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ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

9 Best Cafes in Nan Province Curated by a Local

You guessed it, Chiang Mai is not the only place in Northern Thailand with an amazing cafe scene! But the vibe in Nan will be much quieter, and with little to no foreigners.

Thai people freakin’ love Nan (myself included) for its slow life vibes, stunning Lanna temples, and Bingsu. Oh, wait, did I accidentally throw Bingsu onto that list? I did… Because there’s a place that makes amazing Thai Tea Bingsu!

I don’t want you to miss out, so I’ve curated my own list of the best 9 cafes in Nan, with must-try items and notes on Wi-Fi availability for your convenience.

Just to seal the deal, cafes in Nan will accept your credit card. Forget about counting banknotes like a mad person at the cashier, like in Chiang Mai. Get ready to pin these places on your map!

About Nan: A Living Old City with a New Cafรฉ Scene

For a few years now, Nan has become the new romantic, slow-life winter destination for domestic tourists, although it remains a hidden gem to most foreigners.

Known to Thai people as “The Living Old City,” Nan Province is almost as old as Sukhothai, but has impressively preserved their 800-year-old customs and historical sites.

Everything is still in operation, from its ancient temples to city halls. You won’t know that anything has been around for nearly a thousand years unless someone tells you.

And today? Nanโ€™s younger generation is blending that deep-rooted culture with creative cafรฉs and dessert shops that feel like Nan. Youโ€™ll sip coffee beside rice fields and rivers flowing into the forest, not digital nomads on rental motorcycles.

Sorry, Chiang Mai. I love you too, but…

โณ Planning Nan last minute? Here’s everything you’ll need!

Best Hotel: Pukha Nanfa ๐Ÿ‘‰ Check on Booking | Check on Agoda

Pre-Designed Itinerary:ย Follow my 5-day itinerary for Nan

Transportation is nonexistent outside the city, rent a car!

A beautifully arranged wooden tray featuring an iced matcha latte, an iced black coffee with an orange slice, and two almond-topped cheesecake slices at Lhong Khao, one of the charming cafes in Nan Province, Thailand. The drinks, served in branded cups, sit against a scenic backdrop of lush greenery, outdoor seating, and a white dome tent, offering a relaxing cafรฉ experience.

The 9 Best Cafes in Nan

Here are my 9 favorite cafes in Nan, chosen for their flavors, decor, and peaceful vibes. Some are hidden on quiet streets in Nan City, and some are in the middle of Pua and Sapan rice fields.

I still have a hard time deciding whether I had the best time cafe-hopping to bring you this list or nearly died from trying too much coffee and desserts within a few days.

As long as you can use some on the list, I consider my job done.

1. Pa Nim Desserts (Nan City)

The vintage-inspired interior of Pa Nim Cafรฉ, one of the unique cafes in Nan Province, featuring a retro counter with old-school memorabilia, framed portraits, and a glass display cabinet filled with collectibles.
The cozy outdoor entrance of Pa Nim Cafรฉ in Nan Province, featuring string lights, green walls, and vintage-style signage. The warm lighting and outdoor seating create an inviting ambiance for guests.

Every Nan Province local knows that this place makes the best Bualoi.

In case you didn’t know, Bualoi is a warm coconut milk dessert with flavored tapioca balls. It is the real national dessert of Thailand (yup, Mango and Sticky Rice isn’t).

A traditional Thai dessert served in an intricate blue and white ceramic dish at Pa Nim Cafรฉ in Nan Province. The dish features coconut milk, taro, sticky rice, and colorful tapioca pearls, placed on a vibrant tiled table.

They also make a fusion style of their warm desserts with a scoop of coconut ice cream. If the shop looks closed when you go, you’ll find them in a trailer outside in the driveway.

2. Huean Hung Tor (Nan City)

The wooden entrance sign of Huean Hung Tor Cafรฉ, one of the must-visit cafes in Nan Province. The cafรฉ is surrounded by lush greenery, with a wooden walkway leading to a charming outdoor space.

It may look like a restaurant or someone’s traditional Thai mansion, but it is a coffee shop. Huean Hung Tor is massive, with a second floor and multiple seating zones.

