4 Days in Chiang Mai, Thailand - Oct 2026

Chiang Mai is the third stop of our annual Dads on Tour trip, following Hanoi and Bangkok in previous years. As none of us were new to Thailand, there was no pressure to tick off the sights this time. Instead, the plan was simple: eat well, enjoy the evenings and do a lot of relaxing by the pool. Chiang Mai turned out to be the perfect city for exactly that.

Chiang Mai, which means "new city" in Thai, was founded in 1296 by King Mangrai as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, the "Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields." Built on the Ping River at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain, the city was designed as a walled stronghold, and you can still see the remains of the old moat and brick gates around the Old City today. Lanna reached its golden age in the 15th century under King Tilokkarat, when it was a major centre for Theravada Buddhism, which explains the remarkable number of temples you pass on every walk. The kingdom fell to the Burmese in 1558 and remained under their rule for around 200 years, until local prince Kawila drove them out with Siamese help in the late 18th century. Lanna was formally absorbed into Siam in the late 19th century, but the city has kept a distinct northern identity of its own, from its food and crafts to its slower, gentler pace compared to Bangkok.

The most famous attractions here are probably the Yi Peng lantern festival and the elephant sanctuaries. Both are very popular, but they weren't really for us on this trip, so I have left them out of this post.

Transportation

Chiang Mai International Airport is only around 15 minutes from the city, which makes it a great option for a weekend getaway. Once you land, Grab is easily available and is the easiest way to get around.

One thing to note is the Sunday traffic around the Old City. Between 3pm and midnight the Sunday Night Market takes over the area, and roads around it can be quite problematic, so plan your journeys around it or simply walk.

Accommodation

An oasis in the middle of the Old City. Tamarind Village is slightly dated, but this gives it a lot of old charm, and once you are through the gates it has a very resort vibe with a more wholesome clientele. A complimentary airport transfer is included, which is a nice touch on arrival. Be specific about the style of room you want when booking. Rooms can be quite different even within the same category, and I had to request a change of room as mine was not the same as the images when I booked. Breakfast is served poolside and it is fantastic, the pool gets great sun throughout the whole day, and the poolside service and cocktails are excellent. This is where we spent most of our afternoons.

I wanted to try Burirattana Hotel as it is Instagram famous and also adults only on the last night. It looks great and feels very new, but it loses some of the old-town charm that makes staying in the Old City special. During our stay, the hotel was almost entirely occupied by Korean tourists and Instagram girlies, which was not quite the vibe we were after. There are also no poolside services, which is a downside if you are used to the Tamarind Village experience. That said, the Kati café is fantastic and well known for its brunch. Breakfast was not included in my package, but it is worth a visit even if you are not staying here.

Both hotels are great in terms of location, and the Sunday Night Market right on the doorstep certainly adds a bustling charm to the stay.

Sightseeing

As mentioned we didn't do much sightseeing, but here are some images of the temples and local monuments:

Waroros Market

Vibrant, 3-floor market featuring fresh produce, street food, casual clothing & household goods.

Kalm​ Village​ Chiang Mai

Kalm Village Chiang Mai is a beautifully designed art, craft, and culture center tucked away in a quiet alley near Chiang Mai Gate in the Old City. Spanning a unified compound with black brick walls modeled after traditional Lanna bamboo basketry, it serves as a serene, sophisticated oasis away from the bustling city streets. Yoga classes also available on the rooftop.

Restaurants & Cafes

KitiPanit (7/10)

Kiti Panit is a highly acclaimed, Michelin-recommended restaurant in Chiang Mai that serves polished, elevated Northern Thai (Lanna) cuisine. The restaurant is famously housed in a stunning, beautifully restored teakwood mansion dating back to 1888, which originally operated as the city's very first general store. The best dishes are definitely the 2 signature noodle dishes, whilst the rest are good but nothing to write home about.

Sucking Stones Brewing Co.

Sucking Stones Brewing Co. is an excellent, independent brewpub located in Chiang Mai on Siri Mangkalajarn Road, just a short walk from the vibrant Nimman neighborhood. Known for brewing its fresh craft ales and lagers right behind the bar, it stands out in the local scene by offering a rotating tap list that often features traditional English-style cask ales alongside modern local craft beers, ciders, and sato (traditional Thai rice wine). We only came for a drink so I cannot score this place.

