A list of the best cafes in Chiang Mai, including specialty roasters, hidden cafes, and beautiful spaces.
Chiang Mai is famous for its cafes, which makes sense considering that Northern Thailand is a major coffee-growing region. The cafe scene in Chiang Mai is constantly evolving, so if you are a returning visitor there is always some news cafes to check out.
I’m a frequent visitor to Chiang Mai, and when I am there I revisit my old favourites and make a point to visit new cafes. It’s a lot of work to visit so many cafes, but cafe hopping is part of the pleasure of visiting Chiang Mai.
This list features a cross section of the best cafes in Chiang Mai, sorted by neighbourhood.
Index
Chiang Mai cafes map
Old City
Nimmanhaemin
Suthep (between Outer Ring Rd and Doi Suthep)
Santitham
East of Old City (Chinatown/Warorot Market)
Chang Khlan (South of Night Bazaar)
East of Ping River
Hang Dong district
Branch and chain cafes
Local branches and chains
National chains
International chains
Closed cafes
Chiang Mai cafes map
Cafes mentioned in this article are on this map.
[Map of Chiang Mai cafes.]
Old City
Akha Ama Phrasingh
Akha Ama are legends in Chiang Mai. I’ve been going to Akha Ama since they opened in 2010, so I was happy when they opened their second branch in the Old City.
Apart from the great coffee, the Phrasingh branch is an architectural marvel. They took a dowdy old shop house, gutted it out, and turned it into a beautiful space.
Location: 175 2 Rachadamnoen Rd.
Website: akhaamacoffee.com
Burkta
Burkta is set in a garden next to Punspace coworking space. The lattes are served in a glass, and as a Melbourne coffee snob I could tell this was a “proper latte” by the colour. They get the coffee/milk ratio just right.
Location: 10 Wiang Kaew Rd.
Facebook: @burkta
Single Origin Store Tha Pae
[Single Origin Store at Tha Pae Gate.]
Single Origin Store is a surprisingly-good cafe considering it’s near the epicentre of Chiang Mai tourism at Tha Pae Gate.
Location: 65 Moonmuang Road.
Facebook: singleoriginstore.com
CoolMuang Coffee
Another good option near Tha Pae Gate. is CoolMuang Coffee. They have an indoor and covered outdoor section.
Location: 81 Moonmuang Road.
Instagram: @coolmuangcoffee
Ponganes Coffee Roasters
Ponganes Coffee Roasters is a small-batch coffee roaster. They have moved to a new location since my last visit.
Location: 11/2 Soi 1 Inthawaroros Rd.
Website: ponganes.com
Happy Monday Coffee
Happy Monday Coffee are almost geographically in the middle of the Old City on Rachadamnoen Rd
Location: 145 Rachadamnoen Rd.
Facebook: @HappyMondaysCoffee
Nimmanhaemin
Nimmanhaemin Road (or Nimman for short) is the the hipster area to the west of the Old City. This area is near Chiang Mai University, and Nimman is a popular digital nomad area.
Ristr8to Original
Ristr8to opened on Nimmanhemin in 2011. This was around when the digital nomad scene was taking off and Nimman was clearly becoming one of the coolest streets in Thailand.
Location: 15/3 Nimmanhemin Rd
Website: ristr8to-coffee-chiangmai.com
Roast8ry Lab
Roast8ry Lab make the best latte in the Nimman area..
Location: 14 Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 3.
Website: roast8ry.com
Roast8ry Coffee Flagship Store
Roast8ry Coffee Flagship Store is the largest Roast8ry branch in the Nimman area. They also have a coffee vending machine outside.
Location: Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 17
FOHHIDE
FOHHIDE (Full Of Happiness…Hiding on 5th floor) is reached by a little elevator to this fifth-floor cafe. There is a great view of Doi Suthep from the outdoor section.
The cafe feels Japanese in style, and sharing a floor with a rooftop izakaya added to that feeling.
Location: 5th Floor, 14/2 Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 5.
