Best Breakfast in Chiang Mai Thailand

We are often asked where to find the best breakfast in Chiang Mai Thailand. Breakfast in Chiang Mai is a real treat, so to answer your questions we set off to find the best breakfast in Chiang Mai Thailand.

Best Breakfast in Chiang Mai
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Where to find the Top Chiang Mai Breakfast

Breakfast can mean so many things in Chiang Mai, you can grab a quick bite from a street cart, choose one of many local dishes at the market, sit down at a small café for an English breakfast or relax at one of the many restaurants across the city. The choice is yours and there is something for every budget.

Here is our list of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai for breakfast.

Street food and Market Breakfasts in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Street Food Carts

You will find street food carts selling anything from fried chicken to noodle and rice soups. For a healthier option you can feast on fresh tropical fruit hand cut by the street cart vendor. There are a massive range choose from and a cheap way to discover the taste of Thailand.

Chiang Mai Markets

I love markets and no matter what city I am visiting I will always gravitate to them, I enjoy the hustle and bustle, the bargains and observing daily life as a local always puts a smile on my face.

There are so many markets to chose from in Chiang Mai but one of my favourites would have to be Chiang Mai Gate market which is located at the bottom of Chiang Mai’s moated Old City. Walking through the market, large pots of exotic dishes bubble and steam, the scent of spices fills the air and your mouth waters as you pass by.

Choose a dish that takes your fancy and they will place it in a small plastic bag to take home. One of my favourites would have to be Fish Curry Soup, a spicy noodle soup that never fails to give me a kick start to the day.

Chiang Mai Gate market food stalls
Selection of Thai dishes at Chiang Mai Gate market

Small Family Run Thai Restaurants in Chiang Mai

Some of the best Thai dishes can be found at the roadside stalls
The family run restaurant where I buy delicious Gao Lao spicy pork soup dish.

You will find these everywhere, they are cheap and a great way to discover authentic Thai cuisine.

A favourite is on Sirimangkalajarn Road in the Nimmanhamin area. This restaurant is packed every morning, motorbikes will even stop off in to pick up large orders for their fellow workers.

My favourite dish is Gao Lao, a pork soup with pork meat, sausage and crispy pork and a boiled egg. Delicious!

Gao Lao soup
Gao Lao soup from a small family run Thai restaurant

Western Style Breakfasts Chiang Mai Thailand

Visiting Chiang Mai doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your regular home style breakfast, Chiang Mai is an international city and there is a whole world of cuisines just waiting for you.

Best Breakfasts in Chiang Mai – Night Market Area

L’Opera French Bakery

L’Opera French Bakery would have to be my favourite café in Chiang Mai. Not only does it serve a delicious range of French patisserie style pastries and cakes but also serves a mouth-watering breakfast in Chiang Mai.

With a choice of fresh crusty baguettes with butter and jam to full breakfasts and great coffee, there is something for everyone in this popular French Bakery in Chiang Mai.

Alan’s favourite is the omelette while mine would have to be the granola, a delicious mix of fresh fruit and yoghurt sprinkled with granola, YUM!

L’Opera is a short walk from the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort on Sridonchai Road in Chiang Mai.

98/7 Sridonchai Road, Chiang Mai

L'Opera French bakery perfect location for a Chiang Mai Breakfast
Delicious Granola breakfast at L’Opera French bakery

Butter is Better

Many people say that Butter is Better is the best restaurant in Chiang Mai for homestyle American comfort food including full American breakfast. I love that you are transported back in time with the 1950’s rockabilly vibe and red vinyl booths of this American style diner.

Butter is Better is a favourite for expats in Chiang Mai craving an American breakfast
Butter is Better a 1950’s style American Diner in Chiang Mai Thailand

There are a great range of breakfast dishes to choose from including healthy options such as muesli and yoghurt and old favourites like biscuits and gravy and eggs benedict.

Alan chose the “Breakfast of Champions”, eggs over easy, crispy bacon, homemade hash browns, 7 grain toast, butter and jam with tea and orange juice.

Alan doesn’t like runny eggs and was happy to find that the eggs were perfectly cooked and the bacon crispy. A filling breakfast and a great start to the day.

I decided to go for a healthier option and chose the bagels and lox with cream cheese, a simple but delicious breakfast.

Butter is Better Chiang Mai is also popular for lunch, I can recommend the chicken salad sandwich and Aunt Beverly’s tuna salad sandwich.

Butter is Better can be found just down from the Shangri-La Hotel as you head toward the Night Market area on Chang Klan Road.

183/8-9 Chang Klan Rd, Chiang Mai

Bagels and lox with cream cheese at Butter is Better, the best restaurant in Chiang Mai for American style comfort food
Bagels and lox with cream cheese at Butter is Better.