Pari- (8/10)

PARI- is one of the trendiest culinary destinations in Chiang Mai. Backed by popular Thai actor and celebrity Jaylerr, this Michelin-Selected restaurant pairs modern Japanese Izakaya techniques with premium, hyper-local Northern Thai ingredients. Recently moved to their current location. The food is interested but the venue was a bit warm. I strongly recommend the steak, softshell crab and the fried rice.

The Sax Music House One Nimman

The Sax Music House is a premier, upscale live music bar and restaurant located right at the entrance of the trendy One Nimman lifestyle complex in Chiang Mai. Boasting a dramatic "Luxury Gothic Loft" architectural design with exposed brick facades and elegant chandeliers, it has established itself as one of the neighborhood's most popular nightly entertainment venues. Imagine Carnegies in HK with a full kitchen as a restaurant.

Blue Noodle Shop (8/10)

Blue Noodle Shop is an iconic, exceptionally popular open-air noodle bar located right in the heart of Chiang Mai's Old City. Renowned for serving comfort in a bowl, this legendary local establishment has earned a massive international following for its exceptionally tender slow-cooked beef and rich, clear broths.

THE A TER - Steak & Music (6/10)

The A Ter is a highly trendy theater-themed gastro-bar and music lounge located on Charoen Prathet Road, just south of the Night Bazaar area in Chiang Mai. Straddling the line between an amphitheater and a premium steakhouse, it has become a hot spot for foodies and nightlife lovers seeking high-quality food, unpretentious pricing, and spectacular live performances. I think the food is ok but the music is decent. More romantic than for groups.

ThaPae Grill (7/10)

A vibrant, multi-level rooftop restaurant and bar situated just 50 meters from the iconic Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai's Old City. Spanning five floors, it is celebrated as one of the few vantage points inside the historic city walls that delivers 360-degree panoramic views of the city skyline, the misty peaks of Doi Suthep, and the bustling streets below. Chiangmai is not exactly known for seadfood but the curried creamy Crab Lumb meat was good. The Claypot Prawns is passable, but its not really charred enough.

Friend's Table (9/10)

True to its name, the restaurant is built directly into a stylish, glass-enclosed wing of the owners' residential home 30 mins from the Old City Center. It hosts only 18 guests per night, making it feel like you are attending a private dinner party hosted by talented chef friends. Chefs Nick and Nont cook in a fully open kitchen counter format. They interact extensively with guests, introducing each course, sharing the creative inspirations behind their culinary techniques, and explaining their flavor pairings. We had the Italy x Japan journey.

Kiat O Cha Restaurant (10/10)

This is a legendary, historic street food institution in Chiang Mai. Operating since 1957, this bustling, open-air Chinese-Thai eatery has spent decades serving up arguably the most famous Hainanese chicken rice (Khao Man Gai) and freshly grilled pork satay in the city. Note that options are different between the Chinese and English menu. The chinese menu has innard options but not on the english one. The portions are not huge so TRY EVERYTHING. Each size plate/portion can be mixed with maximum 2 kinds of meat. Come early before midday.

Aoyjai Kitchen

Operating with a strict "one cook, one wok" philosophy, it has gone massively viral across social media for serving what many consider to be the most flawlessly executed, smoky, wok-hei-infused Pad Krapao (basil stir-fry) in town. We walked pass this place and it was very busy so it must be good

Chiang Mai Walking Street (Sunday Market) (7/10)

The Chiang Mai Walking Street, also known as the Sunday Night Market, is the city's largest, most legendary, and most vibrant weekly open-air market. Spanning over 1.1 to 1.5 kilometers through the exact core of the historic Old City, it pedestrianizes the entire length of Ratchadamnoen Road from the iconic Tha Phae Gate in the east straight to the gates of Wat Phra Singh in the west. This is the perfect way to shop for souvenir and experience local street food. To my suprise the quality is pretty decent, and the vendors are so accommodating in letting me try the spiciness before buying.