A tray with an iced Thai tea, a hot cappuccino in a red cup, and a glass of water at Huean Hung Tor Cafรฉ. The drinks are served near a window with a view of a garden bench and green surroundings.
A creamy blue-hued drink in a branded cup placed on a wooden windowsill at Huean Hung Tor, a cozy cafรฉ in Nan Province. The window overlooks a lush garden filled with trees and outdoor seating, creating a peaceful ambiance.

The coffee bar is in the only air-conditioned zone on the first floor. That’s where you order, pay, and get your drinks. After that, you can go and find a seat in the zone you like best.

Oh, there’s delicious Kanomjeen Nam Ngiao available on the second floor, too!

3. Luem Wela Cafe (Outskirts of Nan City)

A pathway leading to Luem Wela Cafรฉ, one of the hidden gem cafes in Nan Province. The entrance is surrounded by tall trees, plants, and an inviting glass-walled cafรฉ space.
The modern, minimalist interior of Luem Wela Cafรฉ, with white tables, woven stools, and a wooden counter. The cafรฉ blends natural textures with contemporary design for a cozy setting.

This cafe is perfect for those wanting an escape, even though Nan itself is already a fantastic escape from the rest of Thailand (hahaha).

Located outside the city on a secluded hill, you can perfectly hear nature at Luem Wela Cafe.

An open-air seating area at Luem Wela Cafรฉ, featuring a mix of wooden benches and tables under shaded canopies. The surrounding greenery and string lights create a relaxed, nature-filled atmosphere.

The name translates to “Forgetting time,” and that’s the sensation you’ll get as you sip your coffee in one of their lawn chairs, looking out at the rolling hills with no other buildings in sight.

4. Cha Na Agape (Nan City)

A sleek, minimalist cafรฉ interior with white walls, modern lighting, and a stylish seating area at Cha Na Agape in Nan Province. The cafรฉ's monochrome aesthetic offers a cozy yet trendy atmosphere for coffee lovers.

Although Cha Na Agape looks like an average coffee shop with trendy designs, wait until you try their Thai Tea Bingsu. I’ll just let you look at the photo instead of raving about it.

A tray with an iced coffee and a beautifully plated Thai tea-flavored Bingsu dessert at Cha Na Agape. The dessert is served with black pearls, sweet condensed milk, and a side of jelly for a rich, indulgent treat.

Their signature coffee with coconut water was refreshing as well.

This place is within walking distance of at least 6-7 points of interest in the city center. It’s a glorious place to recover from the heat while you temple-hop your way around Nan City

5. Mix Academic & Cafe (Nan City)

The exterior of Mix Academic & Cafรฉ, housed in a wooden-fronted building beneath a yellow residential structure. The sign blends academia with coffee culture, making it a great study-friendly spot.
A cozy white-walled interior at Mix Academic & Cafรฉ, with wooden tables, modern chairs, and a small retail section displaying books and T-shirts. The space has a calm and creative atmosphere.
A layered iced matcha and coffee drink in a plastic cup with Japanese text, served with a hot coffee and tea on a woven tray at Mix Academic & Cafรฉ, a stylish spot in Nan Province. The drink offers a unique blend of flavors for coffee lovers.

Small, inconspicuous, but stylish, Mix Academic is in a less-frequented part of Nan City. The atmosphere is quite nice for those who need to get work done (while listening to K-pop mood music).

They have a lovely back porch seating area, too, if you’re visiting in cooler seasons.

6. Lhong Khao Cafe (Bo Kluea District)

A rustic wooden entrance sign for Lhong Khao Cafรฉ in Nan Province, with a lush green landscape and outdoor seating in the background. The cafรฉ is known for its tranquil riverside setting and nature-inspired ambiance.
An open outdoor seating area at Lhong Khao Cafรฉ, featuring wooden benches by a rocky stream surrounded by trees and greenery. The peaceful natural setting makes it an ideal spot for relaxation and coffee with a view.

First, don’t confuse this with Long Khao Cafe in Southern Thailand. Pay attention to the extra H in the name when typing it into your Google Maps.