Website: @FOHHIDE
GRAPH Ground
GRAPH is a roastery cafe with branches around the city. GRAPH Ground is in a little warehouse on Siri Mangkalajarn Road. It’s not obvious that it’s a cafe unless you walk by when they are roasting.
The cool and dark interior is a stark contrast when it’s hot and sunny outside.
Location: 41/1 Siri Mangkalajarn Rd., Suthep.
Website: graphcoffeeco.com
GRAPH One Nimman
There is another Graph branch inside the European-style arcade of One Nimman.
Location: 1/6 A103, One Nimman.
Website: graphcoffeeco.com
LOT
LOT (Lot of Taste) is a specialty coffee shop on Nimmanahaeminda Road.
Location: 8 5 Nimmanahaeminda Road.
Facebook: @LotofTaste.LOT
Roastniyom Coffee
Roastniyom Coffee are a local cafe chain with branches across the city. The branch at Siri Mangkalajarn Rd is most notable for being built a around a. big tree.
Location: 51 Siri Mangkalajarn Rd.
Facebook: @roastniyomcoffee
CAMP
CAMP (Creative and Meeting Place) is a cafe/co-working space in Maya Mall.
Location: 5th Floor, Maya Mall.
Facebook: @CAMP-100063653855955
Free Bird Cafe
Free Bird Cafe is part of Thai Freedom House, a not-for-profit community centre that assists refugees from Burma and Indigenous peoples of Thailand.
[Free Bird was formerly on Moon Muang, Soi 7 (in an old wooden home)]
Location: 14 Sirimankalajarn Soi 9.
Facebook: @FreeBirdCafe
Suthep (between Outer Ring Rd and Doi Suthep)
Suthep is a large district that includes everywhere from the west side of the moat to Doi Suthep itself. This includes the Nimman area, but there are areas in Suthep that have their own distinct feel.
The area between the Canal Rd and Doi Suthep has a much different vibe to the compact streets of the Nimman area. The roads closer to the mountain start going through forests, and there are some great cafes tucked away in the tress. This area is also harder to walk to and from due to the distances, so you need your own transport or take a Grab taxi.
The Baristro Asian Style
The Baristro Asian Style is a cafe in a compound near Doi Sethep. You have to buy a ticket to enter (redeemable in your purchase) as it has become a popular photo place.
The cafe is an architectural work of art, and the coffee is great as well.
There is a separate section (Slow Bar and Matcha) serving cold brew coffee and match tea.
[Slow Bar and Matcha.]
Outside there is a zen garden and a event space among the trees.
Location: 200 Suthep Rd, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai.
Facebook: @Thebaristroasianstyle
Sensation Coffee Roasters
Sensation Coffee Roasters is on the road that runs along the foot of the mountain. There is a little expat scene out here hiding out among the trees, though you need a bicycle/motorbike to live out here.
The cafe is near the mountain forest and the cafe serves a good latte.
Location: 39/5 Moo.10 Suthep Muang Chiang Mai.
Facebook: @sensationcoffeeroasters
Living A Dream
Living A Dream is set inside the sprawling Chiang Mai University campus at the foot of Doi Sethep. I walked here from near the Old City so it was a bit of a trek. I wasn’t sure if I was smart enough to enter being around so many young students.
The cafe is next to the Angkaew Reservoir, so it’s a good place to sit outside and be in nature.
Location: Entrance at 239 Huay Kaew Road, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai.
Facebook: @aiyacafe.cmu
Asama Coffee & Roastery
Further along the Outer Ring Road is Asama Coffee & Roastery in the Chiang Mai Lakeland Village. This is a bit out of the way, but if you are in the hood and have your own transport its worth a visit.
Location: Soi Mu Ban Chiang Mai Lake Land, Tambon Su Thep, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai.
Facebook: @AsamaCoffeeRoastery
Santitham
The Santitham area is northwest of the Old City and near Nimman. It’s a local area with very few chain stores (apart from 7-Eleven of course), and it’s better value than the Nimman area for food and coffee.
