Chiang Rai town has a large number of food shops and restaurants offering a wide variety of food, ranging from local to international dishes. The Night Bazaar is the best for budget eats; it is located between the bus station and Thanon Phaholyothin in the center of town. Other excellent eating place is the area near Chiang Rai Beach, there are several restaurants overlooking the “Mae Kok River”.

Thai cuisine is very spicy and includes curries, stir fried dishes, salads, many rice and noodle dishes. At Chiang Rai one should not miss the local traditional dishes such as Khao soi (chicken curry soup with noodles); Nam prik num (dip made from eggplant, green chilies, and peppers); Sticky rice with mango; Gai yang (grilled chicken); Larb (Lao meat salad); Som tam (known as som tum or som tam, spicy, grated papaya salad). Regional fruits include lychee, pineapple, grapefruit, melon, mango, orange, rose apple, banana, papaya and strawberries.

Some attractive places are:

Doi Chaang Coffee
Address: Thanon Ratyotha
Telephone: 1-866-9(242264)

Kae's Cafe Burrito is a good Mexican restaurant located near Wat Phra Kaew
Address: Thanon Trai Rat

Oasis Vegetaurant is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in town
Address: 612/93 Sirikorn Market Paholyothin Road
Telephone: 053-740-791

Nakornpatom Restaurant has Thai and Chinese cuisine
Address: Thanon Phahonyothin

Siam Corner offers Thai and Western food
Address: Thanon Jet Yot

Muse Bar
Address: Thanon Sanambin 101/1
Telephone: 08-69169369

Other interesting restaurants include: The Italian restaurant Da Vinci has great pastas, Lebanese restaurant, Tong Tung Restaurant, Reggae Bar, Big Bamboo Bar, Chiang Rai Beach, Bo's Place (on Thanon Phahon Yotin), and Easy Bar.