This cafe is on the local highway, about 5 minutes north of the Salt Ponds and 15 minutes south of Sapan Village. It works as a perfect rest stop, with breezy outdoor seating areas and a river view to boast.

A wooden tray with an iced matcha latte, an iced black coffee with orange, and two slices of almond-topped tarts. The setting overlooks a lush green outdoor area with a dome tent and rustic seating, creating a serene cafรฉ experience.

The almond tart is to die for.

7. Yud Vela Cafe (Sapan Valley)

A rustic wooden entrance at Yud Vela Cafรฉ, with a blue cafรฉ sign, blooming pink flowers, and a view of lush green fields in the background. The space blends nature with a traditional Thai aesthetic.
A wooden table at Yud Vela Cafรฉ in Sapan, set with a vintage coffee grinder, a small milk pitcher, and a single flower in a glass vase. The background showcases a breathtaking panoramic view of rice fields and mountains.

A popular photo stop for Thai tourists visiting Sapan, Yud Vela cafe overlooks the Sapan valley and all its rice fields, which are perfectly green in October and November.

The blended milk avocado is delicious and perfect for hotter days.

Although you may have to put up with occasional influxes of loud tourists taking photos, the majority of your time will be nice and peaceful.

8. Ban Tai Lue Cafe (Pua District)

The entrance to Ban Tai Lue Cafรฉ, featuring a rustic wooden structure adorned with colorful paper lanterns and traditional Thai fabric banners. A welcoming spot for visitors seeking an authentic cafรฉ experience.
A traditional wooden cafรฉ in Nan Province, decorated with colorful hanging lanterns, wooden furniture, and a vibrant umbrella chandelier. The rustic interior exudes a warm, cultural ambiance, making it a unique spot for coffee lovers.

It’s an abomination to visit Pua, the first capital of the ancient Nan Kingdom, without visiting Ban Tai Lue Cafe. As the first new home of the Tai Lue people 800 years ago, their culture is still running strong here.

An iced coffee and a bottle of coconut flower juice on a wooden ledge at Ban Tai Lue Cafรฉ. The drinks are set against a stunning countryside view with green fields and mountains in the distance.

The cafe is massive, with multiple seating areas that takes you into a rice field nearby.

Next door to the cafe is the best silk shop in Nan Province, where you can shop for the signature “flowing water” patterned fabric.

9. Jak-ka-Pat Bed & Breakfast Cafe (Doi Sakad)

A cozy wooden seating area at Jakkapat Cafรฉ, featuring weathered chairs, a simple table, and a bookshelf in the background. The open-air space blends seamlessly with the surrounding greenery, creating a peaceful retreat.
Two gradient-colored butterfly pea honey lemon drinks served with homemade scones and fresh strawberries at Jakkapat Cafรฉ. The tray rests on a rustic wooden table, reflecting the cafรฉโ€™s natural aesthetic.

This one is only worth the drive if you’re already planning to spend a few nights up in Doi Sakad, but may I say… that Doi Sakad is worth it.

The coffee shop only sells one type of pastry, plain scones, but oh dear, they are delicious. I ordered one and ended up having 3 by the end. Dangerous.

How to Get Around Nan and Its Cafes

While you can conveniently get around the cafes of Nan City via Grab taxis, I highly recommend renting a car to venture out to Yud Vela and Ban Tai Lue since the service is not readily available out there.

Alternatively, for the city, you can rent bikes or scooters to get to remote places like Luem Wela more easily. There’s no need to rent a car for your time in Nan City when you can easily use Grab to call for rides.

Use My Immersive Itinerary to Explore Nan!

If you’re not sure how to start incorporating these amazing cafes into your plans, I recommend using this 5-day itinerary I designed as a starting point.

Designed by me, a Thai person, every item in the plan is designed to help you get the most culturally immersive time out of your stay.

Of course, it also includes the best authentic local restaurants for you to try!

For more ideas, 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.

Learn the dos and donโ€™ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.

Donโ€™t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you donโ€™t leave anything important out of your preparations, Iโ€™ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

๐Ÿ“Œ Pin this for later

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Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.