Akha Ama Coffee
This is the original Akja Ama store in Chiang Mai. It’s tucked away in a residential area, and I found it via my friends who already knew about it. The cafe is run by Lee, who grows the coffee at his home Akha village in Northern Thailand. I went on a coffee tour that Lee used to run (follow their Facebook page in case they restart the tour).
Location: Mata Apartment 9/1 Hussadhisewee Rd, Soi 3.
Website: akhaamacoffee.com
Areemitr Coffee
In deepest Santitham is Areemitr Coffee. I found out about it via an expat friend, which seems to be how people find out about it. I wouldn’t have found this gem by walking around.
Areemitr Coffee is in the yard of a family house run by a father/son duo. They serve lattes in a big cup, yet somehow manage to get the coffee and milk ratio right.
Location: 17 Sodsuksa road.
Website: @areemitr.coffee
Magic Brew Coffee
I discovered Magic Brew Coffee after discovering Nana Bakery (a proper bakery with piles of fresh pastries every morning). Magic Brew started out making moka pot coffees in a cart opposite the bakery. They have since moved into a shop opposite their old cart, and have a proper coffee machine as well.
Location: 1/4 Sodsueksa road.
Facebook: @Brewtoheaven
BOB Coffee
At first glance, BOB Coffee looks like just another hole-in-the-wall cafe. It turns out that BOB Coffee is literally a hole-in-the-wall cafe, as the architects have punched holes in walls to make this space. You order coffee at the front entrance, and there is a larger space in the back building where walls have been partially knocked down to make a larger space.
Location: 20 Tambon Chang Phueak 4.
Facebook: @bob.coffee.cnx
Cafe de Sot
Cafe de Sot is in the grounds of the Anusansunthon School For the Deaf. This cafe is most remarkable for the outdoor seating set in a garden oasis. There is a waterfall and water misters that make you feel like you are in the mountains.
Location: Hussadhisawee Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak.
Facebook: @Cafe-de-Sot-100063528403937
East of Old City (Chinatown/Warorot Market)
Gateway Coffee Roaster
I walked by Gateway Coffee Roaster many times before I noticed it was there. It wasn’t until I walked on the other side of the road that I spotted the cafe above a kickboxing centre.
[Gateway Coffee Roaster above Thaphae Muay Thai.]
The building is on Tha Phae Road, though the entrance is via the side street.
Gateway Coffee Roaster is another Graph cafe, so they have the same quality coffee here as at their other branches. This cafe group is great at repurposing old buildings.
Location: Chang Moi Rd Soi 2 (off Tha Phae Road).
Facebook: @gatewaycoffeeroasters
Still.Coffee&Life
Still.Coffee&Life is the sort of place that I delight in finding after urban exploring for cafes. The cafe is on the 4th floor of an old-school department store. A little sign on the street gives no indication of what to expect.
[Department store on Wichayanon Road in Chinatown.]
The entire 4th floor is abandoned apart from the cafe, which has sealed off a space for itself.
[Still.Coffee&Life cafe.]
The cafe has the vibes of a warehouse or loft studio, and the old furnishings complement the building.
The big windows have a great view of the city, including Doi Suthep.
And most importantly, they make a great latte.
Location: 4th fl. Wichayanon Road.
Facebook: @Still.CoffeeandLife
Chang Khlan
Chang Khlan subdistrict (tambon) is south of Chiang Mai Night Bazaar alongside the west bank of the Ping River
Light Beverage and MORE
Light Beverage and MORE is a garden cafe next to the Ping River.
Location: 343/2 Charoen Prathet Rd, Chang Khlan.
Facebook: @lightbevnmore
East of Ping River
There are some interesting cafes and restaurants appearing on Charoen Muang Rd, between the Nawarat Bridge and the train station.
la.moon cold cafe
la.moon cold cafe is a spacious cafe on Charoen Muang Rd.
