Best Cafes in Chiang Mai for Culture & Chill Time

Why do travelers like to rave about the cafes in Chiang Mai? Aren’t they just like the ones in Bangkok and other cities? Well, yes and no.

I agree that there are way cuter cafes in Bangkok, but their baristas didn’t win world-class awards for drawing unicorns on a latte. YES, UNICORN-PATTERNED LATTES.

I had a lot of fun cafe hopping in Chiang Mai, and probably drank gallons of coffee and Matcha over those two weeks. While most cafes are average, some really stuck with me for different reasons.

Roastr8ry Lab won the most points, not because of their unicorn latte, but another signature shaken coffee infused with Lychee. I also loved Maled for how quiet and work-friendly it is.

The only downside to these cafes is most of them do not take credit cards. So you gotta have your cash affairs in order before you go cafe-hopping!

But if needing cash doesn’t deter you from exploring Chiang Mai’s world-class cafe culture, keep scrolling for all of my 10 favorite local cafes!

The Pros and Cons of Chiang Mai’s Cafes

When talking about the cafes in Chiang Mai, we’re not just talking about the cutest themed cafe, coolest 2D cafe, or anything like that. Decoration plays a part, but what’s served is much more exciting.

In almost every cafe I went into, there were specialty blends, different roasts you could choose, amazing dessert and snack selections, and amazing views in some.

The only con that felt like a big inconvenience to me was that 95% of the cafes didn’t take credit cards. For all the hi-tech iPads they use to take your order, no credit cards. It felt meh.

So to help set your expectations for each cafe, I’ll also include in the main points whether or not they accept credit cards. But I highly recommend always having cash on you.

My Favorite Chiang Mai Cafes on a Map

First, let’s make one thing clear. Good cafes are everywhere in Chiang Mai. There’s no particular magic zone where you can go and find all the best ones, although Nimman might be that one zone.

From my list of top cafes, you’ll find some of them in Nimman, the old city, Chang Phueak north of the old town, Wat Ket to the east, and a few around the outer ring.

10 Best Cafes in Chiang Mai: My Picks for 2025

After careful consideration, here are the 10 cafes that stuck with me the most and that I think you really shouldn’t miss when you’re there.

Most serve absolutely delicious coffee, and some serve better Matcha and desserts.

1. Roast8ry Lab

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Location: 14 Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 3, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Not accepted
• Must-Try: Satan Latte, Sex on the Rock

Oh, dear lord. There are no words for this award-winning coffee wizard.

Of course, this cafe is always packed, and for good reason. He’s famous for his Satan Latte with unicorn art, but don’t stop at that.

Most of the drinks on the menu, when you first look at the ingredients, you’re like, “Seriously?” But if you dare to order them, then get ready to be blown away.

My favorite is Sex on the Rock, which I got as a set along with my must-try unicorn coffee. It’s a cold, shaken black coffee mixed with lychee aroma and citrus creme. Just imagine.

2. Maled Coffee Roasters

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Location: 18 ถนนสนามบินเก่า Tambon Su Thep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Not accepted
• Must-Try: Jelly Black, Plain Scones

Maled has quite a low-profile exterior, a narrow townhome-style entrance sandwiched between other businesses. I almost missed it when I first went.

Not only was it the perfect place to sit and work for a few hours, but their signature “Jelly Black” was disarmingly unique and delicious, with minimal sugar.

I’m gonna try and sell you on their freshly-baked scones, too.

3. Asama Coffee & Roastery

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Location: 128 Mu Ban Chiang Mai Lake Land Alley, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Not accepted
• Must-Try: Iced Latte, Matcha Latte

This is the most secluded coffee shop I have come across in Chiang Mai, about a 20-minute drive from the old town, and hidden away in a quiet village on a tiny side street.

The seclusion pays off, though. The place was so quiet that I could hear the river and the birds chirping as I sipped my Matcha Latte, which was amazing.

There were two other people when I got there, but I had the place to myself after they left.

4. Khum Cafe

• Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
• Location: 117 Rachadamnoen Rd, Si Phum, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Not accepted
• Must-Try: Perilla Seed Cookies, Iced Latte

I found this cafe accidentally.

I wanted to visit the Lanna Architecture Center, but it was closed for lunch break, so I turned around and found the museum cafe tucked into the corner right by the walls.

It’s completely hidden from view unless you enter the museum grounds.

The coffee and perilla seed cookies were delicious, of course, but I treasured my interaction with the cafe owner the most.

She was super sweet, and even lent me her umbrella when I wanted to go explore the temples nearby as I waited for the museum to reopen.

5. The Baristro Asian Style

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Location: 200 Suthep Rd, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Accepted, but with a service charge if below 800 THB
• Must-Try: Black Latte, Cookie Monster Cake, Anything Matcha

You can think of this place as a cafe or a photo op complex, as they charge you an 80-Baht admission fee. But don’t worry! The admission fee is deducted from your drinks price.

