrasingh. Note the price board for coffee. A cafe latte here is 40 THB (about $1.3o USD), which is a typical price for a cafe latte in Chiang Mai.
Location: Inthawarowat Road
The Old Chiang Mai Cafe
Inside the moat, this cafe proclaims to have the best coffee in Chiang Mai. It certainly is a quality cup, and I probably would have spent more time here if they had some more comfortable chairs and tables.
Location: Rajapakinai Road
Coffee Lovers
How could I resist with such a name. I ended up here a few times to talk business with a fellow blogger over Vietnamese coffee. That was a common “problem” in Chiang Mai – too many cafes I wanted to go back to. Days when I revisited cafes I had already been to meant that I had to go to another cafe that day to continue my research. Not that I was complaining about it.
I love the art of Vietnamese coffee. Watching the coffee drip down onto the the goodness that is sweetened condensed milk.
Location: Ratchamanka Road
The Coffee Bar
Another über hip cafe around the Nimman area, so naturally another favourite of mine. Extra points for the “coffee” walkway.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 7
TH Cat Coffee
A little hole in the wall type cafe. Keeping with its name, it is filled with all things cats. This concept would be too cheesy to work anywhere else, but this is in Thailand so a cafe full of cat knick knacks works well.
Location: Rajvithi Road
Roastniyom Coffee
I nearly didn’t go to this one as I thought it was just another roadside cafe. I’m glad I went though, as not only was it a good coffee but the building has been built around a tree. I had passed this cafe many times without noticing how close the canopy of the tree is to the roof. I couldn’t see the cafe for the tree, if you will?
Location: Sirimangkalajarn rd
Website: facebook.com pages
Pangkhon Coffee
Still not sure if this a chain cafe. I like the logo of the Akha tribe woman so I went in. Not a bad option if you are by the south side of the moat and in need of an air conditioned caffeinated wifi fix.
Location: Changlor Road
Black Canyon
A Thai cafe chain with an American western theme. I’m still trying to work that one out. I ended up here often out of convenience as I was staying for a while near the branch at Tha Pae Gate. Points given for being a chain that offer free wifi.
Location: Tha Pae Gate, and other locations.
Website: blackcanyoncoffee.com
Ninety-Four Coffee
Like Black Canyon, another chain that offers free wifi.
Location: Nimmanheamin Soi 9
Khun Nai Teun Sai
Khun Nai Teun Sai is the epitome of groovy cafes in the Nimmanhaemin Road area. It has a big garden, plenty of lounge space, and lots of kitschy art around the property.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 11
Impresso
Impresso is the sort of place that wouldn’t be out of place in Brunswick St, Melbourne. Luckily for me I didn’t get onto this place until later in the month, otherwise I would have ended up here more often.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 11
Freebird Cafe
Freebird Cafe is set in an old wooden home inside the old city. The cafe is part of Thai Freedom House, a not-for-profit community center that assists refugees from Burma and Indigenous peoples of Thailand. They have excellent food and the floor cushions make going back outside a bit harder.
Location: Moon Muang, Soi 7
Website: thaifreedomhouse.org
Design Studio Coffee
I found this wandering the back streets of the Nimman area. I’m quite sure there are many other cafes hidden away in Sois that I never got round to seeing.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 9
Website: foursquare.com
Coffee Rider
A cyclist themed cafe in the middle of the old city. No lycra required for entry.
Location: Inthawarowat Road
Baan Ped Coffee
Up the end of a lonely Soi, I never would have found this place if I wasn’t meeting some bloggers here. A homely duck themed cafe.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road, end of Soi 6
Website: baanpedcafe.com
J.Ju Coffee
A cozy little cafe opposite the Anadard Hotel in the old city.
Location: Ratchamanka Road
Peppermint Cafe
Another place I ended up many times purely out of convenience as I was living on the same street for a while. It was a good street to live in having this one nearby. Smooth coffee and a good place for lunch and smoothies as well.