They specialise in cold brew coffee, though I always get a latte when trying a new cafe to compare with other lattes. I will come back for a cold brew!
Location: 94 120 Charoen Muang Rd, Tambon Chang Moi.
Facebook: @lamooncoldcafe
The Baristro At Train Station
It’s nice when there is a good cafe near a train station to chill out at before getting a train. In the case of The Baristro At Train Station, it’s worth coming here even if you aren’t getting a train.
The Baristro At Train Station is on the side street next to the station, and you can see the trains from the entrance.
The Baristro At Train Station is in an old warehouse that has been cleaned out and converted into a modern cafe experience.
The baristas at Baristro also know how to make a latte.
[Cafe Latte at The Baristro At Train Station.]
Location: 46/1 Rotfai Alley, Tambon Wat Ket.
Facebook: @thebaristroattrainstation
fringe.th
fringe.th is behind the Rim Ping Condominium (a big apartment tower on the Ping River) on Kaeonawarat Rd.
The cafe has an eclectic collection of furniture, and it appears to have been discovered by the Tiktok/Lemon8 set judging by the amount of photo shoots going on. They make a good latte.
Location: 27, 29 Kaeonawarat Rd, Tambon Chang Moi.
Instagram: @fringe.th
Doppio at Central Festival Chiangmai
Central Festival Chiangmai is the largest mall in Chiang Mai. If you happen to be on a shopping expedition (or visiting the immigration office), then Doppio is the best option. Doppio is a branch of Roast8ry,
Location: 3rd.FL, Central Festival Chiangmai.
Facebook: @doppio8
Hang Dong district
Hang Dong District is technically not in the city of Chiang Mai, but it’s now part of the Chiang Mai Municipality so I’ve added it here.
Apresto Coffee
Apresto Coffee is on the big highway heading south, so you would be forgiven for thinking you wouldn’t find a good coffee here. I only found it because I was at Chiang Mai Premium Outlet. Next to the outlet mall is the Kad Farang Village. I didn’t want to go to a chain cafe at “Foreigner Village”, so I saw on the map there was a cafe across the highway.
Apresto Coffee is a cosy cafe that looks like it should be in the hills of Hang Dong district and not the highway.
I was surprised to find that I was served a latte in a glass wiith right proportion of coffee and milk. I would come here more often if it wasn’t so far out.
Location: 254 Baanwaen Tambon Ban Waen, Amphoe Hang Dong.
Facebook: @Aprestocoffee
Local branch and chain cafes
Chiang Mai already has a competitive cafes scene with so many great independent cafes, but there are some familiar national and international brands here. I’ve listed these for reference.
Local branches and chains
I have been a regular at cafes around Chiang Mai since 2010, so it’s interesting to see which local cafes become popular and set up more branches. Local cafes with branches include:
Akha Ama
Roast8ry
Baristro
Mingmtr
Roastniyom is a local cafe with the most branches, and they might already be a chain.
Wawee Coffee started in Chiang Mai in 2000, and they are now a national chain. The brand was acquired in 2018, and the new owner had planned to open 1,000 new outlets. There is a branch on the Ping River (Wawee Coffee HimpingKadluang).
Pangkhon Coffee are a local chain that had a few branches around Chiang Mai. Their website is gone and they now operate one branch near Saen Pung Gate, close to the southwest corner of the moat.
National chains
Doi Chaang Coffee is named after Baan Doi Chang village in neighbouring Chiang Rai province. They have branches all over Thailand, including on the east side of the moat and at the airport.
[Doi Chaang Caffe on Kotchasarn Rd, east side of the moat.]
Cafe Amazon are a Thai chain that can be found all over the country. They are owned by PTT Oil and Retail, which explains why they are at PTT service stations. They had become the sixth-largest coffee chain worldwide by 2021. Amazon are my emergency coffee (when I’m at a petrol station on a motorway or if I need wifi).
[Café Amazon Three Kings in the Old City.]
