Chiang Mai cooks northern Thai food, which is a different tradition from the coconut-heavy curries most visitors associate with Thailand. 20 bookable food tours below — plus the neighbourhoods and dishes the city is built around.
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The guide
Chiang Mai cooks northern Thai food, which is a different tradition from the coconut-heavy curries most visitors associate with Thailand. Lanna cooking is inland and mountainous. It uses less sugar and less coconut milk, more fermented soybean, pork, herbs, and bitter greens, and it borrows openly from Burma and Yunnan next door. The signature bowl, khao soi, arrived with Chinese Muslim traders. Markets are the centre of eating here rather than restaurants, and the good ones run on a strict daily cycle. Prices are low even by Thai standards, and the old city is small enough to walk.
Where to focus
Four neighbourhoods to anchor a few days of eating
Old City
Inside the moat and the walls. Temples, guesthouses, and market stalls at the gates. Convenient but the food is aimed at visitors more than elsewhere.
Nimmanhaemin
West near the university, where the coffee scene and the modern Thai restaurants are. Younger, busier at night, more design than tradition.
Chang Phueak
The north gate night market, and the place to eat khao kha moo from the stall that has been running for decades. Open late, mostly locals.
Wua Lai
The silversmith street, and the Saturday walking market. Northern snacks, sai ua by the coil, and stalls selling food you will not see in the old city.
What to eat
The dishes the city is known for
- 01
Khao soi
· Curry noodle soup with crisp noodles on top, pickled mustard greens, shallot, and lime. Chinese Muslim in origin and the defining northern dish. - 02
Sai ua
· Northern pork sausage packed with lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, and chilli. Sold coiled and grilled, by weight. - 03
Nam prik ong
· Pork and tomato chilli relish eaten with sticky rice, pork crackling, and raw vegetables. Shared from a single bowl. - 04
Khao kha moo
· Pork leg braised for hours in soy and five spice, over rice with pickled greens and a boiled egg. Late-night food at the north gate. - 05
Kanom jeen nam ngiao
· Fermented rice noodles in a pork and tomato broth with dried kapok flower. Northern and rarely found outside the region. - 06
Sticky rice
· Steamed glutinous rice eaten by hand from a woven basket, not with a fork. The default starch across the north.
Practical notes
Meal timing, tipping, payment
Markets run in shifts: morning markets from 6:00, evening ones from 17:00, and the walking markets on Saturday and Sunday nights. Most kitchens close early compared with Bangkok. Cash only at stalls. The burning season from roughly February to April brings serious air pollution and is worth avoiding. Tipping is not expected; rounding up is enough.
All 20 food tours
Updated 2026-09-11The full list · sponsored partner links
- 01
3 Day 2 Night Yoga Yatika Retreat
Immerse yourself in tranquility with a 2-night stay at Yatikaboutique Yoga Retreat, where luxury blends seamlessly with nature in the breathtaking landscapes of Chiang Dao. Rest in cozy shared rooms overlooking lush rice
72h - 02
Yummy Street Food Feast with Guide NESH & Sun Leisure World
Explore the food and unique local food at Local market at scene of the historic Chiang Mai with this gastronomic tour of the neighborhood. Your local guide will take you to up to 10 different food stops, where you'll try
3h - 03
Lanna Sky Lantern Experience: An Unforgettable Chiang Mai Night
Yeepeng Lanna Sky Lantern Festival is a magical cultural event where thousands of glowing lanterns illuminate the night sky in a breathtaking display. Rooted in the ancient Yi Peng Festival tradition of Northern Thailand
6h - 04
Authentic Khantoke Dining & Cultural Showcase in Chiang Mai
The Khantoke Dinner is based around the traditional Thai dinner and dancing show. For the Khantoke dinner guests sit on bamboo mats on the floor and are served a range of northern Thai food to share with the table. The f
2h - 05
YLF2026 Yee Peng Lanna Sky Lantern 24-25 Nov 2026
Experience the magic of YLF 2026 Yee Peng Lanna Sky Lantern Festival with an official entry pass to one of Thailand's most unforgettable cultural celebrations. Join thousands of lanterns lighting up the night sky while e
6h - 06