POPULAR CHIANG MAI TOURS ↓

Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel

Slept late and in the mood for bunch? Chiang Mai delivers with a spectacular Sunday brunch at one of the best hotels in Chiang Mai, Marriott.

Having Sunday brunch at the Latest Recipe at Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel is a Chiang Mai institution and possibly the best buffet in Chiang Mai.

You will be spoilt for choice as you enter Latest Recipe, they have a selection of the freshest seafood, Thai and Western delicacies, roast meats, salads, bread, cheese and charcuterie and deserts, all topped off with a refreshing glass of bubbly.

While there why not try Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel’s the Favola Restaurant, a little taste of Italy in one of the best restaurants in Chiang Mai.

108 Chang Klan Road, Chiang Mai

Buffet brunch at the Le Meridien hotel, one of the best 5 star hotels in Chiang Mai
Scrumptious buffet brunch at the Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel

Top Chiang Mai Breakfasts – Old City

Chiang Mai Breakfast World

Chiang Mai Breakfast World would have to be the best restaurant in Chiang Mai for breakfast!

When they say breakfast world they mean it, there is a choice of international breakfast cuisines that include Thai, German, Italian, Scandinavian, Mediterranean, English and American.

Chiang Mai Breakfast World also have a selection of fresh fruit, pastries, waffles and rolls and a choice of cold cuts and cheeses. For drinks there are a large range of coffees, teas, fruit smoothies and shakes to choose from.

You will be spoilt for choice as the menu is extensive and portions are large so make sure you bring an appetite.

Chiang Mai Breakfast World is a must visit for the ultimate breakfast in Chiang Mai.

24/1 MoonMuang Rd, Lane 2, Chiang Mai

The Scandinavian breakfast, just one of the many breakfast options at Chiang Mai Breakfast World

Fern Forest Café

For peace and tranquillity, you can’t go past the Fern Forest Café. This gorgeous tropical garden is the place to come to escape the heat of a summers day.

You can sit inside the light airy colonial inspired interior; the white cane furniture harks back to days gone by while crisp black and white cushions add a touch of class to this beautiful setting.

Outside you can sit under shady trees and admire the garden, Koi fish swim leisurely in the pond and the hot pink cushions add a splash of colour to this lush green setting.

Fern Forest Cafe, one of the best cafes in Chiang Mai
The Fern Forest Cafe Chiang Mai. A delicious breakfast in a peaceful setting

Breakfast was a treat, Alan chose French toast with bacon and eggs while I chose the seasonal fruits with pancakes, both were beautifully presented and delicious.

The Fern Forest Café is open from 8.30 am to 20.30 pm and feature a range of Thai delicacies, pasta, salads and sandwiches as well as an extensive coffee and tea menu.

54/1 Singharat Rd, Chiang Mai

Fern Forest cafe Chiang Mai Breakfast
Seasonal fruits with pancakes at Fern Forest café

Best Vegetarian and Vegan Friendly Breakfasts in Chiang Mai Old City

Goodsouls Kitchen

Goodsouls Kitchen is 100% plant based and serves a fabulous range of vegan dishes which feature local produce sourced from their own farm.

During our visit I tried the black sesame seed pancakes with homemade strawberry jam which were delicious and filling. Other breakfast dishes include smoothie bowls, a variety of sweet pancakes, savoury bagels, and Thai dishes.

Goodsouls Kitchen has a cosy mid-20th century vibe and is open from 8am to 10pm for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

52/3 Singharart Road Chiang Mai (Old City)

Goodsouls Kitchen 100% plant based restaurant in Chiang Mai
Black sesame seed pancakes with homemade strawberry jam

The Blue Diamond Breakfast Club

Tucked away in a quiet Soi (Lane) in the Old City you will find The Blue Diamond Chiang Mai Breakfast Club, an oasis from the heat of the busy city.

The Blue Diamond Breakfast Club have a large range of Thai and Western breakfast dishes and cater to vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets. They serve a delicious range of homemade breads, muffins, vegan cakes and treats, making it one of the best vegetarian restaurants Chiang Mai.

Alan enjoyed a vegetarian omelette while I opted for poached eggs followed by crusty bread roll and jam. Delish!

The Blue Diamond Breakfast Club is a short walk from Wat Chiang Man Buddhist temple.

35/1 MoonMuang Road, Lane 9, Chiang Mai

Blue Diamond Breakfast Club in Chiang Mai
Blue Diamond Breakfast Club serves a delicious breakfast and has vegetarian and vegan options

Dada Café

I have been a fan of Dada Café for years, they have a fantastic selection of wholesome, healthy and delicious food.