Inthanin is another cafe chain that is owned by a petroleum company. Inthanin opened in 2006 at a Bangchak petrol station, and Inthanin opened its 1,000th branch in December 2022. I see Inthanin all over Bangkok, but there are very few in the competitive Chiang Mai cafe scene.
[Inthanin Coffee on Suthep Road.]
Black Canyon opened its first branch in Bangkok at Central Plaza Ram Intra in 1993. They have a few branches in Chiang Mai, though they closed their most prominent branch at Tha Pae Gate.
International chains
It wasn’t until I started compliling this list that I realised how few international cafes chains there are in Chiang Mai. Even the brands that have set up shop in Bangkok have failed or not bothered to come to Chiang Mai.
Starbucks are all over Thailand now, and Chiang Mai is no exception. You don’t need my help to find them, just google “Starbucks near me”. Starbucks are on the most prominent corner at Tha Pae Gate (the unofficial city centre).
[Starbucks (Thapae).]
There is also a Starbucks Reserve on Nimmanhaemin Road.
[Starbucks Reserve.]
Tom N Toms from South Korea used to be in Chiang Mai, but they have closed their branches in Chiang Mai.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf were in Bangkok, but I don’t recall seeing them in Chiang Mai.
Arabica is conspicuous in its absence in Chiang Mai. I understand why cafe chains would be too timid to try and crack to Chiang Mai coffee market, but Arabica would be a good fit. I suspect they will open here soon.
Closed cafes
Many cafes have fallen by the wayside since I first published this post in 2012. Cafes that have since closed are in this list.
9th Street Cafe: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 9.
Libernard Cafe: 36 Chaiyaphum Road.
M-A-N-A Co-working Space: 28/12 Nimmanhemin Rd.
Khun Nai Teun Sai: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 11.
Ninety-Four Coffee: Nimmanheamin Soi 9.
Tom N Toms at Think Park: Think Park, Nimmanhaemin Road.
Goat Coffee: Nimenhamen Soi 9.
Coffee Wish: Nimmanhaemin Road.
Kaldi Coffee: 145/4 Ratchadamnoen Rd.
TH Cat Coffee: Rajvithi Road
Tree Sis Coffee: Inthawarowat Road.
Black Canyon: Tha Pae Gate.
Coffee Band: 10/1 Chaiyapoom Rd.
Peppermint Cafe: Rachadamnoern Road, Soi 5.
Yellow Bear Coffee: 1 Sirimangkalajarn Road.
Baan Ped Coffee: Nimmanhaemin Road, end of Soi 6.
Coffee Rider: Inthawarowat Road.
Design Studio Coffee: Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 9.
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.
Wawee @central business park,behind big C extra also has free wifi.I guess it must be up to the individual owner of the franchise outlet.
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 🙂
Yep, it is still there and going strong. They’ve even expanded. I love that place too. Such a great place to chill … but no aircon it can be a bit hot on some days.
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!
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 🙂
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 punspace 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 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.
Luvv coffee bar
On nimmanhaemin rd is a great cafe.not only a nice cup,but they have perfect set up for laptops.lots of benches set up around the cafe with outlets for all.and a cosy and relaxed atmosphere.And free wifi of course.
Located on the corner of soi 8
not sure if anyone mentioned. goat coffee has shifted. to somewhere at niman.
there are some nice cafes now in The Habour and near to CMU.
Currently in Chiang Mai post-DCBKK, this list is a handy reference! Thanks.
Thanks George!
HI James,
I am currently in Chiang Mai. There are about 23121 new coffeeshops but your list is still solid.
There is one change though: Goat Coffee has now moved into the place where design studio coffee was on Soi 9.
See you soon again,
Chris
Thanks Chris, I will amend this link!
I really need to go back and do some more research. It would be classified as a business trip as well 🙂
Peppermint Cafe isn’t closed, same owner, has been for years.
Thank you Sir! That is a relief to read as I enjoy this cafe. Just fixed the listing.
