Chiang Mai Cafes Guide: Nimman, Old City and Riverside Coffee Spots
This guide lists eight Chiang Mai cafes, sorted by area: Nimman, the Old City, the river and one hill spot outside town. Each one has a short note on what it is good for, the best time to go and how to get there.
Chiang Mai is a coffee town. The hills nearby grow Arabica beans, and many cafes roast their own. Most cafes open 8 am to 6 pm, some later. Hours change on holidays and slow days.
Top 5 Chiang Mai Cafes
These five are the easy picks for a first visit. Tap a name to jump to its write up.
| Place | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ristr8to | Nimman | Latte art and espresso |
| Akha Ama Coffee | Old City | Northern Thai hill coffee |
| The Baristro | Riverside | A drink by the Ping River |
| Graph Cafe | Old City | Cold drinks and latte art |
| Mon Cham | Outside town | Hill views and cool air |
Nimman Cafes
Nimman is the trendy side of Chiang Mai, and the heart of the Nimman cafes scene. Small lanes off Nimmanhaemin Road hold more cafes than you can visit in one day. It is easy to walk from one to the next.
Ristr8to
Ristr8to is one of the best known coffee bars in Chiang Mai. It is famous for latte art and strong espresso. It sits on a side lane in Nimman. Go in the morning, when the seats are free and the milk drinks are fresh. It suits anyone who wants a serious cup of coffee. The drawback is that it fills up fast by late morning.
Wawee Coffee
Wawee Coffee is a Thai coffee chain with a branch in the Nimman area. It is not a hidden spot, but it is cool, clean and easy. When you need a cold drink and a seat for an hour, this is the place. It is a quick reset between walks, and cheaper than the small coffee bars.
Mont Nom Sod
Mont Nom Sod is a simple dessert cafe with a Nimman branch, known for fresh milk, thick toast and sweet custard. It is not a coffee bar. It is the milk toast and dessert stop on this list. Afternoons are the best time, when the heat calls for something cold. Families and anyone with a sweet tooth will like it.
Rustic and Blue
Rustic and Blue sits on Nimmanhaemin Soi 7. It is a garden style cafe with brunch plates and baked dishes. A slow morning is the point, so come late morning and stay for a meal and a coffee. Groups who want food as well as a drink do well here.
Old City Cafes
The Old City is the square of moats and gates in the middle of Chiang Mai. Cafes here sit between temples, guesthouses and old wooden homes. They are quiet in the morning and a good stop between temple visits.
Akha Ama Coffee
Akha Ama is known for coffee grown by the Akha hill community in northern Thailand. The Old City branch is near Wat Phra Singh, and the brand has more than one branch, so pick the one that fits your route. Morning before the heat is the best time. People who want coffee with a story behind it will like it. Tables are limited at busy times.
Graph Cafe
Graph Cafe sits in the Old City on the Ratchadamnoen Road side. It is a specialty coffee spot in a small space, known for signature cold drinks and latte art. The room is small, so a quiet weekday visit works best. Pick it when you want one good cup, not a long sit.
Riverside Cafes
The Ping River runs along the east side of the Old City. The Baristro is the pick here, with shade, water views and a slower pace. It suits a long afternoon more than a quick stop.
The Baristro
The Baristro sits beside the Ping River and is known for its view. The setting is the reason to go. Come in the late afternoon for soft light on the water. It suits couples and small groups. A river view adds to the bill, so it costs more than the Old City cafes.
Hill Cafe Outside Town
Mon Cham
Mon Cham is a hill cafe in the Mae Rim area, north of the city. It is known for green views, cool air and a calm setting. The air is clear in the morning, so that is the time to go. Hire a car or book a Grab for a half day out. The drive is about an hour from the Old City by car. It is the only spot on this list that needs a real trip, so plan it as a day out.
Best Coffee in Chiang Mai: What to Order
- Pour over. Slow brewed filter coffee. It shows the flavour of northern Thai beans best.
- Latte or flat white. A good pick at Ristr8to and other Nimman coffee bars.
- Iced Thai style coffee. Sweet, cold and strong. It suits the hot afternoons.
- Beans to take home. Buy a bag at a cafe that sells beans. Ask for a grind that fits your brewer.
Massage After a Cafe Day
A cafe day means a lot of walking and sitting on small chairs. A therapist can come to your hotel, condo or villa when you are back. See outcall massage in Chiang Mai. If you stay in Nimman, we cover that area on outcall massage in Nimman, and Nimman and Old City have their own location pages. Near the river, see outcall massage by the river. Our therapists arrive in 20-30 min in most of the city, and 15-25 min in Nimman.
Plan Your Cafe Day
- Best time. Go early. Morning is cooler, the seats are free and the coffee is fresh.
- Prices. Most drinks cost 60 to 150 THB. Cakes and desserts cost a little more.
- Getting there. Use Grab. Short Grab rides in the city cost 60 to 150 THB, songthaews less. Agree the songthaew price before you get in.