Inthanon Small-Group with Kew Mae Pan Trail from Chiang Mai include Lunch
Having a good day in the embrace of nature -one of the most fertile natural treasure and scenic trail in Thailand, the invigorating mountain and fresh air are waiting to welcome you at Inthanon National Park. Visit to wa
8h - 07
Small Group : Traditional Dinner with Performance and Local Fresh Market Tour
This trip is a combination of exploring the Local Whole Sales Fresh Market (including Fresh Fruit) and enjoy the Traditional Local (Northern Thai) Dinner with Cultural Performance with our guided tour. The guide will als
4h - 08
Chiang Rai Temple Tour From Chiang Mai with Lunch
Why choose just one highlight when you can see all three of Chiang Rai’s iconic temples in one day? This Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai day trip is designed for travelers who want to experience the famous White Temple, Blue Te
11h - 09
Chiang Mai Signature Michelin Morning Food Walking Tour
Wake up hungry and step into Chiang Mai’s food scene on a Michelin Guide street food adventure. You will meet your expert guide at Wat Saen Fang and ease into a brunch flow for 10:00 AM. Start with Warorot Market and Ol
2h - 10
Chiang Mai Mae Wang jungle Day Trek with Bamboo Raft and Lunch
Swap city noise for a real Chiang Mai outdoor day in Mae Wang. This full-day trip combines trekking, a waterfall swim, Karen village culture, and bamboo rafting on the Mae Wang River, perfect for nature lovers. Follow yo
10h - 11
Chiang Mai Farm to Table Northern Thai Cooking Class
Get to know Northern Thailand through its food at Hang Tueng Farm in Chiang Mai. This warm, home-style class lets you cook 4 dishes and 1 dessert in hands-on way and using fresh ingredients straight from the land. Begin
2h - 12
Chiang Mai Rice Planting Experience Local Farm Life with Lunch
Escape the city and experience Chiang Mai’s rural side with hands-on rice planting, Thai buffalo, and a relaxing farm-to-table lunch at Hang Tueng Farm. Surrounded by lush rice fields and peaceful countryside scenery, th
2h - 13
Chiang Mai Morning Street Food Tour with Warorot Market
Explore Chiang Mai’s rich culinary culture on a guided morning street food tour through hidden local gems, historic temples, and vibrant markets. Taste Northern Thai specialties like Khao Soi and Sai Oua, along with loca
4h - 14
Chiang Mai Guided Night Food Tour with Red Songthaew Ride
Taste Chiang Mai at night on a guided food tour filled with local flavors, lively markets, and red songthaew rides between key stops. Begin at Warorot Market, one of the city’s oldest local markets, and sample Northern T
4h - 15
Cooking with Fresh Ingredients at Organic Farm with Local Market - Chiang Mai
Learn how to cook fresh Thai food using only the best homegrown ingredients from our garden. you'll learn 5 Thai dishes of your choosing, visiting local markets to get the freshest produce to use in your cooking. Fresh f
4h - 16
Morning Cooking Class in Traditional Pavilion with Beautiful Garden - Chiang Mai
Let yourself unwind from the stresses of city life by immersing yourself in our tranquil organic farm and enjoying a cooking course in Thai-style pavilions. Start your morning by visiting the local market; our instructor
4h - 17
Chiang Mai Organic Farm Thai Cooking Class
Live out a dream of becoming a chef specializing in exotic cuisine. Visit Grandma's home cooking school and attend its all-around course on your trip to Thailand. Learn culinary skills from the best cooking experts in to
6.5h - 18
Cooking Class with Organic Farm in Chiang Mai
Experience Thai cooking at an organic farm in Chiang Mai with our expert instructors and a certified chef. Located in the tranquil countryside, our school offers a unique opportunity to cook six dishes of your choice, fr
6h - 19
Half-Day Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour From Chiang Mai
If you don't know what is your souvenir from Thailand, cooking could be your choice! Come join us to make an amazing experience together! Learn how to cook flavorful and fun Thai recipes, including home-style classics an
4h - 20
Master Express and Full Thai Cooking Class from Chiang Mai
Discover the art of Thai cooking with an authentic cooking class in the heart of Chiang Mai. Choose the Express Class for a quick yet immersive two-hour session—perfect for travelers with limited time. Learn to prepare T
4h