Are there any cafes in Chiang Mai that serve cream?
So far i’ve been to two locations and neither had cream for coffee.
Could you also consider including us in this list.
Coffee Monster is a new cafe/coffee shop aimed at digital nomads and internet marketers by providing a co-working space, meeting room, podcasting studio, presentation space, table tennis and pool table all for free to customers. We also have 30MB fibre line load balanced with a 16MB ADSL line to ensure good connection.
There are always interesting people here to meet and ongoing improvements to better meet the needs for those working online.
Thanks
Thank you for putting together such a comprehensive list! I am considering a move to Chang Mai and I was so glad to come across this!
Hi James, thank you for this post. If possible it would be great to have information such as whether food or alcohol is available as well as coffee, if the space has air conditioning, and a price range or category. I also agree with a previous comment that a map wild be very helpful. Good work! I look forward to checking out some of your finds.
Thanks for the information about the airport. It’s nice knowing there are freebies to be had for people using Bangkok Air.
Hi!
We’ve been exploring the many cafes being suggested, but what do you do if you’re a bit of a health nut and not a big coffee drinker? Is it time to take up the habit? 😉 Or, are there places to set up and work online that actually have healthy options like fruit shakes and smoothies (that aren’t packed full of sugar). Because it’s so hot, we’re also looking for air-conditioned spaces. The two don’t seem to go together. I’d really appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks 🙂
Sal
Thanks for sharing, we are renting an apartment in Chiang Mai in a few days for the whole month. Planning on catching up on the blog, great to have a list of cafes
Thanks for a very comprehensive list! There’s definitely a few new places for me to go and check out over the coming weeks.
A few of my favourites that weren’t on that list are Marble Arch (Nimman Soi 9), Coffee Villa (Nimman Soi 5) and Play Cafe (Nimman Soi 13).
I’m working on adding details like coffee prices and internet speed tests on my site for the cafes in Chiang Mai, so when I visit some of the ones from your list, I’ll add them to my site too. 🙂
Hi Kevin, thanks for that. I haven’t been back for 2 years so these lists need regular updating. I have a comprehensive working cafes page at http://www.nomadicnotes.com/cafes/. When you have made your post let me know and I will add your link there too.
I can not stop reading your blog!
We just started our worldtrip based on good coffee and are currently in Bangkok (and have been to chiang mai, of course!). What you wrote about both cities is so near to my impressions and feelings. So we will go back to chiang mai after visiting vietnam.
The next stop ist Ho Chi Minh city and I am exhausted to visit a lot of your recommanded cafes!
My recommandations for a nice coffee (but without wifi):
Chiang Mai:
Bangkok
Thanks Vera! I was just in Bangkok and I went to Ceresia – great little cafe (even without wifi). I’m back in HCMC now 🙂
And don’t forget Tiger Ted’s, the complex of old shipping containers stacked up… Favourite for hip cyclists.. Jammed in between the Maya and the night market… Obligatory free wifi, great eats and a anally retentive barista… He fusses over every cup..
And can park the bike out the front in full view of the seating.
Arroy mak !
Great list! You have to add Tanita Coffee House, it’s a must visit for Chiang Mai!
I will start the first thread of coffee markssss.Helps a lot with the shortlist. Thq
Great list. Already used this to find the Tiger Ted and a few others.
A couple other ones I’ve run across in the past 2 days.
Juice shop – right across from 9th st cafe
Salad Concept – salad / juice place that serves coffee & I’ve seen a lot of people working there.
Local Cafe – just across the street from the mall. Big, open space. Is so nice it feels like it could be a chain, but doesn’t feel like on.
Thanks Joel! So many new places I look forward to checking out myself.
Hey James!
Thanks for the recommendations, went to Tom n Toms and had a great time! visited during the night (after my aftger party) liked that Korean blend and the concept its so unique! keep making and writing about this. way to go!
Wonder if any of them offers good decaf?