• Ming Mitr Coffee Shop
Ming Mitr is a coffee shop that was created by a person who loves, and has real passion for, coffee. He told us that this eventually lead him to opening up his own place, somewhere he could drink coffee himself and have a business at the same time. The owner is meticulous in every part of the process, by choosing the right coffee plantation, to roasting the beans just right. The result of this is great tasting coffee, and the prices are reasonable too. The shop is beautifully decorated with a warm and comfortable atmosphere, with loads of places to sit and relax, read or chat with your mates. There are two more branches and this new one on Sirimankalajarn Road.
Open daily 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sirimangkalajarn Road
Tel: 053 894 498
• 2nd Floor Gallery
You wouldn’t think this building located next to some traffic lights would be housing some fantastic art. The 2nd Floor gallery is a modified old house decorated with stylish chairs, hanging drawings and photography from many different artists. The objective of setting up the gallery, which was a collaborative effort, is to share opinions on art and relax amongst fine paintings. Because of its location at the intersection, one of the better views is from the balcony where you can watch the world go by. You’ll be amazed by the glittering opulence of the pagoda at Wat Pan On during dusk, and you can also sit under lamps with the stars and moonlight for company. Alcohol and soft drinks are sold here. 2nd Floor gallery is open for any new artists who want to show their work at no charge.
Open daily 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Behind Yupparaj School (at the corner of the intersection)
Tel. 081 030 1289
• Infinity
This new pub that has just opened up in the large tract of land called Kad Cherng Doi is about as modern as Chiang Mai gets. If you like bright neon lights, flat screen TVs, girls in mini skirts and the ubiquitous illuminations of smart phones, then you might like Infinity. The booze is of similar price to most Nimmanhaemin pubs, while the food is also what you’d expect from a modern Thai pub. You can sit outside and watch the giant TVs (sports on weekends) or go inside and listen to the DJ play a mostly generic playlist of songs. The décor is pretty impressive though, interior and exterior – they even have a swimming pool.
Open 6 p.m. – late
Adjacent to Punna Condo in Prasertland (Kad Cherng Doi)
Tel. 053 400 085
• Paper Spoon
Peaceful, totally chilled, Paper Spoon is nestled on the long time artistic hub of Soi Wat Umong. Though we guess nowadays the quiet little soi is not as quiet as it used to be. All the new condos springing up on every inch of the street have brought with them flocks of young students. Not far up the soi, about 400 metres on the left side you’ll see a cool looking wooden building which is Paper Spoon. There’s a lovely garden to sit in as well as a trendy interior. You can buy postcards and funky bags, as well as, of course, coffee and tea. They also serve banana lassis, as well as some sweet snacks. If you need a bit of privacy, you can move up to the second floor which is as comfortable as your own living room.
Located between Wat Umong and Wat Rampoeng
Open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed on Wednesdays)
Tel: 089 112 9108
• The Casbah
The Casbah is a new bar just opened opposite Tha Pae Gate before you enter the beer centre, though it looks nothing like any other drinking establishment in that area. Replete with large iconic prints of bands throughout the ages: Sex Pistols, Floyd, Madness, The Clash etc you get the feeling the owner knows something about his music. It’s a spacious bar, kind of minimalist, but with stools and comfortable low sofas. There’s also a good pool table and a large projector where you can watch live football games. One of the highlights of The Casbah is their insistence on playing tunes that don’t make you want to leave Chiang Mai. Their impressive selection of indie, alternative, rock, and some funky electronic music makes the bar a great place to have a drink at. All drinks are fairly cheap and large beers are available, as well as spirits, wine, etc. Definitely one of a few forward thinking places in an area not as popular as it used to be since the Nimmanheamin hub became so cool. Right now get a free shot when you spend 100 baht or more.
Open 6 p.m. until late
Opposite Tha Pae Gate on the right
before you enter the beer centre
casbah2011@gmail.com
• Wagaya Yakiniku restaurant
Wagaya Yakiniku restaurant, a Japanese buffet with a hot grill on each table has their own style of ingredients and recipes. Under Thai ownership this exciting new restaurant is located on Nimmanheamin Road Soi 7 about half way down the street. At 359 baht for 2 hours, you can eat a selection of meats: pork, sliced beef, chicken, fish, as well as seafood such as mussels, shell fish, salmon and more. Sauces come as sweet, sweet and sour, Japanese soy sauce, Korean mushroom sauce. Other foods on offer are soups and desserts. You can sit at a small table or reserve a 15 people VIP table that is available on the second floor. You better make a reservation if you don’t want to be peeved by a long queue.
Wagaya Yakiniku restaurant
Nimmanheamin Soi 7
Open daily 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Tel. 053 894 433 or 081 673 4343