Dada Café caters for vegetarians as well as omnivores and have a huge breakfast range of reviving juices, fruit and porridge and egg dishes. I can’t seem to go past their delicious salad sandwich.

Dada Café is also open for lunch and has an extensive vegetarian and meat menu, with a focus on healthy eating.

20/1 Ratmakka Rd, Chiang Mai

Dada Cafe one of the best vegetarian restaurants Chiang Mai
A healthy selection of revitalising breakfast juices and dishes at Dada Café

Best Breakfasts in Chiang Mai – Nimmanhaemin (Nimman)

Nimman is a popular area much loved by tourists and digital nomads alike. This vibrant area is famous for its coffee culture, artisan shops and wide variety of restaurants and bars.

Manifreshto

Located in a quiet lane, Manifreshto is always busy serving an excellent choice of delicious and well-presented breakfast dishes. For such a small restaurant the range of dishes include vegan smoothie bowls, breakfast sandwiches, English and American style breakfasts.

During our visit I chose the vegan smoothie super bowl which was refreshing and delicious. Alan tried the pork curry panini which was equally tasty. On previous visits we have enjoyed the eggs Benedict and baked eggs.

Vegan smoothie super bowl

14/2 Nimmanhaemin soi 3

Smoothie Blues

Smoothie Blues has a massive selection of breakfast dishes to choose from including western favourites, vegetarian and vegan options.

Choices include breakfast smoothies, a variety of egg dishes, French toast, waffles, bagels, and oatmeal. If breakfast isn’t your thing, you can choose from the menu of European and Thai dishes throughout the day.

Smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel

17 Soi Hua Min

Last Words on Best Breakfast in Chiang Mai Thailand

We hope you enjoy finding the best breakfast venues in Chiang Mai as much as we did. We have only scratched the surface of the dazzling food scene in Chiang Mai and there are many others still to be discovered. The venues in this guide also have great coffee but if you are looking for that perfect coffee fix in Chiang Mai you should head to the Nimman area, which has a vibrant coffee culture.

Do you have a favourite breakfast spot in Chiang Mai? Feel free to leave a comment we would be happy to hear about the places you love.

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Where is the Best Breakfast in Chiang Mai, grab a quick bite from a street cart, choose one of many local dishes at the market, relax at a small café, or choose from one of the many restaurants across the city. Western, Thai, and Vegetarian options are all covered as we search out the places to eat in Chiang Mai. #chiangmaibreakfast #foodchiangmai
Best Breakfast Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group

Check out our Chiang Mai Travel Planning Facebook Group – you are welcome to join and it’s a great resource to enable you to ask any questions about visiting Chiang Mai Thailand. Many experts are on hand to help.

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2 thoughts on “Best Breakfast in Chiang Mai Thailand”

  1. Hi Ros
    I’m contemplating spending a month in Chiang Mai next year then maybe a couple of weeks in Patong, then back to Bangkok (love that place!) for another month…anything to avoid the horrible cold weather we had in Victoria this winter! I’ve never been to Chiang Mai, so where would you suggest a solo female mid 60’s traveller stay that would make it easy for me to get around to shops, restaurants etc? I’m contemplating renting a Condo also rather than staying in a hotel, unless they’re really cheap! I do have a couple of health issues so also want some advice re what sort of travel insurance to get? Sorry to ask so many questions, but I want to get it all sorted & planning helps I’m sure, as there’s only me to rely on!
    Many thanks
    Di

  2. Rosalind Cuthbertson

    Hi Di,

    Lovely to hear from you! 🙂

    I’m glad you are thinking of Chiang Mai as a destination, I may be biased but Chiang Mai has so many great attractions and a laid back friendly feel I’m sure you will enjoy.

    As far as condos go I think the Night Market area of Chiang Mai is ideal for the first time visitor. Twin Peaks and Astra condos (near the Shangri La Hotel) on Chang Klan road are very popular, they are beautiful buildings with security. They can be expensive compared to Chiang Mai standards but they are a short walk to the entertainment, shopping and small restaurants of the Night Markets.

    In saying that, the only difference between a condo and a hotel room is that a condo has cooking facilities (typically a hotplate no oven) and it is cheaper to eat out than cook from scratch. If you are considering a hotel the old city is very popular, there are some beautiful Buddhist temples to explore and it’s fun to wander through the small alleyways to sample the small shops, restaurants and bars.

    As for travel insurance, we use World Nomads insurance, we find them handy because you can extend your trip without going back to Australia. Here is the World Nomads link

    One thing to keep in mind is Chiang Mai’s smoky season which takes place between February and April and something to consider if you have respiratory problems.

    I hope this helps Di, if you have any more questions feel free to email us. 🙂

    Kind regards

    Ros

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