Location: Rachadamnoern Road, Soi 5
Website: peppermint-chiangmai.com
Mo Rooms
When I find myself on this side of town I often pop into Mo Rooms, which is a boutique accommodation/art gallery/cafe. East of the moat, between Tha Pae Gate and the Night Bazaar is a little explored area for me. On this side of town the food is a bit pricier and there are the sexpat nightclubs, so not really my cafe wonderland. Having said that, when I started telling people about this cafe project I was recommended a whole bunch of places around this side of town, so I will need to come back to investigate.
Location: Tha Pae Road
9th Street Cafe
A modern little cafe/bar, the 9th St cafe would fit in just as well on 9th Street New York as it does on Soi 9 in the Nimmanhaemin Rd area.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 9
Libernard Cafe
This one I mark down as “got potential”. It is set in a classic old wooden Thai house, the likes of which have mostly disapeared from the city. The cafe is set in the garden and there is a lot of artists material about. It is more of a studio in use rather than a showcase of art. This place would be very cozy with an improvement of the furniture.
Location: Kotchasan Road
Coffee Wish
Conveniently located in the heart of Nimmanhaemin Rd, I recall it being super airconditioned on one of the hottest days of the year.
Location: Nimmanhaemin Road
Dishonourable mentions: Starbucks and Wawee Coffee
Making up the numbers with a couple of dishonourable mentions here. I noted at the start that all the cafes in Chiang Mai have wifi. I eventually stopped asking before arriving at a new cafe because they all do. This is the way it should be. Yet for some reason the chain brands of Starbucks and Wawee Coffee don’t have free wifi. Starbucks in Malaysia have free wifi, but not in Thailand, so I only go when I am not required to go online. Wawee is a Thai cafe chain and I rarely go for the same reason, that you have to pay to use wifi.
Bangkok Airways Lounge – Chiang Mai Airport
Not really a cafe, but I wouldn’t have made my list seeing I departed early on my last day. This listing is part make up the numbers and part travel tip. If you are coming or going to Chiang Mai via Bangkok, be sure to check for flights on Bangkok Air. They are usually pricey when they have no competition, but as there are five airlines serving BKK – CNX, the prices are always competitive. With Bangkok Air every passenger gets to use the Bangkok Air lounge, which offer free wifi, free snacks, and…free coffee.
Location: Bangkok Airways Lounge – Chiang Mai Airport
Website: bangkokair.com
Did I miss any?
While I was compiling this list I told some of my friends about the project. I was then told of other places which I didn’t have time to visit. If you know of any more cafes in Chiang Mai feel free to leave a comment. I’m sure I’ll be back again so I would like to try them out.
Wow, cool idea and great list. I never used to frequent cafes but I find myself seeking them out more and more while I’m on the road. Reliable internet is always greatly appreciated
Thanks. I find the cafes a better environment to work in than a netcafe, and it breaks my day up a bit by getting me out of my room.
I just came back from Impresso on Nimmanheim after reading your post, and while sitting there decided to start taking my laptop there everyday to get work done instead of trying to do it from the comfort of my room. The problem with being in my room is that it’s too easy to get distracted, lay down, take a nap and watch a movie.
Thanks fellow Nomads, my blog and new book, 12 Weeks in Thailand: The Good Life on the Cheap, wouldn’t be as successful if it wasn’t for coffee shops like these with free wifi! =)
LOVE this. Thanks James.
Thanks! Look forward to seeing where you end up over the next few weeks
What a great list. With all of that caffeine, I’m amazed you were still able to type this up.
Haha, true that. I had a couple of days where I had far too much coffee and paid the price, but most days it was only one or two cups.
Very excited to see this post James! Can’t wait to start exploring some new options. So good to spend some time with you at Impresso. Hope to catch up somewhere again soon!
Thanks Paddy. Yes it was good to hang out at Impresso and knowing me, I’m sure I’ll be back in CM at some point soon!
Much more laid back than Bangkok, so a good place to work for me
Honestly, when I first read the Goat Coffee, the first thing that came to my mind is that the coffee beans used in this cafe must be from goat’s feces out of eating coffee beans.
sick but yeah.
