Fern Forest Cafe

Singharaj Soi 4
Chiang Mai


Cakes, Coffee, Snacks

Its not often that I find a dessert that I really like, especially over here. The cakes tend to be tasteless, covered in this weird white cream and small creatures made of "icing". And then there are the Thai desserts which are a bit better - coconut sticky rice or steamed coconut sweets. Very tasty but not the thing to cure a sweet-craving I have found.

This was all truth until we came across Fern Forest Cafe one day. Mick and I were looking for a nice spot for a coffee shake instead of going to our usual spots and we tried this place. Its cute, away from a main road and it has the best cakes in the WHOLE of Chiang Mai. And I am not exaggerating when I say that! Definitely worth checking out with that someone special...and you can also buy whole cakes for birthdays/parties/anything!

Highlights
White Chocolate Cheesecake
Banoffee Pie
Bacon & Cheese Quiche

M Italian Cuisine

M Italian Cuisine
Soi 3, Suthep Road (past Canal Road), Chiang Mai

Pizza, pasta, cocktails, desserts


If you are after simple, authentic and delicious food, this is a great spot to know about. Especially if you dont want to pay crazy prices for it! This restaurant is located down a soi in a cute little garden. The staff are polite and unobtrusive, the food is always great and there is enough privacy for a romantic night.

Meals come in under 200 baht for mains (steak, pork, chicken, fish) - all which are served with a sauce of choice on the side and a piece of bread - pasta dishes and pizza a little less. They do great cocktails for really cheap - 40-70baht and have now got dessert specials too.

Highlights
Pork chop with peppercorn sauce
Lasagne
Salmon with pesto sauce
Beef steak with blue cheese sauce

Salsa Kitchen

Salsa Kitchen

Huay Kaew Road (across from Shell Station), Chiang Mai

www.thesalsakitchen.com

Fajitas,enchiladas, mexican dips and corn chips.
Free WiFi


The Salsa Kitchen is a bit of an institution in Chiang Mai. Especially for the expats. It serves HUGE plates of Mexican and Caribbean dishes (like the size you would get back home) such as enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, ribs plus really good margaritas. Its a cosy spot with plenty of seats inside where there is also aircon, plus seats outside for those who are content to breath the car fumes.


The platters are a great option, but probably best shared between two. You get a choice of 3 items, such as an enchilada, burrito, taco, quesadilla and a chimichanga (veg/chicken/pork or beef) and its served with salad and salsa. Coming in under 190 baht per platter its great value and only big eaters will be able to finish. Also worth a mention is the margarita and sangria jugs which at a smidge over 300 baht, very good value and enough to get most people giggly.


Highlighs
Pork Chimichanga
Chilli Cheese Dip
Smoked Pork Ribs
Vegetarian Taco
Margaritas

Shan Noodle Shop 999 (Yangon)

Shan Noodle Shop 999

130B, 34th Street, Yangon

Shan noodle soups, salads and other Burmese specialities

This is a small, hole in the wall noodle shop that is heaven. The creamy tastes and friendly staff are great and the food is really yum.

I was introduced to the incredible tasting Shan tofu noodle soup last year in Chiang Mai and i am a HUGE fan of it. being able to eat it in Burma was great - it was creamier, tastier and heartier than the one I had in Chiang Mai especially with the pickled veges on the top of the soup.

Highlights
Creamy tofu soup - Hsan Hkauk Swè
Noodle Salads
Fried tofu fritters - Hpu Gyaw

T-Smile Cafe

T-Smile Cafe
Singharat Soi 3, Chiang Mai

Thai food, fruit shakes, breakfast,cocktails
Free WiFi

TSmile is a great little cafe inside the old city in Chiang Mai run by two great girls, Tikky and Joy. The food is always fresh and the service is fast and sweet.

Meals come in under 40 baht and fruit shakes/coffee shakes are a steal at 25 baht. They do takeaway and have a specials menu too. Keep an eye out for their "Food Parties" - Tikky and Joy cook up a feast and serve it buffet style for less than 100 baht! YUM.

Its not a place frequented by many backpackers as its in a different part of town, but it has a lot of regulars - both thai and farang alike.


Highlights:
Pad See Ew
Crispy Morning Glory Salad
Laab
Black Egg Salad
Coffee Shakes