Heartbreak Kid - Casual Bar (7/10)

The venue features a rolling rotation of tasteful live DJs and selectors spinning curated R&B, hip-hop, retro groove, and chill alternative tracks. The volume strikes a clever balance—energetic enough to dance to, yet quiet enough to chat without shouting. The food itself was ok, nothing to really right home about, however the vibe is great for a casual evening drink.

Kati (8/10)

Kati Breakfast and Brunch is a highly popular, Instagram-famous dining destination in Chiang Mai's Old City. Located on Ratchadamnoen Road and beautifully built into the ground level of the chic Burirattana Hotel, it is celebrated for seamlessly blending international brunch favorites with fresh Northern Thai elements and a creative, signature twist of house-made coconut (kati). The food is beautiful AND tasty, a great alternative from all the delicious thai food.

Pegasus Café & Roastery

Pegasus Café & Roastery is a hidden artisan coffee gem quietly tucked away at the end of a dead-end alley near Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai's Old City. Operating with a serene, off-the-street garden atmosphere, this family-run micro-roastery has earned a near-perfect reputation among coffee purists for its meticulous small-batch roasting and deeply passionate hospitality.

Bars / Nightlife

BARC

Barc (styled as BARC) is a popular, moody nightlife venue located inside the bustling Think Park lifestyle complex, right across from the MAYA Lifestyle Shopping Center at the gateway of the Nimman neighborhood. Standing for Bar • Audio • Record • Community, it is built as a high-fidelity listening lounge and social hub that centers around music, drinks, and late-night vibes. We went at 11pm and apparently it was still too early. We were also way too old there so check what music they have each night as the vibe changes drastically.

Zoe in Yellow

Zoe in Yellow is Chiang Mai's most infamous and popular nightlife hub, located right in the heart of the Old City. Rather than being a single venue, it is a sprawling open-air complex of interconnected bars, dance floors, and street food stalls that forms the epicenter of the city's backpacker, expat, and traveler social scene. It has a very backpacker vibe.

6ixcret Show - Drag Show

6ixcret Show (pronounced "Secret Show") is widely celebrated as Chiang Mai's premier, #1 drag queen cabaret performance. Located on the second floor of the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar Building, it serves as an incredibly vibrant, inclusive, and high-energy community sanctuary welcoming all genders, nationalities, and allies. Come between 9pm and 9:15pm to get a good table and prepare 100 bahts for tips after each performances!

86's Room

This place turns into a club after midnight nad this is where you go after the drag show.

MaHoRee City of Music

A highly vibrant, immersive live music bar and cocktail lounge located in the heart of Chiang Mai's Old Town. Founded by the creative minds behind the legendary North Gate Jazz Co-Op, it functions as an eclectic cultural melting pot that blends live global rhythms with signature craft mixology. This is one of the coolest live music place I have been to and worth a visit if you are into the live performance arts. Even on a night where they were playing Northern Thai Folk, they managed to put a contemporary spin on it.

Spas and Massages

Let's Relax Spa

A well known chain in Thailand for the higher end cliente. Multiple locations in Chiang Mai so confirm your location before booking online.

Makkha Health & Spa

It was ok but not great. I felt like the masseuse was not really into it.

U Spa Chiang Mai

I sneaked in a cheeky head and shoulder massage in the morning and my lady was amazing. It is part of a hotel and had promotions in the mornings so definitely worth checking them out.

Final Thoughts

Chiang Mai was the perfect city for a trip that was all about doing less. Our days settled into an easy rhythm of coffee at Pegasus, brunch at Kati and long afternoons by the pool at Tamarind Village. Friend's Table was easily the meal of the trip, while Pari- and Blue Noodle Shop proved that a Michelin-selected izakaya and a humble bowl of beef noodles can be equally worth it. The evenings were the real surprise, with live music at MaHoRee and the 6ixcret drag show followed by 86's Room making for our most memorable nights out. With the airport just 15 minutes away and Grab everywhere, Chiang Mai is one of the easiest getaways in the region. Relaxed, full of character and exactly the right pace for a group of dads in need of a break, it is a worthy addition to the Dads on Tour series.