Actually I thought about Luwak coffee as well, so not so sick afterall :0
I know Chiang Mai is very popular for tourists and bloggers. This is a great review of the cafes there. And honestly I didn’t expect them to look so nice and inviting. I’m impressed.
MMm missing CM. didn’t realize one person could drink so much coffee in a month. Lol
haha, luckily I paced myself…most days.
Wow, that is one long list of tempting cafes! Thanks for sharing, will have to check them out next time we’re in CM.
Haha, amazing! You have been busy! Bookmarked this page for when I get to retire to Chiang Mai for a year to work on my blog – hope it’s soon
Good luck with the retirement plan, it certainly is a good place to work.
Thanks for the suggestions, I now have a growing list for part II. I can’t believe I never made it to any of the Doi Chaang cafes. I kept seeing them around but forgot to go. Another good reason to go back
Thanks for the list! certainly CM is a good place for the coffee lovers. I suggest you to try Hopf Coffee House at Rajwithi, coffee is really good and the atmosphere really charming. Just suggestion…
Yes, I have been there a few times! I forgot to put that in there. Thanks for mentioning.
I’m at Design Studio right now. I am staying on the other side of the old city, but had to come over to this side to the wonderland of cafes in this area. Perfect way to spend my Sunday. Thanks for the list!
I like that part of Chiang Mai, all the Soi’s off Nimmanhaemin. Glad you enjoyed.
Great post, thanks mate!
Thanks, it was fun to compile the list
I like that part of Chiang Mai, all the Soi’s off Nimmanhaemin. Glad you enjoyed.
Thanks Elisa, I have never been to those two so some more home work for me
Great list, we are living in Chiang Mai at the moment, definitely have to go and check some of these places out now
Wow, this post is awesome! I’m moving to Chiang Mai soon and looks like I’ll have plenty of cafe’s to hang out at.
Good luck with your move!
Hi James,
thanks so much for this extensive list! It saves me a lot of time to look for good spots – either for coffee or work.
No worries Chris! Too bad I left CM so early, I would have liked to have caught up with you there.
Ahhhh THANK YOU for this list! I do online work as well and have been thinking of staying in Chiang Mai for a month or two, a “workation” of sorts. I need coffee at least once a day and I need wifi to get work done, so this post is really really helpful. Thanks again! *bookmarked*
Awesome post.. thanks for taking the time to compile these!
+ 1 for Akha Ama (awesome), the Matchacino and outdoor plug sockets at Impresso and the great coffee at Ristr8to!
We’d heard good things about Baan Ped Cafe but it seems it may be closed. We looked everywhere for it on Soi 6 beyond the roundabout. A similar looking building is now a new restaurant called Mu Mu. Maybe someone who knows better can confirm?
We also like Chan Neung (Nimman Soi 1) which has decent coffee, outdoor plug sockets and an upstairs section with big desks and office chairs. Another chain worth mentioning is Happy Hut as they do have free wifi. The one on Nimman is big and has plenty of plug sockets and some comfy couch chairs.
Thanks for the update. The competitive nature of the cafe business in Chiang Mai will mean a some new places will replace the old.
I never made it to Chan Neung so I wil bookmark for next time
Awesome post!
I absolutely adore iBerry over in the arts district by the university and it’s clearly no secret to locals. One of the most unique and coolest cafes I’ve ever visited. Serves both coffee, desserts, bubble teas, etc in amazing setting.
Surprised to find that hands down the best cup I’ve found in Chiang Mai (let alone most everywhere) so far is at Raming Tea House maybe 1km out of the east gate. Incredible espresso from Thailand.
I will continue to follow your recommendations!! Thanks for this!!
I absolutely love this article. Just as much as I love all the cafes in Chiang Mai. Admittedly though, we tried way more different cafes on our first visit. Now on our second visit we actually succumbed to Starbucks. Sure, the internet wasn’t free, but for 300 THB we got access for an entire month at any of their locations.