It’s understandable why anyone would come here just for photos, though. The place is gorgeously decorated in Asian style, like the name, and consists of 3 seating zones.

I love the Slow Bar for its chic, traditional Japanese vibe, and the Lanna Style for working.

6. Bar Cha

• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Location: JJ market Chang Phueak, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50300
• Credit Cards: Accepted, but with a service charge if below 800 THB
• Must-Try: Uji Matcha, Matcha Crepe Cake

Bar Cha is fully dedicated to serving all things Matcha, and they do it well!

The iced Uji Matcha and Matcha Crepe Cake I got were divine. Their hot Americano didn’t disappoint either, but the lemon bar was much too sweet, so stick with the Matcha stuff if you can.

If you can grab one of the tables by the front window, then keeping your laptops plugged in and working for an hour or two doesn’t hurt, either.

7. Saruda Finest Pastry

• Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM daily
• Location: 12 Nimmana Haeminda Rd Lane 3, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Not accepted
• Must-Try: Peach, Lemon Tart

I may be slow with the trends because I’d never heard of this place before I went to Chiang Mai.

I accidentally looked outside from Roastr8ry and saw their ad banner across the street, showcasing their gorgeous pastries. So, I gulped down the rest of my coffee and went over.

The pastries, oh my god. The Peach was especially yummy and well-balanced!

The ambiance inside was neat and quiet, too. It leans on the darker side, with modern furniture. And for some reason, people didn’t come in so often.

Note: You can only get these fancy pastries at the Nimman 3 branch, not at One Nimman!

8. Zinmè Tea House

• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily
• Location: Wat Gate, 62 Thanon Charoenrajd, Chang Moi, Mueng, Chiang Mai 50000
• Credit Cards: Accepted
• Must-Try: Sticky Rice Tea, Zeylon Tea

They don’t serve coffee, only tea, but I have a soft spot for this Burmese place.

It’s both a tea house and a restaurant, with a handful of basic Burmese dishes on the menu (all delicious, but that’s a different post).

Their Sticky Rice Tea set stayed with me the most (although I completely forgot to take photos of it 💀). Its toasted sticky rice aroma and traditional tea set complemented the rustic wooden walls and cute little tables very well.

Needless to say, I went back more than a few times.

9. Graph

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Location: 25/1 Ratvithi Rd, Si Phum, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Credit Cards: Accepted
• Must-Try: Magma, Breaking Brown

When in Chiang Mai, a cafe that accepts credit cards is like an oasis, and needs to go onto some list immediately.

Just kidding. Let’s talk about its coffee, but it’s amazing that they accept credit cards. I have no bank accounts in Thailand, so I couldn’t pay with the QR codes. It has been a small inconvenience.

I won’t say much, but get the Magma. It’s one of their signature drinks, a shot of Espresso mixed with avocado and almond milk, creamy and strong.

10. Ristr8to Original

• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Location: 15/3 Nimmanahaeminda Road, Suthep, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50200
• Must-Try: Dirty, Black Zest
• Credit Cards: Not accepted

No, it is not the same as Roastr8ry! Although the two started as the same entity, the founding owners have split and are now running their brands separately.

At first impression, Ristr8to stood out to me with its dark, industrial-style interior decor. They had so many interesting items on the menu, but I chose to focus on the signature ones.

Black Zest, in particular, was memorable. I never liked my coffee with orange, and I never thought I would, until I tried this. It was real smooth, and the blended ice helped cool me down from the brutal heat outside.

How to Pay in Chiang Mai Cafes Without Cash

I still say that cash is king, but there’s finally a way foreigners can hop on the QR Code Payment train. You’ll need two things: A Pay & Tour Prepaid Card and the TagThai app on your phone.

• Get the prepaid card at any Kasikorn Bank Exchange Booth. (It’s the green bank!)
• Link your prepaid card to your TagThai app.

Of course, it’s a bit more hassle to set up than just carrying cash, but it’s a great method if you’d rather have more convenience on the go.

More Foodie Ideas from Chiang Mai

When in Chiang Mai, don’t just stop at cafes! The city’s food scene is insanely diverse, thanks to its interesting history and some darker times spent under Burmese rule.

Check out my top picks for breakfast spots and restaurants too. If you want to take a cooking class, I highly recommend this one that includes a herb garden visit.

For guides to other regions and provinces, check my Thailand Cultural Travel page.

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

Learn the dos and don’ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

Find a Place to Stay in Chiang Mai

Looking for somewhere to stay? Use the map below to browse for the best option for you! Keep in mind that as long as you stay inside the city walls or around the outside of it, most places will be walkable.

FAQ: Cafe-Hopping in Chiang Mai

📌 Pin this for later

Sharing is caring!