And I guess we also really like the comfy chairs and some of the anonymity you get with a bigger place. At small cafes I somehow always start feeling bad/guilty when I stay longer than a couple hours. Anyone else like that?
True about Starbucks that I don’t feel guilty about lingering. Too bad they don’t have free wifi like they do in Malaysia though. If a place is really busy I won’t stay too long.
GREAT website!
I really enjoyed reading it.
But, wawee at Nimmanheamin offers FREE wifi. I don’t know about the wawee around the more tourist area in old city.
Or maybe it was just a special christmas offer today hahaha…
Thanks Tobias, that would be great if Wawee have free wifi now.
This it brilliant! I’m glad you like coffee shops as much as we do! Stu is gonna go crazy when I tell him there’s a Vietnamese coffee shop here- he loves it! We’ve been going to the same cafe everyday, which I don’t think is on your list. When we go today I’ll note town the name and take a photo and get back to you!
A couple of great coffee shops I need to mention are ‘Cafe de Thaan Aoan’ on Prapokklao Road in the Old City and ‘Sipping Coffee’ on the university road, quite far down, near the mountain. Both are really beautiful places to sit and drink great coffee in lovely surroundings. Unfortunately, I have to say the Vietnamese coffee at ‘Coffee Lovers’ was a disappointment. If you’ve ever been to Vietnam you’ll know how good and unique the coffee is and this was like normal coffee with condensed milk, but double the price! On a positive side, the actual ‘Coffee Lovers’ cafe was really nice and the staff was very friendly, so worth going to!
Hi Eloise, thanks for the recommendations. I now have more homework to do next time I go back!
I am writing this in Saigon so I can now compare coffees, and you are right in that it is not quite the same. I though that might have been the case but I was happy to get a sweetened condensed milk hit
Good work, James! It’s been a few years now, but my very favourite among the outstanding crop of coffee shops CM has to offer was Wawee opposite The Four Seasons in Mae Rim – for coffee quality, view and ambience. A kind of split-level art gallery. Does anyone know if it’s still there?
Hi Marisa, I never made it out to that cafe so I will have to check it out next time
Hi,
I just opened a great little coffee Shop in Chiangmai & would like to invite you to test my coffee & service
I Thank you & hope I get a reply
Lindsay
GREAT post – im a coffee lover and off to C.M. in 2 weeks – now i have a list of coffee places to checkout – thanks!
No worries, Martin – enjoy your caffeinated trip!
Good work james, founds some new favourites. Love The coffee bar and Pacamara. Also many cafes have shut down, the list so far is Goats, Yellow bear, Knun Nai, Baan Ped, Coffee rider and cant find Design studio.
Hi Steve, thanks for the update! I have been wondering if any cafes have since closed down so thank you for the update!
I’m mostly working out of the new coworking space Punspace http://punspace.com in Nimmanhaemin while I’m here in CM, but I’m staying in the old city and craving walking distance coffee shops. This list is aweome, THANKS!
FWIW, I think it be cool to add the rough location of the coffee shops to the list, or even a map. I know some of the street names but most I’ve got to go look up to see where they are when I really just want to head out the door and know I’ll arrive at a decent shop in a few minutes walk.
As the other posts above say – great post!!
A few are outdated (Goat coffee moved and yellow bear disappeared) but still this is a list i visited alot when i first arrived in CM.
I ended up living there for a year and have recently written a post about it , that can be found here – http://onemorecountry.blogspot.jp/2013/05/top-10-cafes.html
I hope to grab a coffee with you next time you are in Chiang Mai!!!
Thanks for the update Laura! I really need to get back to CM, if only to update the cafes
That would be great to have a coffee with you too.
Hello again
My place is called Chiangmai Coffee Stop on Huew Kaew Road opposite the new Harbour shopping center & a few doors down from Chiangmai Hill Hotel
I have great seating & free WiFi & we only use the Best Coffee from the Royal Project up North
I look forward to welcoming you
Lindsay
Thanks Lindsay, I will be sure to visit next time I come to Chiang Mai